Frederic Melton
There are many side dishes that go well with cheeseburgers. If you're looking for something classic, you can't go wrong with French fries, whether they're crispy, golden, shoestring, waffle, or wedge. But if you're looking for something a little more adventurous, there are plenty of other options to explore. From flavourful potato salads to refreshing coleslaws, grilled vegetables, pasta salads, beans, air-fried sides, and more, the possibilities are endless. So, whether you're hosting a cookout or enjoying a family meal, get creative and experiment with different sides to find your perfect pairing!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture Contrast | Crispy sides like French fries, onion rings, tater tots, tempura vegetables, German potato pancakes, or potato chips can provide a crunch to complement a juicy burger. Softer sides like coleslaw or potato salad can be paired with crunchy burgers. |
| Flavor Balance | Tangy or acidic sides like pickles, coleslaw, or potato salad can cut through the richness of a savory burger. Spicy sides can complement or contrast the flavors of a burger. |
| Type | Salads, such as pasta salad, Caprese salad, succotash, or salads with grilled vegetables, are popular sides. Beans, fries, air-fried sides, and grilled vegetables are also common. |
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What You'll Learn
Salads: potato, pasta, tomato, or panzanella
Salads are a great side dish to serve with cheeseburgers. Here are some ideas for potato, pasta, tomato, and panzanella salads:
Potato Salad
A classic potato salad is a perfect side dish for cheeseburgers. It's made with tender potatoes, briny dill pickles, crunchy celery, and diced hard-boiled eggs, all tossed with mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar. You can use waxy or all-purpose potatoes, such as Red Bliss or Yukon Gold, which hold their shape well. For added flavour and texture, include scallions, fresh parsley, or dill. Seasoning the hot potatoes with vinegar gives them a tangy flavour, and starting them in cold water ensures they're evenly cooked. You can make this salad ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is another excellent option, and it's flexible based on the ingredients you have on hand. Start with a hearty pasta shape like rotini or penne, which can hold the dressing well. Then, toss it with a simple vinaigrette dressing and lots of colourful vegetables. You can also add fresh mozzarella balls, parmesan cheese, and pepperoni for extra flavour. If you prefer a creamier pasta salad, you can use mayonnaise instead of vinaigrette. Making this salad a day in advance allows the flavours to meld together beautifully.
Tomato Salad
A fresh and simple tomato salad can be a delicious accompaniment to cheeseburgers. Use ripe, juicy tomatoes and sprinkle them with olive oil, garlic, salt, and vinegar. You can also add eschallots (French onions or shallots in the US), which are sweeter and more delicate than regular onions. If you want to make it extra special, serve it with crusty grilled bread to mop up the tomato juices. For a more complex flavour, you can also salt the tomatoes before making the salad to intensify their flavour and create delicious liquid for the dressing.
Panzanella Salad
Panzanella is a classic Tuscan bread salad that's perfect for summer BBQs and pairs well with grilled dishes like cheeseburgers. It's made with ripe tomatoes, dried Italian bread, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. To prepare the bread, tear it into pieces and let it dry and harden overnight. Then, toss it with extra virgin olive oil and toast it in the oven until crispy. This step ensures the bread absorbs the dressing without becoming soggy. You can also add cucumbers or other seasonal vegetables to the salad. Allow the Panzanella to sit for at least 20-30 minutes before serving to let the flavours meld.
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Beans: baked, ranch-style, or in chilli
Beans are a classic side dish to serve with cheeseburgers. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as baked, ranch-style, or in chilli. Here are some ideas for each of these options:
Baked Beans
Baked beans are a classic side dish for burgers and can be easily made in the oven while you cook your cheeseburgers on the grill. To make them even more delicious, you can add extra brown sugar and apple cider vinegar to the beans while they bake. This will give them a sweet and tangy flavour that pairs perfectly with the savoury cheeseburgers. You can also include bacon and molasses or sorghum to give your baked beans a homemade touch.
Ranch-Style Beans
Ranch-style beans are a great option for a barbecue. They are often served at barbecues and can be made with canned beans, which means they can be prepared quickly. These beans are typically cooked in the oven and can be paired with bacon and sorghum or molasses for extra flavour. Serving them with a buttermilk ranch dipping sauce will add a tangy twist to your meal.
Beans in Chilli
If you're looking for something a little more spicy, you can prepare your beans in a chilli. This option works especially well if you're making black bean burgers. You can grill your vegetables in tin foil alongside your cheeseburgers. Try grilling squash, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and asparagus in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This will give your beans a smoky flavour that pairs well with the spiciness of the chilli.
No matter which style of beans you choose, they will provide a great contrast in texture and flavour to your juicy cheeseburgers. Beans are a hearty and classic option that will surely satisfy your taste buds and leave your guests wanting more.
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Fries: truffle, air-fried, or loaded
Fries are a classic side to serve with cheeseburgers. Here are some ways to prepare them:
Truffle Fries
Truffle fries are a delicious, gourmet take on the classic fry. They are made by tossing French fries in a large bowl with Parmesan cheese, truffle oil, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. You can purchase truffle oil at an upscale grocery store or on Amazon. Truffle oil is usually a neutral oil, like canola or safflower oil, that has been infused with white truffle peelings. You can use either finely grated Parmesan cheese or pecorino Romano. To make the fries, start by washing and cutting the potatoes into thick batonnet-like slices. Rinse the potatoes well to wash off as much starch as possible. Add the fries to hot oil in a pan or deep fryer at 300°F for 3 minutes. Shake the pan or fryer after 90 seconds, then remove the fries and set them aside until ready to serve.
Air-fried Fries
Air-fried fries are a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried fries. They are also a great side dish to pair with cheeseburgers. To make air-fried fries, preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer so that they are not touching each other. You will likely need to work in batches. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway, or until crispy. If your fries are not crispy, air fry them a little longer.
Loaded Fries
Loaded fries are a hearty and indulgent side dish that pairs well with cheeseburgers. To make loaded fries, start with a base of French fries. You can make your own or use frozen fries for convenience. Bake the plain fries until crispy, then add your desired toppings. A classic combination is cheese, bacon, and ranch dressing. Other tasty topping ideas include chicken, pepperoni, mushrooms, fresh basil, diced peppers, and onions.
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Pickles: fried or as a side
Pickles are a great addition to a cheeseburger, whether fried or as a side.
Fried pickles are a popular choice for a cheeseburger topping. To make them, you can dredge pickle slices in a cornmeal mixture before frying them in a Dutch oven, or coat them with a flour mixture, dip them in egg, press them into breadcrumbs, and then bake them in the oven. You can also make tempura fried pickles by dipping the pickles in a batter made from flour, egg, and cold water. Fried pickles can be served on a cheeseburger with other toppings such as crispy onions, ranch dressing, or a special burger sauce made from ketchup, mayonnaise, minced pickles, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
If you prefer to keep your pickles unfried, you can still serve them as a side with your cheeseburger. Classic sides for burgers include potato salad with boiled eggs, sweet pickles, and mayonnaise, or macaroni salad. You can also serve pickles on the side with other sides such as grilled vegetables, beans, or fries.
Whether fried or served as a side, pickles are a versatile ingredient that can enhance the flavour of a cheeseburger and provide a crunchy texture.
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Vegetables: grilled, sautéed, or tempura
Grilled vegetables make a great side dish for cheeseburgers. You can grill vegetables like peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms. Grill the vegetables over medium heat for 5 minutes, turning occasionally. Then, add the cheeseburgers to the grill and grill for another 4 to 6 minutes. Cut the vegetables into 3/4- to 1-inch pieces and spoon them onto the burgers. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar for extra flavor. Grilling brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables, enhancing the flavor of the dish.
Sautéed vegetables are another option to serve with cheeseburgers. While specific recipes are not readily available, sautéing vegetables is a quick and easy way to prepare a side dish. Sautéed vegetables can be seasoned and cooked to your liking, making them a versatile option to pair with cheeseburgers.
When it comes to tempura, it is a Japanese specialty that involves deep-frying vegetables in a crispy and airy batter. The key to perfect vegetable tempura is achieving the right batter consistency and oil temperature. A common flour to water ratio recommended by tempura chefs is 1:1, and you can choose to add an egg to the batter. The batter should be cold before frying to ensure a fluffy and crisp texture. The frying oil should be between 320-356°F (160°C – 180°C). Common vegetables used for tempura include Japanese sweet potatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, and eggplant. Vegetable tempura is a delicious and addictive side dish that can complement your cheeseburgers.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many side dishes that go well with cheeseburgers. Some examples include French fries, onion rings, potato salad, coleslaw, and salad.
If you're looking for something a little more unique, you could try zucchini fries, squash fries, panko-crusted zucchini, or cucumber and dill salad.
For a summer barbecue, consider serving corn on the cob, grilled vegetables, or a refreshing pasta salad.
Some alternatives to fried sides include roasted vegetables, baked beans, and a simple salad of cucumbers, radishes, and corn.
Quick and easy side dish options include canned baked beans, pre-portioned roasted broccoli, and bagged salad mixes.
