A great burger deserves great company. The right sides transform a simple sandwich into a memorable meal, while thoughtfully chosen drinks elevate the entire experience. Yet too often, burger pairings get treated as an afterthought—throw some frozen fries in the oven, grab whatever's cold in the fridge, and call it done.
That approach works, sure. But when you've gone to the trouble of making perfect patties or visiting a top-notch burger joint, why settle for mediocre accompaniments? The interplay between a juicy burger, crispy sides, and a well-matched beverage creates something greater than the sum of its parts—textures and flavors that complement, contrast, and enhance each other.
This guide breaks down the art and science of burger pairings, from time-tested classics to creative alternatives, strategic drink selections, and how to build complete meals that make sense whether you're planning a backyard cookout or a weeknight dinner.
The Holy Trinity: Fries, Onion Rings & Coleslaw
These three sides dominate burger menus for good reason—they each bring something essential to the table, and understanding why they work helps you make better pairing decisions.
French Fries: The Universal Partner
Fries are the default burger companion because they solve multiple problems simultaneously. The crispy exterior and fluffy interior create textural contrast against the soft bun and tender patty. The salt amplifies the savory notes in the burger. And the neutral canvas of potato doesn't compete with complex burger flavors—it supports them.
But not all fries are created equal for burger pairing. Thin, crispy fries work beautifully with delicate burgers that might be overwhelmed by thick-cut steak fries. Those substantial wedges pair better with hefty burgers piled with toppings. Sweet potato fries add a subtle sweetness that complements spicy or smoky burgers.
The key is matching the fry's intensity to your burger's. A simple cheeseburger with classic toppings wants crispy shoestring fries. A loaded bacon burger with barbecue sauce can handle bolder preparations—truffle fries, loaded cheese fries, or garlic parmesan wedges.
Onion Rings: When You Want Drama
Onion rings bring everything fries don't: strong flavor, dramatic crunch, and a touch of sweetness from the caramelized onion within the crispy coating. They're the bolder choice, best reserved for burgers that can stand up to the competition.
The sweetness in onion rings makes them particularly good with burgers that have savory, umami-rich elements—think burgers with mushrooms, bacon, or aged cheddar. That sweet-savory interplay creates complexity that keeps you reaching for another bite. The substantial crunch also provides textural interest when you're eating a particularly juicy burger.
Skip onion rings with delicate burgers (like chicken or fish) where they'll dominate, and save them for beef burgers with bold seasonings and robust toppings.
Coleslaw: The Refreshing Counterpoint
Coleslaw is the underrated genius of burger sides. The cool, crunchy, slightly acidic slaw cuts through rich, fatty burgers like nothing else. It refreshes your palate between bites, preventing the flavor fatigue that can set in when eating heavy foods.
Creamy coleslaw with mayo-based dressing adds richness and works well with leaner burgers (turkey, chicken, veggie) that benefit from added moisture. Vinegar-based slaw stays lighter and brighter, perfect alongside rich beef burgers or anything with bacon and cheese.
Some restaurants put coleslaw directly on the burger, Southern-style, which is brilliant—the burger stays juicy, you get vegetables, and the acid in the slaw balances the fat. But even served on the side, coleslaw elevates a burger meal from heavy and monotonous to balanced and interesting.
Beyond the Big Three: Creative Sides That Work
While fries, rings, and slaw reign supreme, plenty of other sides complement burgers beautifully. The strategy is understanding what your burger needs: contrast, complement, or both.
Potato Salads: Summer Classic
Potato salad belongs at every burger cookout. It's substantial enough to satisfy without being too heavy, works at room temperature (crucial for outdoor eating), and can be made hours ahead. The creamy dressing echoes the richness in burgers while the tangy vinegar or mustard notes provide balance.
For traditional beef burgers, stick with classic American potato salad—mayo-dressed with pickles and eggs. For spicier burgers or barbecue-style patties, try a German-style potato salad with bacon, vinegar, and whole grain mustard.
Corn: Peak Summer Pairing
Grilled corn on the cob is transformative alongside burgers. The char from the grill creates a flavor connection between the corn and the burger's seared crust. Butter and salt turn simple corn into something luxurious. And biting into juicy corn kernels alternating with burger bites creates a satisfying textural rhythm.
Off the cob, corn salads shine: charred corn with lime, cilantro, and queso fresco brings brightness. Corn and black bean salad adds protein and can nearly function as a meal component rather than just a side.
Baked Beans: Cookout Essential
Sweet, smoky baked beans are practically mandatory at burger cookouts. They bring warmth, comfort, and a different flavor profile than the burger itself. The beans' sweetness works particularly well with burgers that have spicy or tangy elements—think jalapeño burgers or those slathered in barbecue sauce.
Make them ahead, keep them warm in a slow cooker, and everyone's happy. They're also filling enough that you can get away with smaller burgers when feeding a crowd.
Salads: Light Balance
A fresh green salad might seem too virtuous for burger night, but it plays an important role—especially if your burger is particularly indulgent. A simple mixed green salad with vinaigrette provides crunch, freshness, and a break from all the richness.
Pasta salads work too: Italian pasta salad with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil; Greek pasta salad with feta, olives, and cucumber; or Asian noodle salad with sesame and ginger all complement burgers while adding variety to your plate.
Grilled Vegetables: The Healthy Option
Grilled zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus, or portobello mushrooms bring char, smoke, and vegetable virtue to burger meals. They're particularly good when you're already firing up the grill for burgers—why not use that heat for sides too?
The key is grilling them properly: high heat, good char, salt and olive oil. Wimpy, steamed-tasting grilled vegetables won't enhance anything. But properly charred vegetables with caramelized edges add complexity and make the meal feel more complete.
Drink Pairings: Matching Beverages to Burgers
What you drink with your burger matters more than you might think. The right beverage cleanses your palate, complements flavors, and prevents palate fatigue during a rich meal.
Beer: The Classic Choice
Beer and burgers are a natural partnership, but not all beers work equally well with all burgers. The strategy is matching intensity and finding complementary or contrasting flavors.
Lagers and Pilsners: These clean, crisp beers work beautifully with classic beef burgers loaded with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mustard. The mild bitterness and refreshing finish balance salty bacon and tangy sauces without overwhelming delicate toppings. Think of lager as the beer equivalent of fries—it supports everything without competing.
IPAs: The hop-forward, often citrusy character of IPAs cuts through fat and stands up to bold flavors. They're ideal for burgers with strong cheeses (blue cheese, aged cheddar), spicy elements (jalapeños, hot sauce), or rich toppings (bacon, avocado). The bitterness also helps cleanse your palate between bites of heavy burgers.
Stouts and Porters: These rich, roasty beers pair surprisingly well with burgers that have caramelized onions, mushrooms, or barbecue sauce. The beer's coffee and chocolate notes complement the umami in grilled meat and the sweetness in caramelized elements.
Wheat Beers: Lighter burgers—chicken, turkey, or fish—work better with wheat beers. The citrusy, slightly spicy character complements without overwhelming, and the lighter body matches the burger's delicacy.
Wine: Don't Dismiss It
Wine with burgers sounds pretentious, but it works—you just need to choose the right style.
Cabernet Sauvignon: The classic burger wine, especially for cheeseburgers. Full-bodied with firm tannins, Cab cuts through fat while its dark fruit flavors complement beef. Blue cheese burgers particularly shine with Cabernet—the wine's structure can handle the cheese's intensity.
Merlot: Slightly softer than Cabernet with plummy fruit notes, Merlot works well with burgers that have sweet elements like caramelized onions or barbecue sauce. It's approachable and won't overpower most burger styles.
Zinfandel: This fruit-forward, slightly spicy red complements burgers with barbecue flavors, bacon, or spicy elements. The wine's boldness matches big, juicy burgers without being overwhelmed.
Pinot Noir: For lighter burgers—turkey, lamb, or salmon—Pinot's elegance and red fruit character work better than heavier reds. It bridges the gap between white wine delicacy and red wine richness.
Rosé: Underestimate rosé at your peril. Good, dry rosé has enough body for beef burgers while staying refreshing enough for summer cookouts. It's particularly good with burgers that have Mediterranean flavors—feta, olives, sun-dried tomatoes.
Soda and Non-Alcoholic: More Than Nostalgia
Coca-Cola and burgers is the ultimate classic pairing for good reason—the crisp carbonation, subtle sweetness, and familiar comfort factor create pure burger bliss. But the soda category offers more nuance than you might think.
Cola: The sweetness balances salt and acid in burgers, while carbonation cleanses the palate. It's genuinely perfect with classic American cheeseburgers.
Root Beer: The vanilla and wintergreen notes in root beer complement beef's savory richness. It's slightly less sweet than cola, which some prefer with very rich burgers.
Craft Sodas: Artisanal sodas made with real ingredients offer complexity regular sodas lack. Ginger beer's spiciness pairs well with Asian-inspired burgers. Grapefruit soda's citrus notes work with fish or chicken burgers. Cherry vanilla soda complements barbecue flavors.
Iced Tea: Unsweetened or lightly sweetened iced tea provides refreshment without competing flavors. It's particularly good in hot weather when you want hydration alongside your burger.
Milkshakes: The classic diner move—alternating bites of burger with sips of creamy milkshake. The sweet-savory contrast is polarizing but beloved. Vanilla shakes are the safest, though chocolate works with burgers that have smoky or spicy elements.
Cocktails: Elevated Burger Night
Cocktails might seem fancy for burger night, but simple, well-made drinks can enhance the experience:
Margaritas: The citrus and tequila cut through rich, cheesy burgers beautifully. Particularly good with burgers that have Southwestern flavors—jalapeños, pepper jack, guacamole.
Whiskey-Based Cocktails: Old Fashioneds or whiskey sours bring smoky, oaky notes that complement grilled burgers. The spirit's richness matches the burger's heartiness.
Gin and Tonic: Refreshing and herbaceous, G&T works surprisingly well with burgers that have lots of vegetables or herb-forward profiles.
Building Complete Burger Meals
When you're serving burgers as the centerpiece of a meal—whether a casual weeknight dinner or a full-blown cookout—thinking beyond the burger itself creates a more satisfying, memorable experience.
The Weeknight Formula
For a simple dinner, you need:
- The burger (obviously)
- One substantial side (fries, potato salad, or mac and cheese)
- One fresh element (coleslaw, simple salad, or raw vegetables)
- Drinks
This combination provides enough variety to keep things interesting while remaining achievable on a busy evening.
The Cookout Spread
Backyard burger parties demand more abundance:
Appetizers: Keep it simple while people arrive. Chips and dip, a vegetable platter with ranch, or marinated olives and cheese give guests something to nibble while burgers cook. Cheeseburger egg rolls make fun appetizers that riff on the main event.
Multiple Sides: Offer variety so everyone finds something they like:
- One potato option (fries, potato salad, or roasted potatoes)
- One fresh salad (coleslaw, green salad, or pasta salad)
- One warm, hearty side (baked beans, mac and cheese, or corn)
This trio covers all bases—hot/cold, creamy/fresh, substantial/light.
Toppings Bar: Set out lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, various cheeses, and multiple condiments so people can customize their burgers. This reduces your work and makes everyone happy.
Desserts: Keep desserts simple for burger cookouts since the meal is already heavy. Fruit-based options work well: peach or berry crisp, watermelon slices, or ice cream sandwiches. If you want something richer, make-ahead desserts like no-bake cheesecake or brownies are crowd-pleasers.
Pairing Strategies by Burger Type
Different burgers call for different companions:
Classic Beef Cheeseburger: Can handle bold sides—fries, onion rings, potato salad. Pairs with cola, lager, or Cabernet.
Veggie Burger: Needs lighter, brighter sides that won't overwhelm—quinoa salad, grilled vegetables, or fresh coleslaw. Light wines like Pinot Noir or wheat beer work better than heavy options. Try our Mushroom Swiss Veggie Burger for a pairing-friendly plant-based option.
Spicy Burger: Cool, creamy sides help: coleslaw, potato salad, cucumber salad. Drinks should refresh—lager, iced tea, or margaritas. Avoid wines that will clash with heat.
BBQ Burger: Embrace the theme with baked beans, corn, and coleslaw. Root beer, whiskey cocktails, or Zinfandel complement smoky-sweet flavors.
Turkey or Chicken Burger: Keep sides lighter—green salad, grilled vegetables, or fruit salad. Wheat beer, Pinot Noir, or rosé won't overwhelm delicate poultry. Our Buffalo Chicken Burger demonstrates how bold flavors can work with lighter proteins when paired properly.
Gourmet Burger (truffle, foie gras, etc.): Let the burger shine with simple sides—thin fries, simple greens. A good Cabernet or craft beer elevates without competing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the healthiest side to serve with burgers?
Grilled vegetables or a large mixed green salad with vinaigrette offer the most vegetables and least calories while still complementing burgers well. A quinoa or bean salad adds protein and fiber without the fat of fries. If you want potatoes, baked sweet potato wedges or roasted fingerling potatoes are lighter alternatives to deep-fried options.
Can I make burger sides ahead of time?
Many of the best burger sides actually improve when made ahead. Potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw, and baked beans all benefit from resting time as flavors meld. Make them the night before and refrigerate. Fries and onion rings are best fresh, though you can prep vegetables for grilling in advance. This make-ahead strategy is crucial for cookouts—you want to spend time with guests, not trapped in the kitchen.
What sides work for both beef and veggie burgers?
Fries, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, green salads, and grilled vegetables all work equally well with beef and plant-based burgers. Avoid sides with bacon or meat-based seasonings if you're accommodating vegetarians. Corn salad, quinoa salad, and hummus with vegetables are universally appealing options that don't favor one burger type over another.
Does beer or wine pair better with burgers?
Both can work beautifully—it depends on the burger and personal preference. Beer generally feels more casual and traditional with burgers, and the carbonation does an excellent job cutting through fat. Wine offers more nuance and complexity, particularly with gourmet or non-traditional burgers. For classic cookouts, beer makes more sense. For upscale burger dinners, wine can elevate the experience. There's no wrong answer—drink what you enjoy.
What's the best side for a burger cookout with kids?
Fries (regular or sweet potato) are nearly universal kid favorites. Mac and cheese is another crowd-pleaser that kids will actually eat. Corn on the cob is fun for kids to hold and eat. For healthier options that kids might accept, try watermelon slices, carrot sticks with ranch, or fruit salad. Offering at least one familiar, kid-friendly option alongside more adventurous sides ensures everyone leaves happy.
The Art of the Complete Burger Experience
Great burger pairings aren't about following rigid rules—they're about understanding balance, contrast, and complement. Rich burgers need refreshing sides or drinks to prevent heaviness. Bold burgers need accompaniments that can stand up to them without competing. Simple burgers benefit from sides that add interest without overwhelming.
The best approach is considering what your specific burger brings to the table, then building around it. A juicy, fatty cheeseburger wants something acidic (coleslaw, pickles) and something refreshing (crisp beer or soda). A lean turkey burger benefits from rich sides (sweet potato fries, creamy potato salad) and fuller-bodied drinks.
Start with the classics—fries, onion rings, coleslaw, and cold beer or soda—because they're classics for good reason. Once you've mastered those fundamentals, branch out to creative sides, interesting drink pairings, and complete meal planning. The perfect burger experience isn't just about the patty between the buns. It's about everything on the plate and in the glass working together to create something memorable.
Sources:
- The Pioneer Woman: Best Side Dishes for Burgers
- Feel Good Foodie: What to Serve with Burgers
- Insanely Good: Best Sides for Burgers
- Burger Cravings: Perfect Drink Pairings
- Wine Folly: Burger and Wine Pairings
- BurgerFi: Beverage Pairings for Cheeseburgers
- Tasting Table: Best Alcohol Pairings for Veggie Burgers