Beef ribs are a classic BBQ meal that is perfect for a lazy summer afternoon Their rich, meaty flavor pairs well with a variety of sides that complement and accentuate their taste Choosing the right sides can take your beef ribs from great to spectacular. Here are some of the best side dishes to serve with beef ribs
Starchy Sides
Starchy sides like potatoes, pasta, and corn help soak up the savory juices from the ribs. They also provide a neutral canvas that allows the flavors of the ribs to really shine.
Baked Potatoes – Russet or sweet baked potatoes are an ideal side for beef ribs. Load them up with butter sour cream, bacon, and cheese for a hearty accompaniment.
Mashed Potatoes – Creamy mashed potatoes are a beef rib classic Mix in garlic, cheese, or herbs to jazz them up
Mac and Cheese – Ooey, cheesy mac and cheese is comfort food at its finest. The creaminess pairs perfectly with saucy ribs.
Corn on the Cob – Grilled or boiled, corn on the cob is a summer staple. Slather with butter or spice it up with chili powder.
Cornbread – Warm cornbread is ideal for sopping up BBQ sauce. Add jalapenos or cheese for extra flavor.
Baked Beans – No BBQ would be complete without a side of baked beans. The sweetness offsets the ribs beautifully.
Crisp Veggies
Fresh, crisp vegetables help cut through the rich fattiness of the ribs. Their crunch provides texture contrast.
Coleslaw – Cool, creamy coleslaw is a classic. The tang works well with sweet BBQ sauce.
Potato Salad – Potato salad made with a tangy mustard or vinegar dressing helps cut the richness.
Cucumber Salad – A chilled cucumber salad with a bright vinaigrette cleanses the palate after each rib.
Corn Salad – Grilled corn, zucchini, and peppers tossed in a vinaigrette make a fresh accompaniment.
Cole Slaw – Shredded cabbage and carrots doused in a creamy dressing offer crunch and tang.
Southern Favorites
Some quintessential Southern sides are made for serving with saucy, messy beef ribs.
Collard Greens – Slow cooked collard greens with smoky pork seasoning are rib plate perfection.
Black Eyed Peas – Earthy, creamy black eyed peas balance the richness of beef ribs.
Fried Okra – Crispy, breaded okra slices offer great crunch and soak up sauce.
Squash Casserole – A cheesy squash bake made with summer squash is a comforting choice.
Succotash – This mix of corn, lima beans and veggies is a classic Southern accompaniment.
Potato Salad with Bacon – Potato salad gets even better with the addition of crispy chopped bacon.
Fresh Salads
For a lighter option, build a salad with summer veggies, greens, beans, and zesty dressings.
Watermelon Feta Salad – Cubes of watermelon, feta, and mint make a sweet, refreshing salad.
BLT Pasta Salad – Bacon, lettuce, tomato and rotini pasta tossed in a ranch dressing is perfect for BBQs.
Corn and Tomato Salad – The sweetness of corn and acidity of tomatoes balance the ribs.
Broccoli Salad – Broccoli, raisins, cheese, and nuts tossed in a sweet dressing offer great crunch.
Green Bean Salad – Fresh green beans, red onions, and walnuts in a balsamic vinaigrette.
Kale Caesar Salad – Kale, croutons and parmesan cheese tossed in a homemade Caesar dressing.
The options for rib sides are endless, but these recipes are tried and true complements. Mix and match a few for a tasty plate!
What to serve with BBQ Beef Ribs
As promised, I’m going to offer up a couple of different options for how to serve beef ribs – rustic, finger lickin’ barbecue style OR elegant fine dining style (and yep, beef ribs certainly appear on the menu of fine dining restaurants, prized for the juicy qualities and because it CAN be plated up elegantly):
Slow cooked BBQ Beef Ribs
Beef ribs are the king of all beef cuts for slow cooking (pretty sure I said that in my Beef Short Ribs in Red Wine Sauce too). They are juicier than brisket and chuck (there’s always a few lean-ish patches, that’s just the way that cut is). Beef Cheeks come close, but ribs have one big thing going for them that cheeks do not:
THE BONE.
I don’t know what it is about fall apart meat on a bone, but it gets me every time. Hence my ever increasing collection of lamb shank recipes. And pork ribs. And now it seems I’ve moved onto beef ribs!
If you’re new to beef ribs, this is an excellent way to introduce them into your life, and I’ll wager that they’ll become a regular fixture. The sweet-savoury flavour of the BBQ Sauce is a perfect match with the beefy flavour of ribs.
And it’s virtually a foolproof recipe – you just need to ensure it’s cooked long enough so the beef becomes like THIS:
Moe Cason’s 9 Tips for Perfect Beef Ribs
FAQ
What are good sides with beef ribs?
Coleslaw, potato salad, rice, baked potato, steamed veggies, cornbread, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, cucumber and zucchini salad, sweet potato fries, carrot salad, etc., ad nauseum.
What is traditionally served with ribs?
- What are some good side dishes that go well with pork ribs?
- Traditional Southern US – Cole Slaw, Corn Bread, Baked Beans
- Traditional German – Sauerkraut, spaetzle, green beans & speck
- Not-So-Traditional Hawaiian – Grilled pineapple, Sweet bread (Hawaiian bread), Macaroni Salad
What vegetables go with ribs?
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Reddit · r/cookingforbeginnershttps://www.reddit.comWhat is a healthy vegetable centric side dish to go with barbecue ribs. Something constructed out of whole ingredients and with high fiber content
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The Kitchnhttps://www.thekitchn.com35 Ridiculously Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Ribs | The KitchnJul 17, 2024 — You can never go wrong with any of the classic BBQ side dishes like baked beans, grilled corn on the cob, pasta salad, or potato salad. … A big pl…
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Preventionhttps://www.prevention.com7 Health Benefits of Collard Greens – Are Collard Greens Healthy?Sep 29, 2020 — But there is one staple of southern cuisine and barbecues and the like that is both healthy and craveable. Enter the collard green, the cruciferous …
What side is best for ribs?
Potato salad, coleslaw, and cornbread are always a hit. Crispy roasted potatoes and mashed potatoes are also classics that pair well with ribs. For a twist, try mashed sweet potatoes for a touch of sweetness. Pasta salad is another favorite side dish around here.