What goes with ribs? We’re glad you asked!
Ribs are one of our favorite foods, but as much as we all love them, it’s always that question of what to serve with ribs?
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of great Sides for Ribs from GypsyPlate and around the internet.
From classics like mac and cheese, coleslaw and pasta salads, to some unique parings you may not have thought of, you have so many options.
Go through all of these great side dishes for ribs, so you’ll always know what to serve with your favorite ribs!
What to Serve with Ribs:
1. Creamed Corn
We’re starting our list of rib side dishes with this amazing homemade creamed corn. Made with fresh corn, it’s so creamy and full of flavor.
This side dish is addictively good. It will make a great addition to your Thanksgiving and Christmas spreads, but is a must in summer when that sweet corn is in season
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn
2. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Salad is another one of the staple sides for ribs.
This Hawaiian version is extra creamy and extra tangy. Make a big batch, and enjoy the leftovers for days!
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
3. Green Bean Almondine
This dish not only makes your humble green beans fancy, but it’s absolutely delicious and elegant in its simplicity.
Vibrant French style green beans tossed with brown butter, toasty almonds (that’s where almondine comes from), shallots, garlic and a squeeze of lemon to brighten it in the end.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Almondine
4. Coleslaw
There are a lot of Coleslaw recipes out there, but this is the best hands down! Just a quick chop and mix is all it takes to make this iconic side dish.
This Classic Coleslaw is essential for all your upcoming cookouts and potlucks. It’s creamy and crunchy, and goes with all of your summertime favorites.
Get the Recipe: Classic Coleslaw
5. Succotash
Sufferin’ succotash! This classic American side dish goes back centuries.
The main ingredients are corn kernels and lima beans, but regional variations include other vegetables and meats such as bacon or corned beef.
Get the Recipe: Succotash
6. Squash Casserole
Mildly flavored sweet squash folded into a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with buttery cracker topping (and yes, Ritz is the best)… people will be going for seconds and thirds!
Easy and delicious, this is one of our favorite sides for ribs.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole
7. Dirty Rice
Dirty Rice is a famous dish in Creole and Cajun cuisines. White rice gets a “dirty” color from bits of meat and a generous dose of seasonings.
It’s a super delicious recipe that’s packed with flavor. And although it’s usually served as a side dish, we love it as a main.
Get the Recipe: Dirty Rice
8. Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad with Pesto
Get some veggies power going with this Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad. It’s enhanced with a flavorful pesto dressing and fresh mozzarella pearls. So good.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad
9. Corn Casserole
This easy 5 ingredient Corn Casserole is a great southern style side dish, and takes next to no effort. Seriously, just mix up the ingredients, then stick it in the oven.
It’s a versatile dish that would go great on a holiday spread. But it’s so good, you just might want to eat it all year long!
Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Corn Casserole
10. Rainbow Pasta Salad
Make this colorful pasta for your next rib cookout. You can’t get easier than this Rainbow Pasta Salad. We love the final touch of feta in there…
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Pasta Salad
11. Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery, fluffy mash! Everybody’s favorite something you grew up on… that made-’em-a-million-times, tried and tested family affair. This time, try it with the slight little flavor twist of goat cheese. Yum level achieved!
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes
12. Mexican Street Corn Salad
This Mexican Street Corn Salad is going to be the new star at all of your cookouts and potlucks.
When everyone else shows up with yet another pasta or potato salad, the crowd will gather around these amazing flavors that come from just a few simple ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad
13. Watermelon Salad
This vibrant watermelon Salad is outstanding. Fruit salads are a summer staple and the honey and lemon dressing along with salty feta and pistachios on this one is absolute perfection.
You’ll love the sweet freshness alongside your ribs.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Salad
14. Arroz con Gandules
This Arroz con Gandules recipe may be my new favorite rice dish!
Tender rice with pigeon peas, generously flavored with salted pork, sofrito, olives, tomato sauce and some great Latin seasonings.
Get the Recipe: Arroz con Gandules
15. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is the light and tasty side dish you need this summer.
A simple mix of quinoa, a few veggies, some Mediterranean staples, and a zesty lemon dressing is all it takes.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Salad
16. Brunswick Stew
This hearty southern Brunswick stew is a great accompaniment to burgers. If you love barbecue flavors, this is sure to become one of your new favorites.
But go with a cup, rather than a bowl. Otherwise you might not have room for the ribs!
Get the Recipe: Brunswick Stew
17. Wedge Salad
This Wedge Salad recipe is a real classic, and for good reason!
Bright, crispy lettuce, homemade blue cheese dressing, sweet cherry tomatoes, and don’t you dare forget the bacon!
It’s the perfect side dish for a huge variety of mains, and it’s one of the easiest salads you’ll ever make.
Get the Recipe: Wedge Salad
18. Steak Fries
These easy baked Steak Fries are a breeze to make, and go with just about anything. They may be the perfect side dish.
You’ll love these tasty potato wedges, which are perfectly seasoned, then baked to crispy perfection.
Get the Recipe: Steak Fries
9. Greek Salad
This traditional Greek Salad recipe, known to the locals as Horiatiki, is one of our summertime favorites!
Crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, red onions, briny olives and capers, creamy feta, and a simple herb dressing. That’s all it takes. And the results are top notch.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad
20. Three Bean Salad
This easy Three Bean Salad recipe is a summertime potluck classic. But it goes so well with so many things, we love it all year long!
Fresh green beans are mixed with garbanzo beans and kidney beans, then all get tossed with a tangy dressing. It’s tasty, budget friendly, and a surefire hit.
Get the Recipe: Three Bean Salad
So there you go, twenty great sides for ribs. Which one will you try first?
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Sides for Burgers
Sides for Steak
Potluck Ideas
BBQ Side Dishes
Sides for Fried Chicken
Side Dishes for Salmon
What to Serve with Ribs (20 Great Sides)
This list of Sides for Ribs includes all of your favorites like mac and cheese, as well as some new ideas to try. We love this zippy Creole slaw:
Ingredients
- 16oz coleslaw mix
- ⅜ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp Creole mustard
- 2 Tbsp Creole seasoning
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together mayo, mustard, Creole seasoning, vinegar and sugar until well combined.
- Add in coleslaw mix and toss well.
- Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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