Russian Food Recipeub May 23, 2026 0 Comments

21 Memorial Day Cookout Sides That Make Everyone Forget There Are Burgers

Burgers are predictable, but the best part of a cookout is always that glorious row of bowls waiting at the end of the table. We are talking about the cold, crunchy salads that actually stay crisp in the sun and the warm, smoky bakes you scoop up with potato chips. Here are 21 side staples that will completely steal the show and leave the grill master wondering why everyone is hovering around the picnic table instead.

Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Casserole

A fork lifting a cheesy, baked casserole from a dish with melted cheese stretching. — Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This bubbling pan of cheesy broccoli and cauliflower is the ultimate sleeper hit. While everyone is eyeing the grill, slide this onto the buffet table and watch it disappear before the first batch of burgers even leaves the grates.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Casserole

Crispy Smashed Baby Potatoes

Crispy smashed potatoes topped with fresh dill and shredded Parmesan cheese on a plate. — Crispy Smashed Baby Potatoes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Skip the standard bag of chips for your Memorial Day party and make these instead. They get boiled, squished, and roasted until the edges are incredibly loud and crunchy, giving you a low-maintenance side that completely steals the spotlight from the burger buns.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smashed Baby Potatoes

Homemade Corn Casserole

Two rectangular slices of light golden-brown cake with a slightly crumbly texture are placed side by side on a patterned plate. — Homemade Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Part sweet cornbread, part fluffy pudding, this buttery classic is a total crowd-pleaser for all ages. It is a foolproof, one-pan side dish that makes a casual cookout spread feel ten times cozier, even outshining the main burger patties with zero extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Corn Casserole

Almond, Cranberry And Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole

Baked almond, cranberry, and sweet potato stuffing with oats and rosemary in a glass dish. — Almond, Cranberry And Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

If your holiday table is feeling a little too heavy on the smoky, charred meats, this colorful bake is the perfect fix. Soft sweet potato cubes get tossed with tart dried cranberries and sliced almonds to bring a bright crunch that makes people completely forget about the burgers.
Get the Recipe: Almond, Cranberry And Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole

Sweet And Spicy Glazed Carrots Recipe With Red Wine

Simmering carrots in a rich, slightly sweet wine glaze turns a basic garden veggie into something people will actually fight over. It is a simple skillet side that adds a gorgeous pop of color next to the hot grill.
Get the Recipe: Sweet And Spicy Glazed Carrots Recipe With Red Wine

Duck Fat Roasted Vegetables

A casserole dish filled with roasted broccoli, potatoes, chickpeas, and diced vegetables. — Duck Fat Roasted Vegetables. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

The secret weapon here is roasting seasonal root veggies in duck fat to get them unbelievably rich and crispy around the edges. This savory plate packs so much rich flavor that your guests will be piling it high and leaving less room on their plates for a standard burger.
Get the Recipe: Duck Fat Roasted Vegetables

Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

A white bowl filled with a red kidney bean stew, including visible pieces of meat or vegetables, sits on a dark cloth napkin with a fork and spoon beside it. A small bunch of parsley is on the table nearby. — Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

You can’t have a proper summer cookout without a massive pot of baked beans. This version relies on thick bacon strips and a slow cooker to do all the heavy lifting, leaving you with a smoky favorite that clears out way faster than the burgers.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

Loaded Baked Potato Bites

Mini baked potatoes topped with sour cream, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions. — Loaded Baked Potato Bites. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

These little potato rounds are piled high with melted cheddar, bacon, and fresh chives. Set them out on the deck early to keep the hungry backyard crowd happy while the grill master finishes flipping the burgers over the charcoal.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato Bites

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Three baked potatoes on a blue and white plate. — Stuffed Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

These giant skins get loaded down with a fluffy, seasoned filling and plenty of savory toppings. They are hearty enough to be a whole meal on their own, making them a fantastic surprise addition that easily competes with any classic burger on your Memorial Day spread.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Sauteed Swiss Rainbow Chard

Side view of white bean salad in bowl with tongs. — Sauteed Swiss Rainbow Chard. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

A quick toss in a hot skillet with plenty of fresh garlic and olive oil turns these vibrant greens perfectly tender. It provides a lovely, fresh break from the heavy grilled patties and fried snacks usually found on the picnic table.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Swiss Rainbow Chard

Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese

Baked four-cheese macaroni in a rectangular white casserole dish. — Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

A rich, bubbling blanket of four different cheeses makes this the absolute gold standard of comfort food. It is a decadent, crowd-pleasing pasta pan that guarantees nobody leaves your gathering feeling hungry, even if they skip the burgers entirely.
Get the Recipe: Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese

Buttered Cabbage

Shredded sautéed cabbage with herbs and a pat of butter on top, served on a gray plate. — Buttered Cabbage. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This humble green cabbage head softens beautifully in a skillet with a generous pat of real butter. It is my absolute go-to recipe whenever the guest list suddenly grows larger at the last minute and I need a fast side that pairs perfectly with charred burgers.
Get the Recipe: Buttered Cabbage

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans

A cheesy green bean casserole being served from a white baking dish with a spoon. — Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This scratch-made update uses fresh green beans baked in a rich cream sauce under a mountain of crispy fried onions. It brings a wonderful sense of nostalgia to the holiday weekend, making the burger toppings feel secondary.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans

Sweet Potato Puffs

A plate with a bite out of a sweet potato puff. — Sweet Potato Puffs. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Light, airy sweet potato bites fry up to a gorgeous golden brown to make the perfect finger food for kids running around the yard. They satisfy big potato cravings in a fraction of the time it takes to bake a whole dish.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs

Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers

Roasted vegetables and lemon slices on a baking sheet, with a spoon and small bowls on the side. — Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

A bright splash of fresh citrus juice keeps these roasted potato chunks and green florets feeling light and refreshing. Cooking everything together on a single tray keeps your kitchen organized and your schedule completely flexible.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers

Sauteed Cabbage With Peppers

A plate with mashed potatoes and meat on it. — Sauteed Cabbage With Peppers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Sweet pepper strips and green cabbage cook down rapidly in a basic hot frying pan. You can serve this colorful vegetable toss warm or at room temperature, making it a stress-free addition to any long weekend buffet line.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Cabbage With Peppers

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows and Pecans

Baked sweet potato casserole topped with toasted marshmallows in a round dish, partially eaten, with a metal serving spoon visible. — Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows and Pecans. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Smooth sweet potato mash topped with gooey marshmallows and crunchy pecans basically lets everyone eat dessert during dinner. Place this familiar favorite near the end of the line to give your Memorial Day menu a sweet touch.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows and Pecans

Roasted Tahini Broccoli

Roasted broccoli topped with sesame seeds on a plate, served with lemon wedges. — Roasted Tahini Broccoli. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Simple green broccoli transforms completely when tossed with a nutty sesame paste and roasted until the edges turn dark and sweet. It is a unique, flavor-packed option when you want to elevate a casual outdoor menu cheaply.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tahini Broccoli

Mexican Coleslaw

Bowl of colorful coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and cilantro, next to lime wedges and tortillas. — Mexican Coleslaw. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Crisp cabbage ribbons get tossed in a zesty lime dressing to bring a bright, refreshing crunch to your plate. Keep the bowl chilled in the fridge until the exact moment your guests arrive on the patio to ensure it stays perfectly crisp.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Coleslaw

Southern Green Beans

Green beans with sausage on a white plate. — Southern Green Beans. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

These tender green beans simmer slowly with savory pork and onions to absorb an incredible, rustic flavor. It is an old-school favorite that vanishes from the table fast because the savory broth makes every single bite taste amazing.
Get the Recipe: Southern Green Beans

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

This cold salad combines the absolute best parts of summer into a single bowl. Tender noodles get tossed with sweet corn, spices, and a creamy lime dressing that pairs beautifully with anything coming off the grill.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Set out a few of these crowd-pleasing side staples and watch them vanish long before the grill even cools down!