15 Kansas City Barbecue Sides That Steal The Show

Kansas City barbecue joints might be famous for their slow-smoked meats, but the sides deserve their own spotlight. These flavor-packed companions transform a good meal into an unforgettable feast. While pitmasters argue about sauce recipes and smoking techniques, locals know a secret: sometimes the humble side dish is what keeps you coming back for more.

1. Cheesy Corn Bake

Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que serves a cheesy corn bake that’s practically legendary. Sweet corn kernels swim in a velvety blend of cream cheese, cheddar, and just enough jalapeño to wake up your taste buds.

Regulars have been known to order extra portions to take home. This humble side manages to be both comforting and exciting – like mac and cheese’s more sophisticated cousin.

2. Hickory Pit Beans

Smoky, sweet, and studded with burnt ends – Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue elevates the humble baked bean to art form status. Their secret? Cooking the beans low and slow in the same pit as the meats.

The result absorbs all those savory drippings and smoke flavors. One spoonful and you’ll understand why some folks consider these beans a main dish worthy of their own spotlight.

3. Hearty BBQ Feast

Arthur Bryant’s doesn’t skimp when it comes to sides alongside their legendary barbecue. A generous heap of golden roasted potatoes sits next to a pile of smoky, caramelized burnt ends, the perfect foil for the richness of the meat.

The potatoes are seasoned just right, crispy edges with tender centers, while a scattering of herbs adds a fresh bite.

4. Sweet Heat Coleslaw

Forget everything you think you know about coleslaw. Gates Bar-B-Q serves a version that balances sweetness with a peppery kick that sneaks up on you.

The cabbage stays crisp, swimming in a dressing that’s thinner than most, perfect for drizzling over your sandwich. Locals know to order extra slaw as the cool crunch provides the ideal counterpoint to Gates’ intensely smoky meats.

5. White Cheddar Grits

Q39 brings a touch of upscale comfort to the barbecue scene with their white cheddar grits. Creamy, rich, and punctuated with sharp cheese flavor, these grits transform from simple side to showstopper.

The velvety texture provides the perfect canvas for sopping up every last drop of barbecue sauce. A sprinkle of chives on top adds a fresh note that cuts through the richness perfectly.

6. Jalapeño Cornbread

Slap’s BBQ serves cornbread that walks the perfect line between sweet and savory. Golden-brown squares arrive still warm from the oven, studded with fresh jalapeño pieces that provide occasional bursts of heat.

The crispy edges give way to a moist, tender center. A light honey butter served alongside melts instantly when spread on the warm bread, creating a sweet-spicy-buttery trifecta that’s impossible to resist.

7. Blues-Inspired Greens

B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ channels its blues club roots with collard greens that sing with flavor. Slow-simmered with smoked turkey wings instead of traditional ham hocks, these greens offer a lighter take on the classic.

The pot liquor, that magical broth at the bottom, becomes so flavorful that servers often bring extra cornbread just for sopping. These greens prove that healthy and delicious aren’t mutually exclusive in barbecue culture.

8. Crispy Fried Okra

LC’s Bar-B-Que keeps it old-school with hand-breaded fried okra that arrives piping hot and impossibly crispy. The cornmeal coating provides the perfect crunch, while the okra inside stays tender without a hint of sliminess.

A squeeze of lemon brightens the whole dish. These addictive little nuggets disappear fast, so wise regulars order double portions right from the start.

9. Smoky Mac and Cheese

Big Q Barbecue elevates mac and cheese by incorporating smoked gouda alongside traditional cheddar. The cheese sauce clings perfectly to spiral pasta, creating little pockets that trap maximum flavor.

A buttery breadcrumb topping adds textural contrast after a quick trip under the broiler. The subtle smokiness makes this mac and cheese the perfect companion to any meat on their menu – though many customers admit to ordering it as a standalone lunch.

10. Sweet Potato Casserole

Zarda transforms the humble sweet potato into a dessert-like side that regulars crave year-round. Whipped until silky smooth, the sweet potatoes get a hint of vanilla before being topped with a pecan-brown sugar crust that caramelizes beautifully.

The contrast between the creamy base and crunchy topping is pure textural magic. While technically a side dish, many customers save this for last – nature’s candy after a savory feast.

11. Bourbon Baked Apples

Woodyard BBQ offers a unique fruit side that stands out in the meat-heavy world of barbecue. Granny Smith apples maintain their structure while bathing in a bourbon-butter sauce spiked with cinnamon and brown sugar.

The slight tartness of the apples cuts through rich barbecue perfectly. A surprising hint of rosemary adds an herbaceous note that elevates this side beyond simple sweetness into something truly memorable.

12. Hush Puppies with Honey Butter

Jon Russell’s Kansas City Barbeque serves hush puppies that achieve the impossible: crispy exteriors giving way to steamy, fluffy interiors that practically melt in your mouth. Studded with jalapeños and sweet corn kernels, each bite offers a perfect balance of flavors.

The accompanying honey butter arrives slightly melted, ready for generous dunking. These golden orbs of cornmeal goodness have developed such a following that the restaurant now sells them by the dozen.

13. Bacon-Wrapped Corn on the Cob

Snead’s Bar-B-Q takes summer corn to decadent heights by wrapping each cob in bacon before a trip to the smoker. The bacon fat bastes the corn as it cooks, infusing sweet kernels with smoky pork flavor.

A final brush of chipotle-lime butter adds brightness and heat. While messy to eat, the flavor combination is so worth it that regulars don’t mind the extra napkins – or the occasional bacon bit landing on their shirt.

14. Fried Green Tomatoes

Hawg Jaw Que & Brew brings Southern charm to KC with perfectly executed fried green tomatoes. Firm, tart slices get a buttermilk bath before being dredged in cornmeal with a secret spice blend.

Fried until golden but never greasy, they’re topped with a dollop of pimento cheese that slowly melts into creamy goodness. This side perfectly demonstrates how vegetables can hold their own alongside smoked meats when given proper attention.

15. Loaded Cheesy Fries

Wolfepack BBQ takes classic sides to the next level with their loaded cheesy fries. Crispy fries are piled high and smothered in a rich cheese sauce, then topped with tender burnt ends, fresh scallions, and tangy pickled red onions.

Every bite combines crunchy, savory, and smoky flavors, making this side nearly as irresistible as the main barbecue plates. Perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself.