20 Side Dishes for Ribs

If you’re looking for easy side dishes for a ribs dinner, you’ll find something here that works for your meal. There are potato casseroles, green vegetables, mac and cheese, fries, and a few easy slow cooker sides.

When I’m making ribs for dinner, I always like to have a few good side dishes to serve with them. Ribs are hearty and filling, so I usually choose sides that add a mix of potatoes, vegetables, and something creamy to the meal.

You’ll also love this list of Side Dishes for Meatloaf, COD, Ham, and Turkey.

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

Creamy scalloped potatoes are a classic side dish for a family dinner. Thinly sliced potatoes are baked until tender with a creamy sauce, making this a good choice when you want a comforting potato side with your ribs.

Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots

These slow cooker carrots are an easy side when you already have the oven or grill busy with the main dish. They’re also a nice way to add a vegetable to your BBQ dinner.

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is always a good idea with ribs. This baked version is creamy, cheesy, and easy to serve alongside your favorite BBQ ribs. It’s one of those classic BBQ side dishes that works well for both family dinners and gatherings.

Grilled Vegetables with Balsamic Vinegar & Herbs

If you’re already grilling the ribs, why not add some vegetables to the grill, too? These grilled vegetables are finished with balsamic vinegar and herbs for a simple side that adds color and fresh flavor to the plate.

Jalapeño Popper Loaded Cheese Fries

For a fun BBQ side, try these loaded cheese fries. They combine crispy fries with the flavors of jalapeño poppers, making them a great option when you want something a little different from the usual potato sides.

Golden and Cheesy Party Potatoes

These cheesy potatoes are made for sharing. They’re a good choice for cookouts, family dinners, and other gatherings where you need a side dish that can feed a group. Serve them with ribs for a filling and easy meal.

French Onion Potato Bake

This potato bake brings together tender potatoes and French onion flavors in one simple casserole. It’s a good make-ahead option when you’re planning a bigger dinner and want one of your ribs dinner sides ready to go.

Oven-Baked Ratatouille Casserole

Ratatouille is a nice choice when you want more vegetables on the table. This oven-baked casserole is made with a mix of vegetables and works well next to grilled or baked ribs.

Air Fryer Parmesan Truffle Fries

If your family loves fries, these air fryer fries are an easy option. They’re finished with Parmesan and truffle flavor, making them a fun alternative to regular fries. They also make a great BBQ side dish for ribs.

Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a familiar side that works for many types of family meals. The creamy green beans pair nicely with ribs and other grilled meats, especially when you want a vegetable side that feels a little more filling.

Smashed Potato Salad

Potato salad is a favorite for summer gatherings, and this smashed version is a fun option to add to your BBQ table. It pairs especially well with ribs, burgers, grilled chicken, and other cookout foods.

If potato salad is a choice, check out more potato salad recipes here!

Creamy Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

Brussels sprouts make a nice vegetable side for ribs, and this version adds a creamy sauce and pancetta. It’s a good option when you want to serve a vegetable that feels a little more substantial.

Grilled Vegetable Platter

A grilled vegetable platter is an easy way to put several vegetables on the table at once. It’s especially handy for cookouts because the vegetables can be prepared alongside your grilled ribs.

Crockpot Swamp Potatoes

These crockpot potatoes are a simple side to make when you don’t want to spend all your time in the kitchen. Let the slow cooker handle the potatoes while you work on the ribs and the rest of the meal.

Pepperjack Potato Casserole

If you like a little spice with your potatoes, this pepper jack casserole is worth trying. The cheesy potato dish makes a hearty addition to a plate of ribs and is a good option for family dinners.

Cheesy Bacon Loaded Tater Tots

Loaded tater tots are an easy side for a casual BBQ. They’re topped with cheese and bacon and are simple to serve with ribs, burgers, sandwiches, or other cookout favorites.

Herb and Vegetable Stuffing

Stuffing isn’t just for holiday meals. This herb and vegetable version can also work as a side for ribs when you want something warm and filling. The herbs and vegetables add a nice contrast to the smoky main dish.

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

These Southern-style green beans are made in the slow cooker, making them a handy choice when you’re preparing a larger meal. They’re a simple vegetable side that fits right in with a plate of ribs and other Southern BBQ sides.

Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic vinegar and bacon give Brussels sprouts extra flavor without making them complicated to prepare. This is a good vegetable side when you want something different from potatoes or traditional BBQ sides.

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Creamed corn is a simple side that goes well with grilled meats. Making it in the slow cooker also leaves you more room to focus on the ribs and the rest of your dinner.