When it comes to a hearty rack of ribs, the main attraction may steal the spotlight, but the right side dishes can truly make your meal unforgettable.
Whether you’re firing up the grill for a backyard BBQ, hosting a game-day feast, or just indulging in a comfort-food dinner, the sides you serve with ribs can elevate the whole experience.
The best side dishes for ribs strike a balance—offering fresh contrasts, rich comfort, and satisfying variety.
In this guide, we’ll share six unique and mouthwatering side dishes that pair perfectly with ribs.
Each one includes a fun name, a flavorful twist, and easy-to-follow steps to help you cook like a pitmaster’s best friend—even if you’re just starting out.
1. Smoky Maple Cornbread Muffins
Description:
Sweet meets savory in these fluffy cornbread muffins kissed with smoky paprika and a hint of maple syrup—perfect for soaking up extra BBQ sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup milk
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.
- In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, and sugar.
- In another bowl, combine maple syrup, milk, melted butter, and egg.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly into the muffin cups.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
2. Backyard Ranch Potato Salad
Description:
Creamy, herby, and loaded with flavor, this ranch-style potato salad brings that comforting picnic vibe to every rib night.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs baby red potatoes, halved
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 packet ranch seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (about 12–15 minutes). Drain and let cool.
- In a large bowl, mix sour cream, mayo, vinegar, mustard, and ranch seasoning.
- Add the cooled potatoes, green onions, and dill. Stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
3. Sweet Heat Grilled Pineapple Rings
Description:
These caramelized pineapple rings are grilled to perfection and brushed with a chili-lime glaze—offering a tangy-sweet contrast to smoky ribs.
Ingredients:
- 1 fresh pineapple, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rings
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, mix honey, lime juice, chili powder, cayenne (if using), and salt.
- Brush both sides of the pineapple rings with the glaze.
- Grill for 2–3 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and the fruit is caramelized.
- Serve warm or chilled as a zesty refresh.
4. Tangy Apple Cabbage Slaw
Description:
Crunchy, refreshing, and a little sweet—this slaw cuts through rich ribs with crisp apples, shredded cabbage, and a zippy vinegar dressing.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 large apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), julienned
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, toss cabbage, apple, and red onion.
- In a separate bowl, whisk vinegar, olive oil, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over the slaw and toss to coat.
- Let sit for 15–30 minutes for flavors to meld. Chill if desired.
5. Cheesy Jalapeño Skillet Mac
Description:
This gooey, golden mac and cheese is spiked with jalapeños for a bit of a kick—and baked in a cast-iron skillet for extra crispy edges.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
- 1–2 jalapeños, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a cast-iron skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened (about 5 minutes).
- Add cheese and stir until melted. Mix in jalapeños.
- Fold in the cooked macaroni. Season with salt and pepper.
- Top with breadcrumbs if using.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top.
6. Bourbon Baked Beans with Bacon
Description:
Slow-cooked and smoky, these baked beans get a boozy kick from bourbon and a rich depth from crispy bacon—BBQ’s best friend.
Ingredients:
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cans (15 oz each) navy or pinto beans, drained
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp bourbon
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving some grease.
- Sauté onion in the bacon grease until translucent.
- In a large baking dish, combine beans, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, bourbon, molasses, mustard, sautéed onions, and bacon.
- Stir well and cover with foil.
- Bake for 45–60 minutes, uncovering for the last 15 minutes to thicken sauce.
Final Thoughts: 6 Best Side Dishes for Ribs
Serving up tender, smoky ribs is only half the equation—the right side dishes complete the experience. From spicy-sweet grilled pineapple to comforting skillet mac and cheese, each dish above adds its own bold flavor and texture to balance the ribs’ richness.