45 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Baby Back Ribs

Wondering what to serve with your baby back ribs? This post will help you decide 45 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Baby Back Ribs from salads and soups, to potatoes and bread. Perfect for a family dinner with kids, large crowd gatherings, or a small dinner for two! Instant Pot, Air Fryer, and Slow Cooker options included for ease, find all your favorite sides here!

BBQ ribs make a great meal for any crowd, serve alongside bowls of barbecue sauce, hot sauce, and other simple sides for a fun table scape. Corn fritters, hush puppies, crispy sweet potato fries, and Hawaiian macaroni salad are all favorites of mine and can be the perfect accompaniment. Below are 45 best sides to along with your homemade smoky ribs.

Table of contents for the 45 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Baby Back Ribs:

Salads
Vegetables
Starches
Other

Salads:

1. Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad

This easy strawberry and spinach salad is perfect for summer! Tender spinach, fresh strawberries, feta, candied almonds, and an easy citrus poppy seed dressing. Making your own candied almonds is super easy, and they are so much better than store bought. Serve this salad as a side or add grilled chicken or salmon for an easy meal! Such a refreshing side dish!

45 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Baby Back Ribs

2. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill BLT Salad Recipe

This Firebirds wood fired grill BLT salad recipe is too easy not to make at home! Mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, chopped bacon, herbs, and avocado tossed in a homemade roasted garlic ranch. Perfect for ripe summer produce, this salad makes a great side or main dish. For a heartier salad, add grilled chicken or steak, hard boiled eggs, chopped nuts, or croutons.

3. Crispy Halloumi Salad

An easy summer salad with crunchy halloumi and a tangy shallot vinaigrette.

4. Grape and Feta Arugula Salad

This Simple Grape and Feta Arugula Salad with Candied Pecans is absolutely delicious! One of my favorite ways to add some WOW to a salad is by mixing sweet and salt and adding some crunch. This tasty salad recipe has it all.

5. Lemon Parmesan Sesame Salad

This every day Lemon Parmesan Sesame Salad combines fresh, simple ingredients for the yummiest salad to serve with any meal. Mixed greens, red leaf romaine, baby greens, and arugula with homemade ciabatta croutons, toasted sesame seeds, and avocado. All tossed with my lemon sesame vinaigrette. It’s a staple at so many of our dinners!

6. Roasted Garlic & Kale Caesar Salad

Sharing this simple kale caesar salad today that will be the perfect addition to your Christmas menus! Thinly sliced romaine & kale, crispy bacon, torn croutons, and lots of parmesan cheese…all tossed in a flavorful roasted garlic caesar dressing. It’s a spin on the traditional caesar salad that’s really beautiful and bursting with caramelized garlic flavor. There’s lots of crunch and texture, and just the right amount of nutty parmesan. Perfect salad for any December meal.

7. Roasted Cauliflower Green Goddess Salad

There’s nothing like this Roasted Cauliflower Green Goddess Salad which comes loaded with so much bold flavor and healthy ingredients that are perfect for any season!

8. Broccoli Salad

A simple, classic Broccoli Salad recipe that serves as a great fast side dish for any party or potluck. Made with bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese and a homemade creamy sauce, this is one of my favorite side dishes and it can be prepped in under fifteen minutes!

9. Crunchy Parmesan Kale Salad

This crunchy parmesan kale salad is an easy salad recipe filled with fiber & fats. Top it with your favorite protein for a simple and delicious meal.

10. Summer Chopped Tomato Peach Salad

This colorful Summer Chopped Tomato Peach Salad is like summer on a plate. It has the most delicious basil vinaigrette and plenty of summer produce, meats, and feta cheese. Juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet peaches, zucchini, greens, and deli-cut meats are all tossed together with a tangy sweet basil fig vinaigrette. Serve this fresh summer chopped salad with a mix of feta and mozzarella cheese, then finish with prosciutto breadcrumbs for some crunch. It’s simple to throw together, yet so fresh and flavorful!

Vegetables:

11. Simple Green Bean Almondine with Bacon

This simple green bean almondine with bacon is the perfect quick and easy side dish. Crisp green beans tossed with sautéed onion, garlic, bacon, and almonds. Simple ingredients make a fresh vegetable side. This is perfect for holiday dinners, quick weeknight meals, or for in-season produce.

12. Our Favorite Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

The very best Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower recipe that pairs well with ANY entree or protein. Minimal ingredients yet with big flavor, this roasted cauliflower will impress even the biggest veggie skeptics.

13. Easy Oven Roasted Vegetables

These easy Oven Roasted Vegetables are perfectly tender and packed with flavor! This healthy method for roasting vegetables can be adapted to fit any veggies you’ve got on hand!

14. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe – Brussels sprouts are halved and tossed with a savory mix of parmesan, herbs, salt, and pepper, then roasted on a single sheet pan. This Brussels sprouts recipe is perfect for your holiday dinners and super healthy for your everyday meals. You can even make an extra batch because these roasted Brussels sprouts are simply addictive. Enjoy!

15. Parmesan Roasted Asparagus with Tomatoes & Balsamic

Asparagus topped with shaved parmesan cheese, tomatoes & garlic is roasted until tender & drizzled with sweet balsamic glaze! This parmesan roasted asparagus recipe is an easy side dish that’s perfect for any occasion!

16. Tomato-Green Bean Salad With Chickpeas, Feta and Dill

This is a perfect salad for summer, when the market is chockablock with great produce. Use whatever tomatoes are sweetest, and feel free to add yellow wax beans or romano beans in addition to green beans. If your market has fresh shelling beans, use those instead of chickpeas. Plan ahead to soak dried chickpeas overnight. With a soak, they only take an hour to cook, and taste better than canned ones.

17. Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Quinoa & Lentil Salad with Spicy Caesar Dressing

This hearty roasted Brussels sprouts quinoa salad with lentils and spicy vegan caesar dressing does not skimp on flavour! The dressing is tangy, garlicky and spicy. Pickled red onions for brightness and sun dried tomatoes are a bit sweet. Ready in about 40 minutes!

18. Creamy, Crunchy Cilantro-Lime Slaw

A big bowl of creamy coleslaw is basically required at just about every summer event. And this version, spiked with chiles, lime, and cilantro, is lighter and brighter than the standard. Use a head of green cabbage here, not red or purple, which would dye the dressing an unappealing pink. To achieve uniformly thin slices of cabbage, your best bet is to use a Microplane, but a sharp knife will also work. Great coleslaw recipe.

19. Butternut Squash Casserole

My butternut squash casserole is warming and cozy, filled with fall colors and lots of earthy flavors. Prepared with cubed and roasted butternut squash and apples that are layered with sweet sausage, caramelized fennel and onions, plus a sprinkle of melted Gruyere cheese, this festive dish is the epitome of autumn!

20. Liz’s Roasted Broccoli Salad

This Roasted Broccoli Salad is EVERYTHING! Bright lemon, crisped-up bacon, tangy feta, and it’s all built around a big bowl of roasted broccoli. A true hero of a meal!

Starches:

21. Homemade Buffalo Wild Wings Potato Wedges Recipe

This homemade Buffalo Wild Wings potato wedges recipe is so easy and delicious! These are truly irresistible, with a soft fluffy interior and a crispy exterior. These go great with steak, Italian beef sandwiches, cold sandwiches, or a crockpot roast. A quick and budget friendly side dish that looks elegant and will impress even the most picky eaters! Serve over whipped feta or sour cream with fresh herbs and a drizzle of crunchy chili oil for even more flavor! These potatoes are roasted in the oven at a high temperature, there is no deep frying required. This would work with red potatoes as well.

22. How to Make Fluffy Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Ever wondered how to make fluffy baked potatoes in the air fryer? This recipe couldn’t be easier! Russet potatoes rubbed in oil, salt, and pepper and air fryer until tender. These taste just like oven baked, restaurant-style baked potatoes. Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream and some softened butter. These potatoes go great with steak, chicken, or seafood! Serve with herbed butter for more flavor.

23. Easy Potato Au Gratin

This easy potato au gratin is such a quick side dish. Tender sliced potatoes in a creamy parmesan sauce baked until bubbly and golden brown! Simply slice the potatoes thinly, toss in the cream sauce and layer evenly in a baking dish. Top with cheese and broil until golden brown. This one pan side dish would be a great idea for the holiday table or special occasions! A perfect recipe for thanksgiving day, Christmas dinner, or an addition to weeknight family dinner. Not to mention budget friendly and delicious!

24. Easy One-Pan Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

These easy one-pan scalloped sweet potatoes are such a quick and easy side dish. Tender sweet potatoes in a creamy herb sauce topped with parmesan cheese! Simply slice the sweet potatoes thinly, layer in a baking dish, cover with the creamy herb sauce and bake until tender. Top with cheese and broil until golden brown. This one pan side dish would be a great idea for the holiday table or special occasions! A perfect recipe for thanksgiving day, Christmas dinner, or an addition to weeknight family dinner. Not to mention budget friendly and delicious!

25. One-Pan Butternut Squash Risotto

This one-pan butternut squash risotto is the perfect weeknight meal. Arborio rice, tender butternut squash, parmesan and fresh sage. This dish comes together in about an hour and is even better the next day. This risotto is great alone, but it also goes well with chicken or fish. Serve as a main course or as part of a holiday spread. Using white wine in this dish gives nice flavor and the addition of heavy cream creates a creamy risotto.

26. No-Mayo Potato Salad with Herbs

Easy to make and lighter to eat, this healthy no-mayo potato salad with fresh herbs and an easy olive oil dressing is the perfect side dish for a crowd.

27. Steakhouse Potatoes Romanoff

My potatoes Romanoff is an ideal dish for big holiday gatherings since you can make it the day before and bake it when needed. Featuring shredded baked russet potatoes and sweet shallots fluffed up with sour cream and lots of Cheddar cheese, this delicious potato casserole is the perfect side dish for any cut of steak.

28. Fried Potatoes and Onions

This Fried Potatoes and Onions recipe is simple cooking at its finest. With only 6 listed ingredients (most are already in your kitchen!), this side dish has tons of authentic homestyle flavor.

29. Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe – (BEST Copycat!)

Make Panera’s famous Mac & Cheese right at home with this spot-on copycat recipe. Serve it hot off the stove or enjoy it baked with a crunchy Ritz topping. You can’t beat the creamy Vermont White Cheddar sauce!

30. Creamy Mac and Cheese

This Creamy Mac and Cheese takes just minutes to prepare on the stovetop, contains two types of cheese, and is creamy, hearty, and delicious!

31. The BEST Homemade Mashed Potatoes!

How to Make Mashed Potatoes so they come out perfect every time! Creamy, flavorful, easy, and loved by everyone!

32. Crispy Lemon-Feta Roasted Potatoes

Crispy Lemon-Feta Roasted Potatoes are the best side dish with just about anything. Featuring crispy smashed potatoes, roasted lemon dressing, chunks of feta, and fresh dill.

33. Make Ahead Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Make Ahead Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, the best holiday mashed potatoes. Made simply with sweet roasted garlic, fresh herbs, and salted butter. Each bite is perfectly smooth, creamy, and so delicious. The secret? Cooking the potatoes together with the milk and cream, then adding in roasted garlic cloves for a delicious garlic flavor that isn’t overpowering. This method makes for the creamiest and most flavorful mashed potatoes. They’re perfect for making ahead of time for easy entertaining!

Other:

34. Air Fryer New York Frozen Garlic Knots Recipe

This air fryer New York frozen garlic knots recipe is the ultimate last minute side dish for any occasion! Soft, tender, garlicky rolls made in minutes in the air fryer. These are perfect for a holiday side dish or as part of your weeknight meal. They have a homemade flavor and will leave your house smelling amazing!

35. Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup Recipe with Cauliflower

This instant pot beer cheese soup recipe with cauliflower is rich, comforting, and full of flavor. Tender cauliflower, onions, peppers, and seasonings blended into a creamy soup with whole milk, beer, cheddar cheese, and stock. I love the topping options with this cheesy soup – homemade croutons, herbs, and bacon bits add even more flavor to this delicious instant pot soup. This soup can easily be customized based on which type of beer you prefer and what kind of cheese you use. Adding in cauliflower is a great way to add in some extra veggies and richness.

36. Instant Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup Recipe

This instant pot creamy buffalo chicken soup recipe is great for a cozy winter night. Similar to traditional buffalo chicken dip, this soup is loaded with shredded chicken, Franks red hot sauce, and cream cheese. I like to load mine with all my favorite toppings such as cilantro, green onion, and avocado! This soup is freezer friendly and the spice level can be customized making it great for the whole family.

37. Copycat Panera Mexican Style Street Corn Chowder

This copycat Panera Mexican style street corn chowder is a rich and hearty soup. Sweet corn, tender potatoes, bacon, and more in a creamy cheese base. Green chiles and seasoning add in a hint of spice and extra flavor. Serve topped with crispy bacon, chives, and shredded cheese along with some warm crusty bread.

38. Crockpot Potato Soup Recipe

Learn how to make this Crockpot Potato Soup Recipe for the absolute best comfort food. The slow cooker does all the work to make the creamiest potato soup that will impress the entire family.

39. The Best Healthy French Onion Soup

Get ready to warm right up with this super flavorful and cozy Healthy French Onion Soup recipe! Sweet caramelized onions, roasted garlic, rich broth and gooey cheese, it’s the perfect balance of light, but yummy, comfort food! Plus even without any meat this soup packs 12g of protein!

40. Creamy Garlic Bread Soup with Homemade Croutons

Do you love garlic bread? This creamy and delicious garlic bread soup recipe tastes like garlic bread but in a bowl! It’s seasoned with bay leaves, thyme, garlic, and thickened with blended cubes of French bread with cream and Parmesan cheese.

41. Mac And Cheese Soup

This mac and cheese soup recipe is the soup version of the comfort food classic! It’s quick and easy to make with everyday ingredients.

42. Roasted Garlic Cheddar Cauliflower Soup

Creamy roasted cauliflower soup packed with flavor from a whole head of roasted garlic. There’s no cream or flour involved in this easy cauliflower soup recipe, just blended cauliflower and savory melted cheddar cheese! Serve with croutons or toasted sourdough for the most comforting meal.

43. Mango Salad

This mango salad recipe is about to become your favorite summer side dish! It’s bright and refreshing, made with fresh herbs and a zesty lime dressing.

44. Summer Fruit Salad

This easy fruit salad recipe will be the star of your next picnic! Berries, peaches, and a zingy ginger dressing make it refreshing and delicious. Watermelon salad would be great as well!

45. Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Poppy Seed Dressing

Sweet, refreshing & so versatile! This fresh fruit salad with honey lime poppy seed dressing is made with fresh seasonal fruit & so easy! It’s the perfect side dish for Spring & Summer!