20 Tasty Sides to Serve with Burgers (Healthy Options Included)

Looking for healthy burger sides? Below are 20 of our favorite lighter side dishes to serve with burgers, from vibrant vegetables and zesty salads to healthier takes on fries.

20 healthy burger sides, including kani salad, pasta salad, corn and zucchini fritters, and corn.

Burgers and fries are a classic summer meal, and this season we’ve been testing healthier sides to pair with them. Below you’ll find 20 balanced, flavorful options that complement burgers—perfect for when you want something satisfying but lighter than the typical fast-food plate.

1. Elotes Style Corn with Furikake

Elote-style corn with furikake and kewpie mayo on a plate flatlay.

Elotes Style Corn with Furikake is inspired by Mexican street corn and brightened with Japanese umami. Serve it on the cob, cut into smaller portions, or off the cob as a salad—either way it adds savory crunch to any burger plate.

2. Homemade Seasoned French Fries

Classic seasoned french fries with garlic powder, dried basil, paprika, and ketchup on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Homemade Seasoned French Fries are crispy and flavorful while using minimal oil and salt. Cut, season, and bake or air-fry for a lighter fry that still satisfies the craving next to a burger.

3. Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread with Miso

Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread with Miso sliced on plate with butter and honey.

Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread with Miso is moist and savory with a subtle sweetness and umami depth from miso. The mild heat and cheesy texture make it a comforting side for cheeseburgers or chili.

4. Healthy Corn and Zucchini Fritters

Healthy corn and zucchini fritter stacked and topped with greek yogurt, roasted corn, and basil.

Healthy Corn and Zucchini Fritters are an easy way to add vegetables to your burger meal. Serve with Greek yogurt or sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh basil and roasted corn for texture and brightness.

5. 10-Minute Sautéed Broccolini

Closeup of easy delicious charred broccolini/broccoletti on a plate with seasoning, lemon wedges, and chili flakes.

10-Minute Sautéed Broccolini is tender, nutrient-packed, and quick. Sauté in olive oil, toss with garlic, red chili flakes, and a squeeze of lemon for a lively side that pairs well with any burger.

6. Pan Fried Potatoes with Herbs

potatoes roasting in a pan with spoon

Pan Fried Potatoes with Herbs are golden, savory, and simple. Use waxy potatoes with garlic, fresh herbs, olive oil, salt, and pepper for a comforting one-pan side.

7. Harvest Salad with Quinoa and Arugula

Harvest Salad with Quinoa and Arugula and lemon slices on plate.

Harvest Salad with Quinoa and Arugula combines quinoa, peppery arugula, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and sharp goat cheese for a hearty, seasonal salad that can double as a side or starter.

8. Sautéed French Green Beans with Furikake

Sautéed Green Beans with Furikake with lemon wedges on plate.

Sautéed French Green Beans with Furikake are bright and umami-forward. Lemon lifts the beans while furikake adds savory crunch—an easy, elegant vegetable side for grilled burgers.

9. Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan

Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan and Lemon on plate.

Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan is quick to prep and full of flavor. Roast while the burgers cook for a simple, bright side finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan and lemon.

10. Spicy Cajun Fries

Spicy cajun fries in a tray with spicy Sriracha aioli and Slap Ya Mama cajun seasoning.

Spicy Cajun Fries are crispy fries tossed in zesty Cajun seasoning. Bake or air-fry for a lighter finish and serve with a bold dip like truffle aioli or wasabi mayo for a gourmet touch.

11. Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Pasta salad with Italian ingredients in bowl flatlay.

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a refreshing vegetarian side loaded with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and bright vinaigrette—great for picnics, potlucks, or as a cooling counterpoint to grilled burgers.

12. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta

Maple Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta in bowl flatlay.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta are tossed with olive oil and maple syrup, roasted until caramelized, then mixed with crisp pancetta or bacon—add some to your burger for extra savory depth.

13. Pear and Prosciutto Rocket Salad

Pear and prosciutto rocket salad on a serving platter with sliced pears, crispy prosciutto, shallots, walnuts, arugula, and a maple balsamic vinaigrette vinaigrette.

Pear and Prosciutto Rocket Salad balances sweet and savory with sliced pears, crispy prosciutto, walnuts, shallots, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and peppery arugula tossed in a maple-balsamic vinaigrette.

14. Furikake and Lemon Shishito Peppers

Shishito Peppers with furikake and lemon on plate flatlay.

Furikake and Lemon Shishito Peppers offer mild heat, sweet notes, and umami from furikake. Ready in about 15 minutes, they make a playful, shareable side for burger night.

15. Maple Roasted Kabocha Squash

Maple Roasted Kabocha squash on plate.

Maple Roasted Kabocha Squash features tender Japanese pumpkin glazed with warm maple syrup and toasted pecans for a sweet-savory sheet pan side that pairs nicely with grilled meats.

16. BBQ Salad (With or Without Chicken)

BBQ Chicken Salad on a plate

BBQ Salad with Greek Yogurt Ranch is colorful and filling—romaine, corn, cotija, tomatoes, black beans, avocado, and crunchy tortilla strips. Add BBQ chicken if you want more protein for a full meal alongside burgers.

17. Sautéed Mushrooms with Garlic and White Wine

Sautéed mushrooms with White Wine in white bowl with parsley, garlic, and seasoning.

Sautéed Mushrooms with Garlic and White Wine are quick, gluten-free, and intensely savory. A few simple ingredients—mushrooms, garlic, parsley, and white wine—create a buttery side that complements beef or veggie burgers.

18. Vegetable Wild Rice

Vegetable Wild Rice in bowl.

Vegetable Wild Rice is a hearty, versatile side of wild rice, mixed vegetables, savory broth, and herbs—filling, nutritious, and easy to scale for a crowd.

19. Spicy Kani Salad

Chopsticks lifting a bite of Spicy Kani Salad out of a blue Japanese bowl.

Spicy Kani Salad is a 10-minute umami-packed side with imitation crab, crunchy cucumber, crispy panko, and spicy Kewpie mayo—bright, creamy, and texturally fun next to a burger.

20. Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Carrots

Brussel Sprouts and Carrots in a white Le Creuset braiser with a wooden spoon.

Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Carrots is a quick gluten-free sheet pan dish. The vegetables roast to caramelized sweetness with a touch of maple and herbs—ready in under 30 minutes.

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Did You Like This Recipe?

If you tried any of these sides, please leave a rating and a comment to let others know which pairings you loved.

📖 Recipe — Healthy Corn and Zucchini Fritters

Healthy corn and zucchini fritter stacked and topped with greek yogurt, roasted corn, and basil.

20 Healthy Burger Sides — Featured Fritter Recipe

Looking for healthy burger sides? Below are vegetable-forward, lighter, and flavorful options to serve with burgers.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Course: Side Dish, Sides
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 233 kcal
Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

Ingredients — Healthy Corn and Zucchini Fritters

  • 1 medium zucchini, shredded (about 2 cups)
  • 2 pinches kosher salt, divided
  • 1 cup corn kernels (about 1 ear)
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • ½ cup panko
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Pinch freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup basil, chiffonade, plus extra for serving
  • 1 tbsp avocado or neutral oil, divided
  • Greek yogurt, crème fraîche, or sour cream for serving

Pan-Roasted Corn (optional for serving)

  • 1 tbsp avocado or neutral oil
  • 2 tbsp corn kernels
  • Pinch kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Shred zucchini and remove moisture. Grate the zucchini and place it in a colander. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and let sit 10 minutes. Press out excess moisture so fritters stay crisp.
  2. Mix ingredients. Combine zucchini, corn, shallot, panko, flour, cheese, garlic powder, a pinch of pepper and salt, and basil in a bowl. Beat the egg and fold into the mixture until combined.
  3. Cook the fritters. Heat a large pan over medium-high and add oil. Scoop 3–4 tablespoons of batter to form patties and cook in batches 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Drain briefly on paper towels.
  4. Pan-roast corn (optional). In a separate skillet, heat oil over medium and cook the corn 8–10 minutes until golden; season with salt. Use as a topping.
  5. Serve. Plate the fritters with Greek yogurt, crème fraîche, or sour cream and garnish with basil and the roasted corn.

Notes

Top Tips

  • Use an oil with a high smoke point. Butter or extra-virgin olive oil can burn at high heat.
  • Don’t flip the fritters until the bottoms are nicely browned to avoid breaking them apart.
  • Press zucchini thoroughly to avoid soggy patties.
  • If the pan gets too hot between batches, let it cool slightly to prevent burning.
  • Use a quarter-cup scoop for even patties that cook uniformly.

Nutrition

Calories: 233 kcal |
Carbs: 22 g |
Protein: 10 g |
Fat: 13 g |
Fiber: 2 g
Tried this recipe? Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry on social media.