What to Serve with Ribs in Winter? 11 Easy Sides

If you’re looking to serve ribs in winter, try pairing them with a rich, creamy, and spicy side dish like macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes. You can also opt for a sweet side like apple pie or caramelized bananas.

Ahhh, Fall. The season of crisp air, changing leaves, and colorful food.

See Also: What Salad Goes with Ribs? 10 Best Salads

Ribs are an absolute delight at any time of the year, but come winter, they really shine.

In fact, a nice rack of ribs will keep you warm all day long!

But just because they’re perfect year-round doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them when it’s cold outside.

You see, when you’re craving a hearty meal to warm up on, ribs are the way to go. And since you can cook them any time of year, you don’t even have to think about it!

But what to serve with ribs in winter months?

Well, today I’ve got some delicious sides to choose from. From salads to sides, these dishes are perfect for your next wintery rib fest.

What to Serve with Ribs in Winter? 11 Easy Sides

There are plenty of delicacies that are perfect for serving with a rib meal.

And if you’re looking for something different, you can also opt for one of these side dishes.

Let’s dig in!

1. Grilled or Baked Corn

If you’re eating ribs during the cold winter months, try serving a side of grilled or baked corn.

It’s super simple to prepare, and it will give your guests a chance to enjoy the flavours of the meat without worrying about the heat coming from a dish or a barbecue.

A simple way to do so is to soak the corn in a bowl of water for a few hours, or even overnight, before grilling or baking it.

2. Baked Potatoes

A baked potato is a great accompaniment to ribs, as it gives you lots of texture, and a nice contrast of creamy flesh, and crispy potato skin.

It’s also a good option if you want to serve something warm, but don’t want to cook the main course, as you can easily pop your potato in the oven alongside your meat.

3. Mac and Cheese

The best way to serve mac and cheese is piping hot and straight out of the oven. It makes the cheesy sauce really creamy and also gives you the chance to taste it before it’s been melted.

This is a great choice for cold winter days, as it’ll be easy to keep warm inside the oven until it’s ready.

4. Vegetable Gratin

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If you have the time and patience to be making a potato bake, this is a great option to try out.

Simply combine your favourite vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or baby corn, then top with a sprinkle of cheese and a generous dollop of cream or sour cream.

This is a great way to turn some simple ingredients into an impressive dish, and it’s also a great way to use up some vegetables that may have gone a little soft in the fridge.

5. Mashed Potatoes

If you’re going to be having ribs on a cold Winter’s night, it might be tempting to put a hot meal centre stage, but that would defeat the purpose of the meal.

Instead, opt for some delicious, fluffy, oven baked mashed potatoes, which are a great accompaniment to any kind of meat.

To make these, simply drain and rinse a packet of frozen potatoes, then mash them up with a fork and season with some salt and pepper. It’s that easy!

6. French Fries

Fries are a classic choice for an accompaniment to ribs in the winter months. It’s a satisfying combination of salty and sweet, and they’re a brilliant way to get your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

7. Kale Salad

Kale is a great green vegetable that can be enjoyed in both a stir fry and a salad. Kale contains lots of fibre, vitamins, and minerals, and it’s also a great source of iron.

It can be a little tricky to cook, but here’s a recipe for a simple kale salad that will make it easy to enjoy.

Simply blend kale with some crunchy walnuts, a good handful of fresh parsley, and some lemon juice.

8. Green Salad

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A simple green salad is just the thing to eat with ribs when the weather’s cold.

You can choose to dress it up with some freshly cut parsley, coriander, and lemon to add a bit of a kick, or just serve it up in its basic form so your guests can dip their fingers in and enjoy it as a light lunch or snack.

9. Barbecue Sauce

A barbecue sauce is perfect for keeping your food hot and tasty during the cold months, and it’s great to have on hand to serve with ribs!

Use it as a dip for the meat, or as a sauce to pour over the ribs when they’re done. You can also serve a separate bottle of sauce on the table for your guests to add to their food if they prefer!

10. Gazpacho

There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a chilled gazpacho. It’s light, fresh and delicious, and the perfect accompaniment to winter-chilled meats and salads.

Gazpacho is commonly found in the UK, so it’s important to make sure you get your hands on a good quality, Spanish-style version.

I always opt for the traditional, tomato-based version, but feel free to experiment with different options such as a basil and chilli version or a tomato, cucumber, and garlic one.

It’s a great way to get lots of healthy vitamins and antioxidants into your diet, so you can stay healthy during the cold winter months!

11. Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is another winter warmer that should be a firm favourite when the nights are cold and the mercury drops.

It’s a simple dish but packed with flavour and texture. If you’re a sweet potato fan, this is the perfect accompaniment! If not, try it with some chicken or pork instead.