Wondering what the best sides for ribs are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide.
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
Red Cabbage Coleslaw (No Mayo)
Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.Â
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.Â
German Potato Salad
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!Â
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
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 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
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.Â
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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.Â
Green Bean Fries
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
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 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
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. Â
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!Â
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
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.
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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.
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Serves 6 people
Equipment
- Trivet
- Tongs
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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