Wondering What to Serve with Ribs? Here are 27 Quick and Easy Side Dishes for Your Barbecue

The vinegar base pairs beautifully with rich and juicy meat.

This is what happens when the summertime hits all get wrapped up into one side dish.

If the ribs aren’t already spicy enough, wait until you try this crispy-fluffy cornbread.

There’s creamy and crunchy in every bite, plus you can help yourself to a few (they’re small).

Barbecue ribs and shrimp, aka how we do surf ’n’ turf. (The collards are a given.)

The acidic bite of these 30-minute pickled onions is just what you’ll want to cut through the richness of those smoky ribs.

Cornbread, but make it fancy.

Don’t mess with the classics. (You know, unless you’re adding brown butter.)

This mac is as easy as can be, but it might just steal the show.

Go ahead, indulge. But whatever you do, don’t turn on the stove.

It’s important to eat your veggies—especially when they’re topped with Parmesan curls.

This side dish is light and zippy and won’t weigh you down. The rice vinegar dressing is key.

We love how crispy these guys get. No one will suspect they aren’t deep-fried.

Nothing beats this salad’s fresh crunch (or Ranch-inspired dressing, TBH).

Cornbread and cheese, a match made in heaven.

Is it really rib night if you don’t serve them with pickles?

Once you try grilled corn on the cob, you’ll never go back to boiling it.

If you’re hoping to class up your barbecue menu, look no further.

Say hello to Scandinavia’s elegant, vinegar-based take on coleslaw.

This one’s a classic.

You might shake your head at Brussels sprouts, but mark our words: This dish will be devoured before you can blink.

Consider them “bar snacks” before the main course.

The bitterness of the radicchio balances out the sweet rib sauce.

This chowder is irresistibly creamy without a ton of effort, thanks to your slow cooker.

Behold: mac and cheese, all grown up. But if you don’t tell the kids it’s cauliflower, they’ll probably love it too.

They’re a lot like steak fries, but a little bit healthier. (It’s all about balance, right?)

It’s light on the mayo and starch, but still heavy on flavor.