What to Serve with Ribs – Ribs are a BBQ classic, and pairing them with a tasty side will take your meal to the next level. To complement their savory, smoky flavor, we’ve gathered the best sides to serve with ribs, guaranteed to leave your guests satisfied and impressed. There are classic comfort sides, vegetables, and lighter options as well.
BEGIN WITH A RECIPE FOR RIBS
One of our go-to methods for preparing ribs is to bake Beef Ribs in the oven until they are fall-off-the-bone-good with little to no effort! Seasoned with a delicious, simple BBQ Rub– the ribs bake at low temperature for two hours, resulting in tender, juicy ribs that are packed with flavor. If baked ribs aren’t your thing, try them in the smoker, grill, or Instant Pot.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH RIBS
If you’re looking for inspiration on what to serve with ribs, we’ve got you covered! Whether you prefer classic BBQ sides or want to mix things up with fresh, innovative pairings, we’ve got something for everyone. Let’s dig in!
- 1. Vinegar Coleslaw
- 2. Southern Potato Salad
- 3. Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- 4. Homemade Coleslaw with Mint and Cilantro
- 5. Southern Macaroni Salad
- 6. Crock Pot Baked Beans with Bacon
- 7. Broccoli Slaw Salad
- 8. Grilled Corn
- 9. Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- 10. Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
- 11. Easy Cornbread Recipe
- 12. çoban salatasi
- 13. Jamaican Rice and Peas
- 14. Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
- 15. Beet Apple Salad
- 16. Healthy Potato Salad Recipe
- 17. Creamed Corn
- 18. Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
- 19. Cold Italian Pasta Salad
- 20. Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
- 21. Homemade French Fries Recipe
- 22. Amish Macaroni Salad
- 23. Corn Casserole
- 24. Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
- 25. Mashed Cauliflower
- 26. Sumac Onions
- 27. Loaded Potato Salad
- 28. Chickpea Salad
- 29. Garlic Butter Green Beans
- 30. Homemade Mac and Cheese
- 31. Grilled Zucchini
- 32. Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
- 33. Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
- 34. Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe
- 35. Honey Cornbread
- 36. Cucumber Carrot Salad
- 37. Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- 38. Spiced Sweet Potato Fries
- 39. Roasted Potatoes
- 40. Buttery Homemade Mashed Potatoes
- 41. Air Fryer Acorn Squash
1. Vinegar Coleslaw
Elevate your BBQ game with homemade Carolina-style Vinegar Coleslaw, featuring a tantalizing blend of tangy, sweet, and crunchy flavors. This delectable side dish perfectly complements your favorite BBQ dishes, adding a refreshing zing and a satisfying crunch to every bite.
2. Southern Potato Salad
Satisfy your cravings with the mouthwatering taste of our creamy Southern Potato Salad. Tender potatoes are coated in a rich and flavorful sauce, made with a perfect blend of creamy mayo and tangy mustard, and seasoned to perfection. This classic side dish will be a hit at your next BBQ, picnic, or potluck, so make plenty!
3. Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
This Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is a standout, with its rich, creamy cheese sauce bursting with flavor and a crisp buttery topping that is easy to make.
4. Homemade Coleslaw with Mint and Cilantro
Our Homemade Coleslaw incorporates cabbage, carrots, mint, cilantro, scallions, and an umami-rich dressing for coleslaw you’ll want to serve with everything!
5. Southern Macaroni Salad
Southern Macaroni Salad is a beloved staple in the South. Its authentic taste and texture make it an ideal pairing for ribs and other barbecue favorites.
6. Crock Pot Baked Beans with Bacon
Crock Pot Baked Beans with Bacon is simple to make and bursting with flavor! The sweetness of the beans pairs perfectly with the smoky bacon, making them a great side dish for any barbecue.
7. Broccoli Slaw Salad
This Broccoli Slaw Salad boasts a delightful combination of crunchy broccoli, crisp apple, chewy cranberries, and toasted almonds- all tossed with a creamy coleslaw dressing. It’s a delectable side dish that perfectly complements ribs and other meat entrees like BBQ Baked Chicken Legs.
8. Grilled Corn
Grilled Corn on the Cob is an effortless and delicious summer side dish you can prepare on your outdoor grill in just 10 minutes. Spice it up and add cheese for a flavorful Elote-style treat. And don’t forget to check out our guide for How to Cook Corn on the Cob to make the perfect ear every time.
9. Air Fryer Potato Wedges
If you’re looking for what to serve with ribs, look no further than these Air Fryer Potato Wedges. Their crispy texture on the outside and soft, fluffy texture on the inside make for a deliciously satisfying meal that’s packed with flavor.
10. Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
Loaded with fresh herbs, juicy tomato, crisp cucumber, and creamy avocado- olive oil and lime juice finish our Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad; this is a perfect side dish if you prefer something lighter.
11. Easy Cornbread Recipe
Enjoy this Easy Cornbread recipe – it’s ready in just 30 minutes! Moist and buttery, the homemade cornbread has crispy golden edges and a perfect fluffy center.
12. çoban salatasi
If you’re looking for a wholesome vegetable dish to pair with your ribs, consider trying Shepherd’s Salad, also known as çoban salatası. This delectable dish is prepared with simple ingredients in no time, making it a quick and easy way to round out your meal with a burst of fresh, delicious flavors.
13. Jamaican Rice and Peas
Jamaican Rice and Peas are a staple for get-togethers and gatherings; pair the flavorful side with roasted or grilled meat for a classic Sunday dinner.
14. Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
This Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese is cheesy, creamy, and will be a huge hit with the entire family. With minimal ingredients and a short cooking time, this amazing recipe is one to try ASAP!
15. Beet Apple Salad
Try our favorite Beet Apple Salad with balsamic dressing- made with fresh beetroot and sweet apples.
16. Healthy Potato Salad Recipe
Our Healthy Potato Salad recipe combines boiled potatoes with eggs, celery, pickle, onion, and a yogurt-based sauce for a side you’ll want to serve with everything.
17. Creamed Corn
This delicious homemade Creamed Corn recipe is way better than the canned version and takes minutes to prepare! A simple side dish that is perfect with BBQ ribs.
18. Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
Red Skin Mashed Potatoes are rich and indulgent thanks to lots of butter and sour cream, which gives them a slightly tangy twist that will keep you coming back for more!
19. Cold Italian Pasta Salad
Enjoy a Classic Italian Pasta Salad that’s gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free! The cold pasta salad contains tricolored pasta, fresh veggies, and a healthy homemade Italian dressing!
20. Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, and you can serve them in less than an hour!
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21. Homemade French Fries Recipe
Craving restaurant-style french fries at home? This best-ever Homemade French Fries Recipe, made in a pan with oil, ensuring a deliciously crispy outside with a soft inside.
22. Amish Macaroni Salad
No picnic is complete without this sweet and creamy Amish Macaroni Salad! This recipe is better than Walmart’s Amish Macaroni Salad with a tangy dressing made of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and smoked paprika.
23. Corn Casserole
Corn Casserole is a classic dish that will never go out of style. It’s the perfect side dish to any meal. Our recipe is a twist on this classic favorite. This version has a savory, creamy corn filling with a touch of honey for sweetness and bits of sun-dried tomatoes mixed throughout.
24. Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
This Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad is the perfect spring and summer salad! Made with fresh strawberries, goat cheese, spinach, walnuts & pine nuts. Then drizzled with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette with a hint of cinnamon.
25. Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed Cauliflower is easy to make and a perfect low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes alongside any main entree.
26. Sumac Onions
Marinated Sumac Onions or sumac onion salad are a tangy addition to grilled meats, kabobs, salads, and vegetable side dishes.
27. Loaded Potato Salad
With sour cream, bacon, and chives, this Loaded Potato Salad is like eating a loaded baked potato in a bowl. A guaranteed hit at your next summer picnic or an easy side dish for dinner at home!
28. Chickpea Salad
Who doesn’t love a recipe that comes together quickly? Make our Chickpea Salad ahead of time or on the day of for a tasty meal with fresh ingredients and full of protein.
29. Garlic Butter Green Beans
Garlic Butter Green Beans are an easy and delicious side dish. Everything tastes better with garlic butter! Cooked perfectly, steamed then tossed in a skillet with garlic butter.
30. Homemade Mac and Cheese
If you’re a fan of classic comfort foods, then you’ll absolutely love Homemade Mac and Cheese with sharp Vermont cheddar.
31. Grilled Zucchini
Our Grilled Zucchini cooks low and slow, making it the perfect side dish; cook these on the warming rack and the protein down below for the perfect summer meal.
32. Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas is known for bringing good fortune. Ours is smoky and spicy. Brimming with flavor, it will leave you feeling lucky.
33. Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes are the perfect side for ribs with crispy potato skins and melty cheese, topped with bacon and sour cream. You can make them ahead and freeze them & pop them into the air fryer so you can finish preparing the wings.
34. Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe
Our Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe is a perfect appetizer for gatherings and get-togethers- birthdays, barbecues, or picnics.
35. Honey Cornbread
A naturally sweetened recipe for Honey Cornbread. Made with two types of cornmeal for delicious texture and taste!
36. Cucumber Carrot Salad
Refreshing, and tangy, Cucumber Carrot Salad is a great way to enjoy fresh vegetables. Pair the salad with an entree or eat it as a light snack.
37. Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Elevate any meal with our sweet and savory Air Fryer Butternut Squash- a delicious side made with simple pantry ingredients.
38. Spiced Sweet Potato Fries
These Oven Roasted Spiced Sweet Potato Fries are a great addition to ribs. They are full of salty spices and so easy to bake in the oven.
39. Roasted Potatoes
Make our perfectly seasoned, crispy Roasted Potatoes in the Oven; this sheet-pan side pairs with everything and works for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack.
40. Buttery Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery, smooth, and SO. GOOD. These Buttery Homemade Mashed Potatoes are the perfect compliment to any meal.
41. Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Making Air Fryer Acorn Squash is simple and quicker than using the oven. Crispy and caramelized squash is the perfect addition to any meal, and it comes together in 30 minutes.
