3 Best Sides for Burgers (Besides French Fries)

A high-quality burger is a meal for itself. Yes, we believe that, too. However, if you have the chance to take the experience to another level, why not do so? 

Sides for burgers were invented for a reason. There are dishes that, when made correctly, enhance the patty’s flavor. And we’re here for it. Making and eating side dishes for burgers is kind of our thing. 

Luckily, we’ve decided to share our secrets with you. 

We’ll show you how to make a classic like old-fashioned onion rings, but also a few hamburger sides you haven’t had before that we know you’d love.

So if you don’t know what to serve with hamburgers, your problem is about to be solved. Keep reading and learn our favorite side dishes for burgers.

And, of course, check out the Burgermeister menu on our website.

Old-Fashioned Onion Rings

Most burger joints serve onion rings along with their burgers. But if the recipe isn’t just right, what’s supposed to be crispy and delicious, can end up soggy and tasteless. 

Let’s avoid that and make sides for burgers we’ll actually enjoy! Check out this old-school recipe that makes onion rings the correct way.

Before proceeding to the instructions, make sure you have everything you need to start making hamburger sides. 

Ingredients

• One large sweet onion (Vidalia preferably)
• 1 1/4 cups All-purpose flour
• 4 cups Oil ( or as needed)
• One large egg
• 1 cup Milk
• 3/4 cup Dry bread crumbs
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 1/8 tsp Seasoned salt

Instructions

Follow our step-by-step instructions, and you’ll be sure to have the best burger sides for your next meal. We made sure they were understandable and easy to follow for beginner chefs.

Step 1 

We’ll start by slicing the onion. 1/4-inch is the thickness we enjoy the most, but if you have a different preference, feel free to improvise this time.

Step 2

You’ll need a deep fryer for this step. Use it to heat oil to 365 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, find a wire rack and some aluminum foil for the drippage. It will be of use later.

Step 3

It’s time to prepare the breading station. You’ll need three wide, shallow dishes to do this. 

Put flour, salt, and baking powder in the first one and whisk them together. The second one is for milk and egg whisked together. And the final one should be full of breadcrumbs.

Step 4

Put each onion ring into the flour mixture for the first step of the breading process. Turn each several times to ensure they have been fully coated. Then, transfer the rings into the egg mixture.

This time, use a fork to flip the onion and cover it completely. Once you do that, lift the rings individually and let the excess liquid drip onto the plate.

Finally, place the rings in the breadcrumbs dish and flip until they are ready to be fried. Place the coated onion rings on the wire rack until you’re done prepping them all. Then, proceed to the final steps.

Step 5 

It only takes 2-3 minutes to deep fry onion rings. So, the final step won’t take much. Once you notice the famous golden brown color, you’ll know the ring is ready to drain. Leave it on a paper towel while you work on the rest.

Just make sure not to overcrowd the deep fryer and only do 3-4 rings at a time.

When they are all done, sprinkle seasoning salt on top, and enjoy your masterpiece. Now you know what to serve with hamburgers.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

It’s hard to make sweet potatoes taste anything but excellent. Still, there are levels to making them. And the recipe we have before you is certain to blow your mind at first bite. 

Try it once and watch it become one of your favorite side dishes for burgers.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Sweet potatoes (cut into cubes)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1/2 tsp Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp Onion powder
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

Step 1

We’ll start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees F.

Step 2

Pour the cubed potatoes into a large baking sheet. Then, drizzle them with olive oil and spice to taste. Toss to cover everything in spices and oil, then arrange throughout the baking sheet.

The potatoes should be in one layer, adequately spread out.

Step 3

Put the baking sheet into the oven for 30 minutes. However, toss the potatoes every 10 minutes. It will make them extra crisp and flavorful.

Below, you’ll find more advice on making the best sweet potatoes each time. 

Extra Tips for Making the Perfect Sweet Potatoes

• Chopping is more important than it seems. Do your best to make the cubes as similar in size as possible. It will be attractive visually but also help the potatoes bake evenly.
• Traditional sweet potatoes can be hard to come by in some parts of the world. Instead, try using garnet or jewel yams if they are easier to find.
• There are always new spices to try. And we know they can change the flavor completely. Incorporate cloves, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and allspice into the mix and see if they fit your taste better.
• If you’re aiming for the crispiest baked potatoes ever, you’ll need to toss the cubes in cornstarch before adding anything else. Just one tablespoon will make all the difference. Give it a shot, and you’ll see.

Tostones

Crisp on the outside but sweet and soft on the inside – these plantain discs are a great everyday snack and a burger side, too. Check out our recipe and try making them yourself.

With the tostones, we’ll share a cilantro sauce recipe that makes them even better.

Ingredients

Tostones

• 4-5 Plantains (unripe)
• 1 cup Oil
• Sea salt

Avo-Cilantro Sauce

• One avocado (ripe)
• 1 tbsp Cilantro (chopped)
• 1/4 cup Sour cream
• 1/8 tsp Salt
• 1/8 tsp Pepper

Instructions

Tostones

Step 1

Start by peeling and cutting the plantains. The pieces should be about one inch thick.

Step 2

In a skillet, heat oil to 325 degrees F.

Step 3

Fry plantain slices for 2-3 minutes a side.

Step 4

Take the plantain pieces out of the skillet and smash each one to be 1/2 inch thick. Then, return to the skillet and fry for another three minutes.

Step 5

Let the tostones drip on a paper towel. Sprinkle with sea salt and have a taste.

Avo-Cilantro Sauce

Step 1

Remove the skin and seed from the avocado after cutting it in half.

Step 2

Put all the ingredients, including the avocado, in a food processor and blend. Once the mixture is smooth, it’s ready to consume.

Visit Burgermeister

To try the best burgers and their side dishes, visit Burgermeister. You’ll see why we’re the best burger restaurant in Miami.