Summer is here, and we can already hear the burgers sizzling! It’s time to grill some good old-fashioned burgers and with them, come get-togethers with friends and family, and delicious sides for those grilled burgers.  Maybe we’re the only ones, but we’re happy to eat grilled burgers twice a week (or more). To us, grilling is awesome!

To make sure this is something we look forward to each and every time, we like to switch things up with our side dishes to keep things interesting! Here are some popular side dishes for grilled burgers that will swoon your guests (and your kids)!

1. Starchy Sides

Burgers are entire meals on themselves, they offer proteins and carbs in the form of patties and buns. A few extra starchy carbs, though, can be what you need to take your grilling game to new heights. Bring on the comfort food!

The single most popular side dish for burgers: fries exist for a reason. But don’t stop at fries. Serve some smoked baby potatoes, a comforting mac & cheese, or a luscious sweet potato puree — it’s a mean burger topping too! Try wrapping a few fork pierced potatoes in tin foil & cooking them along side your burgers! Top with cheese and bacon or sour cream and butter.

2. Creamy Avocado

Avocados and burgers seem to have been born to be served together; sadly, they’re often forgotten. Try slicing your avocado in half (discarding the seed), sprinkle with salt & pepper, and laying them face down on the grill for a yummy grilled option! Or make a decadent guacamole with diced onions, jalapeno, tomatoes, and a fistful of chopped cilantro leaves. 

Guacamole balances the hearty burgers with some freshness, and it is an excellent topping for your burgers. Don’t forget to add a drizzle of lime juice; it will add the most wonderful tangy flavor to your guac and as a bonus, will keep it bright green!

3. Custom Spreads

Burgers wouldn’t be the same without spreads, dressings, and sauces. Ketchup, mayo, and mustard are for sure the most popular burger dressings, but let’s get creative for a second.

How about some herb-infused butter to give your burgers a facelift? Chipotle mayo will add to your buns a creamy spiciness hard to forget. Bring out your Thousand Islands dressing, it’s gorgeous with charcoal-grilled meat. You haven’t forgotten about the sweet and tangy BBQ sauce you’ve got in the fridge, right?

4. Think Outside the Box

Your burgers are the stars of the show, meaning you can be as creative as you want with your sides for grilled burgers. Let’s go crazy with something no one will expect — Veggies!

Start with some stir-fried garlicky broccoli or serve battered and fried asparagus. Steamy grilled eggplants will surprise everyone, and lemony fried Brussels sprouts might just steal the spotlight. Grill some corn on the cob right alongside your burgers! Try soaking your corn, still in the husk, in some warm water for about 30 minutes prior to grilling to keep the corn juicy. Shuck after it’s tender!

Grilling is America’s favorite pastime, but could you make it even better? Of course you can! With good company, a few cold ones, and the right side dishes, an evening by the grill can become an unforgettable moment. In case you’re in need of a new grill this summer, here are a few we’ve rounded up for you. Happy grilling!

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Burger Side Dishes for Days!

For side dishes for grilled burgers at home, there’s no limit for your creativity. Step away from the conventional sides and try something new. Side dishes play the supporting role for your burgers and can really make them shine, so make them look their best.

Find your new favorite side dishes and share them with the grilling community. Nothing brings people together better than a few charcoal-grilled patties. 

You might also like: 3 Reasons to Start Meal Planning Today, 4 Easy Ways to Spruce Up Summer Salads