Barbecue ribs are a delicious, flavorful meal that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. When planning a barbecue ribs dinner, it’s important to think about what sides and extras will perfectly complement the ribs. With the right accompaniments, ribs go from a great meal to an extraordinary culinary experience. In this article, we’ll explore different options for what to serve with barbecue ribs to create a mouthwatering and well-balanced meal.
Introduction
Ribs are usually the star of a barbecue meal. Their tender meat with that slightly charred exterior and finger-licking barbecue sauce are hard to resist. However, the sides served alongside ribs can make a huge difference in rounding out the meal.
You’ll want sides that add color, contrasting textures, a variety of flavors, and nutritional balance. The possibilities are endless, but some smart choices include mixing crunchy, creamy, salty, sweet, and tangy options.
When planning your barbecue ribs dinner, think about creating a meal that combines complementary flavors, textures, colors, and cooking methods. Here are some of our top recommendations for what goes with bbq ribs to take your meal to the next level.
What Goes With BBQ Ribs: Starch Side Dishes
Starch side dishes are great for soaking up extra barbecue sauce and rounding out the meal. Here are some excellent options to consider:
Cornbread
Cornbread is a classic accompaniment to barbecue ribs. The corn flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet, tangy barbecue sauce coating the ribs. Cornbread can soak up extra sauce on your plate and adds a pleasant crunchy-yet-crumbly texture that contrasts nicely with the tenderness of the ribs.
Make it an even better pairing by adding extra sweetness with a touch of honey butter. Or opt for jalapeno cornbread to complement the spice rub on the ribs.
Mac and Cheese
Comforting, creamy mac and cheese makes a delicious partner for saucy, succulent ribs. The smooth texture and mild flavor offset the bold sauce and spices on the ribs. Opt for classic versions with cheddar or American cheese. Or get creative with unique additions like lobster, bacon, caramelized onions, or truffle oil.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are another excellent starchy side for ribs. They have an ultra-smooth, creamy texture that balances the meatiness of the ribs. Opt for mashed potatoes with skins on for added texture. Or make them loaded mashed potatoes by mixing in sour cream, cheese, bacon, and green onions.
Baked Potatoes
Big baked potatoes with all the fixings allow you to customize your perfect pairings with the ribs. Toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, chives, barbecue sauce and more mean you can create an ideal flavor and texture match. The potatoes themselves soak up extra sauce beautifully.
Rice
Simple white rice or flavored varieties like cilantro lime rice can make a nice base for ribs. The mild flavor soaks up sauce well. Rice offers a touch of starchy satisfaction to balance the rich ribs.
Corn on the Cob
Fresh sweet corn on the cob is a go-to summer pairing with ribs. The natural sweetness enhances the sweet notes in typical barbecue sauces. Have fun slathering each bite of corn with extra sauce for fabulous flavor.
What Goes With BBQ Ribs: Salad and Vegetable Dishes
Don’t forget your veggies! Adding fresh, flavorful salads and vegetable dishes balances the meal nutritionally and offers great textural contrast to tender ribs.
Coleslaw
Cool, crisp coleslaw is a classic partner to barbecue ribs. The sweet, tangy dressing pairs perfectly with the sauce on the ribs. The crunch of the cabbage, carrots and other vegetables creates an appealing textural balance. From vinegary varieties to creamy types, the options are limitless.
Potato Salad
Like coleslaw, potato salad has a cool, creamy texture that offsets the ribs’ richness. Old-fashioned versions with lots of mayonnaise and mustard marry well with tangy, mustard-laced barbecue sauces. Or opt for loaded baked potato salad with cheddar, bacon, sour cream and green onion.
Broccoli Salad
For another fun twist, try broccoli salad with barbecue ribs. The fresh broccoli florets, shredded cheese, bacon, and creamy dressing add nice color and texture contrasts. Sweet and tangy flavors like raisins, sunflower seeds, red onion, and poppyseed dressing also complement typical barbecue sauces.
Caprese Salad
Go lighter with a refreshing caprese salad on the side. The juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil, and tart balsamic will brighten up saucy ribs. Make a Tomato Avocado Salad for even more nutrition and flavor.
Grilled Asparagus
For a quick and healthy vegetable, toss asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper and grill them alongside your ribs. The charred and lightly caramelized flavor will be an excellent match.
Corn and Black Bean Salad
A southwestern black bean and corn salad brings fun colors, flavors and textures to the mix. Tart lime juice, spicy jalapenos, crunchy bell peppers, and hearty black beans pair wonderfully with barbecue ribs. The lean protein adds extra nutrition.
Creamed Corn
For a touch of indulgence, make creamed corn from fresh or high-quality frozen corn as a side. The velvety texture and rich, comforting flavor complements ribs nicely. Consider adding in diced jalapenos, crumbled bacon, or shredded cheddar cheese for even more flavor.
What Goes With BBQ Ribs: Small Plates and Appetizers
Beyond main dish sides, having a few starters, snacks, and small plates can round out your barbecue ribs feast.
Deviled Eggs
Classic deviled eggs make a nice light starter before diving into saucy ribs. The richness of the egg yolk filling pairs well with the bold flavors of the barbecue sauce. Garnish with paprika or chopped green onions.
Baked Beans
No barbecue would be complete without baked beans. They’re a perfect match for ribs, soaking up extra sauce and adding sweet, smoky, tangy flavors to the meal. Kick things up with spicy baked beans seasoned with chili powder and red pepper flakes.
Corn Fritters
For an appetizer course, serve corn fritters topped with your favorite barbecue sauce. The sweet corn flavor combines with the sauce for a perfect match. The crispy exterior offers great textural contrast to the fall-off-the-bone ribs.
Jalapeno Poppers
Stuffed jalapenos kick off your meal with just the right amount of heat. The crisp breaded exterior yields to the creamy, cheesy filling. Serve them plain or drizzled with barbecue sauce.
Steakhouse Wedge Salad
Start your meal with a cool, crisp steakhouse wedge salad. The chunky blue cheese dressing and smoky bacon bits are designed to pair with hearty meats. Feels fancy but requires minimal prep time.
Sliders
Offer mini slider versions of your barbecue ribs as a fun, hand-held starter. piled high on soft buns with extra sauce, they make the perfect appetizer. Or do pulled pork or smoked brisket sliders for variety.
Chicken Wings
Shareable plates of chicken wings, drumsticks, or bone-in chicken bites are always welcome at a barbecue. Offer several sauces, from classic buffalo to honey-bourbon or teriyaki glazes so guests can customize.
Chips and Dip
Crunchy tortilla chips or potato chips and homemade dips provide easy snacking between rib courses. Go bold with layers of refried beans, guacamole, salsa, cheese, and sour cream. Or keep it simple with French onion dip or ranch versions.
Pimento Cheese
A southern tradition, pimento cheese makes a great pairing with ribs. Its salty, nutty, tangy flavors stand up well to saucy barbecue ribs. Mix in extra chopped jalapenos for a spicy twist. Serve with crackers or raw veggies for scooping.
What Goes With BBQ Ribs: Something Sweet
After all that savory barbecue goodness, a touch of sweetness makes the perfect finish to your rib dinner.
Cornbread with Honey Butter
Buttery, sweet cornbread is even better when spread with honey butter. The sweet creaminess melts into the cornbread for blissful results. Add an extra drizzle over your ribs for bonus flavor.
Fruit Crisp
Warm out of the oven fruit crisp is a classic sweet ending to a savory barbecue meal. The tender fruit filling and crispy, buttery oat topping provides delicious contrast to the ribs. Enjoy à la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Watermelon Slices
Chilled fresh watermelon slices are a sweet, refreshing finish. The juicy red fruit pairs well with smoky, saucy ribs. For more fun, make watermelon feta salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. Add mint for an authentic southern twist.
Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is a southern staple that’s perfect after barbecue ribs. The sweet peaches play off the sauce’s tangy flavors. The flaky biscuit topping adds great texture against tender ribs. A la mode, the peaches and ice cream combine in the ultimate sweet finish.
Banana Pudding
Cool, creamy banana pudding makes a comforting dessert. The sweet banana slices and vanilla wafers balance the savory flavors of your ribs. The creamy texture also contrasts the meaty ribs. Top with whipped cream for the full experience.
S’mores
For ultimate summer vibes after your barbecue, break out the s’mores supplies. The sweet, crunchy, gooey treats are fun to assemble around the campfire or grill. The chocolate, marshmallow and graham crackers satisfy that post-dinner sweet tooth.
What to Drink with Barbecue Ribs
Beverage pairings are also an important part of your barbecue ribs dinner. Here are some excellent thirst-quenching options:
Iced Tea
A tall, icy glass of sweet tea may be the perfect match for southern barbecue ribs. The touch of sweetness complements the savory, tangy flavors of the sauce glazed ribs. Brew it strong and sweeten to taste with simple syrup or honey.
Lemonade
Similarly, freshly squeezed lemonade also pairs well with saucy ribs. The sweet-tart citrus flavor cuts through the richness of the ribs. Mix in berry purees or herbs to kick things up. Set up a make-your-own-lemonade bar with different flavor options.
Beer
Grab an ice-cold beer to wash down sticky, finger-licking-good ribs straight off the grill. Opt for crisp lagers, wheat beers, or ales. IPAs also have enough hoppy bite to stand up to the big flavors of barbecue sauce.
Wine
Don’t overlook wine with your barbecue ribs dinner either. Bold, fruit-forward reds like Zinfandel and Syrah make excellent pairings. For whites, opt for sweeter wines like Riesling that echo barbecue’s tangy sweetness. Rosés also work for their fruitiness and acidity.
Soft Drinks
For non-alcoholic options, classics like Coke, Dr. Pepper and root beer have just the right sweetness, carbonation and nostalgia factor to complement backyard barbecue ribs. Keep a cooler stocked with icy cold cans and bottles.
Fruit Juices and Punches
Make a fun fruit punch with red and orange juices, pineapple, lemonade and ginger ale for a tangy, refreshing beverage. Or keep it simple with pitchers of citrus juices like orange, grapefruit or lemon. Iced tea and fruit juice blends are also winners.
Milkshakes
For the ultimate indulgence alongside your ribs, whip up old-fashioned milkshakes or floats. The creamy, icy sweetness perfectly balances the sticky, smoky ribs. Make them boozy for the adults by spiking with bourbon or rum.
Final Thoughts on What Goes With BBQ Ribs
Backyard barbecue rib dinners are all about bringing people together to enjoy mouthwatering food and good company. Planning the perfect menu of side dishes, starters, beverages and desserts allows you to create an extraordinary culinary experience.
The key is choosing items that blend well with the flavors of your ribs while also providing balanced nutrition, lots of variety and fun presented. With classic options like coleslaw and cornbread or creative additions like caprese salad and s’mores, the possibilities for what goes with bbq ribs are endless.
Use the recommendations in this article as a guide, but also consider your own tastes, cooking abilities and crowd preferences. The right sides, apps, drinks and sweets can take your barbecue ribs from simple to spectacular. With a well-rounded barbecue spread, you’re sure to please any crowd and have them looking forward to your next rib dinner.
So fire up the grill, pile those ribs high, and get ready for an amazing feast by planning the perfect accompaniments to match. What will you serve with your bbq ribs? The options are limitless, so explore, get creative, and enjoy the experience. Happy barbecuing!