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Home » Mains Recipes

What to Serve with Ribs

Apr 9, 2023 · Modified: Mar 7, 2024 by Emily · Leave a Comment

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Deciding what to serve with ribs can be a challenging task.

Especially if you are looking for something different or are catering for a crowd.

Ribs are already delicious on their own, but paired with a great side dish, it can take things to the next level.

Collage of images of recipes to serve with ribs.
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  • 22 Simple Sides For Ribs
  • More Sauces and Condiments
  • Recipe
  • Comments

Pairing ribs with the right side dish can be hard sometimes.

Ribs are already bursting with smoky and savory flavors and you want to choose the what to serve with ribs.

Traditional sides such as coleslaw and baked beans are always sure to please a crowd, but sometimes it’s nice to mix things up a bit.

By pairing ribs with something a little different like potato wedges, salad, mac and cheese, or even fried pickles, it can be a great way to make your barbecue or meal stand out from the rest.

22 Simple Sides For Ribs

1. White Bean Mash

White bean mash in a small bowl.

White bean mash is a great alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. This mash is smooth in texture and is creamy. This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian and vegan friendly.

Give this recipe a try and you might just find your next favorite recipe to serve with ribs!

White Bean Mash

2. Lemon Garlic Roasted Green Beans With Almonds

Garlic roasted beans in a white casserole dish.

This lemon garlic roasted green beans with almonds packs flavor. It’s a healthy dish that is easy to make. Green beans are roasted to perfection with simple seasonings for this delicious dish.

Lemon Garlic Roasted Green Beans With Almonds

3. Dr Pepper Baked Beans

Baked beans in a large white bowl.

Baked beans that have a sweet soda and tangy flavor. These baked beans can be argued to be even better than the usual flavors baked beans are cooked in.

The flavors of Dr Pepper baked beans pair perfectly with grilled meats, and of course ribs!

Dr Pepper Baked Beans

4. Cornbread

Drizzling honey over slices of cornbread on a plate.

Nothing says comfort food quite like a warm slice of freshly baked cornbread. This recipe for cornbread makes moist and fluffy bread.

It’s perfect to serve with ribs at your next barbeque or dinner party.

Cornbread

5. Copycat Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese

A spoon holding mac and cheese, with a dish of mac and cheese in the background.

This copycat recipe of Chick Fil A’s mac and cheese is a must if you are a lover of their food. This recipe uses a blend of five different cheese, including white cheddar, American cheese, parmesan, Romano, and cheddar. Adding butter to the mix makes this dish both decadent and indulging.

Copycat Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese

6. Maple Glazed Carrots with Brown Sugar

Maple glazed carrots on a round white plate, garnished with parsley leaves.

Simple and healthy, these maple glazed carrots with brown sugar are the perfect addition to your ribs. Carrots are roasted until tender and coated in a simple mixture of delicious ingredients.

Give it a go, and who knows, it might just become a household favorite.

Maple Glazed Carrots with Brown Sugar

7. Spicy Carrot Salad

Carrot salad on a stack of small round plates.

What about a spicy salad? This spicy carrot salad is easy to make and ready in no time. If you are after something healthy and something that is no fuss, then this might just be for you.

It’s a great way to add variety to your meal and the perfect side to your ribs.

Spicy Carrot Salad

8. Smoked Mash Potatoes

Mash potatoes with parsley leaves on top in a black skillet.

Indulgent, flavorful smoked mashed potatoes are a great dish to serve along with ribs. Tender potatoes are mashed and mixed with spices for a rich and smoky flavor.

This dish is sure to impress your guests and will want them having more. And it has you taking mash potatoes to a whole new level.

Smoked Mash Potatoes

9. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Close up image of mac and cheese with a spoon.

A delicious and healthy twist on the classic comfort food mac and cheese. This butternut squash mac and cheese is creamy and slightly sweet. It’s a filling side dish great to serve along ribs.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

10. Southern Baked Beans

Baked beans in a skillet on a wooden benchtop.

Southern baked beans are another classic dish that goes great with ribs. Serve these smoky, tangy, and sweet beans at your next gathering, potluck, or barbecue.

Make these delicious beans in a cast iron pot or even a slow cooker.

Southern Baked Beans

11. Strawberry Salad

A plate of strawberry salad with a fork.

What about a strawberry salad? This recipe features crunchy pecans, feta, and strawberries mixed with other delicious ingredients to make a side dish that’s satisfying and light.

It’s also great if you are after something quick as it can be made in about 10 minutes.

Strawberry Salad

12. Kale Salad

Close up image of kale salad.

This kale salad is a healthy and delicious side dish that is perfect for any occasion. The addition of sliced almonds and apple adds some crunch and sweetness to the dish.

Kale salad is a great way to add some extra flavor to your meal and nutrition. It’s also gluten free and vegan friendly.

Kale Salad

13. Garlic Bread

Slices of garlic bread on brown paper.

Garlic bread is always a crowd pleaser. This recipe is a bit different from the usual garlic bread as it uses oil instead of butter. But it still has the classic crunch and great taste.

Garlic Bread

14. Dairy Free Coleslaw

Coleslaw on a wide white plate.

Looking for a a dairy free salad to go with your ribs? This creamy and flavorful coleslaw may just be for you. It’s got crunch, tanginess, and mouthfuls of flavor.

Dairy Free Coleslaw

15. Rosemary Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potato slices on a wooden board.

These rosemary garlic butter smashed sweet potatoes are a tasty and comforting side dish that is perfect for fall. Once sweet potatoes have been boiled until tender, they are then mashed and roasted with garlic butter and rosemary.

Rosemary Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes

16. Deep Fried Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries on a plate with dips.

No need to go out and order fries with these super easy deep fried sweet potatoes you can make at home.

This recipe is simple to make and uses potatoes, salt, and paprika. Yep, that’s it. Unless, of course you count the oil for frying too!

Deep Fried Sweet Potato Fries

17. Grilled Chili Lime Corn

This grilled corn recipe is a simple and flavorful side dish that is perfect for ribs.

By grilling corn until it is charred and smoky, it results in a juicy and tender corn on the cob that is bursting with flavor.

You can easily customise the seasonings for this dish to suit your tastes too.

Grilled Chilli Lime Corn

18. Fried Pickles

If you're a fan of crunchy and tangy snacks, then these fried pickles are a must.

Fried pickles are a salty and crispy dish great for snacking or as a simple appetizer. Serve as is or with a dipping sauce.

Fried Pickles

19. Cabbage, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Refreshing and delicious cabbage, cucumber, and tomato salad.

This side dish is great if you are looking to add some color and crunch to your meal.

Cabbage, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

20. Macaroni Salad

Want something a bit different to mac and cheese? This macaroni salad is an easy side dish that is perfect for gatherings, barbecues and picnics.

It’s a simple way to satisfy your cravings as well as impress your guests.

Macaroni Salad

21. Bacon Ranch Salad

Ranch salad anyone? This indulgent side dish is easy to make and is great to add some texture and richness to your meal. It features peas, bacon, cheese and other herbs coated in a tangy ranch dressing.

Bacon Ranch Salad

22. Onion Rings

Crunchy onion rings. They always work nicely when served with ribs. This recipe for onion rings can either be baked or fried, depending on your preference.

These onion rings are great to satisfy your cravings for fried food without the need to ordering takeout.

Onion Rings
Collection of images for what to serve with ribs.

Tried one of these recipes? Let us know how it went in the comments below.

More Sauces and Condiments

  • Thai Basil Pesto
  • Strawberry Compote
  • Mango Coulis
  • Chia Compote
  • Thai Basil Pesto Butter
  • Sumac Dressing
  • Substitutions For Rice Flour
  • Raspberry Compote

Recipe

A collage of images for recipes that can be served with ribs.

What to serve with ribs

Emily
Deciding what to serve with ribs can be a challenging task. Ribs are already delicious on their own, but paired with a great side dish, it can take things to the next level.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 28 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 serves
Calories 218 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • White Bean Mash
  • Lemon Garlic Roasted Green Beans With Almonds
  • Dr Pepper Baked Beans
  • Cornbread
  • Copycat Chick Fil A Mac and Cheese
  • Maple Glazed Carrots with Brown Sugar
  • Spicy Carrot Salad
  • Smoked Mash Potatoes
  • Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
  • Southern Baked Beans
  • Strawberry Salad
  • Kale Salad
  • Garlic Bread
  • Dairy Free Coleslaw
  • Rosemary Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Deep Fried Sweet Potato Fries
  • Grilled Chili Lime Corn
  • Fried Pickles
  • Cabbage, Cucumber and Tomato Salad
  • Macaroni Salad
  • Bacon Ranch Salad
  • Onion Rings

Instructions
 

  • Choose your favorite recipe from the list above.
  • Gather all the ingredients.
  • Follow the recipe directions and cook up something delicious to serve with ribs.

Notes

Nutrition, serving size and cook times are based on the first recipe on the recipe card.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5 cupCalories: 218kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 13gFat: 74gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 708mgPotassium: 743mgFiber: 8gSugar: 1g
Nutrition Disclosure
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it went!

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Hello and welcome to Thyme For Flavor!

My name is Emily. I am the founder, cook, and photographer behind Thyme For Flavor.

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