What to Serve with Trout: 15 Terrific Side Dishes

I have been thinking a lot lately about what to serve with trout. I happen to know a lot of trout fishers who will be filling up my fridge with tasty trout real soon! Now the question is how to turn that beautiful freshwater fish into a complete meal.

Trout is very easy to prepare. It cooks in just a few minutes, giving you lots of extra time to make creative, yummy side dishes.

Trout is also a very healthy fish. It is packed with brain-boosting omega-3s and other essential nutrients. A healthy side dish will help you stick to a healthy trout meal.

Get creative, have fun, and a tasty trout meal will be in your future!

Best Sides for Trout

Different types of trout have different flavors. Rainbow trout is mild and nutty. Brown trout has a much stronger, fishy taste. Speckled trout is a very mild fish that will pair well with sharp flavored foods.

Knowing the flavors of your trout is important to match it with the perfect side dish. You should also think about how you are preparing your trout recipes.

If you’re baking trout in the oven, consider other oven-baked sides. A heartier, breaded trout will go great with a lighter side dish.

So many things to consider, and we can help!

1. Asparagus

Our simple roasted asparagus is the ideal side to serve with a nice trout fillet. The bright, bold taste of the asparagus goes really well with the mild, tasty fish.

Our oven-roasted asparagus can be made in just a few minutes. Asparagus spears are trimmed and tossed in olive oil, salt pepper, and a little lime juice. The bright lime flavor is especially great next to fresh trout in the summer.

Try nestling your seasoned trout fillets between the asparagus on the baking sheet. Roast the fish along with the asparagus.

The lime juice is very tasty on the delicate fish, and this will ensure your trout is ready at the same time as your veggie side dish! You will also only have one pan to clean! We love easy meals like this!

2. Tomato Salad

We love this tomato cucumber salad from Spend With Pennies. It is fresh, flavorful, and very healthy. A tasty tomato salad and a piece of pan-fried trout sound like a delicious meal!

Fresh tomatoes are tossed together with chopped cucumber and red onion slices. The salad is topped with a red wine vinaigrette made with olive oil and fresh chopped herbs. A little salt and pepper rounds off the side dish.

Match the herbs in the salad to the spices you use to season your trout fillets. Chopped basil, oregano, parsley, and thyme are all delicious.

Make the tomato salad a day in advance. When the salad is allowed to marinate, the flavors grow stronger.

This salad is especially great in the summer when tomatoes and cucumbers are both fresh and readily available. Rainbow trout should be jumping in the summer, too!

3. Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, rich mashed potatoes are the perfect side to compliment a light-tasting fish. These mashed potatoes from Lauren’s Latest will fill you up and are surprisingly easy to make.

Be sure to use Yukon Gold or Idaho potatoes to make mashed potatoes. These varieties have the perfect amount of starch and make mashed potatoes that are creamy but not sticky.

We like to add a little garlic powder to the potatoes. Try sprinkling some garlic powder, salt, and pepper on your trout fillets and then pan-searing them in butter. The rich butter helps the mashed potatoes and trout fillets go even better together!

Try adding a little sour cream to the potatoes to give them a tangier taste. This is especially yummy with trout served with yogurt sauce or lemon slices.

4. Zucchini Fritters

A simple fish dish is always good with vegetable side dishes. These zucchini fritters from Downshiftology are one of the tastiest vegetable sides we have ever had. They go perfectly with baked rainbow trout or any of your favorite trout recipes.

Shredded zucchini is mixed with creamy goat cheese, eggs, almond flour, salt, and pepper. The batter is scooped into a skillet of hot olive oil and fried until golden brown. They are so delicious when served warm, right out of the pan!

Try making the garlic, chive yogurt sauce to accompany the zucchini fritters. Make a little extra and scoop it onto your baked rainbow trout. It is a perfect sauce to top a perfect fish!

These simple zucchini and goat cheese fritters are completely gluten-free. This is just another reason why you should add a serving of fritters to your trout fillet dinner plate!

5. Creamy Coleslaw

A creamy coleslaw is a tasty side dish for any kind of trout recipe. Coleslaw is great with grilled trout or a baked rainbow trout dish. The crispy, crunchy taste and creamy dressing just goes well with everything!

Try this recipe for creamy coleslaw from My Keto Kitchen. Not only is it super yummy, but it is also keto-approved! Some keto coleslaw and a nice trout fillet sound like an absolutely delicious, healthy meal.

Red cabbage and green cabbage make the coleslaw not only tasty but very pretty too. The vibrant colors of the cabbage will look great on your plate next to a baked rainbow trout.

The dressing for the coleslaw is made with low-fat mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider, lemon juice, garlic powder, and a little salt and pepper.

Add a tablespoon of low-carb sweetener to make the coleslaw have a nice sweet kick. This will offset the tangy flavor perfectly.

Use a super sharp knife to shred the cabbage, ensuring the pieces are small and thin. You can also buy a pre-cut coleslaw mix that will save you time. Look for it near the bagged lettuces in your grocery store.

6. Caesar Salad

A Caesar salad is such a classic side dish. It is very often served with fish since it goes well with the mild flavor of most fish dinners. It definitely tastes great with trout!

We love this Caesar salad recipe from Simply Recipes. It is very easy to make and has an incredible homemade dressing. Next time you plan on eating fish, you have to give this salad recipe a try!

The main part of the salad is made with just romaine lettuce and crunchy croutons. Anchovy paste, eggs, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese are blended with olive oil to make the authentic dressing.

Add a little smoked paprika to the dressing for an interesting, smokey taste. A little extra lemon zest will make it more vibrant and bold.

The powerful, salty taste of the anchovies matches the fishy flavor of the trout fillet.

Serve the salad as a side dish or place the fish directly on top of the salad to make a beautiful entree.

7. Lemon Couscous

Next time you are getting ready to cook trout, get ready to also make delicious lemon couscous. It is one of the best sides we know! This delicious recipe for lemon herb couscous from Inspired Taste will make your taste buds sing.

Large pearl couscous is especially incredible. It is nice and hearty while also having a very interesting, unique texture.

Cucumber and chopped tomatoes are tossed with the lemon couscous. Olive oil, Dijon mustard, and honey are mixed with herbs to make a tasty dressing.

Make some extra dressing to pour over your trout fillet. It makes an excellent sauce! You can even use the dressing as a marinade. Sounds like a great start to a whole new trout recipe!

The lemon couscous salad has chopped walnuts which add a lovely crunchy to an otherwise soft meal. Try using pine nuts or sliced almonds for a yummy variation.

8. Rice Pilaf

This perfect rice pilaf from Erren’s Kitchen makes a fantastic side for any fish dish, especially trout! Try making rice pilaf, and you will always know exactly what to serve with trout.

The rice pilaf recipe begins by sauteing garlic and onion in butter. Try using olive oil for a lower fat option. The rice is added to the bowl to toast.

Toasting the rice adds a subtle nutty flavor that is delicious with rainbow trout. You only want to toast the rice for a few minutes so turn down the heat if the rice starts to turn brown.

Chicken stock is added to the pot, giving the rice pilaf a rich, creamy taste. Use vegetable broth or vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.

Cooking the rice with a bay leaf adds a nice, herby flavor. Toss in some crushed red pepper for a spicier version of this rice dish. It would be perfect next to a mild fish-like trout!

9. Veggie Pasta

A beautiful bowl of vegetable pasta may be just what to serve with trout. Not only will veggie pasta add lots of color to your meal, but it is also very nutritious and filling.

This recipe from Gimme Some Oven uses penne pasta but feel free to choose any shape you’d like. Just adjust the pasta boiling time based on the directions on the box.

Broccoli, red bell peppers, asparagus, and tomatoes are all great veggies to use for the pasta. Choose any of your favorite vegetables to make a meal the whole family will enjoy. This recipe is very flexible, so you can adjust it as you’d like!

A touch of regular paprika, a little black pepper, or even a splash of sauvignon blanc as you saute the vegetables can all add great flavor to your dish.

10. Au Gratin Potatoes

Au gratin potatoes are a delicious casserole-style dish that you can make in advance. If you are looking to save on cooking time and plan your dinners ahead, then this is the recipe for you!

Give this recipe from The Daring Gourmet a try. Thinly sliced potatoes are layered in a casserole dish. A creamy cheese sauce made from onions, garlic, butter, milk, and cheese is poured over the potatoes.

Preheat the oven and cook the potato dish until the top is golden brown and bubbling. Serve immediately or store the au gratin potatoes in the fridge for up to a week.

Simply reheat the potato casserole in the oven when you are ready to serve the au gratin with your delicious rainbow trout. Eating trout has never tasted so good as when paired with oven-roasted potatoes au gratin!

11. Sweet Potato Fries

Rainbow trout is a pretty healthy fish. You may be looking for side dishes that also have health benefits. These sweet potato fries from A Pinch of Healthy may be just what you are looking for!

Sweet potatoes are very high in vitamin C and fiber. They are starchy, filling, and have just the right amount of sweet flavor. They taste great with a salty fish like rainbow trout!

As you start to cook trout, thinly slice sweet potatoes and toss them in a large bowl with a little olive oil, salt pepper, and good quality paprika. Spread the seasoned potatoes on a baking sheet and bake the fries until they are slightly golden brown.

Oven-roasted sweet potato fries are one of our favorite side dishes to serve with trout. They really are the perfect accompaniment to your main course of any kind of trout.

12. Sauteed Brussels Sprouts

Ready to cook an amazing, easy side dish? Our Simple Green Moms sauteed Brussels has more flavor than any side dish you have ever tried. They are fantastic alongside a mild fish like trout or even salmon.

Cut the brussels sprouts in half and add them to a saute pan with coconut oil, lime juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper. A little cayenne pepper makes the sprouts a little spicy. Skip the red pepper powder for a more mild-flavored dish.

Let the sprouts sear in the pan for a few minutes, allowing them to get golden brown and crispy. This makes them extra delicious!

13. Parmesan Risotto

A creamy parmesan risotto is a perfect side to serve with rainbow trout. You can cook fish and risotto at the same time! Heat that skillet to medium heat, place the trout in the pan skin side down, and then get started on your cheesy risotto.

We love this parmesan garlic risotto from Kylee Cooks. It is pretty easy to make but does take a little bit of time to cook.

Risotto rice cooks best when you add a little liquid at a time. This allows the rice to absorb the liquid slowly, making it very creamy and tender.

14. Pesto Pasta

We adore easy pesto pasta side dishes. This dish goes especially well with rainbow trout or any of your favorite trout fish dishes.

This kale and basil pesto from Archana’s Kitchen is very healthy. The kale adds lots of vitamins and minerals to the dish that you are sure to love.

Lots of fresh basil is needed to make pesto. This is one reason why we love making this side in the summer. Basil is in season, and rainbow trout should be jumping too!

Make your trout with simple seasonings. Pesto is a very strong flavor, so you want to keep the trout simple. A few lemon slices on top of a pan-fried trout will work perfectly!

Save some of the lemon slices to use in the pesto. Lemon juice adds a nice, bright bite to the pasta sauce.

15. Corn Casserole

Creamy corn casserole is a great way to add some sweet flavor to your rainbow trout meal. This is one of the sweetest side dishes on our list, making it one of the most addictive. You won’t be able to get enough!

This recipe for cream corn casserole from Show Me the Yummy only takes 5 minutes to make. You also only need seven ingredients to make the rich, veggie-packed batter.

Butter and sour cream help make the casserole very rich. Creamed corn and sweet corn both go into the batter to give it double the corn flavor. We especially like the kernels of corn pieces in every bite. It adds a nice texture to the trout meal.

Amazing Side Dishes to Pair With Rainbow Trout Recipes

We love how easy it is to pair fish-like trout with incredible side dishes. Trout is so mild that you can get really creative and bold with the sides.

We know there is a perfect side dish for you to serve with trout. Let us know which is your favorite! Enjoy.