Barbecue ribs are a classic summertime favorite. Slow-cooked until tender and slathered in tangy, sweet, or spicy barbecue sauce, ribs are always a crowd-pleaser. But the ribs themselves are just the beginning. Finding the perfect sides to serve alongside barbecue ribs can take your meal from simple to spectacular. With so many options for rib accompaniments, it can be tricky to narrow down choices to find sides that perfectly complement the savory, saucy ribs. This guide covers all the best options for what goes well with bbq ribs. Read on to discover sensational sides to make your next ribs dinner beyond amazing.
Salads as Rib Side Dishes
Fresh, crisp salads make ideal pairings for messy, sauce-laden ribs. Bright vegetables and tangy dressings cleanse the palate between bites of tender rib meat and rich barbecue sauce.
Cole Slaw
Cool, creamy cole slaw is a classic partner for barbecue ribs. The crunchy cabbage and carrots combined with a tangy dressing provide the perfect foil for fatty ribs. Try spicing up basic cole slaw with apple cider vinegar and mustard for a zesty twist. Garnishing with fresh parsley and dill adds extra flavor. For richer coleslaw, use mayonnaise or sour cream as the base.
Potato Salad
Like cole slaw, cool, creamy potato salad makes another time-honored accompaniment for barbecue ribs. Chopped potatoes in a dressing of mayonnaise or sour cream mixed with mustard, vinegar, seasonings, and chopped veggies like celery, onion, and peppers make a tasty rib side. For variety, use red potatoes or sweet potatoes instead of russets. Adding crumbled bacon or hardboiled egg offers extra richness.
Broccoli Salad
For a lighter salad option, broccoli salad is a delicious choice. Blanched broccoli florets, bits of crispy bacon, raisins, shredded cheddar, and red onion tossed in a sweet creamy dressing offers flavor and crunch next to ribs. Consider using broccoli slaw mix instead of chopping broccoli for a time shortcut.
Macaroni Salad
Cookout favorite macaroni salad, made with cooked elbow pasta, a tangy dressing, and a mix of chopped veggies like celery, carrots, onions, and bell peppers, is another classic pairing for barbecue ribs. Use zesty additions like mustard, vinegar, hot sauce, or horseradish to increase the flavor factor. Cubed ham or crumbled bacon can also be added to this salad.
Spinach Salad
For a nutrient-packed salad, make a fresh spinach salad with apples, strawberries, feta, and nuts, tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette. The sweet fruits, tangy cheese, toasted nuts, and crisp greens are the perfect complement to saucy barbecue ribs. For variations, use spring mix or kale instead of spinach.
Grilled Veggies
Fire-cooked vegetables are a fantastic way to balance barbecue ribs’ richness. Grilling vegetables like corn, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions, and squash makes the perfect healthy side for a rib dinner. Olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs are all you need to bring out veggies’ inherent flavors on the grill. Grilled vegetables also boast appealing colors to brighten up the plate.
For an easy veggie side, brush ears of corn with melted butter or oil and grill until lightly charred. Season with salt and pepper or chili powder for extra zing. Grilled zucchini, brushed with olive oil and seasoned with Italian herbs, also pairs perfectly with saucy ribs. For extra flavor, toss grilled veggies with balsamic glaze or fresh pesto sauce.
Savory Breads
Warm breads and rolls can round out a barbecue rib meal, for soaking up extra sauce and serving as a hearty accompaniment.
Cornbread
Moist, golden cornbread is a quintessential pairing for ribs. For best flavor, make homemade cornbread from scratch, or opt for a corn muffin mix. Warm buttered cornbread straight from the oven enhances any rib dinner.
Dinner Rolls
Soft, pillowy dinner rolls are ideal for mopping up extra barbecue sauce. Serve an assortment of classic rolls like parker house, cloverleaf, or crescent rolls. For extra flavor, bake with minced garlic and herbs mixed into the dough.
Biscuits
Flaky, savory buttermilk biscuits are another excellent bread choice for rib meals. Try using bacon grease instead of butter for even richer flavor. Split and fill biscuits with pulled rib meat and coleslaw for handheld barbecue sandwiches.
Cornbread Muffins
For individual servings, bake up a batch of cornbread muffins. Let each person split and butter their own muffin. Stuffed with pulled rib meat, they become personal barbecue sandwiches.
Focaccia
Savor Italian-style focaccia bread alongside barbecue ribs. Opt for rosemary focaccia sprinkled with sea salt and olive oil or cherry tomato focaccia dotted with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs. The robust olive oil flavor stands up well to sticky-sweet ribs.
Best Starchy Sides
Hearty starches like potatoes, beans or rice help to soak up tangy barbecue sauce and fill up rib fans. These rib-pleasing sides also help stretch the meal affordably.
Baked Potatoes
Baked russet or sweet potatoes are ideal rib accompaniments. Let guests customize their potatoes with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and chives. For a quicker option, cook potatoes in the microwave. Twice-baked potatoes can also be prepared ahead of time.
Baked Beans
No barbecue would be complete without a pot of hearty baked beans simmered in sweet, smoky barbecue sauce. Kidney, pinto, navy or black beans work well. Jazz up canned beans with chopped bacon, onions, ketchup, brown sugar, and spices.
Corn on the Cob
Buttery corn on the cob offers a classic, tasty pairing for barbecue ribs. Leave unseasoned to highlight the natural sweet corn flavor, or shake on chili powder or cotija cheese for a Mexican twist. Grilling the corn adds extra smoky flavor.
Mac and Cheese
Rich, cheesy macaroni and cheese is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser next to ribs. Make mac and cheese from scratch for the best flavor. Or customize a boxed version with extra cheese, garlic, spices or mix-ins like ham, chili, or broccoli.
Potato Salad
Creamy potato salad loaded with chopped potatoes, hard boiled eggs, onions, sweet pickles, and fresh parsley makes another excellent rib accompaniment. Chill the potato salad before serving for maximum refreshment.
Coleslaw
Tangy cabbage slaw with shredded carrots and onion is a classic pairing for saucy barbecue. The crunchy texture and tangy flavor balances the rich rib meat. Make coleslaw ahead of time for easy side dish prep.
Rice Pilaf
As a flavorful alternative to plain white rice, try making herby rice pilaf loaded with onions, garlic, and fresh herbs. Orzo or wild rice also pair well with ribs in place of regular rice. Skip instant rice to maximize taste.
Pinto Beans
Warm, spicy pinto beans cooked with bacon, onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, and Mexican spices make an ideal rib partner for Southwestern flair. Mash some beans to thicken the sauce. Garnish with cilantro and corn chips or tortillas.
Succotash
For a fresh vegetable twist on beans, prepare lima bean succotash by sauteeing limas, corn, garlic and red bell pepper. Season with basil, thyme, lemon juice and parsley. The bright, informal mix accompanies ribs perfectly.
More Sensational Rib Sides
Beyond the classics, all kinds of creative vegetable dishes, casseroles, salads and more can complement smokey ribs fantastically.
Sauteed Garlic Spinach
Sauteed fresh spinach with minced garlic, lemon, and Parmesan cheese makes a quick, tasty vegetable. The bright flavor cuts richness from the ribs.
Roasted Vegetables
For a medley of caramelized veggies, roast a mix like Brussels sprouts, carrots, squash, onions, and beets in the oven tossed in olive oil. Shower with salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary.
Caprese Salad
Make an easy Caprese salad by slicing fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil and drizzling with olive oil and balsamic glaze. The mild cheese and acids cut through rib heaviness.
Greek Salad
Crisp cucumbers, olives, feta, tomatoes, onion, and pepperoncini in a Greek dressing adds Mediterranean flair to a rib meal. Stuff pitas with rib meat, salad, and tzatziki sauce for gyros.
Cabbage Citrus Slaw
Shredded napa cabbage, oranges, clementines, avocado, and red onion in a light citrus dressing provides bright flavor and crunch alongside ribs.
Roasted Root Vegetables
Roast an assortment of root veggies like potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips and parsnips on a sheet pan with olive oil and rosemary. The natural sweetness balances tangy ribs.
Honey Glazed Carrots
Saute baby carrots with garlic, thyme, honey, and lemon for a sweet vegetable. The honey echo’s ribs’ sweetness while carrots cut richness.
Macaroni Salad
Chilled elbow macaroni with shredded cheese, red onion, bell peppers, and parsley in a creamy mayo dressing makes old-fashioned accompaniment. Use bacon or ham for extra indulgence.
Green Bean Almondine
Quick-cooking green beans sauteed with sliced almonds, butter, and seasonings make an easy veggie side. Mix in diced tomatoes for extra flavor and color.
Creamed Spinach
Chopped spinach in a creamy sauce made of cream cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan makes a rich side for ribs. Nutmeg, shallots, and garlic add extra flavor.
Twice Baked Potatoes
Scoop out baked potatoes and whip the insides with butter, cheese, milk, and seasonings. Heap the fluffy mixture back into shells for hearty potato side.
Pasta Salad
Chill cooked pasta like rotini, shells, or spirals with chopped bell peppers, parsley, shredded carrots, red onion, and Italian dressing for a make-ahead salad.
Baked Acorn Squash
For an elegant fall side, bake acorn squash halves filled with sausage stuffing, pecans, maple syrup, and sage. The natural sweetness provides balance.
Green Beans with Almonds
Quick-cooking green beans sauteed with sliced almonds, butter, and seasonings make an easy veggie side. Mix in diced tomatoes for extra flavor and color.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Layers of thinly sliced potatoes baked with cream, cheese, and seasonings are comfort-food magic alongside barbecue ribs. Customize with garlic, bacon, or jalapenos.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
A simple salad of juicy tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, red onion, and dill in a vinegar dressing offers crisp brightness with ribs.
Corn and Black Bean Salad
Mix grilled corn kernels with black beans, tomatoes, avocado, bell pepper, cilantro, lime, and chili powder for Southwest style. The cool beans and veggies pair perfectly with saucy ribs.
Lip-Smacking Rib Sauces and Condiments
While most barbecue ribs come pre-sauced, serving extra sauces on the side diversifies the flavor options. From fiery hot sauces to cooling creamy dips, these recipes let guests customize their rib experience.
Extra Barbecue Sauce
Let guests ladle on extra tangy, sweet homemade or bottled barbecue sauce in flavors like Kansas City, Memphis, Texas, or Carolina style. Provide a mix of vinegar-based and tomato-based sauces for variety.
Spicy Hot Sauce
For extra heat, offer chili-based hot sauces like Frank’s Red Hot, Cholula, Tabasco, and Sriracha so guests can dial up the spice factor to their personal tastes.
Blue Cheese Dressing
Cool, creamy blue cheese dressing makes a decadent dip for ribs. The pungent blue cheese cuts through sweet, sticky rib sauce wonderfully.
Ranch Dressing
Another tasty creamy dip for ribs is ranch dressing, either homemade or bottled. The cooling dairy provides delicious contrast to spicy ribs.
Honey Mustard
Drizzle individual servings of ribs with tangy honey mustard. The sweet and spicy flavors complement the barbecue sauce beautifully.
Guacamole
Fresh, chunky guacamole makes a fantastic dip for ribs. The cool creaminess and lime juice cuts richness perfectly. Offer jalapenos on the side to add more punch.
Pico de Gallo
A salsa-like pico de gallo piled with chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice also pairs well with saucy ribs. The bright vegetables cut greasy richness.
Sour Cream
Cool, creamy sour cream makes an easy dipping sauce for tangy ribs. Mix in scallions, garlic, lime juice or chili powder to amp up the flavor.
Chimichurri Sauce
For an herby Argentinean twist, blend a chimichurri sauce of parsley, cilantro, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, vinegar, and olive oil. The vibrant green sauce is fabulous on ribs.
Harissa Sauce
Blend fiery harissa sauce from chilis, garlic, spices, and olive oil to serve on the side. Let guests control how much spicy-smoky flavor they want to add.
White BBQ Sauce
Try serving Alabama-style white barbecue sauce, made of mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, alongside tomato-based sauces. The creamy tang complements ribs perfectly.
Corn Relish
Make quick corn relish by sauteeing corn, onion, bell pepper, and seasoning and chilling until cold. The sweet mix offsets barbecue sauce’s acidity.
Pickles
Serve classic dill pickle spears and chips on the side of a rib plate. The briny crunch and tang cuts the fatty rib meat superbly.
Perfect Barbecue Rib Desserts
After a hearty barbecue rib meal, a great dessert provides the ideal sweet finish. The key is choosing options that don’t overwhelm the palate after all the rich, saucy, smoky flavors of the main course. These rib-friendly desserts provide just the right amount of sweetness.
Fruit Crisp
Warm fruit crisp made with summertime fruits like peaches, cherries, blackberries, or plums makes a tasty post-rib dessert. The mix of sweet fruit filling and crumbly topping is not too rich. Serve with ice cream for a la mode treatment.
Fruit Cobbler
Similarly, old-fashioned fruit cobbler with biscuit topping and filling using summer berries, peaches, or apples makes a comforting rib dessert. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top takes it over the top.
Banana Pudding
Classic cool banana pudding layered with sliced bananas, vanilla wafers, and creamy vanilla pudding is a Southern dessert favorite after ribs. Top with whipped cream for even more decadence.
Peach Ice Cream
To cool off after fiery ribs, peach or other fruit-flavored ice cream hits the spot. For more texture, mix in fresh peach chunks or crumbled cookies in the ice cream. Hot fudge sauce can be drizzled over for extra decadence.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
The sweetness of caramelized pineapple slices in upside down cake balances the spice of barbecue ribs fantastically. Whipped cream enhances the tropical flavors even more.
Sweet Potato Pie
Smooth, velvety sweet potato pie makes a signature Southern dessert to follow ribs. Make sure to top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Strawberry Shortcake
Fresh sweet strawberries and airy biscuits topped with whipped cream make a perfect summery rib dessert. The tart berries cut through residual rib heaviness.
Popsicles
Refreshing fruit pops like strawberry, lemon, lime, grape, or cherry make fun, cooling treats after a rib feast. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the nostalgic frozen pops.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chewy homemade chocolate chip cookies have just enough sweetness to satisfy the post-dinner craving for something sweet. The chips add extra indulgence.
Blueberry Crisp
To use summer’s bounty, bake up a blueberry crisp using fresh picked blueberries and an oat streusel topping. Serve warm with ice cream melting over the top. The natural tartness balances barbecue’s sugar and spice.
Coconut Cake
Southern coconut cake with fluffy coconut laced frosting provides just enough sweet richness after ribs. Yellow cake layers keep it lighter than chocolate options.
Peach or Apple Pie
Few things say summer like sliced peaches or apples baked into a flaky pie crust and served with ice cream melting over the warm filling. It’s the quintessential ending for an outdoor rib cookout.
Planning the Perfect Barbecue Rib Dinner
When hosting a barbecue rib dinner, the keys are preparing enough ribs for the crowd, having a full roster of sensational sides ready, and all condiments and sauces on hand to customize flavor. Then cap it all off with the perfect rib-friendly dessert. Following some time-tested tips ensures barbecue success:
- Allow 1-2 racks of pork or beef ribs per person. For big appetites, plan on the higher end. Leftover ribs also ensure everyone gets their fill.
- Prepare at least two or three different side dishes per guest to accompany the ribs. Offer a mix of salads, veggies, starches, and breads.
- Keep ribs warm while grilling or smoking by maintaining even, consistent heat. Let ribs rest at least 10 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Make high-acid sides like salads and slaws ahead of time to maximize flavors. Cook vegetables, starches