Sliders have become a staple at barbecues and summer parties. They’re great finger food for entertaining, and can be prepped ahead of time with minimal effort. But the real question is how do you serve them? Here are 20 great side dishes to accompany your sliders!
What Are Sliders?
Sliders are mini sandwiches. They’re very popular in restaurants and bars because they’re bite-sized and easy to eat. They can also be made at home, which means you can have them any time you want.
Sliders are typically made with ground beef, but they can be made with other meats and vegetables as well. The most common sliders include hamburgers, cheeseburgers, pulled pork, chicken breasts and turkey burgers.
Sliders are usually served on small buns or rolls, but some restaurants also serve them on larger breads like focaccia or ciabatta breads. Some restaurants even serve their sliders on slider buns that are the same size as regular hamburger buns but much thinner in order to make it easier for people to eat their food without having to cut it into small pieces.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Sliders?
There are many reasons why you should consider serving side dishes for sliders. Here are some of the most important ones:
1. It makes it easier for guests to eat them
Sliders are small enough that they can easily be eaten by hand, but they can also be messy if they fall apart while you’re eating them. If you serve a side dish along with them, guests will have something to mop up any extra sauce or toppings from their hands without having to ask for napkins or wipes from the waitstaff. This will keep your party from feeling too formal or stuffy.
2. It adds variety to the menu options
When people come over for dinner, there’s always the dreaded moment when someone asks what else there is besides burgers and fries (the answer being nothing). By offering side dishes for sliders, you can easily increase the variety of your menu without overloading people.
3. It gives your party a cohesive look
When certain types of side dishes are served together, they create a visually pleasing tableau that ties everything together. For example, if you serve both mashed potatoes and coleslaw with your sliders, the look of your table will be more cohesive than if you just serve one or the other.
What to Serve with Sliders? 20 BEST Side Dishes
1. Pickled Okra
These are great to serve with any kind of burger, especially spicy ones. They’re also great by themselves as a snack or an appetizer.
2. Sweet Potato Fries
Potato salad is another classic pairing with burgers, especially if you’re having a cookout or picnic. A lot of people make it with mayonnaise or Miracle Whip, but this recipe uses Greek yogurt instead, which gives it a tangy flavor that goes well with the creamy texture of the potatoes
3. Mac And Cheese
This is one of my favorite side dishes for sliders. It’s super creamy and cheesy, but it’s also really easy to make. All you have to do is boil some pasta and then add some milk, butter and cheese! The pasta will soak up all the liquid in the pot and then it’s ready to eat!
4. Marinated Okra
Okra is a vegetable that looks like a long green bean with a twisty stem at one end. It’s used in many dishes from gumbo to soups because of its thickening abilities and its flavor. It has a slightly chewy texture but can be prepared just like other vegetables, steamed or sautéed with garlic, pepper and onion, then seasoned with salt and pepper.
5. Bacon Loaded Mashed Potatoes
The perfect potato dish to go with sliders is mashed potatoes, but they don’t have to be boring! You can jazz up your mashed potatoes by adding bacon bits, chives, or even sour cream. Try this recipe for loaded bacon mashed potatoes or this one for twice baked potatoes stuffed with bacon and cheese.
6. Parmesan Poppers
These bite-size treats are so addictive! They’re made with cream cheese, Parmesan and bacon, which are all things that taste good together. You can use any kind of cocktail wieners or cocktail sausages for this recipe. It’s a great game day snack or appetizer for parties.
7. Fried Pickles
Fried pickles are also a great addition to any meal that can be served with sliders because they’re crispy and salty which makes them perfect for dipping into sauces! They’re also pretty easy to make at home if you have a deep fryer or an air fryer like me!
8. BBQ Carrot Fries
You might not think carrots would make the best fries, but these tasty little morsels will convince you otherwise. They’re coated in barbecue sauce and spices for a juicy little bite that will satisfy your craving for something salty and sweet at the same time. They’re great on their own or as a side dish to burgers and sliders at picnics and barbecues all summer long.
9. Chili Cheese Tots
A fun and tasty side dish that will pair perfectly with your sliders, chili cheese tots are sure to be a crowd pleaser. They’re also great for game day parties and football season!
10. Cornbread
Cornbread is the perfect side dish to serve with sliders. It’s hearty, flavorful and goes well with almost any burger you can imagine! You can even make it ahead of time if you’re hosting a party so that you can spend more time mingling with guests rather than in the kitchen.
11. Potato Skins
The classic bar food is always a crowd-pleaser. Cut potatoes into slices and roast them in the oven until crispy. Then top with shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions and sour cream before serving.
12. Potato Salad
This dish is easy to prepare, but it must be made ahead of time so the flavors can meld together. Toss cubed potatoes with chopped red onion, celery, parsley and chopped hard-boiled egg whites. Dress with mayonnaise mixed with mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper before serving.
13. Brussels Sprouts Hash Browns
Brussels sprouts are one of those foods that people either love or hate. If you’re in the former camp, this simple recipe will help you use up any leftovers from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
14. Onion Rings
Onion rings go great with almost any type of meat and cheese, so it makes sense that they would go well with sliders too! They’re also very easy to make at home, so there’s no reason not to try them out on your next party night!
15. Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad Skewers
Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil make this an easy dish to prepare. The skewers can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. To serve, place on a platter or tray with other items for guests to grab when they’re ready to eat.
16. Cole Slaw
This simple coleslaw is perfect for any cookout or barbecue. It’s also a nice side dish for burgers and sandwiches. The recipe below calls for green cabbage and carrots, but you can add other vegetables such as red peppers or onions if desired.
17. Apple Slaw with Bacon and Walnuts
This apple slaw is perfect for your next get-together. It’s a super-easy side dish that is great for picnics or barbecues. The sweet and sour flavor of the apples goes really well with the bacon, walnuts and creamy Greek yogurt dressing. This is a healthy side dish that will make your guests happy!
18. Grilled Veggies
If you’re looking for an easy grilled veggie recipe, this one is delicious! It’s made with bell peppers, onions and mushrooms that are sliced thin and placed on skewers before being grilled. You can serve these alongside burgers or sliders or use them as toppings in your sandwiches instead of meat or cheese. You can also use other types of vegetables like zucchini or eggplant if they’re available at your local market.
19. Deviled Eggs to Make Your Easter Dinner Pop!
Deviled eggs are one of those dishes that can be served at any time of year, but they’re especially perfect for Easter dinner. The yellow color of the eggs is a nod to springtime, and the rich creamy filling is just the thing you need to balance out all that meaty goodness on your plate!
20. Mashed Potatoes with a Twist! (and Creamy Gravy)
Potatoes are one of those comfort foods that just about everyone loves and they’re perfect when paired with gravy! This mashed potato recipe features roasted garlic that makes it extra special without being
Conclusion
If you are throwing a backyard barbecue or planning an outdoor dinner party, the slider is one of the best menu choices. The mini sandwiches are easy to make and easy to serve to guests. You can fill the sliders with delicious meats, cheeses, or whatever ingredients you desire. In this list we have compiled 20 side dishes that are perfect for serving with sliders. Whether you are looking for bold and spicy recipes or fresh and fruity recipes, there is something for everyone on this list.