14 Sides for Hot Dogs (Besides Potato Chips) That Belong at Every Cookout From mustardy slaw and baked beans to grilled corn and creamy potato salad, these classic dishes make any cookout spread feel complete. By Emily Ziemski Emily Ziemski Emily Ziemski is a recipe developer, editor, and food writer with a focus on sustainability and wellness. Previously a senior food editor at Well+Good and food editor at Food52, she's best known for the creation of the Dirty Martini Salad Dressing (for which she apologizes). Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on May 17, 2026 Add Us On SAVE ALL RECIPES NEW! Save as a collection on MyRecipes Hot diggity dog, it's summertime. Hot dogs are one of the easiest foods to throw on the grill, and the best thing to do with all the time you just freed up? Make a slew of delicious sides. There are plenty of classic barbecue sides to choose from, as well as seasonal options like summery salads. Don't forget the crunch, whether you make your own veggie chips or dress up a store-bought bag. From classic coleslaw to terrific grilled corn on the cob, these cookout-friendly sides feel just right alongside your dogs and buns. Love these recipes? Join MyRecipes — your personal home for recipes — to easily save and organize your favorites, plus thousands more, in one convenient place. 01 of 14 Blistered Summer Squash Salad Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley This recipe calls for the squash to be charred in a skillet, but if your grill is already primed for your hot dogs, you can throw your veggies on the fire too. The bright tomatillo-avocado sauce and a generous sprinkle of Cotija cheese lend plenty of bold flavor to your outdoor spread. Get the Recipe Save 02 of 14 Summer Tomato Salad with Jicama and Avocado Aubrie Pick 1995 F&W Best New Chef Traci des Jardins turns up the crunch in this salad: Slices of verdant cucumber and sweet jicama add layers of texture to this summery side. Get the Recipe Save 03 of 14 Classic Macaroni Salad Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling by Annie Probst / Prop Styling by Breanna Ghazali This take on macaroni salad, easily one of the most quintessential hot dog sides, has fun additions of sweet and spicy Sriracha and crunchy pickles. Get the Recipe Save 04 of 14 Mini Kabob Potatoes Julia Stotz / Food Styling by Caroline K. Hwang / Prop Styling by Samantha Margherita Part potato chip, part baked potato, these bite-sized fried potatoes take just 30 minutes to make and are spiced with zingy Aleppo pepper. Get the Recipe Save 05 of 14 Mustard Slaw Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Barrett Washburne This Dijon-forward slaw is the perfect pair for mustard-topped hot dogs. Food writer and TV host Steven Raichlen says that either red or green cabbage (or a mix) works for this side, and that a bag of store-bought shredded cabbage is a good option if you're short on time. Get the Recipe Save 06 of 14 Grilled Corn on the Cob with Calamansi Mayo Victor Protasio Calamansi, a sour citrus fruit from the South Pacific, adds welcome bitterness to creamy mayo for this simple corn side dish. If you can't find calamansi, Key limes will do. Get the Recipe Save 07 of 14 Japanese Potato Salad Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Thom Driver This potato salad is for the mayo lovers out there. For extra tang, a splash of rice wine vinegar is added to the potatoes when they're freshly cooked and still hot. The creamy texture contrasts nicely with the charred flavors of a hot dog. Get the Recipe Save 08 of 14 Gina Mae's Baked Beans Caitlin Bensel / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell Brown sugar and apple cider vinegar stirred into barbecue sauce from your pantry add a bit of complex flavor to a hearty, savory dish of baked beans. "A cookout's DNA is found in the sides and who made them," writes Dr. Regina Bradley (nicknamed Gina Mae as a child), a scholar of the Black American South and a professor at Kennesaw State University. Get the Recipe Save 09 of 14 Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries Jen Causey These golden brown Parmesan crust on these zucchini fries makes for an extremely snackable side. Heck, they can also be tucked into a hot dog bun for extra crunch. The best part? They take just 10 minutes to make. Get the Recipe Save 10 of 14 Kwame's Waffle Fries Kyle Schmitz 2019 F&W Best New Chef Kwame Onwuachi tosses his waffle fries with berbere seasoning — a dynamic Ethiopian spice blend that features fenugreek, garlic, ginger, coriander, Ethiopian holy basil seeds, chili peppers, and more. Get the Recipe Save 11 of 14 Quick Dill Pickles Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen Start your brine a few hours before guests arrive (or before you plan to grill), and you'll have deliciously crisp dill pickles in no time. Get the Recipe Save 12 of 14 Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries Food & Wine / Photo by Rachel Marek / Food Styling by Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling by Gabriel Greco Sweet potatoes are a great partner to snappy, savory hot dogs. Make these simple French-fried ones, which need only 20 minutes in the air fryer. Get the Recipe Save 13 of 14 Classic Potato Salad Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Thom Driver Classic potato salad is just that: classic. A creamy dressing of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and white vinegar coats the halved potatoes, while scallions, parsley, and celery add crunch, brightness, and herbal freshness. Get the Recipe Save 14 of 14 Cacio e Pepe Potato Chips Jordan Provost / Food Styling by Thu Buser We never said you shouldn't serve potato chips with your hot dogs. This recipe starts with a bag of store-bought kettle chips, which are then showered with finely grated Parmesan and coarse black pepper — the flavors of the beloved Roman pasta dish. Get the Recipe Save Explore more: Food Recipes Side Dishes Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit