15 Summery Sides for Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

By Elisabeth Sherman
Updated April 12, 2019
Planning a July 4th party or backyard BBQ sometime this summer? Obviously hot dogs and burgers will be on the menu—what else would you serve on America’s birthday?—but on a day filled beer and whatever else you might be drinking (may we suggest these low ABV cocktails?), you're going to need way more sustenance than that. Here, we gathered together our heartiest, most satisfying side dishes—from classic mac and cheese and potato salad to a spicy take on baked beans—that will serve as delicious accompaniments to anything you decide to throw on the grill.
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Grill-Baked Potatoes with Chive Butter

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These super-easy, indulgent potatoes are layered with pats of chive and sour cream butter, then wrapped in foil and grilled until soft and delicious.

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15 Summery Sides for Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

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Mexican Grilled-Corn Salad with Citrus Aioli

Credit: Rick Poon
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This sweet, salty corn salad is the perfect picnic side. Bonus: You can make the aioli the night before and fold in right before serving.

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Baked Beans with Maple-Glazed Bacon

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This zippy take on the classic backyard barbecue side dish is tangy-hot mixture of apple cider vinegar, molasses, brown sugar and crushed red pepper.

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Watermelon Salad with Mint and Lime

Credit: John Kernick
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This supremely simple fruit salad is the ultimate refresher on a hot day.

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Peach-and-Fennel Slaw

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This sweet and crunchy salad with lots of immune-boosting vitamin C would also be delicious with a pulled-pork sandwich.

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Smoky Glazed Asparagus

Credit: Courtesy of Quentin Bacon
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Coat the vegetables with a mayonnaise-based marinade; it creates a beautifully blistered crust when grilled.

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Corn on the Cob with Seasoned Salts

Credit: CON POULOS
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No July 4 celebration is complete without corn on the cob. This version is flavored with a trio of seasoned salts.

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Skillet-Charred Cherry Tomatoes with Basil

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"The fire brings out the sweetness in the tomatoes,” says Chef Chris Cosentino."

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Potato Salad with Bacon and Barbecue Sauce

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The mayonnaise dressing for this potato salad gets pungency from mustard oil (store-bought spicy mustard works fine, too) and a hit of smoky-sweet flavor from bacon and bottled barbecue sauce.

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Macaroni and Cheese

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This slightly updated version of an old favorite is irresistible. Plus, it's incredibly fast and easy because you don't have to make a sauce or even bake the macaroni.

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Grilled Eggplant, Apricot and Tomato Salad

Credit: CON POULOS
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This simple summer salad from Portland, Oregon, chef Joshua McFadden perfectly showcases summer produce at its peak. When corn season is in full swing, cut the sweet, raw kernels off the cob and toss them into this dish.

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Pan-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Pancetta

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Chef Fabio Trabocchi sears golden, buttery fingerling potatoes and tosses them with fresh dill

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Green Bean Slaw

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In this alternative take on a classic coleslaw, tender haricots verts get tossed with crunchy strips of carrot, red pepper and parsnip.

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Braised Cucumbers with Dill

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Fresh cucumbers are excellent when gently braised in butter and served warm.

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Grilled Broccoli and Bread Salad with Pickled Shallots

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Here, Chef Charlie Parker serves lightly charred broccoli and ciabatta cubes in a twist on an Italian bread-and-tomato salad.

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By Elisabeth Sherman