What Should You Serve With Hot Dogs? 17 Side Dishes That Are Perfect For Picnics

If you fancy a savory treat, hot dogs are one of the most irresistible options. There’s just something so indulgent about a delicious hot dog. 

This classic American dish is ideal for lunchtime, as it’s bound to fill you up. We particularly like making hotdogs for picnics, barbecues, and Bonfire Nights!

As filling as hot dogs are, you will likely want to serve them with a side dish. This side dish can enhance the flavor of this treat and make the meal even more enjoyable.

Not to mention, these side dishes can add some nutritional value that may be missing from your hot dog.

So without further ado, here are 17 sensational side dishes that pair perfectly with hot dogs!

What Should You Serve With Hot Dogs? 17 Side Dishes That Are Perfect For Picnics

1. Baked Beans

Brilliant for barbecues, baked beans complement most bread-based dishes. This is because the bread will absorb all of the succulent juices of the beans.

As a result, baked beans pair nicely with hot dogs, even if this meal can be a little messy.

Particularly popular in the United Kingdom, baked beans can be a beautiful side dish. While you may want to use canned baked beans, we advise using this sensational homemade recipe.

Seasoned with paprika, oregano, garlic, and Worcester sauce, these beans are packed with flavor.

2. Onion Rings

Onion rings go well with a range of main dishes, including hot dogs. Thanks to the use of onions, these savory rings have a sharp and tangy taste.

Though store-bought onion rings are arguably more convenient, we can’t deny that homemade onion rings are so much tastier.

With a beautiful crispy texture, this amazing recipe will help you to achieve the perfect onion rings.

The batter is particularly flavorsome, which is partially due to the use of paprika. This spice gives the onion rings a subtle yet enjoyable smoky taste.

3. Simple Salad

Not all hot dog side dishes have to be unhealthy and packed with salt. If you are looking for a healthy dish to balance out your hot dog, a simple salad is a great option.

Bursting with green goodness, this simple salad is healthy yet enjoyable.

Super easy to make, this everyday salad recipe will be ready in just 15 minutes. Therefore, it’s ideal for people who don’t want to spend ages cooking.

One of the reasons why we love pairing hot dogs with salad is that it’s a portable dish that you can eat at barbecues and picnics.

4. Fries

When you think of side dishes for your hot dogs, fries are likely one of the first things that come to mind. After all, friends are one of the most popular and versatile side dishes. 

To make homemade French fries, simply follow this outstanding recipe. They are superb for dipping into various sauces, including tomato ketchup.

Requiring just 3 ingredients, the above recipe is easy and budget-friendly. As a result, you won’t have to spend a fortune on ingredients. All you will need is potatoes, salt, and oil. What could go wrong?!

5. Corn On The Cob

Up next, corn on the cob is an iconic side dish, especially at barbecues. Covered in butter, it’s tricky to resist succulent corn on the cob.

This side dish works particularly well if you are grilling your hot dog sausages, as you can also grill the corn.

This recipe makes marvelous roasted corn on the cob. Made with only 3 ingredients, this side dish is straightforward. You can easily elevate it simply by serving it with some butter.

It’s such an easy recipe that even inexperienced cooks can make it.

6. Vegetable Chips

If you fancy a crunchy texture that will contrast beautifully with the softness of the hot dog, vegetable chips are a mouth-watering side dish.

What’s great about this recipe is that you can use a range of different vegetables. Each vegetable will have a slightly different taste.

In addition, these vegetables make this an incredibly colorful and appealing dish.

Made with vegetables such as beetroot, sweet potato, and zucchini, these vegetable chips are healthier than many of the other side dishes on this list. Plus, they can be finished in just 15 minutes.

7. Chili Con Carne

Chili is regularly used as a hot dog topping. However, it can also make an effective side dish. It will add some moisture to this meal.

Not to mention, chili con carne will provide your hot dog with some delectable spicy notes. This sensational recipe contains just the right amount of spice.

The addition of spices is noticeable but not overpowering. We also love the idea of adding beer to the chili, as it gives it a much more complex flavor.

8. Asparagus

If you want to add a classy vibe to your hot dogs, why not serve them with some amazing asparagus? If you want to make it for a picnic, simply cook the asparagus ahead of time.

Asparagus is a great vegetable to pair with hot dogs, as it contains lots of flavors. It’s a superb source of antioxidants, namely vitamin E. Asparagus is also rich in vitamin C.

If you are afraid that asparagus will be a bland side dish, fear not. With the aid of this awesome recipe, you can make asparagus that is packed to the brim with flavor.

Roasted in garlic, these asparagus spears have a sharp taste.

9. Potato Wedges

Potato wedges are a great alternative to fries. Generally, potato wedges are healthier than fries. Yet, they have a similar taste and are equally filling.

So if you want to eat your hot dog with a potato-based dish, wedges can work wonderfully.

If you love cheese, you’re bound to adore this phenomenal potato wedges recipe. These baked potato wedges have been seasoned with garlic and parmesan cheese.

The result is a cheesy dish that has a sharp taste. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these wedges also have a terrific texture.

10. Grilled Mushrooms

Mushrooms may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you love their unique taste then this is a marvelous side dish for you!

Coated in indulgent garlic butter and cooked until they develop a glorious golden brown hue, these grilled mushrooms are an absolute treat. This is a great low-carb side dish!

Another benefit of these grilled mushroom skewers is that you can customize the recipe. It allows you to add different vegetables, such as bell peppers and zucchini, to give the side dish even more flavor.

11. Bacon Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is always a hit at parties and picnics. This side dish is surprisingly versatile, as it combines with an assortment of dishes. This includes hot dogs, as it provides them with a cheesy flavor.

An easy way of elevating your mac and cheese is to add some bacon, which provides it with a smoky taste. Loaded with cheddar cheese, this side dish is heavenly for cheese fans.

Thanks to the addition of onion powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder, this bacon mac and cheese recipe contains a variety of mouth-watering flavors.

12. Fruit Salad

Another healthy addition to your hot dog is fruit salad. No, we don’t recommend serving this on the same plate as your hot dog. After all, the fruity flavors won’t complement the salty taste of the hot dog.

Instead, we advise eating fruit salad after your hot dog.

Ideal for sunny days, this fantastic fruit salad recipe is incredibly refreshing. It’s packed with vibrant and delicious fruits, such as mangoes, blueberries, and strawberries.

The addition of honey and lime-seasoned juice is a great way of giving this dish even more fabulous flavors.

13. Caramelized Onions and Bell Peppers

These caramelized onions and bell peppers are a great combination for sausages, including hot dogs. Caramelization is a great way of cooking these onions and peppers, as it gives them even more flavor.

This dish also only takes 25 minutes to make. As a consequence, it’s great if you desire a quick and easy side dish. Plus, this side dish is incredibly colorful, making it rather appealing.

14. Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Coleslaw is basically just a creamy alternative to a traditional salad. Coleslaw is ideal for picnics in the spring and summer, as it’s sure to cool you down.

Not to mention, its tangy taste is always a hit.

If you’ve grown tired of the same coleslaw recipes, this red cabbage variety is delectable and delightful. Additionally, it has an amazing aesthetic.

You can also make this recipe in just one bowl, which will seriously reduce the amount of washing up that you have to do!

15. Pasta Salad

Another type of salad that pairs nicely with hot dogs is pasta salad. This is a versatile side dish that’s a little more exciting than plain salad.

We particularly adore this indulgent Mediterranean-themed pasta salad. It’s made with a fresh and refreshing lemon and herb dressing!

This dressing brings all the flavors together and is super straightforward to make.

Packed with delicious vegetables and feta cheese, this pasta salad is healthier than other options yet remains delectable. This dish is perfect for cheese lovers.

16. Cornbread

Penultimately, authentic Southern cornbread is a popular side dish. Its spongy texture will match the hot dogs nicely. It has a mild taste that won’t overshadow the hot dogs but instead will add to their flavor.

Free from added sugar, this incredible recipe will help you to make traditional cornbread. Thanks to the addition of buttermilk, it has a buttery and slightly sweet taste.

Just bear in mind that pairing your hot dogs with cornbread may be a little dry, so be sure to serve it with some sauces.

17. Potato Salad

Our final pick is potato salad. Given that this is one of the many potato-based side dishes on this list, you may have guessed that potato pairs beautifully with hot dogs.

With a creamy texture, potato salad feels a bit more substantial than the average salad recipe.

We especially adore this potato salad. It’s been made without mayonnaise, which means that it’s slightly healthier than the average recipe. This phenomenal potato salad is also vegan!

With a herbal flavor, this potato salad tastes divine. It’s packed with parsley, giving it a peppery taste.

What Are Some 4th of July Side Dishes That Pair Well With Hot Dogs?

Looking to enhance your 4th of July BBQ? Look no further! Check out these delicious summer side dish recipes that pair perfectly with hot dogs. From classic corn on the cob to tangy coleslaw, these dishes will take your hot dog game to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Though hot dogs are delicious on their own, a simple way of making this meal even more delicious is to serve it with one of these succulent side dishes. A plethora of different dishes combine nicely with hot dogs. 

Therefore, feel free to experiment with some of these recipes to find the best combination!