Say goodbye to fries and hello to better choices with this collection of 25+ quick and easy healthy sides for burgers.
With so many healthy options, there’s a side dish to serve with any burger, from tangy cabbage slaws and potato salads to simple sautéed vegetables and hearty roasted medleys.
When it comes to a good burger experience, the spotlight often shines on the juicy patty and the perfectly melted cheese. However, a truly satisfying burger, whether beef, turkey, or veggie, isn’t complete without the perfect side.
That being said, if you’re looking for sides for burgers besides regular fries, you’ve come to the right place.
Healthy Sides for Burgers
Here, you’ll find my favorite healthy side dishes guaranteed to go great, whether you’re serving those burgers at a summer backyard BBQ or casual weeknight family dinner.
Let's dig into the lineup. Shall we?
BBQ Side Dishes
Nothing pairs better with a juicy burger fresh off the grill than classic sides.
From crunchy coleslaws to lightened-up potato salads and grilled veggies, these delicious sides are sure to steal the show.
There’s no shortage of freshness in this Cabbage Salad!
Crisp slivers of green cabbage, juicy Granny Smith apples, vibrant carrots, and red bell peppers come together in a mayo-free coleslaw tossed in a dill-infused vinegar-based dressing.
The longer everything marinates in the tangy dressing, the more the flavors intensify, making it the perfect make-ahead option when you need it most.
Another mayo-free coleslaw - this easy salad is packed with crisp, raw carrots and cabbage in vibrant hues.
It offers a budget-friendly burger side that holds up well in the fridge for days!
Prepare your taste buds for a creamy Pineapple Coleslaw minus the mayo.
This healthy twist features crisp green cabbage, sweet carrots, juicy pineapple, and fragrant fresh mint tossed in a creamy dressing made with plain yogurt instead of traditional mayonnaise.
Beyond burgers, it's also fantastic with fish tacos!
This New Potato Salad glorifies the best of spring and summer produce.
Tender new potatoes join succulent tomatoes, zesty onion, aromatic garlic, fresh dill, and a tangy oil and vinegar dressing, offering a mayo-free, lightened-up potato salad perfect for outdoor dining events.
This oh-so-refreshing Potato Cucumber Salad is excellent with burgers, whether you're hosting a summer cookout or simply craving a healthy side dish.
Picture perfectly cooked potatoes and crisp cucumber slices seasoned with refreshing dill and aromatic raw garlic, drizzled with a simple vinaigrette dressing.
Indulge in a creamy potato salad without smothering it in mayo.
This Potato Salad with Avocado features tender baby potatoes, red onions, snow peas, radishes, and cherry tomatoes made creamy with bites of avocado.
Dairy-free, vegan, and flavorful, it’s the perfect addition to any picnic table.
This Potato Salad with Asparagus showcases baby potatoes, blanched asparagus, a medley of crunchy raw veggies, and fresh herbs tossed together in a bowl of pure deliciousness.
It's perfect for serving with burgers. No mayo here—just a zesty red wine vinaigrette that'll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
The intense smokiness of this Mediterranean Roasted Eggplant Salad perfectly complements char-broiled burgers.
Whether you are grilling veggie burgers or chicken burgers, you can serve this salad as a side dish or plop it on top of your burger!
This Armenian grilled veggie dish, known as Khorovats, features grilled eggplant, tomatoes, and bell peppers enhanced with garlic and bold fresh herbs.
Piled high alongside a grilled burger, it offers a deliciously simple yet elegant way to elevate outdoor entertaining.
Raw Vegetable Salads
Next up – fresh salads, but rest assured, these recipes are anything but boring!
These innovative creations are all about finding the perfect combination of tastes and textures to complement your favorite burgers.
This fresh and flavorful Romaine Salad showcases fresh produce at its finest.
Picture crisp romaine leaves paired with crunchy chopped vegetables and soft and tangy feta cheese bites.
A simple lemon juice dressing imparts the perfect zing to tie it all together. This recipe is easily adaptable for vegetarians and vegans alike.
If you’re craving a meal-prep-friendly, healthy side for burgers, look no further than this Fresh Vegetable Salad.
It’s made with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, radishes, celery, and onion tossed with garden-fresh herbs and a simple balsamic dressing.
Lettuce and leafy greens are optional!
Step up your burger game with a touch of Mediterranean influence.
This fresh and flavorful Mediterranean Tomato Salad is bursting with juicy summer tomatoes, crisp onion, briny black olives, and a simple balsamic dressing.
And let's not forget the crowning glory: tangy feta! It's incredibly easy to make in no time at all.
Burgers with Raw Beet Salad may seem strange, but stick with me.
Juicy shredded beets, crisp carrots, and sweet apples tossed in a simple vinaigrette dressing pair perfectly.
Whether served as a side salad or a cold condiment, this dish will have everyone boasting about beets!
If you typically turn up your nose at turnips, this Raw Turnip Salad is the recipe you’ve been waiting for.
Each bite delivers a symphony of grated turnips, carrots, and pumpkin slides tossed in a simple citrus dressing. It’s seriously simple and seriously delicious!
You’ve probably never considered serving an all-American burger with a French Grated Carrot Salad, AKA carottes râpée.
However, grated carrots soaked in a tangy Dijon lemon dressing belong with burgers!
AKA Gurkensalat!
This German Cucumber Salad features thinly sliced cucumbers marinated in your choice of a light vinaigrette or a traditional sour cream-based dressing.
It makes the best healthy side for burgers, brats, hot dogs, and beyond any time of year.
Rounding out the raw vegetable salads is my all-time favorite: Raw Zucchini Salad.
This recipe pays homage to traditional tabbouleh with a refreshing medley of raw zucchini, juicy tomatoes, red onion, fragrant parsley, cilantro, and mint paired with nutty bulgur grains.
It’s fantastic alongside beef or lamb burgers seasoned with Mediterranean-inspired spices.
Mashed Vegetable Creations
There's something undeniably cozy about a bowl of creamy, velvety mashed veggies – and I’m not just talking about mashed potatoes.
These alternative mashed vegetable recipes promise to satisfy your comfort food cravings.
With creamy cauliflower hidden in velvety mashed potatoes, this Mashed Potatoes and Cauliflower recipe is an inconspicuous way to sneak in some extra veggies.
Plus, it's incredibly easy to make, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your burger dinner!
These irresistibly creamy and flavorful Mashed Carrots will surely be your new go-to alternative to mashed potatoes.
Whether paired with a juicy burger during the week or served alongside your favorite entrée for special occasions, this simple side dish promises to please.
This healthy Carrot and Swede Mash is a perfect addition to any meal.
It’s made with tender carrots and creamy swede, also known as rutabaga or Swedish turnip.
Whether served alongside a hearty roast or paired with burgers, its velvety texture and rich combination of flavors are just plain delicious.
Simple Sauteed Vegetables
Instead of standard French fries, why not serve simple sautéed vegetables with your burgers?
These easy sides are perfect for adding freshness and nutrition to your plate.
In just 10 minutes, you can turn a bland bag of Frozen Green Beans into an absolutely delicious side dish.
Sautéed to tender-crisp perfection with sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, and simple seasonings, these beans pair beautifully with any burger.
Often overlooked, Sauteed Beet Greens are a treasure trove of nutrients and flavor.
A quick sauté with garlic powder, salt, and pepper leads to a nutrient-dense, delicious dish waiting to be served as a side with burgers.
Peperonata is a classic Italian dish featuring a deeply savory blend of bell peppers, onions, garlic, and balsamic simmered low and slow.
Whether served as a hearty stew, a side dish, or a tangy burger topping, peperonata makes it a fine dining experience.
Sauteed Zucchini is a great quick and easy side dish for burgers.
With just zucchini, garlic, and olive oil, you can whip up a crowd-pleasing, healthy side in minutes.
Plus, zucchini is conveniently in season during the summer, making it the perfect accompaniment for your favorite grilled burgers.
Simple yet satisfying, this Peas and Carrots recipe provides a healthful, nostalgic side dish for any meal, whether it’s a laid-back burger night or a holiday feast.
This Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables recipe promises perfectly tender-crisp veggies bursting with flavor in a fraction of the time!
With the convenience of the Instant Pot, you can have a vibrant medley of your favorite nutritious vegetables perfectly cooked and ready to serve with burgers in no time.
Roasted Vegetables
Last but certainly not least, in this selection of the best healthy sides for burgers, let’s talk about the magic of roasted veggies.
During the roasting process, fresh veggies transform into tender-crisp, perfectly caramelized bites that will have even the toughest vegetable critics requesting seconds.
This Roasted Asparagus recipe combines the richness of coconut oil, the tangy-sweetness of balsamic, and the umami depth of soy sauce, creating a simple side with a big flavor.
This asparagus is sure to be a hit as a healthy alternative to fries with burgers.
Sweet meets savory in this delectable Roasted Carrots and Onions recipe.
Imagine fork-tender carrots and caramelized onions coated in a warm and aromatic coriander and maple syrup blend.
Whether served as a healthy side or enjoyed on its own, this dish is a must-make!
Oven-Roasted Cauliflower delivers florets with delightfully crisped edges and a melt-in-your-mouth tender texture seasoned with nothing more than garlic powder and salt.
Served alongside other healthy sides for a cookout, roasted cauliflower is sure to impress even the most discerning palates.