Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 15 Great Side Dishes That Pair Perfectly With Ribs These side dish recipes will perfectly complement that mouthwatering rack of meat. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 4, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images Cooking ribs on the grill is great, but they do not a meal make. 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. We've rounded up 15 recipes that round out a ribs-based meal without detracting from the quality of the meat. 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. 01 of 15 Fried Green Tomatoes Lisa Hubbard 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. Fried Green Tomatoes 02 of 15 Dill Pickle Relish Cornbread Muffins Caitlin Bensel 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. Dill Pickle Relish Cornbread Muffins 03 of 15 Perfect Tomato Salad Lisa Cohen There's a good reason summer tomatoes are so adored: They carry enough natural flavor to practically be a dish on their own. For something to serve with ribs, simply find the highest-quality tomatoes you can, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle salt on top. You'll be surprised at how delicious the humble tomato can be. Perfect Tomato Salad 04 of 15 Carrot-Apple Slaw Antonis Achilleos 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. Carrot-Apple Slaw 05 of 15 Corn on the Cob With Tarragon Kana Okada 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. Corn on the Cob With Tarragon 06 of 15 Green Beans With Bacon Vinaigrette Gentl & Hyers 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. Green Beans With Bacon Vinaigrette 07 of 15 Pasta Salad With Asparagus and Lemon Dana Gallagher 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. Asparagus Pasta Salad With Lemon 08 of 15 Beet-Radicchio Salad Christopher Testani 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. Beet-Radicchio Salad 09 of 15 Caramelized Veggies With Poppy Seed Dressing Caitlin Bensel 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. Caramelized Veggies With Poppy Seed Dressing 10 of 15 Macaroni and Cheese Sang An 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. Macaroni and Cheese 11 of 15 Minted Watermelon Salad Christopher Baker 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. Minted Watermelon Salad 12 of 15 Wilted Sesame Spinach Greg DuPree 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 tamari that make it creamy. Wilted Sesame Spinach 13 of 15 Smashed Cucumber Salad With Spicy Feta and Olives Jennifer Causey 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). Smashed Cucumber Salad With Spicy Feta and Olives 14 of 15 Charred Broccolini With Tahini Caesar And Crispy Chickpeas Jennifer Causey 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. Charred Broccolini With Tahini Caesar And Crispy Chickpeas 15 of 15 Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta Anna Williams Pancetta, a type of cured pork, brings a salty, bacon-like component to these sweet, caramelized Brussels sprouts. Make this easy recipe even easier by using pre-diced pancetta. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta Our Ultimate Guide to Ribs—Cuts, Buying, and Preparation Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit