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What to Serve with Short Ribs

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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.
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Crispy Fried Tomatoes
These Fried Tomatoes are so delicious yet simple to prepare. If you want an easy, showstopping recipe, I highly suggest that you fry these up for dinner.
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Sweet Balsamic Roasted Carrots and Onions
This recipe for Roasted Carrots and Onions is so easy and super delicious! Fresh carrots are cooked with onions in a balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and garlic sauce. We make this easy side dish all of the time! This is one of my carrot recipes that I love the most!  
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Oval white serving dish full of 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!
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Crispy Fried Parmesan 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!
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Plate of sauteed spinach and carrots on the table.
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!
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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. 
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.
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Broccoli cornbread with cheese in pan being lifted out.
Easy Cold Asparagus Salad
This Cold Asparagus Salad is a fresh, flavorful way to celebrate asparagus season! Tossed in a sweet mustard vinaigrette, it's light, zesty, and perfect for warm weather. Serve it as a side, appetizer, or light lunch—this one's a crowd-pleaser every time.
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Cold asparagus salad on a plate with spoonful held above it.
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!
Smoked potato salad on a plate.
Asian Mushroom Recipe
Asian Mushrooms make the perfect addition to so many dishes. With their bold, slightly sweet taste, they add balanced flavors to any meal as a side or topping.
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Asian mushrooms on a round serving plate topped with chopped parsley.
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!
Broccoli Crunch Salad
This Broccoli Crunch Salad is full of crispy broccoli florets, sweet pears, raisins, onion, crunchy nuts, cheese, and bacon! It's an explosion of flavors and texture. It requires no cooking and goes together in just a few minutes and makes a tasty side for all your picnic, cookout, and potluck needs.
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A white bowl filled with Amish broccoli salad with a serving spoon.
Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole
This is by far the BEST Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole! Creamy mashed potatoes combine with sour cream, butter and cheese to make the base of the dish and then add on plenty of toppings. It's the perfect potato casserole for holidays, lazy weekends, or any time you need an easy, yet delicious potato side dish.
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A spoonful of loaded mashed potato casserole up over a plate with more.
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!
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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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Roasted Carrots and Broccoli
Learn how to roast carrots and broccoli in the oven with this simple recipe! Master this combo and have a delicious side that you can make again and again.
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A bowl of roasted broccoli and carrots with a spoon lifting up a serving.
Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
These Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are a simple dish with sliced potatoes, onions and cheese baked in the most flavorful, creamy cheese sauce ever! It's perfect for family dinners but also a holiday favorite.
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A bowl of easy cheesy scalloped potatoes stacked in another bowl with a fork lifting up a potato slice.
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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Baby bella mushrooms served up in a wooden bowl with green onions on the top.
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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