If you are running out of ideas about what to serve ribs with, I’ve got you covered. Here, I’ll introduce some of the easiest, quickest, and tastiest side dishes that you can pair with your saucy and delicious ribs.
Aside from lots of napkins and BBQ sauce, you should also prepare plenty of side dishes to complete your BBQ feast. This post is here to help you discover some of the best sides that do not only go amazingly well with ribs but are oh so easy to make as well.
From potato to corn recipes, to pasta and vegetable salads, you’ll have a lot of options to choose from. These sides are so good your guests will love to devour them.
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What to serve with BBQ ribs in the summer:
Summer cookouts and BBQ parties will not be complete without a rib dish and summer sides. Whether it’s baby back ribs, spare ribs, rib tips, or riblets these cuts of ribs can be enjoyed even more if served with the right side dishes.
The best summer side dishes must not be only ideal for sharing but should also cleanse your palate and balance the sweetness and tanginess of BBQ ribs. Some of the best sides to serve BBQ ribs in the summer include coleslaw, pasta salads, and vegetables.
What goes with ribs for dinner?
You can make ribs all year long anytime with or without a special occasion to celebrate. If you’re looking for sides to make your rib dinner special, you can opt for classic recipes such as potato salads and mac and cheese.
But regardless of whether you are serving ribs for a party or just a special dinner, the list of side dishes below will not disappoint. These recipes are a must try because they come together easily and are known to be real crowd pleasers.
Scroll down and you’ll discover a bunch of these side dishes that are not only best enjoyed with ribs but are great for any quick lunch or dinner as well.
Kitchen essentials you’ll need to make side dishes for ribs:
To give you a heads up, aside from giving you ideas of what to serve ribs with, I’ve also listed some kitchen essentials that will come in handy in whipping up these tasty recipes.
Having the right set of kitchen gadgets and tools will take your cooking experience to the next level, and at the same time, will also ensure that your dishes will always be a success.
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- Cast Iron Skillet Set
- USA Bakeware Muffin Pan
- Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1
- Ceramic Baking Dish Set
- Mixing Bowls Set
- USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan
- Pasta Salad Bowls Set
- Kitchen Knife Set
What to Serve Ribs With
You don't need to spend a lot of time preparing delicious side dishes to serve with your ribs. These amazingly tasty recipes are not only easy but quick to make as well.
Flavorful with an extra kick of heat, this jalapeno cornbread is sure to hit the spot. You can make it in a cast iron skillet or muffin baking pan. Plus, you can whip it up in just about 40 minutes.
Love the classic baked mac and cheese? You can't go wrong with this simple and delicious Ruby Tuesday inspired macaroni and cheese recipe.
Ribs and fruit salad? This pair is a must try! They both have a nice sweet flavor that compliments each other. Plus, aside from several kinds of fruits, this fruit salad recipe also uses a secret ingredient — pudding!
The best appetizer to start your BBQ party! These deviled eggs are perfect for sharing, and only require eggs, light mayonnaise, yellow mustard, sweet relish, salt, and paprika. Plus, you can whip up this light but indulgent appetizer recipe in just 15 minutes.
Preparing corn on the cob in the microwave could not be easier! This recipe is ideal when you don't feel like heating the grill and it's ready in less than five minutes.
Loaded with corn, bacon, and potatoes, this rich and hearty corn chowder is a must try. With the help of the Instant Pot, in just 40 minutes, you can make about six servings of this creamy chowder.
Healthy Sides for Ribs
Want to serve a healthier dinner for the crowd? These healthy side dishes for ribs are so delicious, even picky eaters will love them.
Ready in 45 minutes, healthier, and loaded with fresh vegetables, textures, and flavors, this pasta salad is on a whole new level! It's a must to give this summer salad recipe a try.
With the homemade dressing, this coleslaw recipe is guaranteed to be a hit! It's inexpensive and effortless to make, and it comes together in just ten minutes.
Who can say no to sweet corn especially if it comes with a homemade grilling sauce?! With BBQ sauce, yellow mustard, and honey, this recipe for corn on the cob becomes extra tastier and special.
Delicious and versatile, aside from serving this tomato salad with your finger licking ribs, you'll also love to pair this with chips, veggies, and crackers. This recipe only calls for a handful of simple ingredients that are likely already in your pantry.
With just ten minutes and eight easy to find ingredients, you can make this delicious black bean salad to serve with your ribs. Plus, this salad is so yummy, it also makes a delicious snack and lunch.
Quick, easy, and also ideal for meal prep, this wholesome orzo pasta salad will be a perfect pair to your ribs for sure. The recipe only requires orzo pasta, garlic croutons, parmesan cheese, bell peppers, spinach, and tomatoes.
This recipe for bow tie pasta salad is not only loaded with veggies but also uses garlic balsamic dressing. You can make this pasta salad in just 25 minutes using only seven ingredients including bow tie pasta, broccoli, mushrooms, bell peppers, celery, carrots, and garlic balsamic dressing.
Fun, fresh, flavorful, and not too heavy, you're going to love serving ribs and all your other favorite dishes with this BLT pasta salad. You can whip this salad in just 23 minutes so it's perfect as a quick dinner and light lunch as well.
Potatoes to Serve with Ribs
Like other meat recipes, ribs also go perfectly well with potatoes and sweet potatoes. Here are some easy recipes you can easily whip up at home effortlessly for your backyard or BBQ party.
Easy and budget friendly, this recipe tastes just like your favorite Ruby Tuesday potato salad. This baked potato salad is creamy, rich, and indulgent.
With pesto, these roasted potatoes taste even more delicious! Plus, this recipe also uses petite red potatoes and is ready in just 35 minutes.
This creative sweet potato fries recipe has a sweet twist. Aside from sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper, this recipe also uses bacon, sweet onion, and maple syrup.
This two step recipe for mashed sweet potatoes is simple and effortless. You can whip this up in less than 20 minutes and you will need nothing but sweet potatoes, garlic, Greek yogurt, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Vegetables that Go with Ribs
Lots of veggies also taste wonderful with ribs. Here are more vegetable salad recipes and side dishes that you can try.
Brussels sprouts do not have to be boring. This recipe uses fresh garlic and center cut bacon for extra flavors. Plus, you can make it without any muss or fuss using the Instant Pot.
Fresh, colorful, and packed with textures and flavors, do not be surprised if this Thai cucumber salad will be a crowd favorite. You'll also love to make it even without a special occasion because it comes together in just 20 minutes.
This quick and easy Italian sub salad or hoagie salad is ready in a flash and can also be served on rolls. The recipe does not require a lot of prep work and will be most wonderful to serve on hot summer evenings.
If you're a fan of Ruby Tuesday's salad bar, you should certainly give this broccoli salad a try! You'll love that this salad is loaded with broccoli, bacon, and cheese and that you can whip it up by just following two simple steps.
Brussels sprouts, salt, pepper, olive oil, and 30 minutes, that's all you need to make these amazingly tasty oven roasted brussels sprouts.
Vegan and done in ten minutes, this coleslaw recipe comes with homemade dressing and uses cabbage, apple, and red onion. The recipe is simple, straightforward, and ideal for outdoor parties.
You can throw this light, flavorful, and refreshingly tasty cucumber salad together in as fast as seven minutes! The recipe is so simple, it only calls for cucumbers, red onion, light sour cream, dill, white vinegar, garlic, and salt.
Looking for more recipes to try?
If you’re still not fully satisfied with the recipes above, here are more recipe collections you can check out! These recipes are all so versatile, they are not only perfect to pair for ribs but other dishes as well. It won’t be a surprise if you find a new family favorite here.