Barbecue ribs are a classic American dish that is beloved for its succulent, melt-in-your-mouth meat and finger-licking barbecue sauce. Choosing tasty sides and addons that complement the deep, smoky flavor of good barbecue ribs can take your meal from great to extraordinary. There are many versatile options for what goes good with bbq ribs that will perfectly match the savory, tangy notes of this BBQ staple.
Sides That Pair Well With BBQ Ribs
When searching for what goes good with bbq ribs, you’ll want sides that accentuate the flavors and textures already present in this hearty dish without overpowering it. Here are some excellent contenders for rib dinner accompaniments:
Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is a classic pairing for barbecue ribs. The sweet juiciness of grilled corn complements the salty and tangy rib sauce beautifully. Choose corn that’s freshly picked for optimal tenderness and pop the cobs on your grill or roast them in the oven to add a wonderfully charred flavor that matches the ribs. Serve with a pat of butter for extra richness.
Baked Beans
No barbecue would be complete without a big scoop of baked beans loaded with brown sugar and bacon alongside those saucy ribs. Their smooth, molasses-laced flavor provides the perfect counterbalance to the savory ribs. You can keep it classic with traditional baked beans or kick it up a notch with spicy jalapeño baked beans. Either way, beans make for a killer BBQ rib partner.
Coleslaw
Cool, crisp coleslaw is a refreshing foil for melt-in-your-mouth BBQ ribs. The crunchy cabbage and carrots cut through the unctuousness of the rib meat. Tangy coleslaw with apple cider vinegar provides a nice acidic counterpart to the sweet, tomato-ey rib sauce. To make it extra indulgent, be sure to dress your slaw with a creamy mayo-based dressing.
Mac and Cheese
For the ultimate rib plate indulgence, serve up some ooey-gooey macaroni and cheese alongside your barbecue ribs. The rich, velvety cheese sauce pairs perfectly with tender rib meat. Make it an extra decadent barbecue feast with smoked gouda or cheddar baked mac and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping. Comfort food at its finest!
Potato Salad
Just like slaw, some vinegary potato salad serves as a bright, cooling companion for saucy barbecue ribs. Tangy mustard or mayo-dressed potato salads with hardboiled eggs, onions, pickles and celery provide texture and acidity to balance the unctuous rib meat. Serve chilled potato salad with some crunchy kettle chips on the side for a satisfying crunch.
Biscuits
Flaky, buttery biscuits are ideal for sopping up every last bit of finger-licking barbecue sauce left on your plate after polishing off those ribs. They provide the perfect vehicle for getting each tasty rib sauce morsel from plate to palate. For an over-the-top biscuit upgrade, split them and fill with melted cheese, ham and green onions.
Bread and Butter Pickles
For a quick and easy vegetable pairing, bread and butter pickles are just the ticket. Their salty brininess and subtle sweetness tastes fantastic with saucy bbq ribs. The pickle’s acidity cuts through the rich fattiness of the rib meat. Serving these crunchy pickled slices takes your rib plate to the next level.
Cornbread
Warm, crumbly cornbread is another excellent barbecue rib accompaniment. It soaks up sauce beautifully and provides a textural contrast to tender ribs. Sweet cornbread with kernels of corn baked in tastes especially scrumptious when dunked in tangy barbecue sauce. For ultimate flavor, grill or skillet-fry your cornbread with some bacon grease.
Fried Okra
For a Southern-style rib plate, fried okra is a must. Crispy breaded okra provides a delightful crunch and texture contrast to juicy, saucy ribs. The subtle grassy flavor of okra complements barbecue seasonings perfectly. Just be sure to serve fried okra nice and hot to maximize that satisfying crispy texture.
Collard Greens
Slow-cooked, velvety collard greens are a soul food staple that pairs excellently with barbecue ribs. The rich, ham-flavored pot likker takes rib sauce to new levels of finger-lickin’ goodness. Cook your greens low and slow with smoked ham hocks or bacon for optimal flavor. The bitterness of the greens balances the sweet barbecue notes beautifully.
As you can see, the possibilities for amazing barbecue rib side pairings are practically endless! From cool, crunchy salads and slaws to hearty baked beans and breads, you have ample options for constructing a truly mouthwatering rib plate. Now let’s explore equally crave-worthy drinks, sauces, and desserts for the ultimate barbecue rib experience.
Drinks That Compliment Smoky BBQ Ribs
Once your ribs come hot off the smoker or grill, you’ll want a crisp, refreshing beverage in hand to wash it all down. Here are some excellent drink choices to match with tender, finger-licking barbecue ribs:
Iced Tea
A glass of sweet (or unsweet) iced tea is positively perfect for pairing with barbecue. The ice-cold tea helps cut through the unctuous richness of the ribs. For an extra treat, brew some sunshine-yellow peach iced tea or minty, antioxidant-rich green tea.
Lemonade
Tart, sweet lemonade provides the ideal respite between bites of intensely sauced ribs. For a fun twist, mix up strawberry, blueberry, or watermelon lemonade. You can also spike your lemonade with vodka or bourbon for a delicious adult beverage.
Beer
You can’t go wrong with an ice-cold beer as the beverage of choice for barbecue rib enjoyment. Opt for crisp, clean lagers or ambers that won’t overpower the flavor of the meat. IPAs also pair nicely, cutting through the sauce’s richness with their hoppy bitterness.
Wine
Don’t rule out wine with your barbecue rib dinner! Certain varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Sangiovese have fruit-forward flavors and enough acidity to stand up to sticky-sweet rib sauce. Open a bottle and enjoy some vino by the grill.
Soft Drinks
Classic cola drinks like Coke or Pepsi taste great with saucy ribs. The sweet, fizzy sodas provide a refreshing contrast and help cut through fatty rib meat. Or go the cream soda route – brands like A&W and IBC offer vanilla-laced flavors that complement barbecue seasoning.
Milkshakes
For the ultimate rib plate indulgence, nothing beats a cold, thick milkshake alongside those finger-lickin’ good ribs. The creamy frozen drink perfectly cools your palate between bites of smoky meat. Go with classic chocolate or vanilla or get creative with flavors like cookies and cream or mint chip.
Arnold Palmer
This refreshing combo of iced tea and lemonade provides an ideal medley of flavors to wash down pecan-smoked ribs. The tart lemonade and tannic tea blend beautifully with sweet and tangy barbecue notes. Make a pitcher to sip throughout your whole backyard rib feast.
Sauces and Toppings For Next-Level Ribs
Barbecue ribs are plenty delicious on their own, but certain toppings and extra sauces can really bring the flavor to the next level. Here are some ways to dress up a rack of ribs:
Hot Sauce
For folks who like heat, hot sauces like Tabasco, Cholula and Tapatío add an extra fiery kick to smokey-sweet ribs. A few dashes on top enhances the flavor without overpowering the meat. You can also mix some hot sauce right into the barbecue sauce for a spicy rib glaze.
Honey
Drizzle some gourmet honey over your finished ribs for added layer of sweetness. The honey nicely complements the sticky barbecue sauce. For delicious flavor combinations, use honeys infused with ingredients like chipotle, bourbon, orange blossom or wildflower.
Sauerkraut
Tangy sauerkraut makes a delicious topping for rich fatty ribs. The fermented cabbage provides a sour contrast to the sweet meat and functions as a tasty alternative to vinegar-based slaw.
Salsa
For Southwestern flair, serve your barbecue ribs with a heaping spoonful of fresh salsa. The tomatoes, onions, cilantro and lime juice taste fantastic with smoky rib meat. You could also drizzle on some sweet and spicy mango salsa for a tropical twist.
Guacamole
Creamy, cool guacamole perfectly balances the richness of barbecue ribs. The avocado dip’s smooth texture contrasts the meat’s tenderness for mouthwatering results. Mix in jalapeños for extra spice or keep it mild and simple.
Butter
Spreading some softened butter atop freshly smoked ribs adds even more richness to this already unctuous dish. Dairy-loving diners will adore the extra dose of creaminess melting over their barbecue meat. Flavored butters like garlic-herb or chili-lime take it over the top.
Bacon
Because everything’s better with bacon, go ahead and crumble some cooked bacon bits over your sauced-up ribs for an extra smoky, salty crunch in each bite. The bacon enhances the pork flavor and provides fantastic textural contrast on the tender meat.
Relish
For extra texture and tang, top your ribs with relish. Both sweet pickle relish and chili-laced relish taste fantastic with the tomatoey rib sauce. The relish’s crunch makes a nice counterpart to the fall-off-the-bone meat.
Onion Strings
For a tasty crunch, scatter crispy fried onion strings across your finished ribs. The onion strings offer a fab crispy-meets-tender contrast to the ribs in each bite. Their mild sweetness also complements the barbecue sauce beautifully.
Cojita Cheese
Sprinkle this salty, crumbly Mexican cheese over your ribs right when they come off the grill for delicious melted coverage across your barbecue meat. The cheese’s overt saltiness balances the sauce’s sweetness for next-level rib flavor.
Mix and match any of the above addons and toppings to customize your ideal rib plate flavor and texture profile. From spicy hot sauces to cooling guacamole and crispy onion strings, the possibilities are endless for dressing up a perfect rack of barbecue ribs.
Irresistible Desserts To Cap Off Your Rib Meal
After devouring a rack of mouthwatering barbecue ribs, you’ll want something sweet to finish off this hearty meal. Here are some amazingly delicious desserts that pair perfectly with barbecue ribs:
Fruit Cobbler
Warm, sweet fruit cobbler is pretty much heaven after eating smoky, savory ribs. Peach, blackberry, apple or cherry cobblers highlighted by a flakey, buttery biscuit crust make for wonderful rib plate desserts. A la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is always a good choice!
Banana Pudding
Cool, creamy banana pudding is a delightful follow-up to hot, saucy ribs. The classic Southern dessert combines fresh bananas and vanilla wafers with sweet vanilla pudding for a mouthwatering rib meal finisher. Top with whipped cream for even more richness.
Pecan Pie
With its gooey filling and nutty crunch, pecan pie is a fabulous post-rib dessert. The sweetness balances the lingering barbecue flavors. For an extra layer, get a scoop of bourbon pecan ice cream to accompany your slice of pie. Perfection!
Peach Pie
Like cobbler, warm peach pie makes a fitting sweet ending to a backyard barbecue feast. The juicy fruit filling and flaky crust proves undeniably delicious after all that savory rib meat. Ala mode it up with a melting scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Cookies
After demolishing a rack of ribs, nothing provides comfort like warm chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven. The sweet, chocolatey cookies help satisfy your craving for dessert. Grab a cold glass of milk to dunk them in for ultimate enjoyment.
Brownies
Rich, fudgy brownies also make a perfect rib plate companion. Chocolate-lovers adore the intense, sweet brownie flavor contrasted with remnants of salty, tangy barbecue. Add some chocolate chips or walnuts to your brownie batter for extra decadence.
Bread Pudding
For a dynamically different dessert, warm bread pudding is sure to hit the spot post-ribs. This custard-coated, raisin-studded treat offers sweetness to counter the savory barbecue. The contrasting textures create mouthwatering magic.
Macarons
Light, meringue-based French macarons offer the ideal finishing touch once you’ve conquered a rack of barbecue ribs. Their sweet flavors like pistachio, coffee, lemon or raspberry prove perfect for cleansing your palate after all that finger-lickin’ barbecue sauce.
Any of the above sweet treats would do justice to your barbecue rib spread. Pie, cobbler, cookies, macarons – they all help continue an amazing barbecue meal on a high note. Just be sure to save room for dessert after indulging in all those irresistible ribs!
FAQs About Ribs and Side Dishes
What’s the most classic side to serve with barbecue ribs?
Baked beans are considered one of the most traditional accompaniments for barbecue ribs. Their sweet and smoky flavors beautifully complement the ribs.
What’s the best potato side dish with ribs?
Cool, tangy potato salad works wonderfully alongside saucy barbecue ribs. Fried potatoes or cheesy scalloped potatoes also pair nicely.
Can you eat ribs without barbecue sauce?
Absolutely! “Naked” or dry ribs highlight the natural flavors of the pork. Sauces and glazes add flavor but aren’t essential for enjoying tender, juicy ribs.
What salad goes good with ribs?
A vinegar-based coleslaw is probably the most popular salad pairing for barbecue ribs. The crunchy slaw provides relief from the rich rib meat.
What cut of ribs is best for barbecue?
Most barbecue enthusiasts agree that baby back ribs offer the most tender, flavorful results. St. Louis and spare ribs are also excellent choices.
Is cornbread a good match with ribs?
Yes, cornbread makes a phenomenal accompaniment for barbecue ribs. It soaks up extra sauce beautifully. Grilled or skillet cornbread is extra tasty alongside saucy ribs.
What sauce gives the best rib flavor?
While preferences vary, many favor a ketchup-based barbecue sauce flavored with Worcestershire, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and spices for optimal rib sauce tang and sweetness.
What’s better, wet or dry ribs?
It’s a matter of personal taste – wet ribs are slathered in sauce for sticky flavor; dry ribs let the natural pork shine. Fans argue both have merits when smoking up ribs.
Can you marinate ribs before cooking?
Absolutely! Marinating ribs in an acidic liquid tenderizes the meat and infuses flavor. Try apple cider vinegar, fruit juice or buttermilk marinades on your ribs.
What smoke wood is best for ribs?
Hickory and oak give ribs incredible depth of flavor. Apple, pecan, mesquite, cherry and maple also impart delicious smoky notes. Choose sweeter fruit woods for milder smoke.
Conclusion
When cooking up a rack of succulent barbecue ribs, half the fun lies in choosing the perfect accompaniments to round out your rib plate and take the meal to new heights of flavor. With the right combination of cool sides, refreshing drinks, enticing sauces and treats for dessert, your barbecue rib experience will be one to remember. Whether hosting a backyard rib fest or a weeknight family dinner, reference this guide to curate the ultimate spread of rib plate pairings. Those finger-lickin’ good ribs will be even more mouthwatering when served alongside the whole array of delicious options covered here. So fire up the smoker or grill, lather on that tangy sauce, and get ready to wow your guests with the tastiest barbecue ribs and fixings they’ve ever enjoyed!