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What to Serve with Hamburgers and Hotdogs: 15 Go-to Sides

Hamburgers and hotdogs are everyone’s favorite fast food, and for good reason.

They’re easy to make, super tasty and enjoyably fulfilling!

But at any given gathering or picnic, we tend to ask ourselves: what to serve with hamburgers and hotdogs?

As a burger lover, I have tried all the sides that complement hamburgers and hotdogs in the best way.

So, I prepared a list of the best side dishes to ensure you never get bored with your favorite meal.

You’ll also find choices that suit everyone in the family, from the young ones to the adults.

Let’s dig in!

Why are Hamburgers and Hotdogs so Popular?

Hamburgers and hotdogs are similar at the most basic level, but their preparation and presentation make them completely different dishes.

Both hamburgers and hotdogs contain a ground meat base enclosed in wheat buns in different shapes.

Also, each has a specific sauce to bind everything and give it an extra flavor kick.

What Goes with Hamburgers and Hotdogs?

Your choice of sides determines how filling and appropriate the meal will be on each occasion.

Here are some of my favorites:

1. French Fries

French fries are a classic side for hamburgers and hotdogs.

They go well together and are probably the most requested side-kick for burgers and hotdogs.

The best thing is:

French fries are also diverse, which adds to their appeal.

You can have a burger or hotdog with the steak, crinkle cut, curly, shoestring, home, sweet potato, waffle, and tornado fries, to name a few.

These can be salted, plain, spiced, or even made into a masala.

Few sides come close to the sheer diversity of options you can have when preparing French fries.

2. Potato Salad

hamburgers and hotdogs with potato salad

How about a creamy and filling potato side for your hamburger or hotdog?

A potato salad is rich in cream and vegetable toppings.

It is also preferred by those who don’t like their sides fried in oil.

I’m telling you—you could include so many ingredients in your potato salad to make it as rich and healthy as you wish.

The dish allows for plenty of creativity, which ensures that you won’t get bored each time you eat it with your burger or hotdog!

One of the best things is:

The cream in it is filling, which makes this side dish a great accompaniment when having a hamburger or hotdog as the main course.

Since the potato salad is usually served cold, it will make for an interesting contrast to the hot burger.

3. Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are a close cousin to French fries but present a better base for toppings.

They are larger than French fries, and healthier since they are baked, not fried.

Baked potatoes work well with more than ketchup as the dip.

You can make sour cream, butter, and just about any other sauce as your favorite baked potato dip.

4. Garlic Smashed Potatoes

If you don’t feel like French fries but crave potatoes, then garlic smashed potatoes are your best option.

You only need to wash the potatoes, coat them with a little oil and salt for seasoning, and then pop them into the oven on a baking tray.

When they are almost cooked, you can smash them to flatten them somewhat.

You can then return them to the oven to finish cooking.

5. Onion Rings

How about something less starchy and more flavorful? Onion rings are a happy change from filling starchy sides!

Similar to the fries, you could simply salt them.

They also play well with dips, either ketchup or something more intricate.

Here’s the best thing:

These crispy, spicy, and often complementary side dishes are great as snacks.

They will also not leave you feeling too full, thus giving you more room to enjoy your hamburger or hotdog.

6. Grilled Corn Salad

hamburgers and hotdogs with grilled corn salad

If you have some leftover grilled corn, you can turn it into this delicious side dish for your hamburger or hotdog.

A grilled corn salad is a complex mix of flavors and textures that makes an otherwise plain hotdog feel like a gourmet meal.

You can add some cheese, nuts, and herbs.

You can even drizzle some lemon juice or other dressing on it.

More elaborate corn salads can include pickled onions, diced tomatoes, and other vegetables.

7. Pasta Salad

hamburgers and hot dogs pasta salad

Pasta salad is another filling, diverse, and flavorful side dish.

You can follow recipes online when making pasta salad, or you can get creative.

A pasta salad needs the right base, which means you should choose an appropriate pasta type, and prepare it well.

Luckily, preparation is simple:

  • Add some salt to the water when boiling it
  • Cook the pasta until al dente
  • Once the pasta is cooked, drain the water and rinse it

You can then add some cream, chopped and pickled vegetables, boiled eggs, and other ingredients you prefer.

You can make it as creamy or as plain as your health and wellness goals allow.

8. Baked Beans with Bacon

hamburgers hotdogs baked beans bacon

While baked beans with bacon work best with hotdogs, you could also try them with your hamburger.

Baked beans have a strong flavor that combines well with bacon to make one of the best side dishes.

When preparing this side dish, ensure you use sweet onions to prevent the alternative’s tanginess from affecting the overall taste of the meal.

You can also balance the other ingredients, depending on your health status and goals.

9. Vinegar Coleslaw

vinegar coleslaw side

Vinegar coleslaw is the healthier and less calorie-intense option to traditional coleslaw.

This variation opts for vinegar and Dijon mustard in place of mayonnaise and honey.

The sweetness and other flavors come from the vegetables, as opposed to those additives.

A pro tip when preparing vinegar coleslaw:

Let the final ensemble rest for at least half an hour for all flavors to combine well and for the vinegar to emulsify the mustard.

10. Buffalo Cauliflower

Another healthier yet tasty option, buffalo cauliflower adds an unusual and welcome dimension to eating hamburgers or hotdogs.

Buffalo sauce is used to coat the cauliflower, which you then toss into an air fryer to cook to crisp perfection.

The use of a drop of oil ensures you don’t pile on unnecessary calories to your already heavy meal.

I suggest the best dressing for your buffalo cauliflower is a creamy blue cheese dip.

11. Grilled Asparagus

Next time you think of health when considering what to make with hamburgers and hotdogs, look no further than asparagus.

Asparagus tends to grill up so well, few other vegetables can match its presentation.

You can add some zest to your asparagus by drizzling lemon juice on them.

They also work well with some parmesan cheese, which makes the overall dish flavorful.

12. Avocado and Tomato Salad

avocado tomato salad side dish for hamburgers hotdogs

Avocado and tomato salad should be one of the most popular hamburger and hotdog sides, owing to its simplicity and burst of flavor.

The best part?

You can whip up this salad in the time it takes for your hamburger or hotdog order to arrive if you’re not cooking it yourself.

This salad is best enjoyed immediately after you make it.

Therefore, have everything ready for your meal and everyone close by.

13. Latkes

latkes side dish

Latkes are simple to make but prove to be quite filling.

All you need to do is grate one or two potatoes and shape them into disks.

Then, make the coating mixture.

This mixture will include cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper.

Next, dip the shredded potatoes in beaten eggs, then coat them with the dry mixture, and fry!

14. Summer Salad

A summer salad is as colorful and light as it sounds.

And it is one of my personal favorites.

You can add many pretty summer colors to your salad.

For example, use corn for yellow, bell peppers for orange or red, feta cheese to get some white, and green olives for some depth.

Toss and serve!

15. Pickled Greens

pickled greens picnic side dish

This isn’t a conventional favorite of everyone, but people who love the tang of vinegar won’t be able to stop themselves.

You can pickle almost any green – cucumbers, zucchini, green peppers, and any other green you can think of.

Just cut the veggies into small cubes, submerge them in vinegar, and leave them submerged for a few hours.

Take them out of the vinegar when ready to serve.

This side dish will prove to be a tangy partner to your hamburgers or hotdogs.

Hamburgers and hotdogs are amazing foods that can be enjoyed as a snack or the main course.

Your decision on what it will be depends on what you opt to serve and eat with your hamburgers and hotdogs.

what to serve with hamburgers and hotdogs

What to Serve with Hamburgers and Hotdogs: 15 Memorable Picks

15 go-to sides for what to serve with hamburgers and hotdogs to complete and memorable meal.
Servings 0
Ingredients
  
  • French Fries
  • Potato Salad
  • Baked Potatoes
  • Garlic Smashed Potatoes
  • Onion Rings
  • Grilled Corn Salad
  • Pasta Salad
  • Baked Beans with Bacon
  • Vinegar Coleslaw
  • Buffalo Cauliflower
  • Grilled Asparagus
  • Avocado and Tomato Salad
  • Latkes
  • Summer Salad
  • Pickled Greens
Instructions
 
  • Choose your desired hamburger and hotdog pairing side dish.
  • Gather and organize other needed ingredients and cooking supplies.
  • Create a tasty hamburger or hotdog meal and enjoy!

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Passionate chef, in love with everything related to food and cooking it to perfection!
Michael Cook
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