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

Name: 35+ EASY Sides for Ribs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 5-6 ears corn (husks removed); 1 cup water; 1 Tablespoon sugar

Jump to Recipe

Posted by:

Erin Lynch

Updated:

August 5, 2024

5 from 8 votes

This site runs ads and generates income from affiliate links. Disclosure policy.

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.

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email address to get a link to this post conveniently in your inbox!

Tender Ribs + Amazing Side Dish = PERFECTION!

When hosting a grilling party, there are 4 essentials:

An amazing rib sauce recipe.
Napkins. Lots of napkins. Especially if ribs are involved. (I love these!)
Wine. Here are 7 bottles that pair perfectly with barbecue.
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:

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

Warm German Potato Salad Recipe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email address to get a link to this post conveniently in your inbox!