Wondering what to serve with ribs? Discover 40+ perfect side dish options – from bold slaws and creamy mac and cheese to grilled veggies, beans, and more simple sides for ribs that anyone can make.

An overhead photo of baby back ribs surrounded by sides for ribs like corn, cornbread and cold salads.

These Simple Sides For Ribs Are Great Potluck or Barbecue Additions

Let’s say you have a meal planned with some perfectly saucy and succulent racks of 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!

We can’t tell you how many times we’ve found ourselves frantically doing an internet search for “what goes with ribs” or “what to eat with ribs” over the years. Then, the hard part becomes narrowing it down, because you end up with too many options.

Our 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 our family for generations like Midwestern potato salad, you’ll find the best sides to go with ribs on this page, we guarantee it!

Need a trusty recipe for the ribs themselves, or a rub for them? We’ve got you covered:

Baked Ribs
Crockpot Ribs
Root Beer Ribs
Dry Rub For Ribs
Country Style Ribs
Plates filled with baby back ribs and side dishes for ribs like corn and slaw.

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How To Choose Side Dishes For Ribs

First, decide on how many sides for ribs you’ll need. For a smaller crowd, maybe just two sides would be enough. For a larger cookout gathering, you might want a bigger spread with three or four sides.

When choosing, keep flavor balance in mind. We usually like one of the sides to be creamy (like a sour cream or mayo-based potato salad), one of them to be tangy and vinegary (like a coleslaw dressed with vinaigrette), and one of them to be a bit sweet (like baked beans made with brown sugar).

Also, think about texture – you’ll want at least one side to have a bit of crunch (like the crisp bite of cabbage in coleslaw or crispy bacon in potato salad) to balance out the softer textures of things like sweet potatoes and macaroni salad.

But the larger list of options of what goes good with bbq ribs goes on and on. The creamy could be elote 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 pork 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 sides are not only great with ribs, they’re also perfect pairings for other meats from the grill, like Buttermilk Marinated Chicken!

An overhead photo of baby back ribs surrounded by sides for ribs like corn, cornbread and cold salads.
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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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2
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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3
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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4
A slice of honey cornbread topped with butter and honey on a small white plate.

Honey Butter Cornbread Recipe

This Honey Cornbread is buttery, tender, and baked in a hot cast iron skillet for crisp edges with just enough natural sweetness. The perfect side for chili, soup, BBQ and more!
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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
Four pieces of grilled corn on the cob resting in foil.

Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil

Forget the husks and find out How to Grill Corn on the Cob in Foil. It's easier to season, the corn simmers in a *pool of butter* on the grill, and the kernels get nice and toasty.
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7
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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8
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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9
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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10
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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11
Oven roasted sweet potatoes on a serving spoon on a textured baking pan.

Oven Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes

Learn how to make Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes that have a crispy, caramelized exterior and fluffy, creamy, almost custard-y texture on the inside.
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12
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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13
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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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

Lemon Dill Potato Salad

This Lemon Dill Potato Salad is 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
A bowl of a creamy mashed potatoes recipe with a spoon lifting some up.

Homemade Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe

This Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe is extra indulgent thanks to heavy cream, and seasoned to perfection with four secret spices learned in culinary school.
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18
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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19
A textured gray bowl filled with watermelon feta mint salad, with a spoon digging into it.

Watermelon and Mint Salad

This Watermelon Feta Mint Salad is unlike any you've had before, thanks to a boost of flavor from citrus juice and zest, and lots of seasoning. Plus, the ratio of watermelon to feta is sure to please cheese lovers!
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20
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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21
A white baking dish full of cheesy corn casserole with a black spoon taking a scoop out.

Corn Casserole Recipe with Cheese

This Cheesy Corn Casserole can be assembled up to 3 days before serving. It comes together with sweet corn, rich cheeses, the perfect amount of seasoning and crispy bacon.
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22
A white plate topped with oven baked French fries with ramekin of ketchup.

Oven Baked Fries

When done right, oven fries should be golden brown and crispy on the outside and delightfully fluffy on the inside. A few simple techniques will help you achieve this.
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23
thecleaneatingcouple.com

Broccoli Salad

Broccoli Salad Recipe! Made with no mayo, this easy side dish is quick to make. Perfect for a picnic!
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24

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Recipe

Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes are a foolproof side dish with intense flavor, thanks to bourbon, brown sugar and cinnamon.
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25
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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26
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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27
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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28
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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29
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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30
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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31
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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32
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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33
A spoon lifting a scoop of cheesy scalloped potatoes from a white baking dish.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

No more bland bites – these Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes bring the FLAVOR with two kinds of cheese, ample seasoning and a hint of garlic.
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34
Stovetop mac and cheeses in a cast iron skillet.

Homemade Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Learn to make Stovetop Mac and Cheese the way it's taught in culinary school: perfectly seasoned cheese sauce and noodles that are never mushy or gummy. Add a mix-in or not; this 30 minute recipe rivals anything from a restaurant, and especially anything from a box.
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35
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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36
A big platter of the best vegetables to grill, including beans, asparagus, corn, bell peppers, squash, mushrooms, corn and onion.

How To Grill Vegetables

Learn how to grill vegetables like a pro! No marinades, skewers or special equipment needed for perfectly cooked veggies every single time.
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37
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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38
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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39
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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40
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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41
A tray of dill veggie dip and fresh cut vegetables.

Fresh Dill Dip

This Dill Veggie Dip is a nostalgic Midwestern classic, updated for modern tastebuds. Try it once and you'll understand – and never go back to any other recipe.
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42
A loaf of homemade garlic bread on a wooden cutting board on a light surface.

Recipe for Garlic Bread

This is THE best Garlic Bread recipe, perfected by true garlic bread lovers. There's a double dose of garlic, Parmesan cheese, a hint of pepper, and a preferred brand of butter that stands above the rest.
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