What to Serve with Short Ribs? 12 BEST Side Dishes

Short ribs are awesome (beef cuts from the chuck or plate with rich marbling and connective tissue that become tender when braised). They're tender, flavorful, and just hit the spot.

We've all been there, thinking, "What on earth do we serve with these bad boys?" We got you covered.

It's not just mashed potatoes, okay? We're talking sides that will make your short ribs pop.

We're talking flavor explosions.

From creamy polenta to roasted veggies, we've listed some dynamite pairings. So grab a plate and let's get to it.

Save for Later!

Top 12 Side Dishes for Short Ribs

Here are some of our top picks for what to serve with short ribs:

Side Dish	Main Ingredients	Flavor	Difficulty	Time
Creamy Parmesan Polenta	Polenta, parmesan, butter	Creamy, cheesy	Moderate	30 min
Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower	Cauliflower, garlic, butter	Garlicky, creamy	Easy	45 min
Balsamic Glazed Beets	Beets, balsamic vinegar	Sweet, tangy	Easy	1 hr
Sautéed Kale with Bacon	Kale, bacon, garlic	Savory, smoky	Easy	20 min
Cheesy Grits	Grits, cheese, cream	Creamy, cheesy	Moderate	30 min
Braised Red Cabbage	Red cabbage, vinegar, apples	Sweet, sour	Moderate	1 hr
Rosemary Roasted Sweet Potatoes	Sweet potatoes, rosemary, oil	Earthy, herbal	Easy	45 min
Mushroom Risotto	Arborio rice, mushrooms, cheese	Creamy, umami	Moderate	1 hr
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts	Brussels sprouts, garlic, parmesan	Savory, nutty	Easy	30 min
Creamy Horseradish Mashed Potatoes	Potatoes, horseradish, cream	Creamy, spicy	Moderate	45 min
Lemon Herb Quinoa	Quinoa, lemon, herbs	Bright, herbal	Easy	30 min
Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries	Squash, cranberries, maple	Sweet, tart	Easy	1 hr

1 - Creamy Parmesan Polenta

Creamy parmesan polenta will be the creamy hug your short ribs need. It's smooth, buttery, and has a bold parmesan punch.

Ingredients?

Simple. We're talking cornmeal, chicken broth, butter, and parmesan.

The rich flavors ooze comfort without overwhelming the main event - similar to side pairings for creamy mushroom chicken like creamy mushroom chicken side ideas.

Tops with a drizzle of olive oil.

2 - Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

Forget regular mashed potatoes. Roasted garlic mashed cauliflower is creamy and rich, with a delicious garlic kick.

It's lighter than potatoes, but just as satisfying (lower in calories and carbohydrates than mashed potatoes).

Ingredients? Simple stuff.

Cauliflower, roasted garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

We blend it until it's silky smooth. The roasted garlic adds depth and warmth.

Perfect for pairing with short ribs without overpowering them, and it fits right in with other roasted vegetable side ideas like roasted vegetable side ideas.

3 - Balsamic Glazed Beets

Beets get a gourmet touch with balsamic glaze (Beta vulgaris, with an earthy sweetness that roasts beautifully). Sweet, tangy, and earthy.

This dish goes well with short ribs and pairs in a similar way to sides for honey glazed salmon like honey glazed salmon side ideas.

The glaze caramelizes beautifully.

Ingredients: beets, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.

Roast the beets for a deep flavor. Glaze adds a sweet, tangy kick.

Quick and delicious.

It's a moment of culinary bliss.

4 - Sautéed Kale with Bacon

Okay, we're talking sautéed kale with bacon. It's got that crispy bacon crunch and the earthy goodness of kale.

It's simple but packed with flavor, similar to other greens-based options like kale salad side options.

Bacon gives it that smoky taste. Kale adds a healthy twist (a leafy cruciferous green high in vitamins A, C, and K).

Quick tip: sauté the bacon first.

Use its rendered fat for cooking kale. That's how we roll.

5 - Cheesy Grits

Let's talk cheesy grits, the ultimate sidekick for short ribs. Creamy, rich, and indulgent.

Grits create a smooth, buttery base (made from coarsely ground corn, traditionally stone-ground). Add cheddar and you've got magic.

Ingredients?

Simple: grits, milk, butter, sharp cheddar, and salt. We whip them until they're creamy and luscious.

Sharp cheddar gives it a tangy kick. It balances the richness perfectly.

We can't resist a second helping.

6 - Braised Red Cabbage

Braised red cabbage is our go-to for a tangy, colorful side (made from red/purple cabbage, a cruciferous vegetable with a natural deep color). It's a balance of sweet and sour that complements short ribs perfectly.

Ingredients? Red cabbage, apple cider vinegar, red onions, sugar, apples, salt, and pepper.

Each bite blends soft cabbage with a slight vinegar and apple sweetness, in the vein of other braised red cabbage side ideas like braised red cabbage side ideas.

We've tried it before, and the flavors sync wonderfully. One of our faves.

7 - Rosemary Roasted Sweet Potatoes

We love rosemary roasted sweet potatoes. Crispy edges, soft centers, and a herby kick.

Our secret?

Fresh rosemary and a dash of sea salt. Ingredients are simple: sweet potatoes, olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

Each bite is a mix of sweet and savory. The rosemary adds a fragrant depth (Rosmarinus officinalis, a woody Mediterranean herb with pine-like, citrusy notes).

Perfect for pairing with short ribs, and it complements other sweet potato preparations such as sweet potato soup side suggestions.

8 - Mushroom Risotto

It's creamy, earthy, and oh-so-satisfying. We've got creamy Arborio rice, sautéed mushrooms, and a splash of white wine (Arborio is a short-grain Italian rice prized for its high starch content and creamy texture).

With mushrooms, butter, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, and Parmesan. The flavors?

Rich and savory, with a hint of umami.

We love how it's perfect with short ribs. Effortlessly delicious.

9 - Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

What's better than Brussels sprouts? Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

They're crispy and savory with that perfect mix of garlic and parmesan (Parmesan is an aged Italian cheese with sharp, nutty umami flavors).

We blend olive oil with garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss the sprouts and roast them until golden.

They have a cheesy tang and a garlicky undertone. A simple, tasty side dish.

One bite and you'll get hooked like us on this combo!

Anything with garlic and cheese is a hit in our book.

10 - Creamy Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Horseradish Mashed Potatoes are our new favorite. They're rich and creamy with a spicy horseradish zing (horseradish, Armoracia rusticana, adds a bright, sinus-clearing heat rather than chili-like spice).

Ingredients: potatoes, horseradish, butter, cream, salt.

We whip the potatoes until fluffy. Add a generous scoop of horseradish.

The result? A perfect blend of creaminess and heat.

So simple and tasty, we always go for seconds.

11 - Lemon Herb Quinoa

Lemon herb quinoa brings fresh zest with a herby touch. We love that pop of lemon.

Ingredients: quinoa, lemon zest, garlic, parsley, and olive oil.

It's light yet flavourful. It balances rich meats.

Fluffy quinoa absorbs tangy lemon (quinoa is a gluten-free seed, Chenopodium quinoa, high in protein and minerals). Herbs add freshness.

Garlic brings depth.

We've made this for rib nights. Perfect alongside those hearty short ribs.

12 - Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries

Butternut squash and cranberries. It's a mix of sweet and tart.

Squash gets tender with a caramelized hint. Cranberries add a tangy burst (Vaccinium macrocarpon, offering bright acidity and a tart balance to sweet squash).

We're using squash, cranberries, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast everything until the edges brown.

Results? A heavenly blend of softness and zing.

We tried this at a potluck. It was a hit. An easy and festive side.