Healthy Side Dishes for Burgers
Summer means burgers on the grill, and I’m always looking for healthy side dishes for hamburgers. I usually handle the sides while my husband handles the grill, so I’ve collected some of our favorite salads, vegetables, and make-ahead dishes here.
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Healthy Side Dishes for Hamburgers
Below are cold sides, gluten free options, make-ahead recipes, and a few other favorites – all great healthy side dishes for hamburgers! Burgers, turkey or beef, have a stronger flavor, so you can handle sides with more punch.
I love a good coleslaw or a tangy potato salad (think dijon mustard) for a side dish. Pair those with a green salad (see these salad topping ideas for yummy inspo) and you have some great healthy side dishes to enjoy with your hamburgers.
Tips for Tasty Burgers
We have a couple tricks (nothing complicated) for getting better burgers.
- Let the meat come to room temp before cooking. This just means taking it out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking.
- Season, season, season. We like to mix a bit of seasoning into ground meat before shaping the patties and then we salt and pepper the outside.
- Burgers should be cooked as you would order a steak. We like Medium Rare to Medium, but you do you and cook accordingly…
- Burgers will continue to cook a bit after you remove them from the heat. When you check the internal temp, you can take them off the grill a few degrees lower than your ideal and let them sit. This also lets the juices redistribute evenly.
What to Serve with Burgers Besides Fries
I love french fries, but the combination of burgers and fries can get tiresome–and homemade fries aren’t always worth the effort. These easy sides provide a mix of options for every taste, including vegetables, fruit, salads, and even whole grain dishes! Save the french fries and sweet potato fries for eating out!
Healthy Side Dishes for Hamburgers: Recipes
A newly classic flavor combination of watermelon and arugula, this salad is a new favorite. Add in balsamic for a punch of flavor and marry it all together with some delectable crumbled feta cheese for the ultimate summer salad!
Many of the most delicious salads I’ve ever had are really just combinations of flavors I love. This corn and beet salad is just such a combo. The trick to a good salad is not just balancing the flavors but also the consistencies. The crunchy corn kernels balance the soft beets perfectly. You keep reaching for bite after bite!
Get ready for hot summer cookouts with this no mayo coleslaw. It’s also fabulously delicious year round on your favorite fried chicken or pork sandwiches.
This summer tomato watermelon basil salad combines some of the most vibrant flavors of summer. I can eat a lot of watermelon and a lot of heirloom tomatoes on their own, but why skip out of the delicious fun of combining them together for this fast and easy salad that everyone will love.
MEDITERRANEAN CUCUMBER SALAD RECIPE
A friend in grad school introduced me to this simple Mediterranean salad recipe (sans quinoa) and I think it will forever be a summer go-to for potlucks and bbqs. I love the added quinoa for protein, but you make it with or without!
A delicious and simple summer salad. This slightly crunchy salad is a great side or starter for any meal! The crumbled feta cheese is just the right complement to the sweet, fresh corn!
This easy salad packs in the protein and flavor with just a few ingredients you always have on hand. It’s an easy no-cook dish in the summer and a fast recipe for winter too!
This salad recipe is the epitome of fall for me. I’ve long loved roasted squash and potatoes on salad. Adding crunchy kale and quinoa (for some protein) was just what my salad was missing, however. It’s a winner and on repeat in our home!
A delicious warm sweet potato and wild rice pilaf to serve as a side dish or starter. Enjoy with meat or fish as a side and fall in love with wild rice!
GLUTEN FREE POTATO SALAD RECIPE
Everyone will love this French Potato Salad. Skip that dairy-based salad for the elegant, flavor-forward dish. It’s gluten free, low fodmap, and a healthier take on this classic side dish!
If you need a recipe that screams summer, it’s probably this salad. Three of my favorite summer flavors combine in the salad. Everyone will be reaching for seconds!
A wonderfully fresh winter recipe for purple cabbage coleslaw. Mixed with fresh citrus and a sweet and tangy dressing, this side will be perfect for any occasion!
Pasta salads are a classic side for burgers, but this one is lighter. Think a lemony, olive oil dressing that’s bright and light and yummy bursts of peas. This recipe is super easy and stores well for being made ahead of time.
Pickled onions are one of my favorite burger toppings. Maybe not technically a side dish but absolutely worth mentioning on the conversation about hamburgers. This recipe is fast and easy – not to mention it goes with all types of burgers. You can make it just before eating or days ahead of time!
If you’re familiar with Mexican fruit carts, then you know this delicious mix all too well. If you aren’t, I think you’ll be so happy. Chunks of fruit are combined together just like a classic fruit salad. Everyone can choose their various toppings, including Tajin, lemon juice, and/or salt!
Grilled Side Dishes
Grilled fruit is one of the most under-appreciated summer joys, in my opinion! You might be familiar with grilled peaches, but the list of delicious fruit doesn’t have to end there. Grilled cantaloupe is really next level and the combination of the smoked paprika and the honey really makes it a taste treat sensation!
Love getting together with friends but hate how it’s rarely a healthy experience? These make-ahead grilled veggies are easy, healthy, and a sure hit. Perfect all year round, these grilled veggies are a major upgrade to the traditional vegetable tray!
Looking for more ideas for your summer BBQ? Start with what’s in season. Seasonal produce is often more flavorful, and choosing what’s growing locally can be a simple way to make your meals a little more sustainable. Check out these seasonal produce guides to see what’s in season throughout the year.
Healthy Side Dishes for Hamburgers
Ingredients
- 3 medium beets cooked + chopped (approx. 2 ½ Cups)
- 2 ears corn shucked
- 1 large bunch green onions chopped (approx. 1 Cup)
- 1 bunch cilantro chopped (can substitute parsley or mint)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
- 5-6 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to taste
Instructions
- To cook beets, remove stems. Place in bowl with 1 inch water. Microwave for ten minutes, covered. Let cool. Remove skin. Cut beets in half. Cut side down, slice into small pieces and then cut each slice into small pieces. For relish, chop beets finely.
- After shucking the corn, cut kernels from cob. Stand cob up in wide bowl or on cutting board. With finger on tip, use a sharp knife to carefully cut down each side of the cob.
- Combine cut beets, corn kernels, chopped green onion, cilantro, salt, pepper, and apple cider vinegar. Mix well. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before enjoying.
Notes
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