Have you ever wondered what to serve with ribs? The juicy, flavorful entree needs an amazing side dish to go with it! From amazing potato salad to healthy sweet corn, we have found tasty side dishes that go perfectly with ribs.
When planning a delicious, bbq rib dinner, you really only need three things:
- Napkins
- A great rib recipe
- A perfect side dish
We are here to help you with number three!
We have scoured the internet to find the best sides for ribs. There is something on our list for everyone. Each side dish will pair perfectly with your sticky ribs and make your meal complete. Time to pick your favorite side dish!
BBQ Spare Ribs
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Best Sides for Ribs
Good bbq ribs are very flavorful. You need a side dish that will go well with that strong, sweet, and smokey flavor.
Our sides will compliment any kind of ribs you may be tossing on the grill! Take a look and see which sides catch your eye.
1. White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Our white cheddar mac and cheese recipe is full of cheesy flavor. The beautiful white color of the mac and cheese looks amazing next to dark brown ribs. Make the pasta ahead of time and simply reheat the mac and cheese when the ribs are cooked. Everyone will love a big, homestyle plate of creamy mac and cheese!
2. Easy Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a classic cook-out food. It is served at barbecues and picnics all summer long. It is also the perfect side dish to serve next to bbq ribs.
We love this quick and easy pasta salad recipe from Inspired Taste. It is full of fresh veggies and mozzarella cheese which tastes great with rich barbecue ribs. Pasta salad is also quite hearty so you are sure to be full after a big bowl and some ribs!
Image Source: Inspired Taste
3. Potato Salad
Foodie Crush will show you how to make a fantastic potato salad. Potato salad is another traditional barbecue food. It will pair well with any rib recipe you may try!
This potato salad recipe is made with Yukon gold potatoes, miracle whip, eggs, onions, and celery. Seasonings like paprika, black pepper, and mustard are added in as well. The whole recipe will only take a few minutes to put together.
Image Source: Foodie Crush
4. Baked Beans
You will often find baked beans served alongside barbecue ribs. We love this baked bean recipe from A Spicy Perspective because it is made using an Instant Pot. Homemade baked beans are ready to enjoy in just a matter of minutes!
To make Instant Pot baked beans, all the ingredients are added into the pot, sealed, and cooked. Liquid smoke, barbecue sauce, and brown sugar really bring the beans to life. The thick sauce and rich flavor of the beans will make your rib dinner complete!
Image Source: A Spicy Perspective
5. Roasted Carrots and Potatoes
Our delicious recipe for roasted carrots and sweet potatoes is perfect for serving alongside ribs. Sweet potatoes, Yukon potatoes, or small red fingerling potatoes will all work great in this recipe.
Toss all of the four ingredients on a sheet tray and roast. A perfect vegetable and starch side dish will be ready to serve very quickly! You will love this healthy side with any of your favorite rib recipes.
6. BLT Pasta Salad
Looking for a fun twist on a classic side dish? This BLT pasta salad from Spend with Pennies is just what you need.
Tomatoes, avocado, red onions, and lettuce are the main veggies in the salad. Pasta, bacon, and ranch dressing are mixed in as well. The end result is a salad that is perfect for your next summer cookout. The tangy dressing and flavorful veggies are great to serve with bbq ribs.
Image Source: Spend with Pennies
7. Collard Greens
Are you planning a southern-style bbq ribs night? Then you definitely need to serve collard greens.
Collards are a classic southern side dish. They are quite nutritious and loaded with vitamins and minerals. They are also quite tasty especially when cooked with bacon.
This recipe from Grandbaby Cakes will show you exactly how to make this fantastic side dish. The teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes adds just the right amount of spice. Collard greens and bbq ribs are southern comfort food at its finest!
Image Source: Grandbaby Cakes
8. Bacon and Corn Dip
If you want something new and exciting to serve with bbq ribs, give our healthy bacon and corn dip a try. It is very easy to put together and will only take you about 15 minutes to cook. You can make this corn dip while your ribs are on the grill!
9. Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes are another delicious side to serve with bbq ribs. This recipe from The Recipe Critic is easy and tasty. It is also a great way to use up any green tomatoes you may have growing in your garden.
Serve your deep-fried tomatoes with some extra bbq sauce as a dip. Dip the green tomatoes in herbed butter or just enjoy them hot out of the fryer!
Image Source: The Recipe Critic
10. Corn Fritters
Crispy corn fritters are one of the best side dishes to serve with bbq ribs. They are a little sweet, a little salty, and especially delicious.
This recipe from The Kitchn uses sweet corn and jalapeno peppers. A light batter is made using flour, white cornmeal, and spices. Try adding some bell peppers to the batter for even more crunch and flavor.
Image Source: The Kitchn
11. Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is a great vegetable to serve with ribs. Use this recipe from Lil Luna to make perfect boiled corn.
Corn on the cob tastes amazing when smothered in melted butter and sprinkled with salt. You can top your cooked corn on the cob with some fresh herbs or just enjoy it hot. It is definitely one of the best vegetables to pair with bbq ribs.
Image Source: Lil Luna
12. Fried Okra
If you like southern classics, try this recipe for fried okra from the Pioneer Woman. Fresh okra is sliced and breaded. The bite-sized pieces are deep-fried until golden.
Fried okra tastes great when dipped in bbq sauce, hot sauce, or when served plain next to juicy ribs. These little golden nuggets are easy to eat and easy to make!
Image Source: Pioneer Woman
13. Tomato Mozzerella Salad
A fresh tomato mozzarella salad is a refreshing side to serve next to ribs. Juicy, ripe tomatoes taste amazing next to smokey rib sauce.
We love this simple recipe from Dinner at the Zoo. The fresh vegetables are topped with crunchy bacon and drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The addition of bacon to the salad mimics the pork ribs, making it the perfect match!
Image Source: Dinner at the Zoo
14. Coleslaw
If you want tasty side dishes to pair with your bbq ribs, consider coleslaw. A big, cold serving of coleslaw is perfect in the summer months.
Use this recipe from Simply Recipes to make a classic, creamy coleslaw. Shredded carrots, cabbage, and onions are topped with a delicious dressing. Make this crowd-pleaser hours ahead and let the flavors marinate.
Image Source: Simply Recipes
15. Cornbread
You will love this amazing cornbread from Sally’s Baking Addiction. The butter-filled cornbread may be one of the best side dishes!
This recipe is made with brown sugar which gives the cornbread a sweet, rich taste. Use a piece of cornbread to sop up your extra rib sauce.
Image Source: Sally’s Baking Addiction
16. Cheese Grits
Cheese grits and ribs are a classic combination. Try this recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen to make creamy, cheesy grits.
Cooking cheese grits only takes a few minutes. Milk or water can be used to soak the grits. Be sure to add extra butter to make the grits even creamier. Try playing your ribs right on top of the grits to make a complete meal.
Image Source: Spicy Southern Kitchen
17. Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is a picnic classic. It is one of the best side dishes to serve with grilled ribs. Fire up the grill and mix up this ambrosia salad from Real Housemoms.
Heavy cream, sour cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla make up the creamy part of the salad. Cherries, orange slices, pineapple, and shredded coconut are mixed in. The salad is cold, refreshing, and sweet. It is the perfect compliment to ribs that requires no cooking at all!
Image Source: Real Housemoms
18. Green Beans
We love fresh vegetables next to ribs. Green beans are a quintessential side that is tasty and easy to cook.
Simple skillet green beans from Healthy Seasonal Recipes are a great one-pot recipe. A little olive oil, garlic, and green beans are all you need! The crisp beans will taste fantastic next to a juicy rack of ribs.
Image Source: Healthy Seasonal Recipes
19. Sweet Potato Salad
This sweet potato salad recipe from Well Plated By Erin is one of the most versatile side dishes on our list. It is a vegetable and a starch!
Sweet potatoes are a traditional side for rib racks, pulled pork, and basically any kind of barbecue. The roasted sweet potatoes are quite interesting with some herbs and bacon. This is a side you must try!
Image Source: Well Plated By Erin
20. Fried Pickles
Fried pickles are a yummy side to serve with a rib rack. The salty, vinegar dish is delicious alongside smokey pork.
This recipe from Sugar Spun Run makes tasty batter-dipped pickle slices. The ranch dressing is an interesting twist. Cooking fried pickles right before eating is the best option. This is one of those dishes that people are sure to remember!
Image Source: Sugar Spun Run
Amazing Sides for BBQ Ribs, From Pasta Salad to Collard Greens
There are quite a few delicious recipes for you to try next to your grilled rib dinner. If you want good food to serve with your favorite rib recipes, you are sure to find it here! Enjoy!
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