Cooking ribs on the grill is great, but they do not make a complete. Just as pulled pork sides make a barbecue dinner much tastier, the right sides turn ribs into a well-rounded meal. And you can call a rib dinner healthy if you include a vegetable side dish, right?
Most backyard party or cookout hosts instinctively know not to serve ribs alone. Guests will want something else to polish off the meat-heavy meal. But what else to serve, then? Fortunately, most side dishes pair well with ribs. From veggie-based salads to bread rolls to coleslaws, these are some of the best sides for ribs. They're low-commitment, too, so you can easily whip them up while the meat cooks. (If you have picky eaters, this is also your chance to make sure there's something they'll like on the table.)
When it's time to serve your full ribs spread, everyone will admire your cooking (and pairing) abilities. We've rounded up our favorite recipes that round out a ribs-based meal without detracting from the quality of the meat.
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Sweet and Tangy Baked Beans
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These baked beans aren't average: Not when freshly cooked bacon is the base and pineapple chunks infiltrate the mix. Pineapple cuts through the deep, savory flavor, adding a much-needed sweetness to the pot of beans.
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Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
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This mashed potatoes recipe is extremely luscious and creamy thanks to half and half and sour cream. The butter is browned to give the potatoes a slightly toasted, caramelized flavor.
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Fried Green Tomatoes
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Take the classic route when picking sides for your ribs with these irresistible fried green tomatoes. Making them at home is easier than you might think, and you and your guests are sure to enjoy the fried indulgence.
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Spicy Street Corn Salad
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Inspired by the classic Mexican street food dish, elote, this spicy and refreshing corn salad is perfect alongside savory ribs. Swap Cojita for aged Cheddar or parmesan if you can't find the Mexican crumbly cheese. This salad is as simple as gathering the ingredients and tossing them together.
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Dill Pickle Relish Cornbread Muffins
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Nothing beats a good cornbread for a classic barbecue or cookout side dish. Pickle relish gives these muffins an added tang, and they get a creamy boost from grated Parmesan.
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Carrot-Apple Slaw
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Sauerkraut is a main ingredient in this punchy salad, though its intensity is tempered by shredded apples and carrots. Raisins sweeten the proceedings, while ginger gives it a little spice.
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Corn on the Cob With Tarragon
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Has anyone ever rejected corn on the cob with ribs? A messier—and tastier—food match may have never been made. A sprinkling of tarragon adds unexpected flavor.
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Green Beans With Bacon Vinaigrette
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Green beans have a reputation for being a bit "plain Jane," but this recipe makes them exciting. For one thing, bacon elevates any dish it's added to. And secondly, the tangy apple cider vinegar and spicy whole grain mustard in this vinaigrette will get your taste buds dancing.
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Pasta Salad With Asparagus and Lemon
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Take a breath, asparagus haters. This penne pasta salad matches the slightly bitter taste of asparagus with zesty lemon, nutty Parmesan, and crackling black pepper. Just give it a try...you'll see.
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Beet-Radicchio Salad
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This colorful, restaurant-worthy salad features arugula, radicchio, beets, and blood orange segments. Top with maple and miso dressing and Parmesan cheese. It's easier than it looks, especially if you use pre-cooked beets and already shredded Parmesan.
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Caramelized Veggies With Poppy Seed Dressing
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Caramelized anything means you're in for something sweet, and this array of roasted beets, rainbow carrots, parsnips, and fennel is no exception. Drizzle them with a zesty poppy seed dressing that pairs perfectly with these crunchy-tender veggies.
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Macaroni and Cheese
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If you're one of those who can't imagine ribs without a side of mac and cheese, then you'd probably like a traditional recipe that hits all the right notes: creamy, a little sharp, and golden on top. This recipe uses Gruyere and cheddar to pull this off perfectly.
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Minted Watermelon Salad
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If it's warm enough for an outdoor barbecue with ribs, watermelon deserves a place at your table. This watermelon salad is extra refreshing, thanks to the torn, fresh mint that's sprinkled on top.
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Wilted Sesame Spinach
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Long gone are the days when spinach was something Mom made us eat. Now there are so many delectable recipes for this healthy food, and this spinach dish is especially tasty. That's thanks to the assertive sesame oil it's cooked in—and the tahini, maple syrup, and tamarithat make it creamy.
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Smashed Cucumber Salad With Spicy Feta and Olives
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Got a toddler around to help you smash the cucumbers? If not, take on this satisfying task yourself. It draws out the moisture, making for a crunchier salad. Feta and olives give this dish a distinctly Meditteranean flair (which means it's both delicious and healthy).
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Charred Broccolini With Tahini Caesar And Crispy Chickpeas
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Broccolini (a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli) has a slightly more mellow flavor than you're used to getting from broccoli. Here, it's roasted with chickpeas, plated over salad greens, and dressed with a creamy, Caesar-like dressing. Top with fresh Parmesan and homemade croutons.
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta
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Pancetta, a type of cured pork, brings a salty, bacon-like component to these sweet, caramelized Brussels sprouts. Make this recipe even easier by using pre-diced pancetta.
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Our Ultimate Guide to Ribs—Cuts, Buying, and Preparation
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Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
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If you're looking to get the sides out of the way before the big BBQ, consider making these mashed potatoes, which can be whipped up ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you're ready to serve. It only takes 20 minutes of hands-on time to make eight servings.
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Spicy Deviled Eggs
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Look no further than these deviled eggs for a quick appetizer that'll please your crowd. Pimento cheese and cayenne pepper give these not-so-typical deviled eggs a delicious kick.
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Creamy Potato Salad With Bacon
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You'll start by boiling the cut potatoes until they're tender before cooking bacon until delightfully crispy. The creamy dressing, which is a blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, salt, and pepper, adds an ideal tang to the potatoes.
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Pimento Mac and Cheese Bites
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Pimento cheese lovers will rave about these pimento mac and cheese bites. You'll bake until the bites are golden and a little crispy around the edges. And don't worry about not having enough for your guests: This recipe makes three dozen balls.
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Collard Greens With Bacon
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Savory, crispy bacon bits and cooked shallots provide robust flavor to the wilted greens. Lemon juice adds a bright, citrusy taste to the Southern staple side.
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Decadent Mac and Cheese
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Mac and cheese and ribs are a pairing that just works. As long as you serve a little veggie side alongside the two, you'll have a well-rounded meal that everyone will love. This recipe adds nutmeg and cayenne pepper for a bit of warmth and spice.
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Garlic-and-Herb Potato Salad
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If you're not a fan of mayonnaise, this vinegar-based potato salad may be just what you're looking for. Thinly sliced garlic is cooked in a skillet and removed to leave the oil infused with garlicky flavor. Scallions are sautéed in the oil, then, once cooled, it's mixed with vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper for a full-bodied dressing.
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Scorched Sugar Snap Peas And Burrata Salad
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While you can use any heavy skillet, we promise that a cast iron skillet will make all the difference. A dollop of burrata is the perfect, creamy complement to the charred peas and tart sumac.
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Mini Twice Baked Loaded Potatoes
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These two-bite twice-baked potatoes have everything you could ever crave in a side dish: They're buttery, tender, cheesy, and savory and don't take a long time to prepare. Crispy bacon and chopped chives top each red potato.
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Summer Squash With Scallions, Chile, and Parsley
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Raw squash, parsley, scallions, vinegar, chile, and salt are tossed together for a completely satisfying summertime salad. Almonds in the oil dressing offer a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
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Roasted Carrot Salad
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These rainbow carrots are roasted next to shallots and thyme sprigs and seasoned with crushed red pepper, giving them generous flavor. The salad is topped with carrot greens, lemon zest, oil, and flaky sea salt. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Orzo Tomato Salad
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There's a good reason summer tomatoes are so adored: They carry enough natural flavor to practically be a dish on their own. This easy pasta salad featuring roasted cherry tomatoes is perfect for a summer dinner with ribs.
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