27 Best Side Dishes for Your Southern-Style Ribs
They're perfect for your next potluck.
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Despite being a bit messy, there's something so appealing about fall-of-the-bone ribs. In fact, that's what Ree Drummond loves the most about them! "Sometimes it's just fun to cut loose, lean over your plate, and dive in with both hands," she says. While you're at it, go all in on classic side dishes for ribs to make your family meal complete. We're talking Southern comfort food favorites, like mac and cheese, along with potluck dishes, like deviled eggs and potato salad. So whether you're making Ree's sweet and smoky ribs, country-style ribs, grilled ribs, or spicy Dr Pepper ribs, these easy sides will turn any recipe into a darn good barbecue.
Saucy, spicy, finger-licking ribs might be the star of your cookout, but these delicious BBQ sides are sure to give them a run for their money. Here, you'll find classic crowd-pleasers like pasta salad recipes, coleslaw, biscuits, and collard greens, plus some creative new dishes like grilled watermelon and ranch potatoes. Looking to give your cookout a Southern spin? Try crispy fried okra, baked beans, and a colorful succotash to serve alongside your favorite ribs. There are so many great options—you might just have to choose more than one.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This creamy pasta salad gets its flavor from homemade ranch dressing. But if that weren't enough, it also has loads of mix-ins, like crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, veggies, and herbs. Talk about a flavor-packed dish!
Get the Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe.
Pan de Elote
Pan de elote translates to "bread" and "corn." But it's so much more than just your average cornbread. It has whole corn kernels and sweetened condensed milk to make it extra moist and flavorful.
Get the Pan de Elote recipe.
Deviled Eggs
No picnic or potluck would be complete without deviled eggs. They're just as essential to a Southern comfort meal as the ribs themselves.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Pickled Okra
If you're looking for something acidic to round out all that sweet and spicy flavor from the ribs, just grab a jar of homemade pickles. Or, in this case, a jar of crisp, tangy pickled okra.
Get the Pickled Okra recipe.
Olive Cheese Bread
According to Ree Drummond, a big slice of bread is all you need as a side dish for ribs. To make it even better, top that bread with melty cheese, butter, and three types of olives.
Get Ree's Olive Cheese Bread recipe.
Collard Greens
These smoky greens get nice and tender thanks to a slow-cooked braise in a mixture of homemade turkey stock, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and water. Add a splash of hot pepper sauce before serving if you like a kick.
Get the Collard Greens recipe.
Butter Beans
Whether you use fresh or frozen butter beans, this side dish is always a hit! They have a bit of sugar for sweetness and thick-cut bacon for that smoky flavor.
Get the Butter Beans recipe.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
This is a classic cookout dish for a reason! In the Aloha State, Hawaiian macaroni salad is served alongside ribs and grilled meats because it's got the perfect tangy and creamy dressing!
Get the Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe.
Grilled Watermelon
Here's one way to take your watermelon to the next level: Grill it! The simple trick adds smoky flavor that's so unique.
Get the Grilled Watermelon recipe.
Buttermilk Biscuits
What's the quickest way to impress your guests? Make homemade buttermilk biscuits, of course! These are flaky, golden, and so tender.
Get the Buttermilk Biscuits recipe.
Southern Potato Salad
It wouldn't be a barbecue without potato salad. This classic potluck staple is the perfect creamy accompaniment to your saucy ribs.
Get the Southern Potato Salad recipe.
Succotash
This classic Southern dish features bright colorful summer veggies, like corn, lima beans, bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes. It'll add a pop of color to your BBQ plate.
Get the Succotash recipe.
Ranch Potatoes
These extra-crispy roasted potatoes are seasoned with everyone's favorite kitchen hack: Ranch seasoning mix! They're herby and delicious.
Get the Ranch Potatoes recipe.
Coleslaw
Making your own homemade coleslaw is totally worth it! It only takes 10 minutes to make and you can customize it with different herbs from your garden.
Get the Coleslaw recipe.
Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese
If you're cooking ribs outdoors, the last thing you want to worry about is standing over the stovetop to make mac and cheese. Luckily, this one cooks up right in your Crock-Pot so it's completely hands-free.
Get the Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.
Southern Fried Okra
If you're skeptical about okra, then you've never tried it fried! This crispy, crunchy veggie is a real treat.
Get the Southern Fried Okra recipe.
Jalapeño Cornbread
This Southern-style cornbread has slices of jalapeño and just a tablespoon of sugar, so it's the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
Get Ree's Jalapeño Cornbread recipe.
Cucumber Salad
Lighten up your BBQ dinner by adding this refreshing cucumber salad to the spread. It'll help cut through all the other healthy dishes on your plate.
Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.
Creamed Corn
Sweet summer corn is the star of this comforting side dish. It's best to make when fresh corn is in season.
Get the Creamed Corn recipe.
Baked Beans
Just like your ribs, these beans will cook low and slow for the best possible flavor. A layer of bacon on top doesn't hurt either!
Get Ree's Baked Beans recipe.
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