Burger Sides

Grill season has arrived. I kicked off May with my burger challenge, asking my followers to think a bit outside the box and try a few new burgers or topping combinations. I thought this would be a fitting time to share some of my favorite side dishes to serve along with your classic or out of the box burger.

So, what has been a classic and killer side dish is Grandma Bayer’s Mac and Cheese. Almost every kid that has visited our cottage (there were many) was served burgers and mac and cheese at least one night of their stay. The secret to this recipe is the Pinconning cheese and a pinch of cayenne pepper – it just gives it the best flavor.

Grandma Bayer’s Mac and Cheese

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In a pinch or on a busy weeknight, frozen Alexia Onion Rings and/or Sweet Potato Fries are delicious sides that in the oven take about the time it takes to grill a burger. FUN FACT- not only are the onion rings perfect as a side, I love to use them as a topping on my burger.

Those of you that know me well know that I RARELY EAT MAYONNAISE. In fact, my kids say I robbed them of their childhood because I never served it at our dinner table or even had it in the fridge as a condiment option when they were growing up. This is true – not the robbing them of their childhood part, but that I rarely bought it. Well, let me introduce you to Sweet Apple Slaw-it’s one of the few dishes I make with mayonnaise. It is the BEST COLESLAW I have ever eaten which is saying a lot because I don’t even like coleslaw. This is absolutely one of my favorite salads. I think the reason I like it so much is because the mayo is paired with apple cider vinegar, a bit of sugar and a few granny smith apples. Somehow this combination of flavors brings this coleslaw to a whole other level. It is a MUST MAKE.

Sweet Cream Slaw by Cuisine

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Another favorite is my Grandma’s Pasta Salad. So easy to make and to make ahead. I recently brought this to a family get together and everyone loved it. It’s just pasta, Italian dressing, McCormick’s Salad Supreme Seasoning, cucumber, tomatoes and pepperoni. ANYONE CAN MAKE THIS.

Broccoli Slaw (this has a vinaigrette dressing instead of mayonnaise) is another easy side filled with almonds and sunflower seeds for a great crunch in every bite.