What are the best sides for fish? This is a question we are frequently asked. There are so many incredible side dishes out there that go so perfectly with fish, and we want to share them all with you!
You will have tons of ideas about what to pair with fish by the end of this article.
Contents
What to Serve With Fish
Grilled Salmon with Tomatoes and Herbs
Fish is a lighter main course, which means it pairs well with side dishes that are also light. Salad, a simple couscous, or a sauteed veggie are always great with fish.
You can also serve your fish fillets with a heartier side to bulk up your meal. Take a look at all these delicious side dish recipes and decide if you want something filling like potatoes or light like a vegetable dish.
1. Roasted Asparagus
Our easy roasted asparagus is the perfect side to serve with fish. The bright flavor of the asparagus goes well with so many kinds of fish. It also makes a complete, lighter meal.
Toss asparagus spears in olive oil, lime juice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Roast the asparagus on a sheet tray until the tips begin to brown slightly. The crispy ends of the asparagus taste great with tender fillets of fish.
2. Green Beans
Steamed green beans are delicious alongside your favorite fish recipe. Healthy Seasonal Recipes will show you exactly how to make incredible, tender green beans to serve with fish dishes.
Image Source:
It is important to use fresh green beans in this recipe. They have a nice crunch even when cooked. That crisp texture is lovely next to a pan-fried fish filet.
A little olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper are all you need to make these green beans. The recipe also calls for crushed red pepper flakes which adds a nice spice to the dish. Omit the pepper flakes if you want a more mild green bean side.
3. Tartar Sauce
Delicious, creamy tartar sauce is the perfect side to serve with fish. It is also very easy to make your own tartar sauce with this recipe from Inspired Taste.
Image Source: Inspired Taste
Tartar sauce is made with mayonnaise, minced pickles, lemon juice, capers, fresh dill, mustard, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Tartar sauce is typically served with fried fish. Dip your favorite crunch fish into the sauce for a burst of flavor.
4. Snap Pea Salad
Fresh, crisp veggies always go well with fish. We love this snap pea salad from Serious Eats because it is loaded with bright flavors and healthy veggies.
Image Source: Serious Eats
Fresh snap peas are tossed with a yogurt mint dressing. The chilled side goes well with almost any warm, baked fish recipe.
Serve this side with fish that also has mint to make a perfect match. The mint dressing on the snap pea salad is also tasty poured over a mild fish filet. You might even want to double the dressing recipe!
5. Mashed Potatoes
Everyone loves perfect, creamy mashed potatoes. This recipe from Simply Recipes will show you exactly how to make buttery mashed potatoes to serve with fish.
Image Source: Simply Recipes
Yukon Gold potatoes are the best for making mashed potatoes. They are not very starchy and blend into a creamy, classic dish. Lots of butter and heavy cream are key to this delicious dinner idea.
Serve mashed potatoes with fish in the winter when you want a heartier side. Pair the potatoes with a fish slathered in butter sauce for a decadent meal.
6. Pasta Salad
A bright, flavorful pasta salad is the perfect fish side dish. We love this recipe from Love and Lemons, which is full of healthy ingredients.
Image Source: Love and Lemons
Cucumbers, tomatoes, and lots of fresh basil are mixed into the chilled pasta salad. The tangy, homemade vinaigrette brings all the ingredients together perfectly. A beautiful pasta salad and a nice filet of fish will make a perfect dinner.
7. Baked Beans
Homemade baked beans are truly incredible sides for fish. You will instantly taste the difference between homemade beans and canned baked beans. It is definitely worth the effort to make your own baked beans!
Image Source: A Spicy Perspective
We like using this recipe from A Spicy Perspective. The recipe is made using a pressure cooker, so there is no need to soak the beans overnight. Simply add all the ingredients to your instant pot, set the pressures, and return to a perfectly cooked side dish an hour later.
Scoop the beans right on top of your fish dinners and let the sweet, tangy sauce flow over the fish. This recipe is a side dish and a sauce in one!
8. Broccoli Rice Casserole
Image Source: Spend with Pennies
Cheesy broccoli rice casserole is a rich side dish to serve with your fish entree. It is surprisingly easy to make and can bake alongside your oven-roasted fish. Use this recipe from Spend With Pennies to quickly make a delicious side dish for your fish dinner night.
Fresh broccoli florets and tender white rice are mixed with a homemade cheese sauce. The casserole is baked in a hot oven until bubbling and golden brown.
Broccoli and rice casserole will complete your fish meal. This side is a veggie and a starch! We love recipes that help make a complete dinner.
9. Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
This recipe for rosemary roasted potatoes is perfect in the winter and the summer. The crisp oven-roasted potatoes are hearty enough to fill you up in the winter but the fresh rosemary flavor is delicious in the warm summer months, too.
Image Source: Budget Bytes
Try this recipe from Budget Bytes for incredible rosemary roasted potatoes. We love the multi-colored new potatoes used in the recipe. Each potato has its own unique taste and texture that brings excitement to any fish dinner. A small bowl will fill you up!
10. Cauliflower Rice
Cauliflower rice is the perfect side dish to serve with fish if you want a quick, complete meal. The homemade rice is hearty like regular, white rice but also adds a healthy vegetable to the meal. Cauliflower rice is also low carb, making it ideal for keto followers.
Image Source: Minimalist Baker
Fresh cauliflower florets are pulsed in a food processor until they look like grains of rice. The mix is quickly steamed or sauteed then tossed with a little butter. Minimalist Baker walks you through exactly how to make this easy side dish.
11. Broccoli with Garlic Sauce
This take-out-style side dish is great with any Asian-inspired fish recipe. The homemade garlic sauce makes the vegetable irresistible. The Woks of Life has the perfect recipe to make the best broccoli you have ever had.
Image Source: The Woks of Life
Soy sauce, garlic, and a little rice wine are the main ingredients in the sauce. White pepper does make it a little spicy. Double the sauce portion of the recipe for a little extra to pour over your fish filets.
12. Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is a classic dish that is perfect to serve with fish. It is one of those side dishes that always comes with fish dinners in restaurants. So why not make this restaurant-worthy side at home?
Image Source: Gimme Some Oven
Gimme Some Oven will show you exactly how to make perfect homemade caesar salad dressing. It is surprisingly easy and incredibly delicious. The anchovy in the dressing pairs well with white fish recipes.
Caesar salad is also quite healthy. We love the vegetable side dishes on our list! They are a great way to make a complete, tasty meal that will nourish and excite you.
13. Grilled Corn
Have you ever made corn on the grill? You definitely should! Grilled corn is an easy, tasty side that goes really well with fish. It may be one of our favorite sides for fish on our list!
Use this recipe from Well Plated by Erin to make perfectly charred corn. Keep the corn husk on while it grills. This will smoke and steam the corn inside the wrapper. It is also easier to peel the husk off once it is grilled.
Image Source: Well Plated By Erin
Slather some butter on the grilled corn or sprinkle just a little salt and pepper over the vegetable. Pour sauce from your fish entree over the corn to make a very cohesive meal.
14. Rice Pilaf
A simple rice pilaf side is great for any kind of fish recipe. This recipe from The Kitchn will show you how to make a versatile pilaf perfect to serve with fried fish, baked fish, or sauteed fish.
Image Source: The Kitchn
Chopped onion and chicken broth are key to making a pilaf. Add your favorite herbs to make the pilaf match your fish recipe.
15. French Fries
Fish and chips is a classic meal made with fried fish and french fries. The french fries are called “chips.” You can make homemade french fries using this recipe from The Cozy Cook.
Image Source: The Cozy Cook
Russet potatoes make the best french fries. Soak and rinse the fries to make them extra crispy.
Try tossing the sliced potatoes in a little olive oil and then cooking them in the air fryer. The air fryer makes crispy fries with barely any oil. This will make your french fries a healthier side dish recipe.
16. Vegetable Kebobs
Fresh sliced vegetables are incredible when skewered and grilled. This recipe from Damn Delicious will show you how to make incredible vegetable skewers to serve with your favorite fish.
Image Source: Damn Delicious
This healthy veggie side is made with summer squash, zucchini, red onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers. The marinade adds lots of flavor and pairs wonderfully with most fish. Thinly slice the veggies to make them cook quickly.
Try this dish when you are grilling fish. The grill will already be heated and ready to use!
17. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
We love the sweetness of sweet potatoes next to fish. We especially like recipes that are easy and tasty, like this one from Cookie and Kate.
Image Source: Cookie and Kate
Add extra butter to the sweet potato dish to make sure it is very creamy and thick. A little brown sugar will make the dish even sweeter. A little maple syrup will make a nice fall-flavored side. The possibilities are endless!
18. Greek Wedge Salad
Greece is a country that eats a lot of fish. Why not make a Greek wedge salad to go with your fish and pretend you are on vacation in Athens?
Image Source: Pure Wow
Try this recipe from Pure Wow, which starts with a nice big wedge of iceberg lettuce. Whole olives and pepperoncini are placed around the dish. Feta cheese adds a nice salty taste.
Try using blue cheese in place of feta for a more powerful flavor. It will still go with your fish wonderfully!
19. Garlic Butter Zucchini
Fresh zucchini slices tossed in garlic butter are one of the most delicious recipes you will find. The tasty veggie is perfect with any fish dish and will satisfy your vegetarian friends.
Image Source: Rasa Malaysia
A whole plate of garlic butter zucchini sounds like a great meal to me! Make this recipe from Rasa Malaysia in the summer when zucchini is in season. Try replacing the zucchini with yellow summer squash.
Be sure to cook the zucchini long enough for it to brown and caramelize in the pan. This will add a lot of flavor to the meal!
20. White Wine Linguini
A light pasta dish is always tasty next to fish. This white wine and garlic linguini from Pinch of Yum is paired with shrimp. You can add almost any seafood to the mix, and it will be equally delicious.
Image Source: Pinch of Yum
Use different shaped kinds of pasta to make new and exciting fish side dishes. The garlic wine sauce tastes great with salmon, flounder, and cod.
21. Spinach, Asparagus, and Strawberry Salad
Our spinach and asparagus salad has a twist of sweetness thanks to the added strawberries. All of these flavors go well together and also go great with fish. Strawberry salad is the perfect side to serve in the summer.
Creamy goat cheese adds a great flavor to the salad. Place your favorite fried fish on top of these bright greens and enjoy a perfect fish salad!
22. Quinoa Tabbouleh
A light, zesty side goes very well with flakey fish. We love this flavorful quinoa tabbouleh recipe from Jessica Gavin. It is full of healthy grains and crunchy vegetables.
Image Source: Jessica Gavin
Fresh lemon juice adds a zesty taste that is great with almost any kind of fish. Fresh mint adds a whole new level of appeal. Crisp onions, cucumbers, and juicy tomatoes are perfect on this summery side.
23. Crispy Onion Rings
Onion rings are a classic side to serve with seafood. Crispy onion rings from Real Housemoms will make your fried fish dinner complete!
Image Source: Real Housemoms
Onions are technically a vegetable, so this recipe is great if you are looking for vegetable side dishes. Keep this combo in mind for your next dinner party or just a simple night at home.
24. Mac and Cheese
You may think that mac and cheese is a little too rich to serve with fish. However, that is not true! Mac and cheese is a wonderful side for seafood and one everyone in your family will adore.
Image Source: Pioneer Woman
Try this mac and cheese from Pioneer Woman that is truly decadent. The creamy sauce is made in one pot then poured over cooked pasta. The dish is baked until crispy brown. Enjoy it while it’s hot!
25. Sauteed Spinach
Perfect sauteed spinach is a wonderful side that will ensure you get your daily dose of vegetables! Try this spinach recipe from A Couple Cooks, which only requires a few simple ingredients.
Image Source: A Couple Cooks
The leafy green vegetables are made with olive oil, garlic, a little lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Sometimes the most simple recipe is the best!
Incredible Sides for Baked Fish, Fried Fish, and Every Fish
It is amazing how many tasty sides pair wonderfully with your favorite fish dishes. From salmon to flounder and every fish in between, there is a side on our list that will complete your meal.
Let us know which sides you love best. We hope you try them all! Enjoy.
Leave a Reply