Top 17 Simple Side Dishes for Ribs in 2024
Even if you don’t get as much meat as bones, ribs are always worth preparing. Consider the moist and delicious ribs with plenty of BBQ hot sauce to dunk in. It’s a real feast for your tastebuds.
For example, choosing sides for ribs is a big deal for your special gathering. Spare or baby back ribs are the type of comfort food that makes you drool, whether smoked, grilled, or baked in the oven. They are, however, a dish that should not be neglected because you’ve come across this page.
What are the Best Side Dishes for Ribs
There are so many delicious side dishes to choose from, including southern classics such as mac & cheese and sweet corn casserole, as well as healthier options like coleslaw and broccoli salad. All you have to do now is select a few of your favorites and your barbecue dinner will be ready. Here are the 15 best sides for ribs!
What Vegetable Side Dishes to Serve with Ribs
1) Baked beans
Baked beans are a beautiful complement to the amazing flavor of barbecued ribs. In your crockpot, cook thick, rich, and saucy baked beans from the day before so they can simmer all night. The following day, prepare them in a slow cooker with onion or onion powder, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. Finally, serve them with your delicious BBQ ribs.
Beans can be served as a standalone meal or as part of a hearty entree. They’re even more delectable when paired with savory ribs, which have a smoky flavor. Most of the tastes are enhanced with a sweet-tangy sauce that compliments smoked meats’ smokiness.
2) French green bean salad
French green beans are an excellent accompaniment to ribs. Boil fresh green beans until tender, then toss them with vinaigrette dressing or apple cider vinegar and chopped juicy tomatoes. You can also add some bacon bits for extra crunch. This delicious salad is perfect for summertime grilling, but it works just as well during the colder months.
3) Creamy broccoli salad
This delicious broccoli salad is a tasty side dish for ribs. It’s not difficult to make and can be prepared ahead of time! The salad will undoubtedly draw the attention of your next party. It’s a guaranteed hit! When you add other simple ingredients, such as sliced almonds, dried cranberries, baby carrots {is baby carrot a fruit or a vegetable}, and Greek yogurt for a creamier and more flavorful flavor profile, things get really exciting.
4) Slow cooker pinto beans
These pinto beans are so delectable that they may be served as a side dish or as the centerpiece of a meal. My combination with my ribs is flawless. It is much easier when preparing pinto beans in a crockpot or a slow cooker. The wet beans, oil, spices, and seasonings, as well as other veggies or meat, should be added. Add enough water to cover them, then simmer until soft. It’s that simple!
5) Firecracker fried okra
Do you want to try a new approach to eating ribs? Then go for these firecracker fried okras, which are a fun way to eat them! These fried okras are delicious on their own, but serving them with your favorite dipping or fry sauce elevates the meal.
The secret to this finger food’s golden color and crispy texture is a buttermilk and cornmeal-flour combination. The addition of cayenne and black pepper gives the buttermilk combination a pleasant spice.
What Potato Side Dishes to Serve with Ribs
6) Herbed Potato Salad
Ribs go with just about any potato salad, but this herbed variation is a nice alternative. The key to the amazing dressing is in the shallot. It’s a lighter style of potato salad than the one with mayo since the sauce for this salad includes shallot, oil, vinegar dressing, mustard, salt, and pepper. Fresh tarragon, parsley, and dill add interest to the salad. The herbs and the tangy dressing cut through the richness of the ribs.
7) Easy Hasselback Potatoes
Hasselback potatoes are one of the classic side dishes for ribs. The trick to making them is using a mandoline slicer to create thin slices of potatoes. If you don’t have a mandoline, use a sharp knife to slice the potatoes into very thin strips. Once you’ve got the right thickness, place them on a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 Celsius) for 30 minutes.
8) Air fried sweet potato fries
Sweet potatoes are a great choice when you are looking for something different to serve alongside beef or pork ribs. They are naturally low in calories and high in fiber. Sweet potatoes are often used to replace white potatoes because they taste similar. So if you like sweet potatoes, you’ll love these air-fried sweet potato fries.
9) Creamy red potato salad
This creamy red potato salad is perfect for entertaining. It is made with red potatoes, celery, onions, and bacon. The recipe calls for sour cream and mayonnaise, but I prefer to keep mine light by adding only 1/2 cup of each. You can also substitute fresh chives or green onions for the onion instead of the scallions.
10) Cheesy scalloped potatoes
Cheese makes everything better, including potatoes. This cheesy version of scalloped potatoes will make your guests ask for seconds. The cheese mixture is poured over baked potatoes before being topped with more cheese and bread crumbs. A sprinkling of paprika adds some additional flavor and color.
What Other Side Dishes to Serve with Ribs
11) Mac & cheese
Pairing your rib meats with creamy mac & cheese is a wonderful way to enjoy them. Panko parmesan is not only tasty, but it also provides a pleasant crunchy texture. This quiche is truly wonderful. Try using Jarlsberg Swiss instead if you don’t have sharp cheddar cheese or Gruyere. However, if you do not have any of these cheeses, mozzarella, jack cheese, or pepper jack will also work well.
12) Jiffy corn casserole
The jiffy sweet corn casseroles are quick and easy to prepare. The ingredients include canned corn, condensed milk, butter, eggs, flour, and seasoning. These casseroles are usually served as dessert, but they’re delicious as an accompaniment to ribs too.
13) Creamed spinach
Spinach is a healthy vegetable that goes well with almost anything. This particular recipe uses creamed spinach to accompany the meat. To make it, simply combine chopped spinach leaves with heavy whipping cream, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
14) Bacon deviled eggs
These deviled eggs are loaded with flavor. The yolk is mixed with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Then, the egg whites are sprinkled with crispy cooked bacon bits. If you want to make it even healthier, omit the bacon and just add the other ingredients.
15) French Fries
This is the number one side for ribs be it at home or eating out at Tony Roma’s. They are so good that people actually order them without the meat as a starter. When ordering, request “no gravy” and ask for extra ketchup.
16) Mashed potatoes
Mashing potatoes is another classic side dish for ribs. Simply mix together mashed potatoes, butter, and milk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste and top with shredded cheese.
17) Garlic bread
Garlic bread is always a crowd pleaser. It pairs perfectly with all types of food, especially ribs. For this recipe, use soft Italian bread. Spread softened butter on both sides of the bread slices. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and minced garlic. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-20 minutes, depending on how thick the bread is.
What are the Tips in Serving Ribs With Side Dishes in a Gathering
If you’re planning a dinner party and need some assistance keeping sane, here are some pointers to follow if you want to get organized and stress-free.
1. Choose sides that complement one another.
For example, if you’re serving macaroni and cheese, pair it with green beans, broccoli, or cauliflower. If you have spaghetti and meatballs, choose a perfect side dish that complements the balanced meal, such as mashed potatoes, zucchini, or roasted vegetables.
2. Make sure there’s plenty of space on the table.
It’s important to plan ahead so that you don’t run out of room at the table. For instance, if you know you’ll be serving mac & cheese, then you should make enough to serve everyone. Also, make sure there’s enough seating for all the guests.
3. Prepare everything early.
It’s best to start preparing the food at least two days before the event. That way, you won’t have to rush around during the day.
4. Keep things simple.
Don’t go overboard when choosing side dishes. Just because something sounds good doesn’t mean it actually tastes good. Stick to what you like. If you don’t like something, skip it.
5. Make sure you have enough drinks.
You can never have too much alcohol! Be sure to set up a bar area where people can help themselves to drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easy side dishes for ribs?
Here are some of the most popular side dishes for ribs:
- Mac & Cheese
- Mashed Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Broccoli
- Roasted Vegetables
What are the healthy sides for beef ribs?
Healthier options for ribs include:
- Whole Grain Pasta
- Brown Rice
- Vegetable Medley
What are the best side dish pair for bbq ribs?
Some of the best side dishes for BBQ ribs include:
- Corn Casserole
- Jiffy Corn Cakes
- Parmesan Mashed Potatoes