I remember the first time I ever ate ribs. It was at a summer cookout with my family and friends. My uncle was the grill master, and he made the most AMAZING ribs I had ever tasted. They were juicy, tender, and full of flavor.

I couldn’t believe that something so delicious could feel so natural in my mouth. I was hooked from that moment on.

Fast forward to my healthy living phase and I thought I had to give up ribs. They are, after all, full of fat and calories.

What’s to do when you want your ribs fix but also want to eat healthily? The answer is simple: add vegetables!

Now, I’m not talking about any old vegetable. I’m talking about the BEST vegetables that go with ribs. The ones that complement the flavors and textures of ribs perfectly. Vegetables that will make your mouth water and your taste buds dance.

So, do you want to know what vegetables go best with ribs? Keep reading to find out!

Vegetable Sides With Ribs:

Coleslaw
Summer Squash Medley
Corn and tomato coleslaw
Slow-cooker Collard Greens
Roasted Asparagus
French Green Bean Salad
Caesar Salad
Spicy jicama, grapefruit, and mango salad
Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Kale Chips
Baked Parsnip Fries
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Cabbage Salad
Spicy Slaw
Beet Salad

Coleslaw

No surprise here, coleslaw is a classic side dish that goes with just about anything. But, it’s especially delicious with ribs. The cool, creamy dressing pairs perfectly with the juicy, flavorful meat. Plus, the crunch of the cabbage adds an amazing texture contrast.

Quick Recipe: Classic Coleslaw

Ingredients: Cabbage, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Instructions:
1. Shred cabbage finely.
2. Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
3. Combine cabbage and dressing. Chill before serving.

Summer Squash Medley

This is one of my personal favorite side dishes to serve with ribs. It’s light, fresh, and has the perfect balance of flavors. The sweetness of the summer squash pairs perfectly with the smokiness of the ribs, the herbs add a nice touch of flavor, and the balsamic vinegar ties it all together.

Quick Recipe: Summer Squash Medley

Ingredients: Summer squash, herbs, balsamic vinegar
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Instructions:
1. Slice summer squash thinly.
2. Sauté with herbs and finish with a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Corn and tomato coleslaw

If you’re looking for a coleslaw recipe that will really wow your guests, try the corn and tomato coleslaw. It’s fresh, flavorful, and super easy to make. Trust me, it’ll be a hit!

Quick Recipe: Corn and Tomato Coleslaw

Ingredients: Corn, tomatoes, cabbage, mayonnaise, vinegar
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Instructions:
1. Combine shredded cabbage, corn kernels, and diced tomatoes.
2. Mix mayonnaise and vinegar for the dressing.
3. Toss everything together and chill.

Slow-cooker Collard Greens

This is the perfect side dish for ribs if you’re short on time. Just throw all of the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do its thing. You’ll end up with tender, flavorful collard greens that are the perfect complement to your ribs.

Quick Recipe: Slow-Cooker Collard Greens

Ingredients: Collard greens, ham hocks, chicken broth, vinegar, spices
Cooking Time: 4 hours
Instructions:
1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 4 hours or until greens are tender.

Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus is one of those vegetables that goes with just about everything. It’s healthy, flavorful, and pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes. When paired with ribs, the asparagus takes on a slightly sweet flavor that is absolutely delicious.

Quick Recipe: Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients: Asparagus, olive oil, salt, pepper
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss asparagus in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast for 20 minutes or until tender.

French Green Bean Salad

This salad is the perfect blend of fresh and decadent flavors. The green beans are crispy and flavorful, the bacon adds a nice smoky element, and the creamy dressing ties it all together.

I know many people don’t consider salad a “real” side dish, but this one definitely is. It’s hearty enough to stand up to the ribs and it’s packed with flavor.

Quick Recipe: French Green Bean Salad

Ingredients: Green beans, bacon, creamy dressing
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Instructions:
1. Blanch green beans and chill.
2. Fry bacon until crispy.
3. Mix green beans, bacon, and dressing.

Caesar Salad

Who doesn’t love a good Caesar salad? The crispy lettuce, the creamy dressing, the Parmesan cheese… it’s all so good. And it just so happens to be an excellent side dish for ribs. The salty cheese pairs perfectly with the juicy meat, and the dressing adds a nice creaminess.

Quick Recipe: Caesar Salad

Ingredients: Romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, croutons
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Instructions:
1. Toss romaine lettuce in Caesar dressing.
2. Top with Parmesan cheese and croutons.

Spicy jicama, grapefruit, and mango salad

This is a unique and flavorful salad that is perfect for summertime cookouts. The sweetness of the mango, the tartness of the grapefruit, and the spiciness of the jicama all come together to create a dish that is truly amazing.

Oftentimes, this combination of flavors can be a bit too sweet. But, the spiciness of the jicama helps to balance it out and makes it the perfect side for ribs.

Quick Recipe: Spicy Jicama, Grapefruit, and Mango Salad

Ingredients: Jicama, grapefruit, mango, chili powder
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Instructions:
1. Dice jicama, grapefruit, and mango.
2. Toss with a sprinkle of chili powder.

Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts

These Brussels sprouts are roasted to perfection and then glazed with a delicious maple syrup. They’re sweet, savory, and downright addictive. And, they pair perfectly with ribs. In other words, the sweetness of the sprouts pairs perfectly with the smoky flavors of the meat.

Quick Recipe: Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, maple syrup, olive oil
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss Brussels sprouts in olive oil and maple syrup.
3. Roast for 30 minutes or until caramelized.

Kale Chips

If you’re looking for a healthy side dish to serve with ribs, look no further than kale chips. They’re packed with nutrients, they’re crispy and delicious, and they go great with ribs. The smokiness of the meat pairs perfectly with the bitterness of the kale.

Quick Recipe: Kale Chips

Ingredients: Kale, olive oil, salt
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toss kale in olive oil and salt.
3. Bake for 15 minutes or until crispy.

Baked Parsnip Fries

Parsnips are a root vegetable that is often overlooked. But, they’re actually really delicious. When roasted, they take on a slightly sweet and nutty flavor that is absolutely amazing. And, when paired with ribs, they make the perfect side dish.

Let me tell you something I haven’t told anyone. This dish is how I cheat on my ribs. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. These parsnip fries are just too good.

Quick Recipe: Baked Parsnip Fries

Ingredients: Parsnips, olive oil, salt, pepper
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Slice parsnips into fries.
3. Toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until crispy

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

This dish is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The Brussels sprouts are roasted to perfection and then topped with crispy bacon. It’s an irresistible side dish that goes great with ribs.

The key to this dish is to make sure the bacon is nice and crispy. Otherwise, it will just be a mushy mess. No one wants that.

Quick Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, bacon, olive oil
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss Brussels sprouts in olive oil.
3. Roast for 20 minutes.
4. Add bacon and roast for an additional 15 minutes.

Cabbage Salad

I love cabbage salad because it’s so simple and flavorful. The secret to this meal is fresh, crisp cabbage. And, of course, don’t skimp on the dressing. A good quality vinegar and oil dressing will really make this dish shine.

This is the perfect side dish for ribs because it’s light and refreshing.

Quick Recipe: Cabbage Salad

Ingredients: Cabbage, carrot, vinegar, oil, salt, sugar, pepper
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Instructions:
1. Shred cabbage and carrot finely.
2. Mix vinegar, oil, salt, sugar and pepper for the dressing.
3. Toss cabbage in the dressing.

Spicy Slaw

This is how to bring on the HEAT. This slaw is packed with jalapenos, habaneros, and serranos. It’s spicy, crunchy, and absolutely delicious.

And, it pairs perfectly with ribs. The spice level will really help to cut through the fat of the meat.

If you can’t handle the heat, feel free to tone down the peppers. But, I would suggest starting with just one or two and then working your way up.

Quick Recipe: Spicy Slaw

Ingredients: Cabbage, jalapenos, habaneros, serranos, mayonnaise, vinegar
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Instructions:
1. Shred cabbage and finely chop peppers.
2. Mix mayonnaise and vinegar for the dressing.
3. Combine all ingredients and chill.

Beet Salad

Last but not least, we have beet salad. This is a hearty and earthy salad that is perfect for wintertime cookouts. The beets are roasted and then tossed with a simple vinaigrette.

The result is a salad that is both sweet and savory. And, it pairs perfectly with ribs. The sweetness of the beets helps to balance out the smokiness of the meat.

Quick Recipe: Beet Salad

Ingredients: Beets, vinaigrette, salt, pepper
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Instructions:
1. Roast beets until tender.
2. Peel and slice.
3. Toss in vinaigrette, salt, and pepper.

A List of Other Options

Corn with basil butter and flaky salt
Stuffed Peppers
Tomato and Mozzarella Salad
Balsamic Grilled Vegetables
Broccoli Salad
Green Beans with Garlic
Creamed Spinach
Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted Zucchini
Baked Parmesan Tomatoes
Summer Squash Gratin
Spinach Salad
Sauteed Spinach
Tomato Salad
Fried Green Tomatoes

Frequently Asked Questions

What goes with ribs for dinner?

There are many different side dishes that go well with ribs. Some of my favorites include Mexican street corn (Elote), Italian pasta salad, crockpot baked beans, macaroni and cheese casserole and a classic wedge salad.

What are some good summertime side dishes?

Some great summertime side dishes include corn with basil butter and flaky salt, tomato and mozzarella salad, balsamic grilled vegetables, broccoli salad, and green beans with garlic.

What are some side dishes to serve with ribs in winter?

Some great wintertime side dishes include roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, cabbage salad, beet salad, and roasted cauliflower.

What to serve with baby back ribs?

If you’re looking for a side dish to serve with baby back ribs, I would recommend roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon. It’s a simple and delicious dish that goes great with ribs.

Conclusion

There’s nothing like a good rack of ribs. Smoking them low and slow gives the meat a succulent, fall-off-the-bone texture that is hard to beat. Ribs are perfect, but they can be difficult to pair with a side dish.

The good news is that there are plenty of vegetables that go great with ribs. So, whether you’re looking for a summertime side or a wintertime dish, you’ll be sure to find something on this list that pairs perfectly with your next rib dinner.