40 Best Sides for Burgers and Hot Dogs

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Not sure what to serve with hot dogs and hamburgers? I’ve collected 40 of the BEST sides for hamburgers and dogs, so you’ll have everything you need for a whole summer of grilling, cookouts, and BBQs.

From macaroni salad to grilled zucchini, there’s sure to be a recipe here for you!

Easy Side Dishes for Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

Collage of summer sides for hamburgers and hot dogs

Summer weather means easy breezy dinners enjoyed on the patio, and, of course, LOTS of hamburgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill. The main dish is a cinch, but what about the sides?

If you’ve ever felt stumped about what to serve with hamburgers and hot dogs or wondered what to bring to a cookout, you’re not alone!

That’s why I gathered up all my favorite summer side dishes from NeighborFood and around the web. We’ve got all the classics here: potato and pasta salad, fruit salads, and warm potluck favorites like mac and cheese and baked beans.

But if you’re wanting to try something a little different, we’ve also featured some unique twists on old favorites. Dill pickle pasta salad, anyone?

Whether you’re indulging in a classic bacon cheeseburger or getting adventurous with a pimento cheeseburger or taco burger, there’s sure to be something on this list to round out your menu!

Cookout Dips and Appetizers

Appetizers aren’t exactly a side dish, but it's always nice to have a few dishes on hand to keep everyone happy while the burgers and hot dogs finish grilling. Ditch the store bought veggie tray and trade it for one of these easy summer dips or appetizer recipes!

1

Knorr Spinach Dip recipe shown in a bread bowl surrounded by cut vegetables.
Knorr Spinach Dip Recipe
This Knorr Spinach Dip recipe is super easy to prep and a great way to incorporate some veggies at your next party! We love serving spinach dip in a bread bowl for a beautiful presentation, plus the leftover sourdough is perfect for dipping!
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2

This cheesy Hot Crab Dip Recipe is the perfect appetizer for any occasion!
Hot Crab Dip Recipe
This hot cheesy crab dip is spiced with Old Bay and studded with peppadew peppers for a sweet and tangy flavor that’s irresistible.
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3

Spatula holding a slice of cold veggie pizza
Veggie Pizza Recipe
This cold veggie pizza appetizer is made with a golden crescent roll crust, herby cream cheese filling, and loads of crunchy crisp veggies! Vegetable pizza is a perfect recipe for cookouts, holidays, or even a light lunch.
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4

Black Bean and Corn Salsa-Cover image
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
This Black Bean and Corn Salsa is so fresh and ridiculously easy to make. Make this Black Bean Dip as a side, appetizer, or topping for grilled meats, tacos, and salads.
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5

Vegetable Platter with Herbed Greek Yogurt Dip
Say goodbye to boring veggie trays and hello to this bright, fresh, and colorful Spring Vegetable Platter. Paired with a quick Herbed Greek Yogurt Dip this is a healthy appetizer people might actually want to eat.
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6

Jarlsfberg cheese dip with a pretzel crisp dipping in it.
Foodtastic Mom
Jarlsberg Cheese Dip
This delicious Jarlsberg cheese dip recipe takes just a few minutes to make and tastes amazing with honey mustard and onion pretzel crisps!
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Cold Pasta and Potato Salad Sides

Pasta and potato salads are classic cookout sides. This collection of cold salads includes traditional recipes as well as unique twists.

7

Italian bowtie pasta salad in a large bowl with wooden spoon
Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad
Bowtie Pasta Salad with Italian dressing, veggies, and Parmesan cheese is a great side dish for BBQs or light summer dinner.
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8

This Southwest Pasta Salad with Cilantro Ranch is full of zesty flavor and perfect for summer picnics!
Southwest Pasta Salad
This creamy Southwest Pasta Salad is a zesty twist on a classic! With fresh lime, spicy jalapeno, cilantro, and chives, this is a refreshing pasta salad for summer cookouts!
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9

This Greek Pasta Salad with Feta Cheese is bright, tangy, and loaded with fresh veggies!
Greek Pasta Salad with Feta
Greek Pasta Salad is loaded with summer vegetables, feta cheese, and crab in a puckery Greek vinaigrette.
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10

Tastes of Lizzy T
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Pickles add a pop of tangy flavor to this picnic salad recipe. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with a fresh dill, cool & creamy dressing.
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11

Italian tortellini salad in a white bowl
A Cedar Spoon
Italian Tortellini Salad
Italian Tortellini Salad is a hearty pasta salad that is perfect for bbqs. Cheese tortellini is mixed with cheddar and mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and Parmesan cheese.
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12

Homemade in the Kitchen
Amish Macaroni Salad (Better Than Walmart) – HITK
Creamy Amish Macaroni Salad recipe is a better than Walmart’s Amish Macaroni Salad with tangy dressing made of mayo, mustard, and paprika.
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13

Lemons and Zest
Cajun Potato Salad
Kick up your classic recipe with this Cajun Potato Salad. Eggs, crunchy celery and a creamy dressing with a simple homemade cajun seasoning.
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14

German potato salad with hard boiled egg slices.
From a Chef’s Kitchen
German Potato Salad
This authentic German Potato Salad recipe has been a family favorite for more than 70 years! The intensely flavorful, vinegar-based dressing is sweet and tangy. Perfect as a hearty side dish!
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15

Cheesy baked potato salad
From Valerie’s Kitchen
Baked Potato Salad
This Baked Potato Salad recipe takes classic potato salad to a new level! Tender, baked potatoes with cheese, bacon, and a tangy dressing.
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Cold Vegetable and Fruit Salad Sides

It's always nice to have a selection of cold side dishes for cookouts to help beat the heat. This collection of crisp, refreshing salad and coleslaw recipes pair perfectly with hot dogs and burgers.

16

Giant bowl of 7 layer salad.
7 Layer Salad
7 Layer Salad is an old fashioned make ahead salad that's perfect for cookouts, BBQs, and picnics. With layers of lettuce, peas, hard boiled eggs, bacon, and a creamy dressing, this delicious salad keeps for several days!
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17

bowl of spinach salad with sliced strawberries and pecans
Strawberry Spinach Salad
This Spinach Salad with strawberries and toasted pecans is paired with a sweet lemon dressing for an irresistibly refreshing summer salad.
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18

wooden bowl and salad servers scooping garden salad
Easy Garden Salad Recipe
This Fresh Garden Salad is so easy to throw together! Loaded with garden veggies, this is the perfect side dish for almost any meal!
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19

Colorful cucumber and tomato salad with dill
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions are tossed with vinegar and oil for an impressively simple and tasty summer salad
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20

This salad, known in our family only as That Good Salad, is the best combination of crunchy, fresh, bacony, cheesy goodnees!
That Good Salad
This is my idea of a perfect salad–packed with fresh veggies, plenty of crunch, salty bacon, and Parmesan cheese!
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21

The Food Charlatan
Strawberry Panzanella Salad
This spring salad is mostly made up of strawberries and fried bread. FRIED BREAD. Oh, and fresh mozzarella to seal the deal.
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22

Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen
Hillbilly Cole Slaw
Hillbilly Cole Slaw is dressed with a sweet and tangy vinegar based dressing, It’s a spectacular twist on classic mayonnaise dressed cole slaw. You can serve it as a condiment for grilled hot dogs, pinto beans or alongside barbecue and Southern fried chicken. The vinegar dressing makes it ideal for warm weather entertaining and it’s…
GET THE RECIPE

23

Binky’s Culinary Carnival
Broccoli Salad with Raisins, Easy, & Delicious
Broccoli Salad with Raisins is a fresh, easy side salad for your next BBQ or potluck. It only takes less than 30 minutes to make.
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24

Confetti and Bliss
Southern Coleslaw
This southern coleslaw has beautiful colors, flavors and textures. It features a bright, sweet/tangy dressing that’s creamy and delicious.
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25

Scalloped bowl with a melon and prosciutto panzanella salad
Three Olives Branch
Prosciutto Melon Panzanella Salad
A simple Prosciutto Melon Panzanella Salad for summer! Fresh cantaloupe melon is mixed with prosciutto ham, mozzarella cheese, arugula, and bread. This post contains affiliate links. If you are new to panzanella salads, think of them
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26

Fruit salad with watermelon, cucumber, lime, and mint
Healthy Delicious
Hydrating Fruit Salad with Honey & Mint
This hydrating fruit salad will be a staple at your barbecues this summer. Plus you can turn it into refreshing spa water!
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Warm Veggie Sides for Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

For those who prefer a warm side dish, these sauteed and grilled sides feature summer produce and fresh flavors.

27

Easy Balsamic Grilled Vegetables with Feta
Summer’s best produce is marinated in a sweet and tangy sauce then grilled to perfection and topped with fresh goat cheese.
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28

Spicy chinese zucchini with sriracha on a cast iron platter.
Spicy Asian Zucchini
This Spicy Asian Zucchini is a quick, 5 minute side dish that's perfect for using up summer zucchini. You'll love this quick sweet, spicy, and savory sauce.
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29

Foxes Love Lemons
Grilled Zucchini Roll Ups with Feta
Use your grill to prepare these easy but elegant Grilled Zucchini Roll Ups with Feta. Serve as a party appetizer, a vegetable side dish, or even a light summer meal.
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30

The Dizzy Cook
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
This grilled bok choy recipe can be made with baby bok choy or regular and only has 3 ingredients for a flavorful and healthy Asian side dish.
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31

Grilled Fingerling Potatoes with Lemon and Parsley
The Sage Apron
Grilled Fingerling Potatoes with Lemon and Parsley
This simple side dish boasts fingerling potatoes dressed in olive oil, lemon and lots of fresh chopped parsley.
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32

Grilled Asparagus with lentils and cherry tomatoes on a platter.
Spabettie
Caprese Grilled Asparagus and Lentils
Celebrating fresh summer crops, caprese grilled asparagus and lentils make a perfect side dish or entree.
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Cookout Casseroles and More Sides for Hot Dogs and Burgers

Here's all your classic summer comfort foods, from mac and cheese to baked beans and everything in between.

33

Fork taking a bite out of a big bowl of macaroni and cheese.
Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe
This classic stove top homemade mac and cheese recipe is extra creamy and rich with a great cheddar flavor.
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34

Wooden spoon scooping up cheesy potatoes from a casserole dish.
Easy Cheesy Potatoes
Easy cheesy potatoes are a delicious side dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday feasts! This cheesy potato casserole is always a crowd pleaser!
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35

corn souffle in an oval casserole dish with blue scoop
Corn Souffle
This Corn Souffle recipe is a fluffy, subtly sweet corn custard that's a perfect side dish for the holidays!
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36

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with a wooden spoon
Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Panko Crumb Topping
Ultra creamy, rich baked mac and cheese with a crispy Panko crumb topping.
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37

Two slices of cornbread stacked on top of each other with a drizzle of honey on top.
Gluten Free Cornbread
This easy Gluten Free Cornbread is made in a cast iron skillet for a buttery, tender, and moist cornbread that's an incredibly versatile side dish.
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38

A scoop of Broccoli Ritz Casserole being lifted from the dish.
Ritz Broccoli Cheese Casserole
This Broccoli Ritz Casserole is a holiday classic! With roasted broccoli, a homemade cheese sauce and a generous topping of buttery Ritz crackers, there's no better way to get your serving of veggies.
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39

Cowboy Baked Beans with Ground Beef
Ground Beef Recipes
Cowboy Baked Beans with Ground Beef
These Cowboy Baked Beans are made with three kinds of beans, bacon, and ground beef for a hearty, smoky, and just barely sweet flavor. A great cookout side for hot dogs and hamburgers!
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40

Wooden spoon scooping Roasted Veggie Pasta out of a large bowl.
Pasta Primavera or Spring in a Bowl
Is it a pasta salad a vegetable side or a warm cookout side? Yes. This versatile roasted vegetable pasta works so well for cookouts because it can be served hot, cold, or at a room temperature. Load it with summer produce and fresh basil for the perfect summer side.
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Hot Dogs and Hamburger Recipes to Complete Your Cookout

Not sure what to do for the main course? First, learn all our best tips for How to Grill Burgers, then visit our collection of over 30 unique burger recipes! Also check out our Air Fryer Hot Dogs (they’re as good as grilled!).

Here are our personal favorite burgers:

4 Comments

  1. Explore yummy Singapore food at SGEats. Check out their menu and prices for a tasty experience. Share the love for Singapore cuisine with others on your favorite sites. Discover, enjoy, and spread the word for a true taste of Singapore.

  2. Oh man! I can hardly wait until Summer to enjoy some of these recipes!
    I could make a meal on salads and sides!

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