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What to Serve with Short Ribs

Published: · Modified: by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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.

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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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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. 
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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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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.
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The Best Broccoli Salad
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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!
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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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