Barbecue chicken wings make for an iconic appetizer that is universally loved. With their crispy coating and succulent meat doused in sticky, finger-licking barbecue sauce, bbq wings are always a crowd-pleaser. But what sides go best with bbq wings to create a well-rounded and delicious meal? Read on for an extensive guide exploring different options for pairing what goes with bbq wings.
Salads That Pair Perfectly With BBQ Wings
A fresh, crunchy salad is a fantastic complement to bbq wings. The cool crispness balances the rich, saucy wings beautifully. Here are some ideal salad options:
Classic Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a classic bbq pairing. The sweet creaminess cuts through the savory heat of the wings. Make a tangy coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, vinegar, mayo, and a touch of sugar. The acidity and crunch pairs wonderfully.
Cool Ranch Slaw
For a ranch-inspired slaw, combine thinly sliced cabbage with ranch dressing, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and green onions. The creamy, herbaceous flavors marry beautifully with bbq wings.
Broccoli Bacon Salad
Chopped raw broccoli, bacon, red onion, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds tossed in a sweet poppyseed dressing is sensational alongside wings. The nuttiness and crunch complements them perfectly.
Greek Salad
A Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta, and onions drizzled with a red wine vinaigrette is exceptional with bbq wings. The briny olives and sharp feta balance the richness beautifully.
Warm Vegetable Dishes That Work With Wings
Warm vegetable dishes add comfort and substance when served with wings. Roasted, sautéed, or sautéed veggies pair wonderfully. Consider:
Oven-Roasted Veggies
A sheet pan of oven-roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus with garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper is easy and delicious with wings.
Sautéed Green Beans
Sautéed green beans with onions, garlic, and bacon are amazing with bbq wings. The buttery beans and crunchy bacon complement the wings perfectly.
Honey Glazed Carrots
Honey glazed carrots roasted with butter, brown sugar, and herbs are sweet, sticky goodness that balances bbq wings deliciously. The natural sweetness offsets the savory sauce.
Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach made with heavy cream, Parmesan, nutmeg, and garlic is indulgent, rich, and prevents the wings from being too heavy on their own. The creamy spinach cuts through the bbq sauce beautifully.
Satisfying Starches To Serve With Wings
Starchy sides help soak up the delicious barbecue sauce drippings from wings. Potatoes, rice, pasta, and breads make excellent accompaniments.
Baked Potatoes
Big, fluffy baked potatoes with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and chives are comfort food at its finest alongside saucy wings. Let the baked potato soak up all that finger-licking goodness.
Macaroni and Cheese
A classic macaroni and cheese baked with a crispy breadcrumb topping can’t be beat with bbq wings. The cheesy, creamy pasta pairing is heavenly when dunking those wings.
Rice Pilaf
A simple rice pilaf with sauteed onions, garlic, and herbs helps balance the bold flavors of barbecue wings. The mild rice soaks up sauce nicely.
Cornbread
Warm cornbread muffins or wedges with honey butter complement bbq wings incredibly well. The slightly sweet, cakey cornbread is perfect for mopping up sauce.
Snackable Bites To Munch On With Wings
Having some snackable bites on hand is always wise when serving wings, which can get messy. Crunchy, pick-up finger foods you can pop in your mouth easily pair well.
Celery Sticks
The classic celery sticks with ranch or blue cheese dip pairing can’t be beat. The fresh crispness and cooling dip perfectly offsets greasy, saucy wings.
Carrot Sticks
Carrot sticks and ranch or hummus also pair nicely with wings, offering vitamin richness and crunchy freshness between saucy bites.
Tortilla Chips
Crunchy tortilla chips, either plain or with guacamole or salsa, gives you something easy to grab to contrast the juicy wings. The starch and crunch balances nicely.
Pita Chips
Pita chips or pita wedges work well too, providing a neutral-flavored crunchy carb to enjoy with those finger-licking wings.
Crackers
Whole grain crackers offer nutty, crispy snacks that complement wings without overpowering them. Choose neutral flavors like whole wheat or rice crackers.
Fruity Additions To Cut Through The Richness
The natural sweetness of fruit makes for an excellent way to balance the rich fattiness of bbq wings. The acidity also cuts through the sauce nicely.
Watermelon Wedges
Juicy watermelon wedges offer hydration and sweetness between saucy wings. The high water content is refreshing.
Pineapple Skewers
Grilled pineapple skewers caramelize beautifully and provide something sweet and tangy alongside wings. They hold up well to sauce drips!
Apple Slices
Apple slices with peanut butter provide protein and sweetness to complement wings perfectly. Great for palate cleansing between drumsticks.
Grapes
A bowl of red grapes or green grapes offers juicy bursts of fruity flavor to balance the savory richness of the wings. They’re hydrating as well.
Berries
Berries like raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries make for sweet garnishes that provide vitamin-rich sweetness. The juicy berries offset the bbq wings beautifully.
FAQ About Pairing BBQ Wings With Complimentary Sides
What are the best vegetable sides to serve with bbq wings?
Some of the best vegetables to pair with wings include coleslaw, roasted broccoli or cauliflower, sautéed green beans, glazed carrots, and creamed spinach.
What are good starchy sides for bbq wings?
Great starchy sides for bbq wings include baked potatoes, macaroni and cheese, rice pilaf, and warm cornbread. These help soak up sauce and provide satiety.
What are easy finger foods to serve alongside bbq wings?
Good finger food options include celery sticks, carrot sticks, tortilla chips, pita chips/wedges, and whole grain crackers. These make for easy snacks between saucy wings.
Are fruits a good pairing with wings? Why or why not?
Yes, fruits absolutely pair well with wings! Their sweetness offsets the rich fattiness of the wings. Fruits like watermelon, pineapple, apple slices, grapes, and berries make excellent accompaniments.
What are the best salad options to serve with bbq wings?
Some winning salad options are coleslaw, ranch slaw, broccoli bacon salad, and Greek salad. The crunchy coolness and acidity balances the richness of the wings perfectly.
What are good dips and dressings for side dishes paired with wings?
Great dip and dressing options include ranch, blue cheese, poppyseed, red wine vinaigrette, and ranch. These provide moisture and flavor contrast to the wings.
Should I avoid certain foods when pairing sides with bbq wings?
Avoid sides that are overly fatty, rich, or salty, as that could make the meal too heavy. Also avoid strong, spicy flavors that will overpower the wings.
Putting Together The Perfect BBQ Wings Spread
When hosting a wings feast, variety is key! Offer a spread of different complementary sides so guests can customize their plates. Here are some tips:
- Include at least one cooling salad like coleslaw or broccoli bacon salad
- Offer a warm vegetable dish like roasted veggies or honey glazed carrots
- Have a starchy side on hand for soaking up sauce, like mac and cheese or cornbread
- Set out crunchy snackable foods for easy grab-and-go bites, like celery and carrot sticks
- Add fresh fruit for sweetness – watermelon wedges, pineapple skewers, and apple slices work great
- Don’t forget dips and dressings! Ranch, blue cheese, vinaigrettes, etc
- Make sure you have plenty of napkins and wet wipes on hand!
With the right combination of salads, veggies, starches, snacks, and fruits, you’re sure to please every guest at your bbq wing party. The variety of flavors, textures, and colors will make for an appetizing, crowd-pleasing spread. So next time you’re serving up a platter of mouthwatering bbq wings, try some of these pairing suggestions to round out the meal deliciously. Enjoy!