The Best Side Dishes You Can Pair With Burgers
Everyone loves a good burger every now and then. Whether you're grilling them for a cookout with friends and family or you simply have a craving for a burger and don't want to spend the money on getting takeout or fast food, you can easily whip up burgers in the comfort of your own home. That may not be too difficult, but when you start thinking about the entire meal ... that's when things can get complicated.
But don't worry. Here at Mashed, we want to make sure you have the best cookout possible. That doesn't just mean making amazing burgers –- it also means pairing those burgers with the most perfect side dishes you can think of. You can always keep it simple and go for something like a classic potato salad or mac and cheese, you can keep things on the lighter side by opting for a salad of some kind, or you can get totally creative and just whip up whatever will hit the spot the most.
If you need ideas for the best side dishes to pair with your homemade burgers, look no further. This is the list for you.
Broccoli salad
Let's face it: Burgers are delicious, but they can also be quite heavy. That's probably the last thing you want when you're having a cookout in the summer. That's why it's such a great idea to whip up some broccoli salad. This stuff is filling, but it won't leave you feeling too full. The freshness perfectly complements the heartiness of your favorite burger recipe. This salad is going to be a favorite for sure, so if you make it once, just prepare to include it on the menu a lot from here on out.
Roasted fingerling potatoes
Have you ever seen those cute, tiny potatoes at your local grocery store while you were doing your shopping? If so, then you've probably wondered what you can make with them. They're so cute, after all: Why wouldn't you want to give them a try? This recipe for roasted fingerling potatoes may be just what you're looking for. They only require about ten minutes of prep time, then you throw them in the oven and forget about them for 45 minutes. They come out crunchy, crispy, and just begging to be paired with a burger.
Macaroni salad
When you think of the perfect cookout meal, what comes to mind? Sure, you've got your burgers, hot dogs, and whatever else you want to include on the grill, but what about the sides? If there's one quintessential side you have to have for events like these, it's macaroni salad. It's got everything you love about pasta with all the freshness you want from a salad. And since it's jam-packed with veggies, it's the perfect thing to eat with your meaty, juicy burger. Of course, there are a ton of variations on this recipe, so don't be afraid to get creative.
Scalloped potatoes
There are about a million different ways for you to cook potatoes, but there are probably some versions that you don't whip up on a regular basis. While mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes may be standard for you, when was the last time you made scalloped potatoes? If this isn't a potato dish that graces your table very often, it's something you absolutely have to try out. They may seem hard to make, but don't be intimidated. You can actually whip them up relatively quickly, and they go great with a burger of any kind.
Potato salad
Here's another classic that you won't be able to get enough of: potato salad. Who doesn't love potato salad? You get to get away with saying you're eating a salad, when in reality, you just get to nosh on a bunch of potatoes with heaps of dill thrown into the mix. That doesn't sound bad to us. If you're looking for the perfect potato salad recipe, you can't go wrong with our version. Not only does it taste absolutely amazing, but it's also really easy to whip up in the few minutes before your guests arrive.
Instant Pot loaded mashed potatoes
Of course, you're not always going to be eating burgers in the middle of the summer, so you may not always want to go with a salad for your side dish. Instead, you may be looking for something that's about as savory and comforting as can be. When that's the case, you should turn to these Instant Pot loaded mashed potatoes. First of all, you make them in the Instant Pot, so you know it's a simple process. But when you consider the fact that you also get to add whatever toppings suit your fancy, you'll realize that you can't go wrong with this dish.
Instant Pot baked beans
If you love the idea of using your Instant Pot for a set-it-and-forget-it-type side, then you're going to go crazy over these Instant Pot baked beans. They are incredibly easy to make, meaning that you can just place them in your Instant Pot and really focus on making the best burgers ever. Since they only take ten minutes to prep, you can whip them up on pretty much any day of the week. Why not give them a try the next time you're looking for something hearty and filling?
Roasted broccoli
Why overcomplicate things when you can keep them simple and easy? That's why we love this roasted broccoli recipe so much. Sure, plenty of people don't love broccoli. But when you roast it, it basically turns into a completely new vegetable. It gets crispy and even slightly charred, which brings out a flavor unlike any other. In fact, it may just be our favorite side for every meal. That being said, it does pair really well with burgers, so you may want to give it a try.
German potato salad
If you grew up in the United States, there's a good chance that you've only really been acquainted with one type of potato salad. It's cold, it's made with mayo, and to be honest, it's kind of mushy. But across the Atlantic, you'll find a different type of potato salad, one that's served warm and has a kind of sweet tanginess you won't be able to get enough of. If you've never tried it before, you definitely have to give German potato salad a shot. It's just as easy to make as any potato salad you've made, and it may just become your new favorite.
Cornbread
Those who grew up in the South know that cornbread is the ideal accompaniment to just about any meal. How can you not love it? It has a nice sweetness to it, but when you pair it with the savory dishes on your plate, it just couldn't taste better. That's why you have to give this cornbread recipe a shot. Don't be intimated, though. While some cornbread recipes can be complicated, this one is about as simple and easy as it gets. And the best part? It will taste amazing with your burger!
Roasted cauliflower
You already know how we feel about roasted broccoli here at Mashed, so you shouldn't be surprised that we've also included roasted cauliflower to the list of side dishes we think you should pair with your next burger. Cauliflower may not get quite as crispy as broccoli when you roast it, but it has a creaminess that you really can't get from any other veggie. Plus, the fact that cauliflower has such a neutral taste means that you can season it however you want, so feel free to go off the rails when it comes to this recipe.
Slow cooker mac and cheese
If you're a huge fan of using your slow cooker when you need to get dinner on the table without a lot of fuss, then you know how useful they can be. However, if you think it's something you should only use for soups and stews, think again. One dish that you should definitely try in your slow cooker is this amazing slow cooker mac and cheese. We're not exaggerating when we say it might just be the best you've ever had in your life. You have to give it a try if you want an easy side for your burgers.
Antipasto salad
Pasta salad is one of those dishes that just about everyone likes. You get to mix fresh veggies with heaps of pasta ... who wouldn't want to dig into that right away? That's exactly why you're going to love this antipasto salad. When you mix rotini pasta with red onions, peppers, tomatoes, olives, and more, you know you're going to get something amazing. And the best part? It pairs beautifully with burgers. Just a warning: You may want to make a big batch of this stuff, because everyone is going to want second helpings.
Creamed corn
Forget the canned stuff you find for cheap at your local grocery store. Did you know that you can actually make your very own creamed corn in the comfort of your own home? Yes, you heard that right –- and it tastes absolutely amazing. The best part of this recipe is the fact that you likely already have everything you need to prepare it on hand in your refrigerator and pantry, so it's an easy weeknight staple you can make anytime. And since it will be ready in just 20 minutes, it makes the perfect last-minute accompaniment to your burger entree.
Rice pilaf
Rice pilaf may not seem like the most traditional dish to pair with burgers, but believe us when we say it's a great option. It has all the carbs you need to fill you up, but it also packs in a surprising amount of vegetables in the process. It comes together in just 45 minutes, which is impressive for a dish that sounds so fancy. And since it's so versatile, you can feel free to switch it up and do whatever you want to make it your own.