What goes with ribs? We’re glad you asked!
Ribs are one of our favorite foods, but as much as we all love them, some great side dishes can really round out the meal.
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 recipes, so you’ll always know what to serve with ribs!

What to Serve with Ribs:
1. Mac and Cheese
We’re starting our list of rib side dishes with this super rich and cheesy mac and cheese. Everyone needs a great mac and cheese recipe in their repertoire, and this is it!
You’re going to love the creamy cheesiness alongside your ribs.
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
2. Baked Beans
These baked beans are topped with bacon and have perfect sweet and savory flavors. This is one of the most seen BBQ side dishes you see at all potlucks and get togethers.
Don’t buy can of baked beans, instead cook up these easy and delicious brown sugar and bacon baked beans in your very own kitchen.
Get the Recipe @ thechunkychef
3. Olivier Salad Recipe – Russian Potato Salad
This olivier salad recipe is an easy and delicious twist on potato salad! It has carrots, sausage, eggs, and peas, and the dressing is a creamy mayonnaise with fresh dill.
Get the Recipe @ tatyanaseverydayfood
4. 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.
5. Coleslaw
This creamy Creole Coleslaw is a great variation on that classic potluck side dish. Your traditional slaw gets a zippy upgrade.
Bring this to your next get together and guests will be asking for the secret to your slaw!
6. 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…
7. Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad
This Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad outstanding. Fruit salads are a summer staple and the honey and lime dressing on this one is absolute perfection.
You’ll love the sweet freshness alongside your ribs.
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
8. 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!
9. Southern Collard Greens
Collard greens make a great side for your barbecued meats. These are loaded with bacon and other great flavor enhancers.
Get the Recipe @ theseasonedmom
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
The ultimate summer refresher, made easier and healthier! Lemon juice is blended with ripe strawberries and naturally sweetened with agave nectar to create the perfect balance of tart and sweet.
This Strawberry Lemonade is bright and fresh with a beautiful pink hue makes a delicious fresh drink for summer.
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
13. 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.
14. Easy Herb Potato Salad
If you’re craving something different, try this herb potato salad! It’s super easy to make, has a short list of ingredients, and it’s healthier!
The herbs include parsley, dill, mint, and chives. It all comes together to make a delicious dish for your next get together.
Get the Recipe @ inspiredtaste
15. Scalloped Potatoes
Beautiful, perfectly cooked Scalloped Potatoes are a classic that you’ll fall in love with after just one bite!
Tender, thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a rich, creamy sauce for a side dish that’s excellent to serve alongside any main course and is a must-make for the holidays.
Get the Recipe @ asouthernsoul
16. Mediterranean Orzo Salad
This Mediterranean Orzo Salad is easy, fresh, healthy, and quick. It’s bursting with fabulous Greek flavors and makes a nutritious side dish or a light meal.
This recipe is loaded with crunchy fresh veggies and herbs, and is dressed in a light lemony dressing which you will love!
17. Gnocchi Mac and Cheese
Gnocchi Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Forget traditional macaroni, and let those gnocchi balls ooze into the most delicious cheese sauce imaginable!
This recipe will be loved by kids as well as adults!
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
18. Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad
An easy strawberry Caprese pasta salad that makes a perfect sweet side dish. This pasta salad is tossed with a light homemade balsamic glaze and is perfect for spring or summer picnics!
Get the Recipe @ littlespicejar
19. 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.
20. Roasted Mexican Street Corn
Wrapping up our list of rib side dishes is this roasted Mexican street corn. You can cook it baked or grilled, and it comes with an amazing garlicky-lime cream sauce.
Whether you’ve tried elote before, or this is your first recipe, you’ll be sure to love it.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
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
- 3/8 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.
Never miss a recipe!
Join the GypsyPlate mailing list and get easy dinner recipes right in your mailbox. From homestyle comfort food to exotic dishes from around the world.