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    Home » Blog » Main Courses

    What to Serve with Short Ribs

    Published: May 27, 2023 · Modified: Jul 5, 2023 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    Are you unsure of what to serve with short ribs? Short ribs are a hearty and flavorful cut of beef that deserves a side dish that can hold its own.

    From roasted vegetables to cornbread, endless options exist for pairing with short ribs. Don't settle for boring sides at your next dinner party when you could have a meal that will leave everyone returning for seconds (and maybe even thirds).

    Collage of four delicious recipes for What to Serve with Short Ribs.

    Now, let's dive into some mouth-watering options for preparing and cooking the beef ribs and what sides to serve with short ribs.

    How to Prepare and Cook Short Ribs

    Short ribs are a true crowd-pleaser for special occasions and a staple in any meat lover's recipe arsenal. However, there is more to flavors of the short ribs in this dish than just throwing it in the oven and hoping for the best. To impress your guests with perfectly cooked short ribs, you must know how to prepare them properly.

    First things first: seasoning is key! You can either cover the with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and other herbs or spices you and your guests enjoy. Or, you can use this short rib rub recipe and it will show you how to make your ribs flavorful and taste absolutely delicious!

    Next, sear the short ribs to lock in moisture and add a mouth-watering crust outside each rib.

    Finally, you must cook the meat slowly over a lengthy period to tenderize them. This cooking method will give you a tasty result with fork-tender short ribs. 

    Cooking Techniques and Pairings

    When it comes to short ribs, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. Two popular choices are grilling and braising.

    Grilled Short Ribs

    Grilling adds a smoky flavor and lovely char to your short ribs, making them taste incredible. To grill short ribs, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Before grilling, consider marinating your ribs. Keep in mind that marinades with high sugar content might cause the ribs to burn easily, so watch them closely during grilling.

    As for side dishes, grilled short ribs can be paired with barbecue options, such as cornbread or coleslaw.

    Braised Short Ribs

    Braising short ribs involves slow-cooking them in liquid, allowing the meat to become tender and full of, rich flavors. You can braise the ribs in the oven, or when pressed for time, an Instant Pot is an excellent way to get the same outcome.

    From grilling to braising, these techniques will elevate your short ribs to new heights, creating mouthwatering meals sure to impress family and friends.

    Pick a Sauce

    Short ribs are a staple in many homes, but once in while they need that extra kick. Whether you're grilling, braising, or roasting your short ribs, there's always a sauce out there that can add flavor to the tender meat from your short ribs. 

    The most common is the sweet flavor of barbecue sauce but there are so many others. Try it with different flavors and find your favorite, if desired. My husband prefers short ribs without a sauce.

    Recipes For Short Ribs

    A few of our favorite short rib recipes are our instant pot beef short ribs. Full of flavor and so tender. These lentil short rib stuffed peppers are amazing if you enjoy lentils as much as we do. So tasty I hope you give them a try.

    Take your pick and let me know how it goes!

    What to Serve With Short Ribs

    What you serve with short ribs is often just as important as how you cook them. The tender and intense flavor of the ribs, cooked with fresh herbs, paired with the sauce of your choice, requires the perfect side to complete the meal.

    My friend Chris wants me to tell you that red wine goes well too and it's really not a side dish!

    • Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing with short ribs. They're perfect for soaking up the rich sauce and bring out the meaty flavor of the beef.
    • Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like carrots, brussels sprouts, parsnips, green beans and sweet potatoes are a great side dish for short ribs. They add a touch of natural sweetness and texture to the meal.
    • Mac and Cheese: A comforting and tasty side dish that pairs well with short ribs. The creamy, cheesy pasta is a perfect match for the hearty beef.

    There are many more recipe ideas below on what side dishes to serve with short ribs. No matter what you decide to serve with short ribs, we guarantee it will be a popular meal among your family and friends.

    Savory Corn Muffins with Bacon, Cheese and Onion
    This is it if you're looking for the best corn muffin recipe. Savory corn muffins with bacon, cheese, and onion are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
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    Sweet Potato Sheet Pan
    Sweet Potato Sheet Pan dinners are flavorful, healthy and easy to prepare with minimal cleanup. This versatile, vibrant dish is a wonderful blend of sweet and savory flavors. Add sausage or chicken and you have an awesome well-rounded dinner!
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    Easy Sweet Green Beans
    This easy sweet green beans recipe is quick, simple, and delicious making it perfect for busy weeknights. Brown sugar and soy sauce give green beans a sweet and tangy combo everyone will love.
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    Grandma’s Honey Glazed Onions
    Grandma's Honey Glazed Pearl Onions is a yummy side dish that's so easy to prepare. The honey glaze adds such nice balance to the pearl onions. It only takes a few ingredients to make this delicious glazed onion side dish recipe.
    Get the Recipe
    Crispy Fried Tomatoes
    This fried tomatoes recipe cooks up juicy red tomatoes with cornmeal and cheese for a crunchy, golden brown snack or side dish everyone will love! Fried red tomatoes are easy to make and I am sharing my signature trick so they come out perfectly crispy and delicious!
    Get the Recipe
    Closeup photo of a fried tomato sliced in half. The inside of the fried tomato is visible.
    Sweet Balsamic Roasted Carrots and Onions
    This recipe for Sweet Balsamic Roasted Carrots and Onions is so easy and super delicious!  We make this dish all of the time! This is one of my carrot recipes that I love the most!  
    Get the Recipe
    Sweet Balsamic Roasted Carrots and Onions
    Crispy Fried Parmesan Asparagus
    Crispy Fried Parmesan Asparagus or Italian Asparagus is a great vegetable side or appetizer with a crispy, crunchy, golden brown parmesan crusted coating!
    Get the Recipe
    Italian Asparagus
    Easy Sauteed Spinach and Carrots
    Healthy Sauteed Spinach and Carrots is full of flavor. This sauteed or fried spinach and mushroom recipe can also include onions, garlic, tomatoes and more!
    Get the Recipe
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    Mediterranean Tortellini Caprese Salad (Costco Copycat)
    This colorful, crunchy, Costco copycat recipe for Mediterranean Tortellini Caprese Salad is about to become your favorite new summer side. Made with just 10 ingredients and only 10 minutes of active prep time, this tortellini pasta salad is as easy to make as it is to eat!
    Get the Recipe
    Glazed Green Beans and Carrots
    This is a super easy and delicious way to eat green beans and carrots together. The flavors blend perfectly together. This is a recipe you have to try. 
    Get the Recipe
    Glazed Green Beans and Carrots
    Broccoli Cornbread with Cheese
    This Broccoli Cornbread recipe takes classic cornbread up a notch. Broccoli cornbread with cheese is a favorite Southern side that goes with practically anything. The addition of broccoli and Cheddar helps make this cornbread incredibly savory, moist, and oh-so-delicious.
    Get the Recipe
    Easy Cold Asparagus Salad
    This asparagus cold salad with mustard vinaigrette is a must for asparagus lovers. It's an easy way to transform asparagus into a dish everyone will love.
    Get the Recipe
    A plate of cold asparagus salad with lemon wedges on the side.
    Creole Smoked Potato Salad
    This creole smoked potato salad may look like the classic, but don't let it fool you. Loaded with delicious creole flavors and a healthy dose of smoke, this is one potato salad recipe you'll want to make again and again!
    Get the Recipe
    Sweet Soy Glazed Mushrooms and Onions
    This Sweet Soy Glazed Mushrooms and Onions dish is a wonderful change from traditional mushrooms and onions! A taste of Asia, the taste is truly divine!
    Get the Recipe
    Sweet Soy Glazed Mushrooms and Onions
    Slow Cooker Scalloped Alfredo Potatoes and Cauliflower
    Slow Cooker Scalloped Alfredo Potatoes and Cauliflower is hearty and delicious. A great way to hide cauliflower and kale or spinach, it's the perfect potato side dish!
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    The Best Broccoli Salad
    The Best Broccoli Salad is exceptional! The perfect dressing, coating fresh broccoli, raisins, sweet onion, apple or pears and almonds or pine nuts! Costco uses bacon and we do sometimes too!
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    Supreme Mashed Potato Casserole
    Our Supreme Mashed Potato Casserole is truly amazing! It starts with sour cream, butter and cheese. Add fantastic ingredients like, bacon, crispy fried onions, Ranch dressing and more and you end up with a truly magnificent potato casserole!
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    Easy Roasted Carrots, Potatoes, and Onions
    Roasted Carrots, Potatoes, and Onions is a time-saving, weeknight meal option that's absolutely delicious! This simple side dish goes well with a variety of proteins including chicken, beef, or fish, giving you so much flexibility. Toss in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and herbs, and you've got a side dish that's a cut above the rest!
    Get the Recipe
    Roasted carrots and potatoes in a bowl with green herbs on top.
    Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower
    Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower is the perfect spicy and fresh side dish. This recipe cooks up quickly in your air fryer.
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    Easy Stuffed Portobella Mushrooms Recipe
    Easy Stuffed Portobella Mushrooms Recipe shows how to make stuffed baby bella or white mushrooms packed full of cheese and so much more!
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    Scalloped Corn Casserole
    This creamy scalloped corn casserole with a buttery Ritz cracker topping requires just a few ingredients and comes together quickly. The savory, versatile corn side dish goes well with holiday dinners, and alongside practically any meal. It's a homey casserole that everyone will love.
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    Skillet Roasted Broccoli
    This Skillet Roasted Broccoli recipe is so easy to prepare, totally delicious and is a definite keeper! The technique is absolutely brilliant!
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    Baked Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
    Baked Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes is a simple dish with sliced potatoes, onions and cheese baked in the most flavorful, creamy cheese sauce ever!
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    Baby Bella Mushrooms with Teriyaki
    Teriyaki Baby Bella Mushrooms is a wonderful and delicious way to serve mushrooms. Whether you use this recipe to make an appetizer, side or main dish, the results will always turn out the same - fantastique!
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    Sautéed Cauliflower
    Sautéed cauliflower is easy and full of flavor. This cauliflower saute recipe uses truffle oil and truffle salt to create the best sauteed cauliflower recipe.
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    Short ribs are a versatile and delicious protein that can be paired with various side dishes. From fried or roasted vegetables to side salads, there's no shortage of options when deciding what to serve with short ribs. 

    Consider the flavors and textures you want to incorporate into your meal, and let your creativity shine. Be sure to choose sauces and sides that complement each other and add to the richness of the short ribs. Enjoy!

    Collage of four delicious recipes that are sides for What to Serve with Short Ribs.
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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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