37+ Best Side Dishes for Ribs
Wondering what to serve with ribs? The options are practically endless, but this list provides the absolute best side dishes for ribs, including unique and flavorful coleslaws, potato salads, cornbread, beans and everything in between.

What goes with ribs? The options are endless!
Let’s say you have a meal planned with crock pot baby back ribs or country style pork ribs on the menu. First of all, don’t forget the dry rub for ribs and homemade bbq sauce.
But after that, your thoughts inevitably wander to side dishes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself doing an internet search for “what goes with ribs” or “what to serve with ribs” over the years.
It’s just that there are SO many options. The hardest part is honestly narrowing them down. But that will be your task after looking at all of these ideas.
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 it all here!

In my opinion, these are the absolute best side dishes for 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 also amazing when paired with buttermilk chicken tenders!
37+ Best Side Dishes for Ribs
Wondering what to serve with ribs? The options are practically endless, but this list provides the absolute best side dishes for ribs, including unique and flavorful coleslaws, potato salads, cornbread, beans and everything in between.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mini Hasselback Potatoes
Mini Hasselback Potatoes are crisp on the outside and tender in the center. They are a showstopping accompaniment to any dinner!
Air Fryer Baked Potato
This air fryer baked potato is the perfect side dish for ribs! This recipe is easy, simple, and so flavorful.
Grilled Corn, Avocado & Tomato Summer Salad Recipe
Serve this fresh vegetable salad with your summer meats. Corn, Tomato and Avocado salad comes together quickly, tastes delicious and adds a pop of color on the dinner table.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
Cajun Potato Salad
Cajun Potato Salad is creamy and crunchy with a spicy kick! An excellent companion for juicy, flavorful ribs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Ribs! One of my top favorite meals! Thank you so much for including my cucumber salad and German potato salad recipes. Have a great summer!!
We love ribs and you’ve got such a great collection of delicious sides to serve them with! Thanks so much for including my cornbread muffins. 🙂
So many great side dishes for ribs! Yum!