Need some sides for ribs? This roundup includes unique and flavorful coleslaws, potato salads, cornbread, beans, pasta salads, corn, mac and cheese, veggies and more.

A collage of four images, including potato salad, baked beans, cucumber salad and cornbread muffins, with a Foxes Love Lemons logo at the top, and a teal circle in the middle with an overlay that says "37+ Best Sides for Ribs"

These Simple Sides for Ribs are the perfect potluck additions

Let’s say you have a meal planned with my crockpot ribs recipe or country style pork ribs oven on the menu. First of all, don’t forget the dry rub for ribs.

It’s easy to get caught up in making sure the meat is cooked perfectly and kind of forget about the fact that you need to serve some sides to go with ribs!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself doing an internet search for “what goes with ribs” or “best sides for ribs” over the years.

Then, the hard part becomes narrowing it down, because you end up with too many options.

My goal for the roundup below was to bring you the best of the best. There’s a lot of options without being so many that it becomes overwhelming.

From classic dishes with a twist like pimento mac and cheese, to recipes that have been in my family for generations like Midwestern potato salad, you’ll find the best sides to go with ribs on this page, I guarantee it!

A platter with baby back ribs and side dishes for ribs including coleslaw and baked beans.

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The BEST Sides to Go with Ribs

The three side dishes that I turn to time and time again when serving root beer ribs are these:

I usually like about three side dishes for bbq ribs, and I want one of them to be creamy (the corn salad), one of them to be tangy or vinegary (the coleslaw) and one of them to be sweet (the baked beans).

But the larger list of options of what goes good with ribs goes on and on. The creamy could be potato salad, the tangy could be homemade pickles, and the sweet could be cornbread.

So, scroll down to find even more ideas for what to serve with ribs! There’s everything, including a variety of coleslaw and potato salad flavors, cornbread, pasta salads, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and grilled vegetables.

And psst – all of these side dishes are not only great with baked baby back ribs; they’re also amazing when paired with buttermilk chicken tenders!

1
A bowl of seafood pasta salad on a pink surface.

Seafood Pasta Salad

This seafood pasta salad is a New England summer vacation in a bowl! Creamy pasta shells are tossed with Old Bay seasoning, lots of shrimp and crab, lemon, onion, celery and herbs.
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2
www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com

Easy Cucumber Salad Recipe with Vinegar and Dill

This easy Cucumber Salad recipe combines thinly sliced cucumbers and onion with a tangy vinegar dressing. It’s a refreshing side dish that goes with absolutely EVERYTHING!
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3
Cast iron skillet filled with baked beans with cans of Dr. Pepper next to skillet.

Dr. Pepper Baked Beans with Bacon

These homemade Dr. Pepper baked beans with bacon start with simple canned beans and turn into a sweet, salty, glazy, delicious side dish. Easy stovetop-to-oven preparation, all in one skillet.
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4
recipesfromapantry.com

Greek Potato Salad

Flavorful Greek Potato Salad is a delicious twist on the classic. Made with oil and lemon juice rather than mayonnaise, it’s the perfect all year round potato salad recipe and goes great with ribs.
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5
A white oval platter filled with boiled corn on the cob topped with pats of butter.
foxeslovelemons.com

Best Boiled Corn On The Cob – Foxes Love Lemons

Boiled Corn on the Cob doesn’t have to suck. We tested it until we came up with a method where corn comes out perfectly sweet, tender and juicy every time.
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6
theforkedspoon.com

Easy Grilled Veggie Skewers

Veggie Skewers made with zucchini, red onion, and bell peppers are grilled to perfection and drizzled with tangy balsamic vinegar and brushed with a fresh garlic herb sauce.
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7
simplyscrumptiouseats.com

Easy Cornbread Cake

Get ready for the best and easiest Cornbread Cake recipe made from scratch. A sweet, and quick cake-like bread that is easy to make and has a moist texture. This recipe is better than Jiffy and is made, from start to finish, in less than 30 minutes.
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8
www.coffeewithus3.com

Jicama and Broccoli Coleslaw

Jicama and Broccoli Coleslaw is a twist on traditional coleslaw. It has great flavor and easy to make. It’s a perfect side for a BBQ.
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9
A white Dutch oven filled with pimento mac and cheese, with a wooden spoon stirring it.

Pimento Mac and Cheese

If you love pimento cheese, this Pimento Mac and Cheese is for you! This easy skillet macaroni has a decadent cheesy sauce and comes together quickly.
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10
thefoodiephysician.com

Savory Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

These Savory Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes are the perfect side dish! Baked sweet potatoes are stuffed with a savory filling infused with shallots, thyme, and Fontina cheese.
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11
Mini Hasselback potatoes in a cast iron skillet, sprinkled with rosemary sprigs and shredded Parmesan cheese.

Mini Hasselback Potatoes

Mini Hasselback Potatoes are crisp on the outside and tender in the center. They are a showstopping accompaniment to any dinner!
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12
organicallyaddison.com

Air Fryer Baked Potato

This air fryer baked potato is the perfect side dish for ribs! This recipe is easy, simple, and so flavorful.
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13
www.thefoodblog.net

Slow Cooker Red Cabbage & Apples

Braised red cabbage & apples cooked in the slow cooker make a delicious sweet & sour side dish for almost any meal.
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14
Balsamic green beans in a white skillet.

Balsamic Green Beans

Balsamic Green Beans are a bright and tangy side dish that go well with just about anything. With just a few ingredients, you can make a special addition to a summer meal.
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15
apaigeofpositivity.com

Healthy Lemon Dill Potato Salad

This Healthy Lemon Dill Potato Salad is super hearty, perfectly creamy, and full of fresh flavors. This potato salad recipe will make the perfect side dish at your next barbecue or potluck.
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16
Mexican roasted corn salad in a black bowl, garnished with lime wedges.

Elote Corn Salad

Inspired by Mexican street corn, this Elote Salad has a reader exclaiming "I loved this recipe and brought it to a party where everyone else loved it too." Make ahead and serve warm, chilled or at room temperature.
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17
www.goodlifeeats.com

The Best Creamy Jalapeno BBQ Coleslaw

This spicy jalapeño coleslaw recipe is the perfect potluck side dish recipe for all your favorite summer cookouts – Memorial Day, Father’s Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, or just because!
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18
flavormosaic.com

Old Fashioned Creamed Corn

This easy homemade creamed corn is an old fashioned side dish, just like grandma used to make, that has been served at BBQs for generations.
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19
A shishito pepper recipe with creamy dipping sauce.

Shishito Peppers & Dipping Sauce

Blistered Shishito Peppers and Dipping Sauce are a summer treat that can be served as a snack or side dish. Stir up the sweet, sour, salty and savory condiment in just a minute.
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20
busycreatingmemories.com

Best Crispy Homemade French Fries : Cast Iron Skillet Recipe

Learn the secrets of how to make the best homemade French Fries! This easy-to-follow recipe yields perfect crispy results. All fried in a cast iron skillet directly on the stove with the perfect seasonings for any taste buds.
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21
thecleaneatingcouple.com

Healthy Broccoli Salad

The best Healthy Broccoli Salad Recipe! Made with no mayo, this easy side dish is super healthy and quick to make. Perfect for a picnic!
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22
A blue bowl filled with potato salad with egg.

Potato Egg Salad

This Potato Salad with Egg has been a Midwestern family favorite for generations. Potatoes, eggs, celery and onion, dressed with a mayonnaise-Thousand Island-mustard dressing. So classic and so good!
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23
www.acedarspoon.com

Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables

Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables are bursting with the sweet flavors that happen when you roast vegetables. The rainbow of vegetables are seasoned with oregano, thyme and a squeeze of lemon juice.
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24
Closeup photo of spicy potato chips.

Spicy Potato Chips

These Spicy Potato Chips are a fun way to jazz up a bag of plain potato chips with homemade potato chip seasoning. Customize the spice level to your taste, and enjoy warm chips from the oven!
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25
thecleaneatingcouple.com

Caprese Pasta Salad

An Easy Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe that is perfect as a side dish! This cold mozzarella pasta salad with tomatoes and basil is so delicious!
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26
flavorthemoments.com

Honey Cornbread Muffins

Honey Cornbread Muffins are moist and hearty with the flavors of honey and butter. Recipe includes an easy dairy-free option and they're so easy to make!
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27
Shallow white bowl filled with coleslaw with celery seed, with smaller bowl of celery seed next to it, and apples in background.

Apple Coleslaw Recipe (Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing)

This coleslaw with celery seed is a unique twist on a classic side. It's the perfect coleslaw for pulled pork, chicken or ribs!
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28
www.easyanddelish.com

Crispy Smashed Potatoes (oven or air fryer)

These Crispy Smashed Potatoes are golden-brown on the outside and creamy and flavorful on the inside, making an easy side for ribs.
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29
cookingformysoul.com

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Everyone will love this stovetop Mac and Cheese! It’s so creamy and cheesy, and comes together in just 30 minutes!
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30
pinchandswirl.com

Cajun Potato Salad

Cajun Potato Salad is creamy and crunchy with a spicy kick! An excellent companion for juicy, flavorful ribs.
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31
kellyneil.com

Homemade Baked Beans With Molasses

Homemade baked beans is a family favorite, year-round comfort food recipe! Soak beans in the morning, boil in the evening, and bake overnight.
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32
A bowl of Acini de Pepe pasta salad on a dark surface.

Acini di Pepe Pasta Salad Recipe

Try a new noodle with this acini di pepe pasta salad. Fresh asparagus, corn, tomatoes, and pepe pasta with yogurt, dill and Parmesan dressing.
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33
cookingformysoul.com

Loaded Baked Potato Skins

These Loaded Baked Potatoes with bacon and cheddar are incredible! They are tender in the center, and crispy and golden brown around the borders.
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34
cravingcalifornia.com

Warm Grilled Vegetable Salad with White Beans and Feta

This warm grilled vegetable salad is made with perfectly charred asparagus, corn, and red onion tossed with a bright and flavorful vinaigrette, white beans, fresh herbs, and creamy feta cheese. It is perfect for a BBQ, picnic, or any summer meal.
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35
www.goodlifeeats.com

Easy Macaroni Salad

Macaroni Salad is a classic summertime recipe that you’ll find at almost every picnic! This recipe has a basic macaroni salad base recipe along with lots of ideas for salad mix-ins. Keep it traditional, or get creative!
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36
www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com

Warm German Potato Salad Recipe, with bacon, vinegar, and mustard!

This warm German Potato Salad recipe features tender red potatoes and bites of bacon in a tangy bacon, vinegar, and mustard dressing. It’s a family favorite that we enjoy all year long!
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37
Goat cheese pasta salad in a white bowl.

Goat Cheese Pasta Salad

This creamy goat cheese pasta salad is simple to put together and will become a family favorite! Customize with any vegetables you like.
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