Healthy Sides To Serve With Cheeseburgers

There are many healthy side dishes that go well with cheeseburgers. If you're looking for something crunchy and refreshing, a slaw or salad might be a good option. You could try a classic coleslaw, a cucumber salad, or a watermelon quinoa salad. Alternatively, a corn salad, a black bean and corn salad, or a green bean salad would be a great way to add some extra vegetables to your meal. If you're looking for something a little heartier, you could try a bean salad, such as a black bean and corn salad, or a chickpea salad. Baked zucchini chips are another healthy option that will give you that crispy, crunchy texture you crave. For something a little different, you could try grilled vegetables, such as asparagus or zucchini fries.

Salads: Bean, pasta, potato, or vegetable

Salads are a great healthy side option to go with your cheeseburger. Here are some salad ideas:

Bean Salads

Black bean and corn salad is a tasty option that can be served as a side, an appetizer, or a topping for grilled food. You can also make a protein-rich bean salad with kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and red onion, dressed with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette.

Pasta Salads

Dill pickle pasta salad is a refreshing option with a tangy finish. You can also try a Caprese pasta salad with avocado sauce or a summery cherry tomato pasta salad.

Potato Salads

Potato salads are a classic side for burgers. Try a vegan green potato salad, a healthy potato salad with a zesty dressing, or a loaded baked potato salad with a creamy dressing, bacon, and cheese.

Vegetable Salads

There are many vegetable salad options to choose from. You could try a refreshing cucumber watermelon salad, a summer squash zucchini salad, a shaved fennel zucchini and celery salad, or a grilled vegetable platter. Grilled corn in the husk is another tasty option, seasoned with butter, Parmesan cheese, and parsley.

Grilled vegetables

When grilling vegetables, it is best to cut them into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Vegetables that work well for grilling include peppers, summer squash, onions, mushrooms, and corn. These vegetables can be skewered and grilled for around 8 minutes on each side, or until tender and lightly charred. It is important to flip the skewers halfway through cooking to ensure even charring.

To enhance the flavour of the grilled vegetables, season them with olive oil, salt, and pepper before and after cooking. You can also drizzle them with a tasty dressing, sprinkle them with fresh herbs, or serve them with a dipping sauce. Some sauce and dressing options include tangy Greek salad dressing, cilantro lime dressing, chimichurri, tzatziki, pesto, hummus, or chipotle sauce.

Baked or air-fried sides: Zucchini, avocado, or sweet potato fries

Zucchini Fries

Zucchini fries are a tasty, low-carb, and keto-friendly snack that can be baked or air-fried. They are crispy and cheesy on the outside and tender on the inside.

To make zucchini fries in the oven, preheat your oven to 425°F. Cut the zucchini into sticks, and coat them with flour. In a separate bowl, mix Panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Whisk eggs and water in another bowl. Remove the zucchini from the bag and dip them in the egg mixture, then into the Panko mixture. Place the zucchini on a baking sheet and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

To make zucchini fries in an air fryer, cut the zucchini into sticks. Add the flour to a bag with the zucchini and shake to coat them. In a bowl, mix Panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Whisk eggs and water in a separate bowl. Remove the zucchini from the bag and dip them in the egg mixture, then into the Panko mixture. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil, place the zucchini inside, and spray them with olive oil. Air-fry at 350°F for 7-12 minutes or until golden and crispy.

Avocado Fries

Avocado fries are a delicious, healthy snack or side dish. They are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.

To make avocado fries in the oven, preheat your oven to 400°F. Cut two large avocados into slices, and season them with salt and pepper. Dredge the avocado slices in flour, dip them in a beaten egg, and coat them with Panko breadcrumbs. Place the avocado slices in a single layer on a greased sheet pan and drizzle with oil or spray with cooking spray. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden and crispy.

To make avocado fries in an air fryer, cut three slightly under-ripe avocados into slices. In a bowl, mix Panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl. Dip each avocado slice in the egg mixture and coat well with the Panko mixture. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray and place the avocado slices inside without overlapping. Air-fry at 350°F for 3 minutes per side or until crispy and golden brown.

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries are a tasty and healthy alternative to regular French fries. They can be made in the oven or an air fryer.

To make sweet potato fries in the oven, preheat your oven to 450°F. Peel two pounds of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and cut them into wedges or rounds. Toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and spices of your choice. Spread them on a preheated baking sheet and bake for 15-25 minutes, or until well browned.

To make sweet potato fries in an air fryer, peel and cut two medium-sized sweet potatoes into even 1/4-inch thick sticks. Toss the sweet potato sticks with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Cook in the air fryer at 380°F for 12 minutes or until crispy, turning halfway through.

Healthy alternatives: Air-fried onion rings, kale chips, or baked onion rings

Air-fried Onion Rings

Air-fried onion rings are a healthier alternative to deep-fried onion rings. They are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with sweet onion flavour. The air fryer also makes the cooking process easier and less messy.

Ingredients:

• Onions
• Flour and eggs
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Onion powder and garlic powder
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt

Steps:

• Slice the onions into 1/2-inch-thick slices and separate them into rings.
• Prepare three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt mixed together.
• Dip each onion ring into the flour, followed by the egg, and finally coat it with the breadcrumb mixture.
• Place the onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, drizzle with olive oil, and air fry at 370°F for 8-11 minutes until golden brown.

Kale Chips

Kale chips are a nutritious and crispy snack that can be easily made at home. They are a great alternative to potato chips and can be flavoured in various ways.

Ingredients:

• Kale
• Olive oil
• Flaked sea salt

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Remove kale leaves from the thick stems and tear them into bite-sized pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry the kale.
• Drizzle olive oil over the kale leaves and toss to coat. Spread the kale in a single layer on the baking sheet and sprinkle with salt.
• Bake for 20-30 minutes, keeping an eye on them to prevent overbrowning.

Baked Onion Rings

Baked onion rings are a healthier take on the classic deep-fried version. They are crunchy and full of flavour, making them a perfect side dish for cheeseburgers.

Ingredients:

• Onions
• Flour
• Milk
• Egg
• Breadcrumbs
• Creole spice mix (cayenne pepper, paprika, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, oregano, black pepper, thyme)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Slice onions into 1/4 to 1/2-inch rings.
• Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with a mixture of flour, milk, egg, and spices, and one with breadcrumbs.
• Dip each onion ring into the plain flour, then the seasoned batter, and finally coat it completely with breadcrumbs.
• Place the onion rings on the baking sheets and bake for 17-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

These healthy alternatives offer the same great taste as traditional fried sides but with less grease and mess. They are perfect for those looking for a healthier option to pair with their cheeseburgers!

Corn: Grilled, on the cob, or in a salad

Corn is a versatile, nutritious, and healthy side dish that can complement a cheeseburger well. Here are some ways you can prepare corn as a side dish:

Grilled Corn on the Cob

A popular way to cook corn on the cob is to grill it. This can be done on a grill or in an air fryer. You can serve it with a variety of toppings, such as melted butter and salt, or a tangy feta topping to make Greek-style street corn. Grilled corn on the cob can be a delicious, healthy, and convenient side dish for your cheeseburger.

Corn in a Salad

Corn is also a great addition to salads. You can cut the kernels off the cob and add them raw to a salad with other vegetables, fruits, and nuts. A popular option is a Mexican street corn salad, which typically includes ingredients like bell peppers, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and cotija cheese. Another option is a Napa sweet corn salad, which includes ingredients like cherry tomatoes, avocados, almonds, and a honey-dijon vinaigrette. These corn salads can be a refreshing and healthy side dish to pair with your cheeseburger.

Corn is a versatile ingredient that can be prepared in a variety of ways to suit your taste and preferences. Whether you choose to grill it on the cob or incorporate it into a salad, corn can be a nutritious and tasty addition to your cheeseburger meal.

Frequently asked questions