The best sides for burgers add contrast without distracting from the main event. Fries provide crispness, poutine creates a rich Canadian pairing, and salads or coleslaw bring freshness and acidity to heavier burgers.

The right choice depends on the burger itself. A simple cheeseburger works naturally with fries, while a loaded bacon burger is usually better balanced by slaw or salad.

Best Burger Sides at a Glance

How to Choose a Side for Your Burger

A side should provide something the burger does not already have.

Consider four factors:

• Richness: Is the burger already loaded with bacon, cheese and sauce?
• Texture: Does the meal need something crisp or fresh?
• Flavour: Is the burger spicy, smoky, sweet or classic?
• Portion: Is the burger itself light, regular or especially large?

For example, a thick burger with cheddar, bacon and caramelized onions already contains plenty of richness. Adding a large poutine may make the meal unnecessarily heavy. A garden salad, vinegar-based coleslaw or grilled vegetables would create better contrast.

If you also need help choosing the ingredients inside the burger, read our guide to the best burger toppings.

French Fries: The Classic Burger Side

French fries remain the most familiar burger side because they contrast naturally with a soft bun and juicy patty. Their crisp exterior, fluffy centre and salty flavour work with nearly every burger style.

Classic Thin Fries

Thin fries pair particularly well with:

• Smash burgers
• Classic cheeseburgers
• Hamburgers
• Double cheeseburgers

They are crisp and easy to share without making the plate feel too heavy.

Seasoned Fries

Seasoned fries work with burgers that have stronger flavours, including:

• Spicy burgers
• Pepper Jack burgers
• Grilled onion burgers
• BBQ burgers

The seasoning should complement the burger rather than compete with it. If the burger already contains a strongly flavoured sauce, lightly seasoned fries are usually enough.

Loaded Fries

Loaded fries may include cheese, gravy, bacon, jalapeños or sauce. They work best beside a relatively simple burger.

Pairing loaded fries with a double bacon cheeseburger can create too much repetition. Both parts of the meal would contain similar rich, salty ingredients.

Poutine: A Rich Canadian Burger Pairing

Poutine combines French fries, cheese curds and gravy. It is one of the most satisfying sides to serve with a burger, especially when you want a distinctly Canadian comfort-food combination.

Poutine works best with:

• A classic hamburger
• A simple cheeseburger
• A grilled burger with limited toppings
• A burger without another heavy side

The cheese curds and gravy already add richness, moisture and saltiness. Keep the burger relatively focused with cheese, pickles, onions or mustard instead of combining it with several heavy toppings.

When Is Poutine Too Heavy?

Poutine may not be the best choice beside:

• A double bacon burger
• A burger topped with chili
• A burger containing several cheeses
• A heavily sauced BBQ burger
• An extra-large gourmet burger

In these cases, fries, coleslaw or salad will usually create a better-balanced plate.

Onion Rings

Onion rings provide sweetness and a thicker crunch than French fries. They suit burgers with smoky or savoury flavours.

The best pairings include:

• Bacon cheddar burgers
• BBQ burgers
• Smash burgers
• Spicy burgers
• Burgers with pickles or mustard

A tangy dipping sauce works better than another heavy cheese sauce because it balances the fried coating.

Onion rings can also be added directly to a burger, but avoid serving a large portion both inside the bun and on the side. That makes the same flavour and texture dominate the meal.

Potato Wedges

Potato wedges have a crisp exterior and a soft, substantial centre. Their size makes them a natural match for thick gourmet burgers.

Serve potato wedges with:

• Mushroom Swiss burgers
• Aged cheddar burgers
• Grilled beef burgers
• Burgers with garlic aioli
• Thick eight-ounce patties

Garlic aioli, chipotle mayo and herb dips pair naturally with wedges, but serve the dip separately so the potatoes remain crisp.

For more information about substantial patties, see what makes an 8 oz gourmet burger different.

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries add mild sweetness and work best when the burger contains spicy, smoky or salty flavours.

Good combinations include:

• Pepper Jack and jalapeño burgers
• BBQ bacon burgers
• Blue cheese burgers
• Chipotle burgers
• Burgers with pickled onions

Their sweetness may be less effective beside a burger that already contains sweet BBQ sauce and caramelized onions. In that case, regular fries or slaw may provide better contrast.

Coleslaw

Coleslaw is one of the best sides for a rich or spicy burger because it provides crunch, freshness and acidity.

Creamy Coleslaw

Creamy slaw pairs well with:

• Spicy burgers
• Jalapeño burgers
• Grilled chicken burgers
• Burgers with hot sauce

The creamy dressing helps soften the heat.

Vinegar-Based Coleslaw

A sharper vinegar-based slaw works well with:

• BBQ burgers
• Bacon cheeseburgers
• Poutine-style meals
• Cheese-heavy gourmet burgers

Its acidity cuts through rich ingredients without adding more heaviness.

Coleslaw can also be placed inside the burger, particularly with BBQ flavours. When doing so, use a smaller portion on the side.

Salads: A Fresh Side for Loaded Burgers

Salad is not merely a substitute for fries. It can be the best pairing when the burger already provides plenty of richness.

Serious Eats recommends several non-fry burger sides and notes that a light tomato pasta salad offers acidity that complements a rich burger:

“The dish’s light acidity is the perfect foil for a rich, savory burger.”

Read the Serious Eats guide to sides for burgers. seriouseats.com

Garden Salad

A garden salad with lettuce, cucumber, tomato and a light dressing pairs well with:

• Loaded cheeseburgers
• Bacon burgers
• Mushroom Swiss burgers
• Thick gourmet burgers
• Burgers served with creamy sauce

Use a light vinaigrette when the burger already includes cheese or aioli.

Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is richer than a garden salad but still provides freshness and crisp texture. It works well with grilled burgers and relatively simple cheeseburgers.

Avoid adding too much extra cheese or bacon to the salad when those ingredients are already present in the burger.

Cucumber or Tomato Salad

Cucumber and tomato salads provide acidity, moisture and freshness. They are particularly useful beside spicy or heavily grilled burgers.

These sides are also suitable when you want something lighter than potatoes without choosing plain leafy greens.

Grilled Vegetables and Corn

Grilled vegetables extend the smoky flavour of a burger without adding another fried component.

Useful options include:

• Corn on the cob
• Grilled peppers
• Zucchini
• Asparagus
• Mixed seasonal vegetables

Corn pairs well with spicy, BBQ and grilled onion burgers. Zucchini and peppers suit cheese-heavy gourmet burgers because they provide colour, freshness and a lighter texture.

Best Side for Each Burger Style

Classic Cheeseburger

Best options:

• French fries
• Onion rings
• Garden salad

Fries create the most traditional meal. Choose salad when the cheeseburger also contains bacon or extra cheese.

Smash Burger

Best options:

• Thin fries
• Onion rings
• Vinegar-based slaw

The patty already has crisp edges, so the side should remain simple and easy to eat.

Our guide to grilled vs smash burgers explains how the cooking method changes the burger’s texture and flavour.

Thick Gourmet Burger

Best options:

• Potato wedges
• Garden salad
• Grilled vegetables

A thick burger can support a substantial side, but a salad often creates better balance when the toppings are rich.

Spicy Burger

Best options:

• Creamy coleslaw
• Sweet potato fries
• Cucumber salad

Slaw and cucumber help cool the heat, while sweet potato fries create a sweet-and-spicy contrast.

BBQ or Bacon Burger

Best options:

• Onion rings
• Vinegar-based slaw
• Corn on the cob

The acidity of slaw is particularly useful when the burger contains bacon, cheddar and sweet BBQ sauce.

Simple Hamburger

Best options:

• Poutine
• Seasoned fries
• Caesar salad

A simple hamburger leaves enough room for a richer side such as poutine.

How Much Side Should You Serve?

The side should complement the burger rather than double the size of the meal.

A practical serving guide is:

• Fries or wedges: one moderate handful
• Onion rings: three to five rings
• Poutine: a smaller portion when served with a large burger
• Coleslaw: approximately half a cup
• Salad: one small side bowl
• Grilled vegetables: approximately one cup

Reduce the portion when serving a double patty or an 8 oz gourmet burger.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Burger Sides

Pairing a Heavy Burger with a Heavy Side

A loaded burger and large poutine may taste appealing separately but can make the overall meal feel excessive. Balance one rich component with something fresh or acidic.

Repeating the Same Ingredients

If the burger already contains bacon, cheddar and BBQ sauce, avoid serving fries loaded with the same ingredients.

Ignoring Texture

A soft burger paired with a soft potato salad may lack contrast. Add a crisp side such as fries, slaw, salad or onion rings.

Serving Fries After They Lose Their Crispness

Prepare fries, wedges and onion rings close to serving time. Do not cover them tightly while hot because trapped steam softens the coating.

Using a Heavy Salad Dressing

A salad should refresh the palate. A large amount of creamy dressing may make it almost as heavy as a fried side.

Complete Your Burger Meal at Grill Gate

The best burger meal is not always the largest one. It combines a flavourful burger with a side that adds the right amount of crunch, freshness or comfort.

Explore Grill Gate’s gourmet burgers and sides, or visit the location closest to you:

• Grill Gate Richmond Hill
• Grill Gate Sheppard West in North York
• Grill Gate Yonge Street in North York
• Grill Gate Aurora

For a broader guide covering toppings and sauces as well as sides, read What to Serve with Burgers: Toppings and Sides.

Final Verdict

French fries are the safest all-purpose burger side. Poutine is ideal when the burger itself is relatively simple, while salad, coleslaw and grilled vegetables balance loaded or cheese-heavy burgers.

Choose the side according to what the burger needs: crispness, freshness, acidity or extra comfort. One well-matched side creates a better meal than several competing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best sides for burgers?

The best sides for burgers include French fries, poutine, onion rings, potato wedges, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, garden salad and grilled vegetables.

What is the most popular side served with burgers?

French fries are the most popular and versatile burger side because their crisp texture and salty flavour complement most patties and toppings.

Is poutine a good side for burgers?

Yes. Poutine works especially well with a simple hamburger or cheeseburger. Pair it with a less heavily topped burger because fries, cheese curds and gravy already make it rich.

What healthy sides go with burgers?

Garden salad, cucumber salad, vinegar-based coleslaw, corn and grilled vegetables provide freshness without adding another fried component.

What sides go best with smash burgers?

Thin French fries, onion rings and vinegar-based slaw work well with smash burgers because they match the casual style without overpowering the crisp-edged patties.

What should I serve with a loaded cheeseburger?

Serve a loaded cheeseburger with garden salad, vinegar-based coleslaw or grilled vegetables. These sides balance bacon, cheese and creamy sauces.

What goes with burgers besides fries?

Alternatives to fries include poutine, onion rings, coleslaw, potato wedges, sweet potato fries, salads, grilled corn and seasonal vegetables.