Easy BBQ ribs serving ideas, from smoked mac and cheese to grilled corn on the cob, from potato salad to homemade cornbread. Find out what to serve with ribs today.
BBQ ribs are a crowd puller at any garden party. Whether you prefer spare ribs or baby back ribs, there’s nothing quite like munching on a rack of smoked barbecue ribs. But what should you serve with it?
From simple grilled veggies to delicious smoked party foods, we have the answer. Find out how to complete your griddle with these easy side dishes and serving ideas.
The grill bun
This isn’t your average batch of baked beans. These smoked baked beans are flavorful, sweet, and most importantly, smoky. Prepared with thick-cut bacon, Dijon mustard and molasses, it packs a powerful punch of flavor in every bite.
To prepare these smoked baked beans, heat a cast iron skillet on the smoker grates to above 107°C(225°F). Sauté the thick bacon bits and chopped onion in the pan before adding the beans, BBQ sauce, beer, molasses and Dijon mustard. Smoke is 2 hours long before BEING served alongside your plate of ribs.
Macaroni and Cheese
The mac and cheese is so good it might put your BBQ ribs to shame! Everyone loves the creamy, comforting flavors of macaroni and cheese that balance the intensity of smoky grilled meat.
For this smoked macaroni and cheese, prepare the cheese sauce by starting with a roux, adding milk, and stirring. Add cooked elbow macaroni, then cook over high heat in your backyard smoker for a crispy finish.
Corn on the cob
Corn on the cob is one of the classic barbecue side dishes and no better than pork ribs. The slightly sweet flavor cuts through any cured meat and has an addictive mouthfeel like no other dish.
Grilling corn on the cob is easy. Turn the grill to medium-high and remove the husks and silks from the corn. Before grilling, brush each corn on the cob with a dollop of butter until golden brown all over.
Seasoned Potato Salad
Potato salad is a barbecue classic for a reason. The creamy texture and mild flavor pair well with the often strong flavors of roast beef. The addition of fresh herbs gives this herb potato salad an additional touch of freshness.
Instead of the typical creamy potato salad dressing, use lemon juice, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and freshly chopped herbs to make the dressing. You can use your favorite herbs like parsley, chives, and cilantro.
Sweet potato fries
French fries and barbecue are the ultimate feel-good combination. To serve this combo with a twist, make sweet potato fries instead. The slight sweetness of the sweet potato fries goes well with the BBQ sauce on the ribs.
To make sweet potato fries, simply cut the sweet potato into wedges, season, and then bake. Baked sweet potato fries are delicious and indulgent, but they’re actually healthy because they don’t collect a lot of oil while cooking.
Night puppies
Hush pups are a staple at barbecues, especially in the American South. These fried dumplings are part of almost every barbecue, even if ribs are served. Its slightly sweet and fatty batter is perfect for breaking up heavy, meaty ribs.
Making Hush Puppy Dough is surprisingly easy. You just need to mix cornmeal, flour, eggs, milk and spices. You can add chopped onions or garlic if you want your nursing puppies to have more flavor. Then fry the dough balls until crisp and light brown.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Roasted green tomatoes are another Southern staple when it comes to barbecues and Christmas parties. The tangy, slightly tangy flavor of the fried green tomatoes, softened slightly by the coating, helps bring out the richness of the ribs.
To make fried green tomatoes, simply slice the green tomatoes and then dip them in a cornmeal and spice batter. Fry the tomatoes until golden and crispy.
Corn and Tomato Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a barbecue classic because its creamy, tangy flavors balance out the richness and even flavors of the roast beef. But what if you get sick of the same toasted coleslaw after grilling? Then YOU can switch sides with this tomato and corn coleslaw.
Use red cabbage as the base for this coleslaw instead of regular white cabbage. Then add chopped tomatoes, corn and a dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice and other ingredients. You get the bright acidity of coleslaw but add a little more color to your plate.
Crunchy peppers
Bell peppers are such an underrated vegetable. People often serve them stuffed or with chili, but they make great snacks themselves. The fresh, sweet flavors of the peppers balance the earthy, smoky flavors of the BBQ ribs.
The good news is that crispy peppers are super easy to make, so you can focus on the main course(and cooking time with your friends). All you have to do is slice the peppers, season and roast them, being careful not to overcook them.
Crispy Corn Fritters
Corn is a classic summer grilled vegetable thanks to its sweet, fresh flavor and ease of access. There are so many different ways to prepare corn as a side dish that you’ll never get bored. These crispy corn fritters pair best with ribs because they’re easy to make and so delicious.
For the donut batter you will need corn, jalapenos, chives, flour, cornmeal, milk and eggs. You can flavor the batter with cayenne pepper if you want an extra touch.
French green bean salad
Steamed green beans or green beans seasoned with red pepper flakes and tossed with olive oil and lemon juice
Green beans are one of the most underrated vegetables. They never draw the attention of glamorous veggies like artichokes, but they are very reliable. Guaranteed to always have some on hand and super easy to make, they make the perfect side dish when you find yourself running out of veggies.
To make this Easy French Green Bean Salad, YOU just need to quickly blanch the green beans so they retain their crisp texture. Next, make a tangy dressing using lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and olive oil. If you’re a fan of spices, sprinkle some chili flakes on top for a(slight) kick.
Writer & content creator. BBQ fanatic!
