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35+ EASY Sides for Ribs (What to Serve with BBQ Ribs)

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

August 5, 2024

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5 from 8 votes

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Wondering what the best sides for ribs are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide.

Collage of sides for ribs with text overlay.

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Tender Ribs + Amazing Side Dish = PERFECTION!

When hosting a grilling party, there are 4 essentials:

  1. An amazing rib sauce recipe.
  2. Napkins. Lots of napkins. Especially if ribs are involved. (I love these!)
  3. Wine. Here are 7 bottles that pair perfectly with barbecue.
  4. And, of course, some really stellar side dishes.

From classics such as mac & cheese and potato salad to healthier options such as vinegar coleslaw (my personal favorite) and zucchini fries, there are so many options.

So, let’s dig in!

Keep reading to discover 35+ easy side dishes that pair with ribs and smoked short ribs!

Side Dishes for Ribs

These are some of my favorite side dishes to serve with BBQ ribs:

  • Vinegar Coleslaw
  • Baked Potato Bar
  • German Potato Salad
  • Tomato Cucumber Salad
  • Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

But the list goes on! Keep reading to find even more delicious sides to serve with ribs.

What to Serve with Ribs

Overhead close up of combined vinegar slaw in large white mixing bowl.
Red Cabbage Coleslaw (No Mayo)
Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy. 
Red Cabbage Slaw
German Potato Salad
This delicious warm German Potato Salad combines tender potatoes with a warm bacon-mustard vinaigrette dressing. It’s tangy, creamy and the perfect side dish for the summer grilling season. 
German Potato Salad
Ears of corn on the cob in a grey serving dish with a pat of butter and sprinkling of parsley.
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Learn how to make the BEST Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. This pressure cooker corn on the cob recipe uses a simple, secret ingredient to guarantee that your corn is sweet, tender and delicious! 
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Bowl of cooked pinto beans flecked with cilantro.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Instant Pot pinto beans are easy to make and taste so much better than the canned version! Perfect for meal prep or as a side dish to your favorite tacos, salads, or protein bowls, these beans can be ready in under an hour with no soaking required.
Pinto Beans
Overhead shot of Mexican street corn salad in serving bowl.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
This Couscous Corn Salad puts a salad twist on Mexican Street Corn. Smoky grilled corn, a creamy cumin-lime dressing, and pearl couscous combine to create this delicious salad.
Street Corn Salad
Blistered shishito peppers served on a black plate with lemon wedges.
Blistered Shishito Peppers Recipe
These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you. 
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Prepared cauliflower potato salad in bowl with serving tongs.
Cauliflower Potato Salad
This Cauliflower Potato Salad is just like potato salad, but without the potatoes! Steamed cauliflower and crisp veggies are tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing, leaving you with a low-carb and keto-friendly side dish for cookouts, potlucks, or any quick dinner.
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Overhead close up of prepared strawberry spinach salad with poppyseed dressing drizzled on it.
Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
This spinach salad with poppyseed dressing is quick, easy & delicious! Featuring sweet strawberries & a creamy poppyseed dressing.
Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Overhead shot of mac and cheese in speckled bowl with spoon and grated cheddar scattered about.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
This is the BEST Instant Pot Mac and Cheese! Made extra creamy with evaporated milk, plus delicious cheddar & parmesan cheese. It can be made in just 4 minutes with your electric pressure cooker.
Mac & Cheese
Overhead close up of zucchini fries on platter.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon. 
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Close up of garlic rice in serving bowl.
Garlic Rice
Ordinary white rice is transformed into the best savory side dish in this Garlic Rice recipe! Super fluffy and loaded with garlic and butter, one taste and you’ll never settle for blah rice again.
Garlic Rice
Hasselback potatoes on grey plate dolloped with sour cream.
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
These easy air fryer Hasselback potatoes are drenched in garlic herb butter, giving you an almost addictive crispy-on-the-outside, pillowy-on-inside snack or side dish in no time.
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Overhead shot of Thai Cucumber Salad in green bowl with spoon next to bunch of cilantro.
Thai Cucumber Salad with Peanuts
This Thai Cucumber Salad with Peanuts is crunchy, sweet & tangy. It's a refreshing salad that can be made ahead of time and is perfect for the warm summer months.
Thai Cucumber Salad
Hawaiian coleslaw in white serving bowl.
Hawaiian Coleslaw
Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.
Hawaiian Coleslaw
Serving spoon in bowl of tomato cucumber salad.
Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber Salad
This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Arugula Salad ready to be served.
Simple Arugula Salad Dressing
This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.
Arugula Salad
Spears of asparagus cooked sous vide topped with parmesan shavings.
Sous Vide Asparagus
How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.
Sous Vide Asparagus
Shaved brussels sprouts salad in large bowl with serving spoon.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
CLOSE UP OF ROASTED SWEET POTATOES ON SERVING TRAY WITH SPOON.
The BEST Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a salty, crispy, savory, and slightly sweet side dish you can pair with almost anything! Lightly spiced and so simple, this easy recipe is a total crowd pleaser and a must-have for weeknight dinners.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Ears of corn on serving plate with pat of butter.
Sous Vide Corn on the Cob
Upgrade your summer dinners with Buttery Sous Vide Corn on the Cob! Slowly cooking corn and butter in a vacuum-sealed bag in a water bath results in tender, extra-juicy, and super-sweet kernels. It’s the best side dish for weeknights, barbecues, and Southern seafood boils!
Sous Vide Corn on the Cob
Overhead shot of peach caprese salad on grey plate next to wooden cutting board.
Peach Caprese Salad
This fresh and tangy Peach Caprese Salad features sweet peaches, creamy burrata cheese, and juicy tomatoes. A perfect blend of summery flavors, this simple yet delicious salad is the ideal late summer side dish!
Peach Caprese Salad
Pasta salad in bowl on wooden cutting board next to bowl of pepper flakes.
Zucchini Pasta Salad
This Zucchini Pasta Salad recipe may be the best I've tried to date! Packed with sauteed zucchini, loads of parmesan cheese, fresh dill and crunchy walnuts.
Zucchini Pasta Salad
Finished cooked shake n baked potatoes on baking sheet.
Shake and Bake Potatoes
These Shake and Bake Potatoes are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and loaded with addictive ranch flavors. It’s the ultimate kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing side dish to pair with almost anything!
Shake and Bake Potatoes
Overhead shot of cherry tomato salad in grey bowl.
Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons
This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons. 
Cherry Tomato Salad
Fried green beans on baking sheet next to three types of dipping sauce.
Fried Green Beans with Dipping Sauce
Crispy Fried Green Beans are baked in the oven for a healthy, delicious treat. Served up with three dipping sauces – green goddess, honey mustard & creamy sriracha. A secret ingredient makes them extra delicious! Air Fryer directions included. 
Green Bean Fries
Collage of toppings for baked potatoes with text overlay.
50+ Toppings for Baked Potatoes
There are so many delicious baked potato toppings to choose from! This extensive list of the 50+ BEST toppings includes meats, cheeses, veggies, sauces and more.
Baked Potato Bar
Overhead shot of smashed potatoes on baking sheet topped with blue cheese, hot sauce, jalapenos and chives.
Buffalo Potatoes
Crispy Smashed Buffalo Potatoes are crazy good! Crispy smashed potatoes are topped with vinegary, spicy buffalo sauce and creamy blue cheese dressing.
Smashed Buffalo Potatoes
Fennel salad with chickpeas in white bowl.
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
Hand holding bowl of chickpea salad.
Avocado Chickpea Salad
This Chickpeas and Avocado Salad has all the traditional elements of a great guacamole and makes a healthy, protein and fiber-filled dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Plus, it comes together easily in just 10 minutes!
Chickpeas and Avocado Salad
Overhead close up of bowl of kale caesar salad in white bowl with serving spoon.
Vegetarian Kale Caesar Salad
This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.
Kale Caesar Salad
These are the BEST Glazed Carrots! Lightly sweetened, delicately seasoned & perfectly glazed. They make an amazing side dish that both kids & adults love. | platingsandpairings.com
Glazed Stovetop Carrots
These are the BEST Glazed Carrots – Lightly sweetened, delicately seasoned, and perfectly glazed. These carrots make an amazing side dish that both kids and adults can’t get enough of!
Glazed Carrots
Overhead shot of shaved fennel salad in green serving bowl on pink table.
Shaved Fennel Salad
This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.  
Fennel Celery Salad
This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad recipe combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumber, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing. It's a perfect make-ahead salad recipe! | platingsandpairings.com
Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad
This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing.
Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad
Overhead close up of bowl of grilled potato salad.
Grilled Potato Salad
Say bye bye to basic potato salad. This Grilled Potato Salad combines smoky grilled potatoes with a delicious tangy mustard dressing that’s loaded with fresh herbs and salty capers. It’s delicious! 
Grilled Potato Salad
Italian chopped salad in large bowl on white table.
Italian Chopped Salad
This simple Italian Chopped Salad dresses fresh veggies, salami, mozzarella & chickpeas in a delicious homemade Italian dressing.
Italian Chopped Salad
Overhead close up of cooked canned corn in serving bowl with spoon.
How to Cook Canned Corn
Learn how to instantly turn an ordinary vegetable into an extraordinary side dish with this easy canned corn recipe! It covers everything, from how to cook canned corn on the stovetop to how to dress it up with seasonings and flavor boosters to what to serve with it for a meal to remember.
Canned Corn

More Side Dish Recipes

  • Sides for Salmon
  • Sides for Duck
  • Sides for Pulled Pork
  • Sides for Burgers
  • Sides for BBQ
  • Sides for Brisket
  • Sides for Pizza

Did you Make Any of These Sides to Go With Ribs?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what to serve with ribs. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

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Ears of corn on the cob in a grey serving dish with a pat of butter and sprinkling of parsley.

Full Recipe

35+ EASY Sides for Ribs

Over 35+ EASY side dishes for ribs – including vegetable side dishes, slaws, potatoes, salads, and more. One of my favorite recipes is this Instant Pot Corn on the Cob.
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin
Serves 6 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 3 minutes mins
Time for Pressure to Build: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 25 minutes mins
35+ EASY Sides for Ribs

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Trivet
  • Tongs

Ingredients

  • 5-6 ears corn (husks removed)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar

Instructions

  • Add trivet to the Instant Pot and add water and sugar.
  • Place corn in the Instant Pot.
  • Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on MANUAL (High Pressurfor 3 minutes.
  • When the time is up, quick release any remaining pressure and then remove the lid.
  • Use tongs to carefully remove the hot ears of corn from the pot.

Nutrition

Calories: 9kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Sugar: 2g
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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5 from 8 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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5 responses

  1. Sabrina
    June 15, 2022

    5 stars
    thank you for all of these sides, I’m looking for Father’s Day bbq sides and these will definitely work! Whether for ribs or really any bbq, great ideas, I like the smashed buffalo potatoes, easy prep too!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      June 15, 2022

      Thank you Sabrina! I’m so happy it’s helpful!

      Reply
  2. Patty
    April 12, 2023

    Wow, this is absolutely wonderful!! While searching for savory, full-bodied sides to accompany the baby back ribs that’ll be one of two main entrées to be served on our wedding reception buffet; I was fortunate enough to have stumbled onto not only these recipes, but also the page for your suggested BBQ wine selections. Both excellent! Not only do these nutritionally dense options deliver a wealth of healthy goodness, they also pack a punch of tasty flavor with the addition of fresh herbs, healthy oils and seasonings. What a win/win of deliciousness!! I can’t wait taste test several of these recipes with our catering staff. While we picked many as possible sides, we also found a few we think would make tasty appetizers too. Thank you for making the mundane extraordinary again!!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      April 16, 2023

      Thank you so much Patty! I really appreciate it!

      Reply
  3. pelisplus
    June 9, 2023

    5 stars
    This is an awesome and helpful article for me. I appreciate your work providing such useful information; thank you so much!

    Reply

Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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