19 Incredible Side Dishes for Ribs

When you mention ribs, there are a few avenues your mind could travel down — sweet and tangy barbecued ribs, comforting short ribs, or even smoky racks on the grill. No matter which option you take, the truth is that no rib dish is complete without a delicious side (or two). Whether you're looking for a classic barbecue side or a cozy potato dish, there are endless options to pair with this meaty dish. Here, we're starting with Kardea's Collard and Red Cabbage Slaw. It's a nice change-up from the traditional coleslaw, pairing well with sticky barbecue sauce or smokey heat from the grill. The best part? You can make it ahead of time, too! As Kardea says, "You know my motto—the longer it sits, the better it gets."

Trisha manages to cut the ingredient list down to just 6 things, thanks to a clever hack: she dresses up canned pork and beans. Including bacon, molasses and brown sugar ensures a finished product that’s smoky, savory and sweet — which is exactly the way baked beans should be! Serve the beans with a big platter of ribs for a crowd-pleasing barbecue feast.

We love multi-purpose kitchen gadgets that make life easier, so that's why the Instant Pot (a slow cooker, pressure cooker and stove-top stand-in, all in one) is a go-to for quick meals. Especially this creamy kid-friendly mac and cheese, which cooks up in no time. And after it's been gobbled up, you'll only have one pot to clean!

Trisha packs a ton of flavors and textures into this one salad. Coating the broccoli in a mayonnaise-vinegar mixture allows the diced bacon, onion, raisins and sunflower seeds to adhere, so you get a bit of salt, crunch and sweetness in every bite. It adds a nice contrast to sweet and gooey barbecue ribs.

Ree's skillet cornbread is the simple, rustic side dish you need to keep in your back pocket. Baking in the skillet allows for perfectly crunchy edges, while the inside is soft and tender. Use it mop up any leftover BBQ sauce!

This sweet-and-savory slaw is sure to be a hit next to a big plate of ribs. Best of all, you can throw it together fast — it’s ready in just 25 minutes! Molly shreds broccoli in a food processor, but you can use store-bought broccoli slaw mix in a pinch.

This shortcut version relies on ordinary canned baked beans, which we dress up with fresh peppers, onions, cider vinegar and barbecue sauce. The sweet and tangy side dish is perfect for a summer barbecue, picnic, potluck or weeknight dinner. The beans taste even better the next day, so they can be prepared ahead of time and reheated or served at room temperature.

Bobby grills corn in its own husks to protect it from burning! Upon taking the smoky kernels off the cob, he tosses them with Cotija cheese, lime juice, lime zest, ancho chile powder and crème fraîche. It's an utterly delicious side dish you'll gobble up in no time!

Guy's creamed kale is utterly crave-worthy. While it's best known as a classic steakhouse dish, it makes an excellent partner to ribs as well! Plus, it adds a beautiful pop of color to the plate.

This simple recipe might just become your new go-to for a side to meaty mains, including ribs! Baking sweet potatoes at a really high temperature caramelizes the outside. Finishing them in chicken broth gives them their creamy texture.

Tyler's five-star potato salad is simply unbeatable. Creamy, tangy, and hearty, it features Yukon gold potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped pickles and herbs. It's cool, creamy flavor pairs expertly with ribs, and any other barbecue dish, too!

Sweet and refreshing, Michael's watermelon salad brightens up any meal. The feta adds a punch of salt, which helps enhance the watermelon's mild flavor. A red wine vinaigrette ties the whole dish together.

Four types of beans make up Kardea's side dish: green beans, kidney beans, lima beans and white beans. Together, they pack a lot of textures into one dish! The bean mixture is dressed in a mixture of oil, honey, mustard, vinegar and garlic for a sweet and tangy flavor.

For an added layer of flavor and extra-smooth consistency, Ree incorporates soft cream cheese into the mashed potatoes before baking them. The end result is a creamy, dreamy side dish with just a light crunch from being baked in the oven. Serve a big dollop with a plate of ribs for a hearty, filling and cozy meal!

The easiest way to get your sprouts extra crispy? Cook them in the air fryer! You'll use less oil but still get the texture you're craving.

There’s a lot to surprise in this salad, which features two veggies—collards and green tomatoes—that you rarely see served raw. Tossed with bacon, carrot ribbons and pimientos, the salad piques the appetite and brightens up any plate, both colorwise and flavorwise. It's the perfect accompaniment to tangy barbecue dishes.

This cool, creamy salad is one of our favorites alongside ribs. Dill and sour cream give the sliced cukes plenty of flavor and a cool, creamy texture. Plus, fresh dill and a bit of vinegar make it tangy and refreshing!

This cheesy, creamy casserole is the key to rounding out an ideal comfort meal. For this simple, comforting casserole, Trisha layers a buttery, crunchy cornflake-crumb topping over smooth and cheesy grits. When preparing the grits, be sure to use an herb-and-garlic cheese — the earthiness of the herbs will add great aroma to the dish.