These 37 Healthy Sides For Burgers Don't Skimp On The Flavor
From fries to slaws, we've got it all.
Our fave season has almost arrived—summertime! We can't wait to get outside, start up our grills, and spend as little time cooking as possible. This also means tons of hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled meat (including grilled seafood too), of course, but what's a juicy grilled burger without a great side dish to elevate your meal? This is especially true than when you’re eating an alternative diet, like keto or low-carb, or just trying to eat healthier. Whether you're planning a laid-back weeknight dinner or firing up the grill for a summer BBQ, these 36 delectable sides are guaranteed to steal the show. Join us as we redefine the art of burger accompaniments, one nutritious bite at a time.
When it comes to burgers, fries just seem like a side that's meant to be. That said, we know eating healthier can sometimes mean avoiding some of your favorites, like potatoes. The good news is we have plenty of alternative fry recipes to satisfy that craving while keeping it lighter, like our oven baked fries, baked yuca fries, or air-fryer everything bagel avocado fries. Speaking of air-fryer, we absolutely love cooking things this way to avoid extra oils and still get a crispy, crunchy result.
Looking to add more fresh vegetables and fruit to your meal? Try one of our healthier salads. Don't worry–we're not just talking undressed greens here, either. We have lots of options to lighten it up while still enjoying some classics, like in our French potato salad, our vinegar coleslaw, or our fruit salad recipes. We're also very partial to a protein-packed bean salad, particularly ones we can make ahead of time and serve hot or cold. We’ve included a few of our favorites here, like our black bean & corn salad or our Mediterranean chickpea salad, but get creative with the beans you like best.
For more healthy ideas, check out our lists of better-for-you appetizers, dinners, and desserts too.
Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad is a spring and summer picnic staple, and for good reason: When tossed in a bright vinegar-based dressing and packed with thinly sliced onions, cukes can withstand warm temperatures and sit out at a sunny outdoor gathering for hours.
Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.
Loaded Mediterranean Sweet Potato Fries
These loaded sweet potato fries are not only more nutritious than the average fries, thanks to nutrient-dense sweet potatoes, but they’re also layered with a flavorful Mediterranean tomato-cucumber salad, and made even better with a tahini-yogurt sauce.
Blueberry Peach Feta Salad
Blueberries, peaches, cucumbers, AND feta? You’ll be amazed by how well this combination comes together in salad form (and how well it goes with savory summer faves!).
Get the Blueberry Peach Feta Salad recipe.
Air Fryer Corn On The Cob
What can't the air fryer do? After air frying until the cobs turn bright yellow and the kernels are tender, you'll stir up a tangy feta topping to make Greek-inspired street corn (kind of like Mexican elote, but with Greek yogurt instead of cotija).
Get the Air Fryer Corn On The Cob recipe.
Zucchini Fries
These fries get coated in a cheesy, garlicky mixture before baking at a high heat, giving them an ultra-crispy crust, perfect for dunking in your favorite sauce. They're also so easy to whip up, only taking around 30 minutes for a delicious side that everyone will be grabbing for.
Get the Zucchini Fries recipe.
Summer Couscous Salad
Here we're using couscous as the base for a confetti of colored vegetables (cucumbers! bell peppers! red onion!), doused in a creamy lemon Dijon dressing. We’ve also added tangy fetaand sun-dried tomatoes, crunchy toasted almonds, and nutty, earthy chickpeas to give it a little added oomph. It’s simple and light, but still special enough for a celebration.
Get the Summer Couscous Salad recipe.
French Potato Salad Recipe
French potato salad is the punchy, bright, and herby addition to your list of summer side dishesthat you didn’t know you needed. Tender, creamy potatoes get tossed with a garlicky mustard dressing and showered with plenty of fresh chopped herbs to create this simple and satisfying version of the crowd-pleasing side.
Get the French Potato Salad Recipe.
Baked Yuca Fries
Are you a sweet potato fry fan? You’re going to LOVE these. Let us introduce you to your new favorite—yuca fries. These sweet and nutty cassava fries do take a bit of preparation, but once you’ve peeled, chopped, and boiled them, you can turn them into extremely crispy fries that’ll rival any French fry.
Get the Baked Yuca Fries recipe.
Golden Girl Salad With Sweet Corn Vinaigrette
The star of this sunny cabbage salad is sweet corn, and we use the kernels two ways: First up is alongside the cherry tomatoes, carrots, and yellow bell pepper. Second, the real fun begins when you blend kernels into the dressing. They add depth and help make the texture super creamy!
Get the Golden Girl Salad With Sweet Corn Vinaigrette recipe.
Fruit Salad
Sweet syrupy honey, fresh tart orange juice, and bright lemon zest come together to elevate fresh (and even not-so-in-season!) fruit to new heights.
Get the Fruit Salad recipe.
Green Bean Salad
If your family cookout doesn’t feature a big bowl of this salad, you’re seriously missing out. Fresh green beans are tossed with cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta in a simple red wine vinaigrette for a Greek-inspired side that’s as light and fresh as it is seasonal.
Get the Green Bean Salad recipe.
Antipasto Chickpea Salad
This versatile chickpea salad is a great side dish (hello, potlucks!) but can easily be a full meal on its own. Adding a spoonful of Dijon mustard to your red wine vinaigrette makes it creamier in both taste and body—consider it your secret weapon in making a classic dressing just that much better.
Get the Antipasto Chickpea Salad recipe.
Oven Baked Fries
Who wants to deep fry in a huge pot of oil every time they want fries? Not us! But these? They're worth the 30 minutes, the easy clean-up, and the relatively measly 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil.
Get the Oven Baked Fries recipe.
Cool Ranch Zucchini Chips
Got a Dorito craving? You'll love these crispy, ranch "chips". Made with a summertime favorite, zucchini, these chips have all the flavor and less of the carbs. Tip: Now is the perfect time to use a mandoline ( if you have one)!
Get the Cool Ranch Zucchini Chips recipe.
Watermelon Quinoa Salad
One of our favorite ways to enjoy watermelon is in a refreshing salad. With mint, feta, red onion, cucumber, and a balsamic glaze, this one's got everything you love about traditional watermelon salad, but with an additional protein boost from one of our favorite grains, fluffy and nutritious quinoa.
Get the Watermelon Quinoa Salad recipe.
Caprese Asparagus
When searching for our go-to summer side, we decided to give classic asparagus the Caprese treatment. This easy, extra-cheesy side comes together in 30 minutes, making it the perfect last-minute addition to your pasta or chicken dinner. Plus: using low moisture motz will make this even healthier!
Get the Caprese Asparagus recipe.
Shredded Brussels Sprouts
We love classic sautéed Brussels sprouts, but sometimes we crave something with a bit more kick. These slightly spicy salty-sweet sprouts make for a unique and easy side dish.
Get the Shredded Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Black Bean & Corn Salad
This easy salad comes together quickly and works as a side dish, a great topping for anything grilled, or as an appetizer with tortilla chips. Think of this as a medley of the most exciting parts of a vegetarian burrito bowl, unadulterated by rice, and hyped up by a little honey-lime action.
Get the Black Bean & Corn Salad recipe.
Garlic-Parm Zucchini Sauté
Most days, we don't have time to make an elaborate side dish, and something simple is all we crave. This easy, quick-sautéed zucchini is the perfect side dish for those nights. It's full of flavor, and the zucchini slightly caramelizes as it cooks in the cast-iron pan. Yum!
Keto Broccoli Salad
Nuts and grated cheese in some form are a great addition to this broccoli salad, but you don't have to stick to almonds and cheddar. Feel free to sub in roughly chopped walnuts and goat cheese for something a bit fancy, or spiced pecans and pepper Jack for a bit of kick.
Get the Keto Broccoli Salad recipe.
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