BBQ ribs are a classic American dish that can be the star of any summer barbecue. With a wide variety of ribs recipes and cooking methods, there are endless possibilities for creative and delicious meals. When grilling up a rack of juicy ribs, consider serving up these tasty side dishes and meals that perfectly complement the savory, smokey flavor of barbequed ribs.
Appetizers and Snacks
Before serving the main course, get the party started with these rib-friendly starters:
Corn on the Cob
Sweet corn on the cob is a barbecue staple and pairs perfectly with smokey ribs. Leave the husks on and grill the corn until lightly charred. The natural husk protects the corn kernels while infusing them with a subtle smoky flavor.
Butter, salt, and pepper are all you need to dress up delicious grilled corn on the cob. For an extra kick, brush on a spice blend or bbq sauce glaze before grilling.
Baked Beans
No barbecue menu is complete without a hearty side of baked beans. Canned or homemade, this sweet and tangy bean dish balances the unctuous rib meat. Additional ingredients like bacon, onion, brown sugar, ketchup, and mustard can customize the beans to complement your bbq ribs.
Coleslaw
A crisp, acidic coleslaw brightens up a rich rib plate. Using a store-bought coleslaw works just fine, but homemade coleslaw made with shredded cabbage, carrots, onion, vinegar, mayo, and spices tastes even better. The crunchy texture and tart flavor cuts through fatty rib meat.
Potato Salad
Potato salad is another classic that pairs perfectly with ribs at a cookout. Opt for potato salad with a creamy mayo-based dressing or a mustard-infused vinegar dressing. Crunchy bits of celery and onion give it a satisfying crunch. The cool, creamy potato salad balances the finger-licking, saucy ribs.
Deviled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs stuffed with a creamy, spicy yolk filling are a perfect way to start your bbq. Keep them classic with just mustard, mayo, and paprika or load them up with chopped bacon, chives, hot sauce, or other mix-ins. The richness pairs well with barbecued ribs.
Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
For a fresh and flavorful twist on corn on the cob, try Mexican street corn or “elote.” The cooked corn gets slathered in a tangy, spicy, and creamy sauce made from mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, cayenne, cilantro, and lime. It makes a great starter or side with your barbecue ribs.
Chicken Wings
Crispy fried chicken wings drizzled in your favorite barbecue sauce are hard to resist. Make them extra saucy so you can dunk them right in your rib platter sauce too. The combination of fried wings and ribs can’t be beat.
Side Dishes
Alongside a hearty rack of ribs, serve up these satisfying sides:
Mac and Cheese
Rich, cheesy mac and cheese is comfort food heaven next to saucy bbq ribs. Make it extra indulgent by adding crispy bacon or pulled pork. The creaminess balances the texture of ribs for a match made in barbecue heaven.
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are a perfect blank canvas for soaking up excess rib sauce on your plate. Keep them fluffy and smooth with butter, cream, and seasoning. Or go bold with cheese, garlic, bacon, or other mix-ins.
Collard Greens
Slow cooked collard greens infused with smoked meat make a soulful side for ribs. Traditional Southern style collards get simmered with ham hocks or bacon for flavor. The bitter greens balance the unctuous rib meat.
Cornbread
Warm cornbread is ideal for scooping up saucy rib meat right off the bone. This Southern staple soaks up the juices perfectly. Make it extra moist with creamed corn or jalapeños for a kick. Serve it alongside ribs for down home barbecue fare.
Coleslaw
Cool, crunchy coleslaw offers relief from fatty rib meat. Using bagged coleslaw is convenient, but homemade is extra fresh and flavorful. Customize the dressing with mayo, vinegar, sugar, and spices and use cabbage and shredded veggies like carrots.
Baked Beans
Beans simmered in a sweet, smoky, tomato-based barbecue sauce are a classic for good reason. Canned baked beans work great, but you can also jazz them up yourself with spices and mix-ins like bacon or pulled pork.
Potato Salad
A creamy, cold potato salad provides the perfect balance in texture and flavor next to hot, saucy ribs. Mayo-based or mustard-vinegar versions both work well. Add eggs, celery, onion, relish, bacon and other tasty mix-ins.
Fruit Salad
For a lighter, healthier option, fruit salad makes a refreshing accompaniment. Use a combination of colorful chopped fruit like watermelon, berries, pineapple, grapes, and apple. The natural sweetness balances the savory ribs.
Cornbread
Buttery, golden cornbread is meant for soaking up barbecue sauce. Enjoy it warm right off the grill or as leftovers the next day. Bake it from scratch or use a cornbread mix for convenience. Add creamed corn, bacon, cheese or peppers for extra flavor.
Grilled Vegetables
Get your veggie fix by grilling up seasonal vegetables to serve alongside ribs. Try zucchini, summer squash, bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, corn, or anything else that sounds good. Brush with olive oil and seasoning.
Sandwiches and Tacos
Take your barbecue ribs beyond just a platter and try serving them in fun sandwiches and tacos:
Rib Sandwiches
Chopped or pulled rib meat piled high on a bun makes an incredible sandwich. Baste the ribs with sauce before pulling them to infuse the meat with extra flavor. Top it with extra sauce, pickles, slaw, and onions for a messy, mouthwatering handheld meal.
Rib Tacos
Tacos are a fantastic vessel for delivering succulent barbecued rib meat. Warm up corn or flour tortillas and fill them with chopped or shredded rib meat, sautéed onions, bbq sauce, fresh cilantro, cheese, and other desired taco toppings.
Pork and Slaw Sandwiches
For an extra flavor boost, pair pulled pork with tangy coleslaw on a sandwich. Use leftover or freshly smoked pulled pork and top it with chilled creamy coleslaw on a bun. The contrast of hot meat and cool slaw is sublime.
Rib Quesadillas
Chopped rib meat, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and bbq sauce get melted between tortillas for cheesy quesadilla perfection. Griddle the quesadillas until the cheese is fully melted and the ribs are warmed through for a quick, easy rib meal.
Rib Pizza
Barbecued ribs make an amazing pizza topping. Spread bbq sauce over the dough, add shredded or chopped rib meat, mozzarella, red onion, cilantro, and other desired toppings. The ribs, sauce, and cheese blend for a pizza that tastes like barbecue heaven.
Rib Lettuce Wraps
For a lighter take on ribs, try assembling them in lettuce cups. Fill leaves of crisp lettuce with rib meat, rice, slaw, avocado, cheese, salsa and other fun toppings for a handheld low-carb meal. The cool lettuce balances the hot rib meat.
Full Meals
Ready to make bbq ribs the star of a full sit-down dinner or backyard buffet? Serve them alongside these entrées:
Baby Back Ribs and Chicken
For the best of both worlds, grill up chicken quarters or wings glazed in bbq sauce right alongside your favorite ribs. Offering both white and red meat ensures all guests are satisfied.
BBQ Ribs and Grilled Salmon
If you want to add a non-meat option to your spread, grilled salmon is a great choice. Brush salmon filets with olive oil, season them well, and grill until flaky. Serve the smoky salmon and ribs with grilled veggies for a well-rounded meal.
Ribs with Loaded Baked Potatoes
Nothing completes a rib platter like a stuffed baked potato. Top russet potatoes with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and green onions for the perfect vessel to load up with extra rib meat and sauce.
Ribs with Pasta Salad
Chilled pasta salad is a tasty way to round out your bbq spread. Toss penne, rotini, or bowtie pasta with your favorite dressing, fresh veggies, cheese, deli meat, and other fun mix-ins. It balances the rich rib meat perfectly.
BBQ Ribs with Grilled Shrimp Skewers
For additional protein, make a batch of shrimp skewers to grill up with your ribs. Marinate the shrimp in oil, herbs, citrus, and spices before sliding them onto skewers and grilling until pink. Serve with extra bbq sauce for dipping.
Baby Back Ribs with Grilled Steak
Got an appetite for surf and turf? Fire up some ribeyes or NY strips along with your ribs on the grill. Sprinkle the steaks with seasoning and grill to desired doneness, then let guests help themselves to ribs and steak.
Ribs with Loaded Burgers
Juicy bacon cheeseburgers with all the fixings pair perfectly with bbq ribs for the ultimate grill-out meal. Allow guests to build their own burgers with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, etc. alongside their saucy ribs.
Desserts
Finish your bbq rib dinner on a sweet note with these crowd-pleasing desserts:
Coconut Cake
An old-fashioned coconut cake covered in fluffy seven-minute frosting makes a fitting end to a down-home rib feast. The sweet, tender layers pair perfectly with the residual rib sauce on your fingers.
Pecan Pie
Nothing says “Southern dessert” like pecan pie, with its gooey filling of pecan pieces, butter, and corn syrup. Serve a warm slice topped with vanilla ice cream to balance the sticky-sweetness.
Peach Cobbler
For another classic Southern dessert, peach cobbler is the ideal rib dinner finale. The sweet, hot peach filling and biscuit topping provide the perfect sweet follow-up to savory barbecue.
Banana Pudding
Cool, creamy banana pudding is downright addictive after a rib platter. Layer sliced bananas, vanilla pudding, and Nilla wafers in a pan or trifle bowl for an old-fashioned crowd pleaser. Top with whipped cream for extra richness.
Apple Pie
You can’t go wrong ending a summer cookout with fresh-baked apple pie and ice cream. The tart apples, flaky crust, warm spices, and melted ice cream make a nostalgic dessert combination.
S’mores
For a fun, hands-on dessert, let guests roast marshmallows over the lingering barbecue coals. Sandwich the toasted marshmallows and squares of chocolate between graham crackers for the classic campfire treat.
Fried Oreos
Crunchy, fried Oreos are pure decadence but oh-so-good after sticky ribs. Simply coat the cookies in batter and briefly fry until golden. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with ice cream.
FAQs
How should I cut bbq ribs for serving?
- For full racks of ribs, slice between each rib bone prior to serving. This allows each person to grab an easy individual rib section.
- For chopped or pulled ribs, slice the meat and bones apart after cooking. Discard the bones and chop or pull the meat into shreds for serving.
What are the most popular bbq rib recipes?
- Baby back ribs – Tender pork ribs closest to the backbone. Often seasoned with a dry rub.
- St. Louis-style spare ribs – Meatier ribs from belly of the pig. Removed brisket bone for rectangular shape.
- Beef short ribs – Cut from along the bone in the short plate section of the cow.
- Memphis-style ribs – Pork ribs rubbed with spices, smoked, then sauced.
What are the best wood chips for smoking ribs?
- Hickory – Classic strong smoke flavor
- Apple – Milder, sweeter smoke
- Cherry – Fruity, slightly tangy smoke
- Mesquite – Bold, earthy smoke flavor
- Oak – Versatile, medium smoke flavor
- Pecan – Rich and nutty smoke
What is the best way to reheat bbq ribs?
- Oven: Wrap ribs in foil and bake at 300°F for 20 minutes until heated through.
- Grill: Heat rib meat drizzled with sauce over direct heat just until warmed.
- Microwave: Heat ribs layered between paper towels in 30 second increments.
- Stovetop: Gently simmer ribs in sauce in a skillet until warmed through.
Can you freeze and save leftover bbq ribs?
Yes, bbq ribs can be frozen for 2-3 months with little loss of quality. Cool ribs completely before freezing. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap then foil. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating to serve again.
Conclusion
With so many mouthwatering sides and meals to pair with barbecue ribs, you’ll never get bored serving up this backyard staple. BBQ ribs can play a starring or supporting role in everything from snacks, salads and sandwiches to full barbecue feasts. Get creative mixing and matching different smoked meats, hearty sides, fresh produce and sweet treats to design a complete menu for your next rib dinner. Just be sure to make extra, because no one can resist going back for more of these saucy, finger-licking ribs!