When it comes to BBQ, ribs are often the star of the show, however, the right side dishes can elevate your meal! Whether serving smoky Baby Back Ribs or saucy St. Louis Ribs, pairing them with perfect sides is essential for creating a balanced and memorable feast. In this post, I will share some of the best side dishes to serve with ribs that’ll leave your guests raving long after the last bite.
Ribs are one of my favorite main dishes. I have a few recipes to choose from that are sure to satisfy your taste buds! My Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Ribs recipe is a blog favorite.
If you’re looking for something different from classic rib recipes, try my Sticky Asian Pork Ribs!
Prefer boneless ribs? Try my country-style Boneless Pork Ribs. This recipe requires minimal prep time and ingredients.
Classics
Easy Crockpot Green Beans
These Crockpot Green Beans are easy to make and delicious, to boot! Crafted with flavorful bacon, aromatics, and umami-rich seasoning, you'll want to make this recipe as often as possible. It’s great for weeknight dinners, holidays, and any meals where you want a side that doesn’t take up extra space in the oven.
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Homemade Baked Beans From Scratch
You won’t believe how easy it is to make homemade baked beans from scratch! This New England staple is the perfect side dish for any party!
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Jalapeno Coleslaw Recipe
Jalapeno Coleslaw Recipe is the perfect spicy slaw that you can easily make and add to rice bowls, tacos, salads, sandwiches and wraps.
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Homemade French Fries in the Air Fryer
Crispy french fries made in the air fryer! You won’t believe how easy it is to make crispy and delicious fries without deep frying!
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Instant Pot Potato Salad with Eggs
The best and easiest way to make Potato Salad is in the Instant Pot! I’ll show you how to make the BEST Instant Pot Potato and Egg Salad with the easiest, tastiest dressing, all without having to boil potatoes or heat up your kitchen!
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Macaroni Salad (Deli Style!)
This Healthy Macaroni Salad is the best summer side dish! It’s made with creamy noodles, crunchy vegetables and is packed with flavor! Plus, it’s lower in fat and higher in protein!
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All Kinds of Salads
Broccoli Bacon Salad
This healthy broccoli bacon salad is the perfect lunch or side dish for dinner. For good reason too – it’s as nutritious as it is delicious!
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Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
This Easy Fruit Salad Recipe is made with fresh, ripe fruit and drizzled with a light orange juice dressing. Ready in under 20 minutes and made with no added sugars, learn all my tips and tricks for making the very best fruit salad and enjoy all summer long for breakfast, dinner, or dessert!
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Black Bean and Corn Salad
Black Bean and Corn Salad loaded with corn, black beans, avocado, bell pepper, and red onion. Also called Texas or Cowboy Caviar.
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Farfalle with Broccoli Pesto
Farfalle are a type of pasta commonly known as “bow-tie” or “butterfly” pasta due to their distinctive shape. They are typically made from durum wheat
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Roasted Red Pepper Salad
This easy to prepare Roasted Red Pepper Salad features bocconcini, toasted pine nuts, rocket and pitted Kalamata olives with a basil oil.
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Bread
Jalapeño Cornbread Recipe with Honey
Nothing says Southern more than a big slice of sweet and spicy Honey Jalapeño Cornbread that’s so easy to dump, mix, and bake in the oven!
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Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
These homemade Buttermilk Drop Biscuits come together in just one bowl! They’re buttery, fluffy and so easy to make!
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Potatoes
Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes
These Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and loaded with crispy bacon and garlic. The potato peels add a fun and crispy garnish, making this a perfect side dish for any gathering. They are a delicious twist on classic mashed or twice baked potatoes!
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Garlic Butter Potatoes with Crispy Prosciutto
These Garlic Butter Potatoes topped with crispy prosciutto are a quick and easy potato side dish. Baby potatoes cooked simply with so much flavour.
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Dee Dee’s Soul Food Potato Salad
This Soul Food potato salad recipe is truly cookout worthy and will have you promoted to potato salad duty in your family after just one bite!
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Beans
Molasses Baked Beans
This molasses baked beans recipe is a year-round favorite! Soak dried beans in the morning, boil in the evening, and slow bake overnight.
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Maple & Bourbon Baked Beans
Baked beans are a quintessential side dish in many culinary traditions, but especially in Southern American cuisine. Who doesn’t love tender beans bathed in a sweet and tangy sauce, slowly cooked until the flavors meld together into comforting perfection?
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Veggies
Corn Ribs
BBQ corn ribs can be grilled or oven baked. Seasoned with a dry rub and served with a sweet and spicy chile sauce. Gluten Free. Vegetarian. A great vegan main course, easy side dish or appetizer.
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Grilled Spicy Cauliflower Steaks
Grilled Spicy Cauliflower Steaks are super quick and easy to make. They pack a serious flavor punch with minimal prep and fuss. Perfect for veggie loving grilling fanatics!
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Honey Butter Skillet Corn
Just 5 ingredients, 10 minutes, and you’ll have the BEST corn side dish of your life! The honey enhances corn’s natural sweetness, while the butter and cream cheese add creaminess. So good!
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Southern Collard Greens Recipe
Tender and flavorful, these mouthwatering southern-style Collard Greens are slowly cooked with smoked ham hock, onion, lemon juice, and brown sugar. Super easy to make, this yummy collard greens recipe is the perfect comforting side dish perfect for family dinners and holidays like New Year’s and Christmas.
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Grilled Asparagus: Simply Perfect with Parmesan, Lemon & Garlic
This Grilled Asparagus recipe is easy and so flavorful! Perfectly crisp-tender with a speedy lemon and garlic “marinade” & parmesan cheese!
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Glazed Balsamic Carrots on the Grill
Add some drama to your table with these vibrant, sweet, caramelized glazed balsamic carrots on the grill. A perfect side dish for BBQs, potlucks or a holiday meal.
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Skillet Mexican Street Corn {Elote}
Skillet Mexican Street Corn is a quick and easy side dish for any meal. Everything you love about elote corn but much easier to serve & enjoy!
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FAQS
What is the difference between ribs and short ribs?
The back ribs are cut from the upper back of the cow. Short ribs are cut from the lower portion of the rib cage in the front section of the cow.
With these side dishes to serve with ribs, you’ll create a spread that’s sure to impress, satisfying your guests with every bite!
