37+ Simple Sides for Ribs (My Favorite Picks for What Goes with 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 oven on the menu. First of all, don’t forget the dry rub for ribs.
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!
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!
37+ Best Sides 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 is a twist on traditional coleslaw. It has great flavor and easy to make. It’s a perfect side for a BBQ.
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.
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 are crisp on the outside and tender in the center. They are a showstopping accompaniment to any dinner!
This air fryer baked potato is the perfect side dish for ribs! This recipe is easy, simple, and so flavorful.
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.
Braised red cabbage & apples cooked in the slow cooker make a delicious sweet & sour side dish for almost any meal.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
This coleslaw with celery seed is a unique twist on a classic side. It's the perfect coleslaw for pulled pork, chicken or ribs!
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!
This Good Midwestern Potato Salad is the side dish of your dreams. Potatoes, eggs, celery and onion, dressed with a creamy, tangy sauce. So simple and so good!
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.
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!
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 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!
These Crispy Smashed Potatoes are golden-brown on the outside and creamy and flavorful on the inside, making an easy side for ribs.
Everyone will love this stovetop Mac and Cheese! It’s so creamy and cheesy, and comes together in just 30 minutes!
Cajun Potato Salad is creamy and crunchy with a spicy kick! An excellent companion for juicy, flavorful ribs.
Homemade baked beans is a family favorite, year-round comfort food recipe! Soak beans in the morning, boil in the evening, and bake overnight.
Try a new noodle with this acini di pepe pasta salad. Fresh asparagus, corn, tomatoes, and pepe pasta with yogurt, dill and Parmesan dressing.
These Loaded Baked Potatoes with bacon and cheddar are incredible! They are tender in the center, and crispy and golden brown around the borders.
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.
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!
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!