Ribs are a BBQ staple, but you need some sides! Juicy ribs smothered in delicious BBQ sauce can get a little heavy, so it’s good to have some healthy, light, fresh sides to help cut through it all.
Below are 55 side dishes for BBQ ribs that are healthy, fresh, and light! Enjoy.
Table of contents
Smoked Macaroni and Cheese With a Crispy Panko Top
Ribs and mac and cheese are a match made in heaven! It’s a blowout meal, but it’s 100% worth it!
Smoked Shotgun Shells
What could be better than cheesy ground beef stuffed into pasta tubes, then wrapped in bacon and smoked? Nothing I say!
These shotgun shells are 100% worth the hype! You have to try them! Plus, they are easy finger food to serve during the game and simple to prepare ahead of time.
Recipe: Smoked shotgun shells recipe
Hot Smoking Tip
If you want the juiciest ribs you need one of the best spritz for ribs. Pick one of the following and mix it 1:1 with water in a spray bottle, beer, apple juice, apple cider vinegar or broth. It is worth experimenting with different flavors.
Crispy Smashed Potatoes (oven or air fryer)
Make these crispy smashed potatoes in the oven or the air fryer. They are crispy outside and soft inside, making a flavorful side dish for BBQ ribs and grilled meats.
Smoked Garlic Bread
Everyone loves garlic bread, and it’s even better when it’s smoked! We recommend topping it with cheese, too!
Recipe: Smoked garlic bread recipe.
Smoked Sweet Potatoes
Recipe: Smoked Sweet Potatoes
Smoked Carrots in Brown Butter
Recipe: Smoked Carrots
Air Fryer Steak Fries
Steak fries are easy to make in the air fryer. Serve them with ribs, and everyone will love this ultimate comfort food.
Smoked Cornbread
What could be better than a classic side like cornbread?
Recipe: Smoked Cornbread
Tomato Cucumber Salad
This tomato-cucumber salad is easy to make—it requires only 7 ingredients and 15 minutes! The creamy dressing, made with mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, gives it a nice tangy flavor.
Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Apple & Parmesan
This red cabbage coleslaw recipe features a delicious twist of sweet apple and umami-rich Parmesan cheese. It makes every meal tastier and is perfect for complementing your BBQ spread.
Corn Quinoa Salad With Tomatoes & Feta
If you already have a coleslaw recipe, try this one instead. It is simple but packs a lot of flavor with the tomatoes and feta.
Smoked Broccoli
Recipe: Smoked Broccoli
Smoked Zucchini With Feta and Olives
Recipe: Smoked Zucchini
Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon
Recipe: Smoked Baked Beans
Grilled Brussel Sprouts
Recipe: Traeger Brussel Sprouts
Smoked Pickles
When having a rich and heavy dish like ribs, it is good to have acidity that can cut through.
That is why I love serving pickles with my ribs! But what is even better than your traditional pickles? Once you smoke yourself at home.
Recipe: Smoked pickles recipe.
Smoked Rotal Dip
This smoky cheese dip pairs perfectly with saucy ribs.
Smoked Cheesy Potatoes
What is easier than wrapping a potato in foil and placing it on the grill? It makes for a simple and tasty side dish!
We take it to the next level by adding two types of cheese! The kids will love these!
SPAM Burnt Ends
Burnt ends are perfect with ribs. These are a bit different, though! These are spam burnt ends—you have to try em!
Smoked Duck Jalapeno Poppers
Everything is better wrapped in bacon! If you have tried the regular jalapeno poppers, you are in for a surprise! Stuffed with duck and cheese, these delicious morsels will be gone in (60) seconds.
See the duck jalapeno poppers recipe here.
Smoked Cream Cheese (Super Creamy and Smoky Cheese)
Cheese is a perfect contrast to saucy, vinegar ribs. Just make sure you have some napkins on hand
Smoked Mash Potatoes With Bacon and Cheese
What could be better than smoked mashed potatoes? Only one thing! Topping them with cheese and bacon! Your guests will be drooling over this side!
See the smoked mashed potatoes recipe here.
Smoked Pig Shots
These declious bacon cups filled with cheese are the perfect app. Double your batch; they will be gone before you know it.
Broccoli Salad with Bacon & Dried Cherries
The classic broccoli salad is the ideal side for summer grilling recipes! This recipe’s twist is using dried cherries instead of raisins!
Recipe
Grilled Corn On The Cob
This grilled corn on the cob is incredibly easy to make. It uses a handful of ingredients, simple flavors, and 5 minutes of prep. It goes perfectly with your BBQ ribs.
Easy Potato Salad Recipe with a Southern Style Twist
This easy potato salad recipe is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a delicious side dish. Simple ingredients, big flavor – try it tonight!
Spicy Coleslaw
This spicy cole slaw will kick up your barbecue meal like never before! It’s addictively delicious and can be made as mild or spicy as you like!
Smoked Corn with EXTRA Butter and Gin Salt
What’s better than grilled corn? Smoked corn! When I make this, it is dripping in butter and super-duper smoky!
Corn is a perfect side for ribs. Your hands are already covered in BBQ sauce, so you can just pick up the corn and munch on it!
Grilled Brie with Gin Infused Caramelized Onions
Do you know what is decadent? Dipping your ribs into gooey, oozy grilled brie! This will blow your taste buds and pants button away!
Recipe: Grilled Brie
Green Bean Salad (Easy Italian Recipe – Served Cold or Hot)
Green bean salad can be served hot, warm, or cold for a perfect side dish for any barbecue meal.
Spicy Asian Slaw
Bright and fresh, beautiful and delicious! Perfect alongside meat off the grill.
Tomato And Onion Salad
Easy, delicious tomato and onion salad is the perfect side dish for your BBQ. It’s just bursting with flavor!
Mango Cucumber Salad (Asian)
This Mango Cucumber Salad (Asian recipe) is a light, refreshing side dish full of tropical flavor. Quick and easy, it’s a sweet, savory and crunchy recipe perfect for camping or a summer barbecue.
Asian Quick Pickled Cucumbers
These easy and delicious Asian Quick-Pickled Cucumbers are ready in 5 minutes and make a great cooling side dish in summer!
Crispy Carrot Fries
These Crispy Baked Carrot Fries make a healthy snack or side dish for grilled dishes.
Spicy Mango Coleslaw
This Spicy Mango Coleslaw is not your average coleslaw. It’s a little sweet, spicy, and the perfect summer side dish!
Molasses Baked Beans
This molasses baked beans recipe is a year-round favorite! Dried beans are soaked in the morning, boiled in the evening, and slow-baked overnight.
Rancharoni Macaroni Salad
This Rancharoni Macaroni is such a zesty and flavorful dish that is a perfect side for your next cookout or BBQ.
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
This southern baked mac and cheese is always a hit side dish! It’s creamy, cheesy, and irresistible!
Avocado Corn Salad
This easy salad features creamy avocado with sweet corn, fresh, crisp red pepper.
Blue Cheese Potato Salad Recipe
Upgrade your potato salad with bacon and blue cheese.
Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad with Zucchini
This corn and black bean salad is ideal for any summer vegetarian barbecue. The smoky, grilled flavor of corn and zucchini combined with the hearty black beans and topped with rich feta is unbeatable.
Old-Fashioned Hot German Potato Salad
This famous German potato salad is made with a light dressing and is delicious with all your grilled meats:
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Creamy Avocado Dill Dressing
Perfectly grilled corn on the cob is incredibly juicy and pairs wonderfully with creamy vegan avocado dill dressing. This easy and impressive recipe is perfect for your summer barbecue!
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro lime rice is so easy to make, and it’s the perfect side dish for BBQ Ribs. There are just five ingredients needed to make this rice.
Stuffed Mexican Peppers with Cheese and Corn
Stuffed poblano peppers are perfect as a side dish with ribs. Made with fresh corn and lots of cheese, this recipe is always a winner!
The Loaded Potato Salad
This loaded potato salad is the perfect side dish to BBQ ribs! It’s cool, loaded with flavor, and simple to make!
Stove Top Bacon BBQ Baked Beans
These easy stove-top BBQ Baked beans are simple to make but loaded with bacon, onion, and flavor… They’re everyone’s favorite summer BBQ side!
Salad Supreme Pasta Salad Recipe
The best summer pasta salad recipe that pairs perfectly with BBQ ribs. Made with Italian dressing, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell pepper, and homemade Salad Supreme seasoning.
Do You Need Some Dessert Recipes?
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
Hungry For More?
Great collection of recipes, so many ideas to try this summer 🙂
thanks Irena, I am looking forward to cooking some some of these sides too!!
My gosh. I look forward to working my way through your list for our next BBQ
Thank you Bintu! I am looking forward to summer and cooking up some ribs and working my way though this list of yummy sides too!!
So many great sides! Pinned for regular reviewing of it!