Does a burger ever taste as good without fries? What would fried chicken be without baked beans, mashed potatoes, coleslaw – or all three? It's the side dishes that really make a fast food meal great, and in some cases, they outshine the main event. From classic items that have stood the test of time to fan-favourite limited editions and new inventions, we reveal the greatest fast food side dishes ever.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the most delicious fast food side dishes of all time, counting down to the most iconic of them all.

Our ranking is based on reviews, accolades and the popularity of each side dish, taking into account sales, longevity and the reaction to the products at the time of their release. This list is unavoidably subjective.

The very best fast food side dishes of all time, ranked