Short ribs are such a thing of beauty, and one look will take your breath away. Who can resist incredibly flavorful and fall-off-the-bone-tender beef coated in rich, buttery gravy? I certainly can’t! Ribs are so heavenly that I don’t really mind putting in all the effort to cook ‘em. The only thing I don’t enjoy is how small the meat is relative to the bone. How I wish there were a way to reverse the ratio! But at least it gives our bellies space for a lot of sides. And boy, are there a ton of dishes that taste amazing with short ribs! Whether you prefer something creamy, light, or crunchy, you’ll never run out of options. If you’re having trouble, don’t worry, these 13 sides are here to the rescue! With these dishes, you can extend your (short ribs) dinner into a long, satisfying feast.
1. Roasted Carrots
Your main course is already incredibly scrumptious, so you’ll want simple flavors for your side to not overpower your entrée. For that, roasted carrots will do the trick! Not only do the roasted carrots add a texture contrast, but their sweet and earthy flavors also balance out the meal beautifully. It’s the easiest side dish to prepare, too! Coat sliced carrots in olive oil (or maple syrup and butter for a nice glaze) and pop them in the oven.
2. Brussels Sprouts
Another fantastic veggie that goes well with short ribs is Brussels sprouts. They’re both delicious (don’t believe what the haters say!) and easy to make. With Brussels sprouts, you’ll get creamy, earthy, and nutty flavors all in one bite! It’s the perfect pair for your decadent ribs. Just like carrots, roasting is the best cooking method for Brussels sprouts. Olive oil, salt, and your trusty oven are all you need.
3. French Bread
You might as well pair short ribs with a side dish that can sop up some of the delicious gravy! There’s nothing like crusty and chewy French bread to do the trick. Nutty, buttery, sweet, and savory – this bread has it all. I’ll have three big slices, please!
4. Noodles
Noodles are another starchy, filling side dish to short ribs. This is especially perfect if you have the most flavorful braising sauce! Since short ribs are ultra-rich, the noodles will do a marvelous job at balancing out the flavor. It doesn’t matter what noodles you use. You can opt for egg noodles, linguine, spaghetti, what have you. You can even give your meal an Asian twist by using soba or ramen!
5. Creamy Polenta
Polenta, the popular Italian porridge, is another fantastic pairing to short ribs. Light, fluffy, and creamy, it makes an amazing base for your tender beef. To make your polenta extra creamy, be sure to add a lot of butter and cream cheese to your cornmeal. The flavor combo is absolutely magical.
6. Mashed Potatoes
How can anyone forget about mashed potatoes? Drenched in the same gravy as your ribs, your creamy and dreamy mashed potatoes are guaranteed to disappear in minutes. Just picture yourself eating juicy and fork-tender ribs and mashed potatoes loaded with sour cream and butter. My goodness, just the thought of it makes my heart leap for joy!
7. Potato Salad
Potato salad is another side that will make any dinner a hundred times better. It doesn’t get much better than tender potatoes coated in an ultra-creamy sauce. This is definitely my kind of salad.
8. Macaroni Salad
Speaking of salads that aren’t healthy at all, here’s another one! I love macaroni salad so much that I don’t even consider it as a side dish. I take joy and pride in devouring up bowls of this creamy delight on its own! It doesn’t matter what time of day it is! Whether it’s time for breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner, give me some macaroni salad, and I’ll be happy. But of course, it’s phenomenal with short ribs, too! It adds a wonderful creaminess to the meal that just makes it even more exceptional.
9. Broccolini
Broccoli may be more popular, but broccolini deserves the spotlight just as much! I actually prefer broccolini over broccoli. The nutritional content is just the same, and it cooks much faster. All you’ll need is to saute it in olive oil and garlic and boom, you’re done.
10. Sautéed Mushrooms
If you want to give your rich and hearty beef and earthy and savory pair, mushrooms are the way to go. Not only do the flavors complement each other, but the dish also comes together quickly. Just saute the mushrooms in butter, and your side is ready!
11. Raspberries with Whipped Cream
And now for dessert, also known as my favorite part of the meal. Since short ribs are a heavy entrée, you’ll want something light and refreshing to cleanse your palate. These raspberries with real whipped cream perfectly fit the bill. Apart from the fresh berries, what’s special about this parfait is that the whipped cream is spiked with booze! A little bit of Grand Marnier makes a huge difference. The best part? This dessert takes less than 15 minutes to make!
12. Lemon Bars
Again, when your dinner is as rich as short ribs, you’ll want to end it with something refreshing. Lemon bars are another perfect way to go! These bars have just the right balance of sweet and tangy, making them such an ideal palate cleanser. Plus, that crumbly, buttery shortbread crust is also a delight!
13. Wine Pairings
Nothing makes a party even more exciting than some alcohol. If you’re feeling fancy, short ribs are perfect with wine, specifically red. The deep and robust flavors of red wine complement the flavor of beef wonderfully! Choose any Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, or Zinfandel. Or better yet, why not open and try all three? Let your and your friends’ palate decide! Cheers! Click on a star to rate it!
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