Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 31 Best Sides for Ribs: What to Serve at the Next BBQ These side dish recipes will perfectly complement that mouthwatering rack of meat. By Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 05, 2024 Close Photo: Getty Images Cooking ribs on the grill is great, but they do not make a complete. Just as pulled pork sides make a barbecue dinner much tastier, the right sides turn ribs into a well-rounded meal. And you can call a rib dinner healthy if you include a vegetable side dish, right? Most backyard party or cookout hosts instinctively know not to serve ribs alone. Guests will want something else to polish off the meat-heavy meal. But what else to serve, then? Fortunately, most side dishes pair well with ribs. From veggie-based salads to bread rolls to coleslaws, these are some of the best sides for ribs. They're low-commitment, too, so you can easily whip them up while the meat cooks. (If you have picky eaters, this is also your chance to make sure there's something they'll like on the table.) When it's time to serve your full ribs spread, everyone will admire your cooking (and pairing) abilities. We've rounded up our favorite recipes that round out a ribs-based meal without detracting from the quality of the meat. 01 of 31 Sweet and Tangy Baked Beans Greg DuPree These baked beans aren't average: Not when freshly cooked bacon is the base and pineapple chunks infiltrate the mix. Pineapple cuts through the deep, savory flavor, adding a much-needed sweetness to the pot of beans. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 31 Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes Greg Dupree This mashed potatoes recipe is extremely luscious and creamy thanks to half and half and sour cream. The butter is browned to give the potatoes a slightly toasted, caramelized flavor. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 31 Fried Green Tomatoes Lisa Hubbard Take the classic route when picking sides for your ribs with these irresistible fried green tomatoes. Making them at home is easier than you might think, and you and your guests are sure to enjoy the fried indulgence. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 31 Spicy Street Corn Salad Jen Causey Inspired by the classic Mexican street food dish, elote, this spicy and refreshing corn salad is perfect alongside savory ribs. Swap Cojita for aged Cheddar or parmesan if you can't find the Mexican crumbly cheese. This salad is as simple as gathering the ingredients and tossing them together. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 31 Dill Pickle Relish Cornbread Muffins Caitlin Bensel Nothing beats a good cornbread for a classic barbecue or cookout side dish. Pickle relish gives these muffins an added tang, and they get a creamy boost from grated Parmesan. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 31 Carrot-Apple Slaw Antonis Achilleos Sauerkraut is a main ingredient in this punchy salad, though its intensity is tempered by shredded apples and carrots. Raisins sweeten the proceedings, while ginger gives it a little spice. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 31 Corn on the Cob With Tarragon Kana Okada Has anyone ever rejected corn on the cob with ribs? A messier—and tastier—food match may have never been made. A sprinkling of tarragon adds unexpected flavor. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 31 Green Beans With Bacon Vinaigrette Gentl & Hyers Green beans have a reputation for being a bit "plain Jane," but this recipe makes them exciting. For one thing, bacon elevates any dish it's added to. And secondly, the tangy apple cider vinegar and spicy whole grain mustard in this vinaigrette will get your taste buds dancing. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 31 Pasta Salad With Asparagus and Lemon Dana Gallagher Take a breath, asparagus haters. This penne pasta salad matches the slightly bitter taste of asparagus with zesty lemon, nutty Parmesan, and crackling black pepper. Just give it a try...you'll see. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 31 Beet-Radicchio Salad Christopher Testani This colorful, restaurant-worthy salad features arugula, radicchio, beets, and blood orange segments. Top with maple and miso dressing and Parmesan cheese. It's easier than it looks, especially if you use pre-cooked beets and already shredded Parmesan. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 31 Caramelized Veggies With Poppy Seed Dressing Caitlin Bensel Caramelized anything means you're in for something sweet, and this array of roasted beets, rainbow carrots, parsnips, and fennel is no exception. Drizzle them with a zesty poppy seed dressing that pairs perfectly with these crunchy-tender veggies. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 31 Macaroni and Cheese Sang An If you're one of those who can't imagine ribs without a side of mac and cheese, then you'd probably like a traditional recipe that hits all the right notes: creamy, a little sharp, and golden on top. This recipe uses Gruyere and cheddar to pull this off perfectly. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 31 Minted Watermelon Salad Christopher Baker If it's warm enough for an outdoor barbecue with ribs, watermelon deserves a place at your table. This watermelon salad is extra refreshing, thanks to the torn, fresh mint that's sprinkled on top. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 31 Wilted Sesame Spinach Greg DuPree Long gone are the days when spinach was something Mom made us eat. Now there are so many delectable recipes for this healthy food, and this spinach dish is especially tasty. That's thanks to the assertive sesame oil it's cooked in—and the tahini, maple syrup, and tamari that make it creamy. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 31 Smashed Cucumber Salad With Spicy Feta and Olives Jennifer Causey Got a toddler around to help you smash the cucumbers? If not, take on this satisfying task yourself. It draws out the moisture, making for a crunchier salad. Feta and olives give this dish a distinctly Meditteranean flair (which means it's both delicious and healthy). GET THE RECIPE 16 of 31 Charred Broccolini With Tahini Caesar And Crispy Chickpeas Jennifer Causey Broccolini (a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli) has a slightly more mellow flavor than you're used to getting from broccoli. Here, it's roasted with chickpeas, plated over salad greens, and dressed with a creamy, Caesar-like dressing. Top with fresh Parmesan and homemade croutons. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 31 Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta Anna Williams Pancetta, a type of cured pork, brings a salty, bacon-like component to these sweet, caramelized Brussels sprouts. Make this recipe even easier by using pre-diced pancetta. GET THE RECIPE The Ultimate Guide to Ribs Cuts, Including How to Buy and Prepare Them 18 of 31 Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes Victor Protasio If you're looking to get the sides out of the way before the big BBQ, consider making these mashed potatoes, which can be whipped up ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you're ready to serve. It only takes 20 minutes of hands-on time to make eight servings. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 31 Spicy Deviled Eggs Philip Friedman; Styling by Colleen Riley Look no further than these deviled eggs for a quick appetizer that'll please your crowd. Pimento cheese and cayenne pepper give these not-so-typical deviled eggs a delicious kick. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 31 Creamy Potato Salad With Bacon Con Poulos You'll start by boiling the cut potatoes until they're tender before cooking bacon until delightfully crispy. The creamy dressing, which is a blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, salt, and pepper, adds an ideal tang to the potatoes. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 31 Pimento Mac and Cheese Bites Heather Meldrom Pimento cheese lovers will rave about these pimento mac and cheese bites. You'll bake until the bites are golden and a little crispy around the edges. And don't worry about not having enough for your guests: This recipe makes three dozen balls. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 31 Collard Greens With Bacon Jonny Valiant Savory, crispy bacon bits and cooked shallots provide robust flavor to the wilted greens. Lemon juice adds a bright, citrusy taste to the Southern staple side. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 31 Decadent Mac and Cheese Jen Causey Mac and cheese and ribs are a pairing that just works. As long as you serve a little veggie side alongside the two, you'll have a well-rounded meal that everyone will love. This recipe adds nutmeg and cayenne pepper for a bit of warmth and spice. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 31 Garlic-and-Herb Potato Salad GREG DUPREE If you're not a fan of mayonnaise, this vinegar-based potato salad may be just what you're looking for. Thinly sliced garlic is cooked in a skillet and removed to leave the oil infused with garlicky flavor. Scallions are sautéed in the oil, then, once cooled, it's mixed with vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper for a full-bodied dressing. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 31 Scorched Sugar Snap Peas And Burrata Salad Greg DuPree While you can use any heavy skillet, we promise that a cast iron skillet will make all the difference. A dollop of burrata is the perfect, creamy complement to the charred peas and tart sumac. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 31 Mini Twice Baked Loaded Potatoes Grace Elkus These two-bite twice-baked potatoes have everything you could ever crave in a side dish: They're buttery, tender, cheesy, and savory and don't take a long time to prepare. Crispy bacon and chopped chives top each red potato. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 31 Summer Squash With Scallions, Chile, and Parsley Greg DuPree Raw squash, parsley, scallions, vinegar, chile, and salt are tossed together for a completely satisfying summertime salad. Almonds in the oil dressing offer a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 31 Roasted Carrot Salad Greg Dupree These rainbow carrots are roasted next to shallots and thyme sprigs and seasoned with crushed red pepper, giving them generous flavor. The salad is topped with carrot greens, lemon zest, oil, and flaky sea salt. Serve warm or at room temperature. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 31 Orzo Tomato Salad Jennifer Causey There's a good reason summer tomatoes are so adored: They carry enough natural flavor to practically be a dish on their own. This easy pasta salad featuring roasted cherry tomatoes is perfect for a summer dinner with ribs. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 31 Asian-Inspired Cabbage Slaw Greg DuPree Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart Slaw and ribs are a classic pairing, and this Asian-inspired twist on coleslaw brings a unique flavor profile that perfectly complements sweet, smoky BBQ. With a rich, vibrant dressing of rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and honey, this slaw will slay at your next barbecue. The base of cabbage, sweet red peppers, onions, carrots, and sugar snap peas, all fresh and vibrant, round out the dish, and a sprinkling of cilantro adds even more freshness and punch. GET THE RECIPE 31 of 31 Kale Slaw With Lemon-Tahini Dressing Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart Using kale and red cabbage instead of green cabbage, this slaw is another excellent pairing for a BBQ feast. The tangy lemon and nutty tahini perfectly complement a smoky, spicy sauce. Prep the dressing up to three days in advance, and putting together the salad the day before you serve it gives the kale an opportunity to tenderize and grow even more tasty. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit