Cookout Sides Menu

SIDES MENU GUIDE 2026

Cook Out Sides Menu – Prices, Calories & Complete Guide 2026

Every side on the Cook Out menu with current prices, calorie counts, nutrition data, vegetarian status, dip pairings, and tray eligibility. All 12 standard sides covered from classic Cajun Fries to White Cheddar Bites, Hushpuppies, Walking Taco, and everything in between.

Quick answer: A Cook Out Tray includes two sides from a full board of 12 options all priced between $1.49 (Coleslaw) and $3.39 (White Cheddar Bites / Walking Taco) a la carte. Every side qualifies as a Tray pick at no extra charge, and picking the same side twice is allowed. Cajun Fries are the most ordered side. Coleslaw at ~170 calories is the lightest. Hushpuppies at ~590 calories are the heaviest.

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12 Side Options
Fried, cold, wrapped, and dipped
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All Tray Eligible
Every side fills a Tray slot
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$1.49 – $3.39
A la carte price range
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Doubling Allowed
Same side twice, no extra charge

Overview

Why the Cook Out Sides List Is So Long

A Cook Out Tray comes with one main entrée, two sides, and a drink all at a flat price. The sides board exists to make those two picks worth choosing carefully, because the right combination can turn a basic burger order into a genuinely satisfying meal. Unlike most fastfood chains where your only real side choice is fries or a salad, Cook Out gives you a dozen legitimate options including items like a corn dog, a quesadilla, chicken nuggets, and white cheddar bites that most chains would charge full entrée prices for.

Because every side qualifies as a Tray pick regardless of how filling or expensive it is a la carte, picking two White Cheddar Bites orders (normally $3.39 each) costs exactly the same as picking two coleslaws ($1.49 each) when ordered as part of a Tray. That’s a meaningful distinction that makes the Tray format genuinely flexible. For the full picture on how the Tray format works, see the Cook Out Tray Price & Menu page.

Quick Reference

All Cook Out Sides at a Glance

Every side, its calorie count, Tray eligibility, and vegetarian status in one quick table.

Side Item Calories A La Carte Price Tray Eligible Vegetarian
Regular Fries ~350 $2.39 Yes Yes
Cajun Fries ~350 $2.39 Yes Yes
Onion Rings ~260 $2.69 Yes Yes
Hushpuppies ~590 $1.99 Yes Yes
Cook Out Rounds ~298 $2.00 Yes Yes
Chicken Nuggets (5pc) ~350 $2.49 Yes No
Corn Dog ~220 $2.49 Yes No
Cheese Quesadilla ~350 $2.49 Yes Yes
White Cheddar Bites ~380 $3.39 Yes Yes
Walking Taco ~370 $3.39 Yes No
Coleslaw ~170 $1.49 Yes Yes
Chili (Cup) ~190 $1.99 Yes No

Prices and calories are estimates and vary by location. Vegetarian status refers to ingredients only shared fryer oil may affect cross contact risk.

Full Breakdown

Full Side Descriptions & What to Know

Side Item What It Is Cal. Price
Regular Fries Freshcut, skinon potato fries, lightly salted. Cook Out cuts fresh potatoes not prefrozen. ~350 $2.39
Cajun Fries Same freshcut fries tossed in Cajun seasoning. Most ordered side on the entire menu. Request Cajun seasoning on regular fries at no extra charge if you prefer. ~350 $2.39
Onion Rings Battered, deepfried onion rings. Thick batter holds texture reasonably well in takeout. ~260 $2.69
Hushpuppies 5–6 fried cornmeal bites, lightly sweet. Highest calorie side on the menu at ~590 cal also one of the cheapest at $1.99. A Southern staple and one of the most requested sides. ~590 $1.99
Cook Out Rounds Crispy fried potato bites, tater tot style cut. Slightly denser than fries and hold shape better in a takeout container. ~298 $2.00
Chicken Nuggets (5pc) Breaded white meat chicken nuggets. One of the higher protein sides at ~16g. Pairs well with Cook Out Sauce or Honey Mustard. ~350 $2.49
Corn Dog Full size beef hot dog in a honey battered coating. One of the better sides for delivery  the thick batter holds texture longer than fries. ~220 $2.49
Cheese Quesadilla Folded flour tortilla with melted cheese blend. Holds heat well and works both as a Tray side and a standalone snack. Can be ordered as a main entrée at some locations. ~350 $2.49
White Cheddar Bites Fried white cheddar cheese curds rich, crispy, and one of the most indulgent sides on the board. Highest a la carte price at $3.39 but still fully Tray eligible at no extra Tray cost. ~380 $3.39
Walking Taco Chili, cheese, and lettuce served in a crushed corn chip bag. Order chili on the side for delivery the chips soften quickly once assembled. Contains meat. ~370 $3.39
Coleslaw Cold, creamy shredded cabbage slaw. Lowest calorie side at ~170 cal. No fryer risk. The only standard side that is naturally gluten free and dairy free as a direct ingredient. ~170 $1.49
Chili (Cup) Cook Out’s homemade beef chili. Second lowest calorie side at ~190 cal and highest protein side pick at ~12g. Also works as a topping on fries, a hot dog, or a corn dog ordered separately. ~190 $1.99

Calorie Guide

Cook Out Sides – Calories Ranked Low to High

Useful when planning a Tray around a calorie target. The gap between lightest (Coleslaw ~170) and heaviest (Hushpuppies ~590) is significant choosing both Tray sides from the bottom of this list vs. the top can make a 400+ calorie difference on the same meal.

# Side Est. Calories Notes
1 Coleslaw ~170 Lowest calorie cold, no frying
2 Chili (Cup) ~190 Second lightest highest protein of the lighter sides
3 Corn Dog ~220 Light for a fried item
4 Onion Rings ~260 Lighter than fries despite the batter
5 Cook Out Rounds ~298 Slightly lighter than standard fries
6 Regular / Cajun Fries ~350 Most ordered side despite mid range calories
7 Chicken Nuggets (5pc) ~350 Same calories as fries, more protein
8 Cheese Quesadilla ~350 Filling despite moderate calorie count
9 Walking Taco ~370 Chips absorb chili calorie dense for a side
10 White Cheddar Bites ~380 Rich most indulgent side on the board
11 Hushpuppies ~590 Highest calorie side by a significant margin

Nutrition

Full Nutrition Snapshot – Fat, Sodium & Protein

Calories alone don’t tell the whole picture. Chicken Nuggets and Chili Cup both deliver meaningful protein relative to their calorie count. Hushpuppies have high sodium despite being a simple fried item. Coleslaw is the only side with low sodium and no shared fryer risk.

Side Item Calories Fat Sodium Protein
Regular / Cajun Fries ~350 ~18g ~480mg ~4g
Onion Rings ~260 ~13g ~430mg ~4g
Hushpuppies ~590 ~28g ~610mg ~7g
Cook Out Rounds ~298 ~15g ~390mg ~3g
Chicken Nuggets (5pc) ~350 ~21g ~600mg ~16g
Corn Dog ~220 ~12g ~520mg ~8g
Cheese Quesadilla ~350 ~19g ~640mg ~14g
White Cheddar Bites ~380 ~22g ~590mg ~12g
Walking Taco ~370 ~18g ~680mg ~14g
Coleslaw ~170 ~12g ~190mg ~1g
Chili (Cup) ~190 ~9g ~560mg ~12g

All nutrition figures are estimates from Cook Out’s official nutrition PDF. Values vary by location, portion size, and preparation.

By Category

Best Cook Out Sides for Every Preference

Category Best Sides Why
Best Crispy Cajun Fries, Onion Rings, Cook Out Rounds Three different textures seasoned, battered, bite sized
Best Cheesy White Cheddar Bites, Cheese Quesadilla Melted or fried cheese as the main feature
Best Southern Classic Hushpuppies, Coleslaw Two of the most traditional Southern fast food sides
Best Protein Chicken Nuggets, Chili Cup ~16g and ~12g protein respectively highest on the board
Lowest Calorie Coleslaw (~170), Chili Cup (~190) Combined both slots = under 400 calories total for two sides
Best for Kids Chicken Nuggets, Corn Dog, Cook Out Rounds Familiar formats, easy to eat, kid friendly sizes
Best for Delivery Corn Dog, Cheese Quesadilla Hold texture longer in sealed containers than thin cut fries
Best Value in a Tray White Cheddar Bites, Walking Taco Normally $3.39 each a la carte both included in Tray at no extra charge

Pairing Guide

Best Side Pairings by Tray Main

These combinations come up repeatedly in regular orders because the flavors and textures work together without competing. None require explanation at the window just name the items.

Tray Main Side 1 Side 2 Why It Works
Big Double Burger Cajun Fries Onion Rings Two different textures of crunch without overlapping flavors
BBQ Sandwich Hushpuppies Coleslaw Classic Carolina plate sweet cornmeal and cold slaw against smoky meat
Hot Dog Chili Cup Cajun Fries Ladle the chili over the dog and fries three uses from one cup
Spicy Chicken Sandwich Coleslaw Cheese Quesadilla Cold slaw cools the heat; quesadilla rounds the meal
Chicken Strip Tray Hushpuppies Cook Out Rounds All crispy, all Southern a deliberately indulgent combo
Cajun Chicken Coleslaw Cook Out Rounds Cold slaw balances the spice; rounds add crunch without repeating the chicken
Cheese Quesadilla (as main) White Cheddar Bites Cajun Fries Fully vegetarian rich cheese bites with spiced fries

Dips

Free Sauce Pairings by Side

Cook Out Sauce, Honey Mustard, Ranch, and BBQ sauce are all available free but you have to ask for them. None come automatically with any side. Ask when placing your order at the speaker, not after you’ve confirmed your total.

Side Best Sauce Why
Cajun / Regular Fries Cook Out Sauce or Ranch Tangy house sauce or cool ranch both work against salted potato
Hushpuppies Honey Mustard or Cook Out Sauce Plays off natural sweetness of the cornmeal without fighting it
Chicken Nuggets Ranch or BBQ Two most reliable dips for breaded chicken
Onion Rings Cook Out Sauce Tangy base balances the sweetness of the onion
Cook Out Rounds Ranch Cool and creamy against the crisped potato exterior
White Cheddar Bites Cook Out Sauce or Honey Mustard Cuts through the richness of fried cheese curd
Corn Dog Honey Mustard Classic pairing sweet mustard with the honey batter coating
Cup of Cheese Sauce (~$1.00): Not free, but worth knowing a cup of melted cheddar sauce can be added for about $1.00 and works as a dip for fries, nuggets, Cook Out Rounds, or anything fried. Ask for it at the speaker.

Customizing

Customizing Sides at the Drive Thru

Cook Out’s topping system is modular chili and cheese that come bundled on a Walking Taco can be requested on fries, and Cajun seasoning can go on any potato item. These are all daily kitchen requests at every Cook Out location.

Modification What to Say Cost
Cajun seasoning on Regular Fries “Can I get Cajun seasoning on those?” converts to Cajun Fries at no charge Free
Chili on Fries “Cajun Fries with chili on top” Small charge
Chili + Cheese on Fries (Animal Fries) “Cajun Fries with chili, cheese, and grilled onions” Chili + cheese charge
Cheese Sauce (Cup) “Can I get a cup of cheese on the side?” ~$1.00
Cajun seasoning on Nuggets “Can I get Cajun seasoning on those?” Free
Chili on the side (for Walking Taco delivery) “Can I get the chili on the side, not assembled?” Free
Same side twice in a Tray “[Side] for both my sides” valid and costs nothing extra Free
Cook Out Sauce / Honey Mustard / Ranch “And can I get Cook Out Sauce and Ranch?” before confirming order Free

Dietary

Dietary Notes – Vegetarian, Gluten & Allergens

Most Cook Out sides are fried in shared oil, which creates cross contact risk even for items that don’t contain a given allergen directly. The dietary table below covers direct ingredient content not shared fryer risk. For the complete allergen breakdown by allergen type, see the Cook Out Allergens Menu page.

Side Item Vegetarian Gluten (direct) Dairy (direct) Contains Meat
Regular / Cajun Fries Yes No No No
Onion Rings / Hushpuppies / Rounds Yes Yes No No
Cheese Quesadilla / White Cheddar Bites Yes Yes Yes No
Coleslaw Yes No No No
Chicken Nuggets / Corn Dog No Yes No Yes
Walking Taco / Chili Cup No Yes (taco) Yes (taco) Yes

Shared fryer oil means gluten, egg, and soy cross contact risk exists on all fried items regardless of direct ingredient content. This is not a celiac safe kitchen environment.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all Cook Out sides included in the Tray price?

Yes. Every side on the standard board qualifies as a Tray pick at no extra charge, including the pricier items like White Cheddar Bites ($3.39) and Walking Taco ($3.39).

Can I get the same side twice on a Cook Out Tray?

Yes. Doubling up on one side for both Tray picks is a valid order and costs the same as choosing two different sides. Double Cajun Fries, double Hushpuppies, double Cheese Quesadilla all valid.

Which side has the most calories?

Hushpuppies at approximately 590 calories well above every other side. They are also one of the cheapest sides at $1.99 a la carte.

What is the lowest calorie side at Cook Out?

Coleslaw at approximately 170 calories. Chili Cup at ~190 calories is the second lightest. Together they make the lowest calorie two side Tray combination at under 400 calories combined.

What are Cook Out Rounds?

Crispy, bite sized fried potato pieces similar in size and shape to a seasoned tater tot. Crunchier than fries and hold texture slightly better in takeout containers.

Are Cook Out fries freshcut?

Yes. Cook Out cuts fresh, skinon potatoes not pre frozen fries. For more on fry options, seasoning, and varieties see the Cook Out Fries page.

Which sides are vegetarian?

Fries, Cajun Fries, Onion Rings, Hushpuppies, Cook Out Rounds, Cheese Quesadilla, White Cheddar Bites, and Coleslaw are all vegetarian. Chicken Nuggets, Corn Dog, Walking Taco, and Chili Cup contain meat.

Which sides hold up best for delivery or takeout?

Corn Dog and Cheese Quesadilla travel best. Thin fried items fries, onion rings, Cook Out Rounds lose crispness the fastest, typically within 10 to 15 minutes in a sealed container. For the Walking Taco, request the chili on the side to prevent the chips from softening during transport.

Can I order sides without ordering a Tray?

Yes. Every side can be ordered individually at the a la carte prices listed above. No Tray or entrée required.

Are free sauces automatically included?

No. Cook Out Sauce, Honey Mustard, Ranch, and BBQ sauce are all free but you must ask for them when placing your order. They are not automatically included with any side or Tray.

More Pages

Related Cook Out Pages

Editorial NotePricing, calorie, and nutrition figures on this page are estimates compiled from Cook Out menu boards reviewed across NC, SC, VA, GA, and TN locations and from Cook Out’s official nutrition PDF, reviewed June 2026. Exact pricing, recipes, and calorie counts vary by location and can change without notice. Always confirm current details with your local Cook Out before ordering, particularly if you are managing a dietary or allergen concern. For official information, visit cookout.com.