Sides for Ribs (what to serve with ribs) – There is simply nothing better than a variety of delicious and flavorful side dishes to go with a nice, juicy rack of ribs that are cooked to perfection! From simple sides to others that are a bit more complex, you definitely can’t go wrong with serving any of the recipes on this list. There is something for everyone!
Complete List Of The Best Side Dishes To Serve With Ribs
Caesar Pasta Salad
Caesar Pasta Salad – a super easy recipe for a delicious caesar pasta salad that everyone is going to love! Made with real, simple ingredients including a homemade caesar dressing. Perfect for enjoying at all those summer barbecues!
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad – a classic Italian pasta salad recipe that is perfect for cookouts and summer get-togethers!
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Mexican Street Corn Salad – this amazing side dish is full of flavor and is a great addition for any meal all summer long! It is delicious on its own or you can add it to some tacos and take them to the next level!
Creamy Cucumber Salad
A light and refreshing side dish complete with dill, fresh cucumbers, and a creamy sauce. Enjoy this classic recipe at your next cookout or gathering during the summer months.
Smoked Corn on the Cob
Smoked Corn on the Cob is an easy summer side dish that is packed with flavor! The smokey flavor is amazing – serve with smoked burgers, smoked broccoli and a fun cocktail!
Gluten Free Cornbread
Gluten Free Cornbread – an easy recipe for making the most light and fluffy cornbread you have ever had, while still being gluten free! Perfect for serving with ribs, chili, or as a side dish at Thanksgiving. The whole crowd will love it!
Smoked Baked Beans Recipe
Smoked Baked Beans are a delicious addition to any cookout! They are easy to make and the flavor is just amazing. We love serving these with smoked pork shoulder or smoked baby back ribs – both equally delicious!
Purple Cabbage Slaw
Spicy Purple Cabbage Coleslaw is an absolutely delicious coleslaw recipe that is creamy and packs just the right amount of spice. The recipe calls for jalapeño and Anaheim peppers (but feel free to omit the jalapeño if you want!) as well as smoked paprika and cayenne pepper (again, omit if you want less spice). This recipe pairs perfectly with smoked ribs or smoked pork shoulder!
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Slow Cooker Baked Beans – an easy recipe for homemade slow cooker baked beans that are packed with great flavor! Definitely a crowd-pleaser, everyone will be so excited to enjoy these saucy beans at your next cookout!
Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint
Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint – The PERFECT summer salad! So easy to put together, light and refreshing!
Easy Creamy Coleslaw
Creamy Coleslaw is such a versatile side dish (and so easy to make). We love how quick it comes together! For serving we either eat it on its own or use it in pulled pork or bbq chicken tacos or bowls! Easy and flavorful!
Easy Mexican Street Corn
Mexican Street Corn – this amazing side dish is full of flavor and is a great addition to any meal all summer long! It will take your grilled sweet corn to the next level!
Easy Oven Baked Potato
Easy Oven Baked Potato – You can’t go wrong with this classic oven baked potato recipe. Prepare it to accompany your main dish or make it the star of the show with toppings of your choice. It’s sure to be a hit whether you’re baking one up for yourself, guests, or the kiddos.
Smoked Mashed Potatoes
Smoked Mashed Potatoes – this is an epic, ultimate smoked mashed potato recipe that you are going to love! Easy to throw together and the perfect side dish for any meal!
Steamed Asparagus
Steamed Asparagus – a simple and quick step-by-step process for making the most delicious steamed asparagus. Keep it simple or dress it up any way you want! The perfect addition to any main dish!
Smoked Broccoli
Smoked Broccoli is an easy side dish that can be added to the smoker when you are smoking any of your favorite recipes. Options to add some spices or keep it simple with oil and salt. The perfect side dish!
Smoked Potatoes
Smoked Potatoes are an amazing summer side dish! Easy to prep and toss them on the smoker with whatever else you are already smoking. Packed with flavor and they make great leftovers!
Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins
Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins – a simple recipe for a light and fluffy cornbread muffins that are gluten-free and dairy-free! Perfect for serving with your favorite bowl of chili or as a holiday side dish!
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes – a quick and easy recipe for making the most creamy mashed potatoes right in your Instant Pot! It only takes about 20 minutes and 5 real ingredients. Make a small amount on a busy weeknight or enough to feed a crowd at the holidays!
Smoked Green Beans
Smoked Green Beans – a super simple side dish that really soaks up that smokiness! Add some garlic or even red pepper flakes to spice things up!
Grilled Potato Wedges
Grilled Potato Wedges – An easy, delicious and kid-friendly side dish that goes with everything! (Whole30/GF/DF/Plant-Based)
Watermelon Mint Salad
Watermelon Mint Salad – looking for a refreshing, light summer salad look no further – this is it! Perfect side dish for any cookout!
Grilled Corn on the Cob in Husks
Grilled Corn on the Cob in Husks – A delicious way to grill your corn on the cob!
Easy Lemon Pasta
Easy Lemon Pasta – the perfect dish to bring to your next cookout or get-together! So easy to make and gluten-free friendly!
Deviled Egg Potato Salad
Deviled Egg Potato Salad – An easy and delicious deviled egg potato salad recipe that the whole family will love!! Perfect for cookouts!
How to Grill Sweet Potatoes (wedges + slices)
Grilled Sweet Potatoes are a family-favorite summer side dish! So easy to make and perfect if you are already grilling a protein and veggie. We love serving them with a mustard-mayo dipping sauce!
Easy Grilled Vegetables
Grilled Vegetables are a staple in our house (all year round) – whenever we are grilling a protein, which is many nights, we always throw on a veggie to go with. They don’t take very long and the prep is minimal (I just use oil, salt and pepper). The cooking time is super quick and then they are ready to go. Excited for you to have more grilled veggies in your life!
Easy Herbed Potatoes
Easy Herbed Potatoes – an easy, delicious herbed potatoes recipe that uses a variety of fresh herbs tossed with sauteed baby potatoes!
“Cheesy” Broccoli Twice Baked Potatoes
“Cheesy” Broccoli Twice Baked Potatoes – The perfect side for any meal!
Creamy Whole30 Mashed Potatoes
A go-to side dish that is absolutely delicious and Whole30 compliant.
Best Ways To Cook Ribs
Now that we have covered these amazing side dish options, let’s talk about cooking the actual ribs. We have a variety of different ways to cook the perfect ribs that will have the meat falling off the bone! Here are our favorites:
- smoker: one of our all-time favorite Sunday meals, making the BEST smoked baby back ribs on our Traeger smoker.
- oven: when the weather turns cold we bring our ribs inside and make our easy oven baked ribs, which are also amazing!
- Instant Pot: when you are short on time but you don’t want to compromise quality, you should definitely try our Instant Pot Ribs.
- grill: if we aren’t smoking ribs in the summer, we are making grilled ribs! An easy, delicious recipe and don’t forget this rib marinade to really take the flavor to the next level!
Pro tip: no matter how you cook your ribs just make sure you cover them in our perfectly seasoned dry rub for ribs!
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