Not sure what to serve with fish? The best side dishes for fish are light and fresh enough not to overpower it: lemony green vegetables like broccoli or green beans, roasted or mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, a crisp salad and a good sauce such as tartar or dill. Below are 22 easy side dishes for fish, plus quick pairing ideas for salmon, mild white fish, fried fish and fish tacos.
1. Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is popular almost all over the world, and it has established itself as one of the best side dishes for fish. Crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, Parmesan and a tangy, garlicky dressing make it a tasty, satisfying partner for grilled salmon or shrimp.
2. Roasted Greek Potatoes
Greek potatoes roasted with lemon, garlic and oregano go well with fish because of their bright, fresh taste. What’s more, the simplicity of the ingredients opens up a lot of room for experimentation. For example, you can keep the dish vegan by roasting the potatoes in vegetable stock and olive oil.
3. Orange Lime Margarita
Not a side dish, but the perfect drink to go with fish! This citrusy margarita is made with tequila, orange liqueur and fresh lime juice and served over ice with a salted rim. It pairs best with Mexican-style fish dishes like fish tacos, and you can serve it with chips, olives or fresh fruit.
4. Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf is rice that is lightly toasted in butter with onion and then simmered in broth until fluffy and full of flavor. Some versions add carrots, peas, herbs or toasted orzo. Its mild, savory taste is a classic match for baked or grilled fish, and it soaks up lemon-butter sauces beautifully.
5. Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Delicious broccoli with garlic and lemon goes well with fish dishes, and it’s packed with vitamins. Even if you don’t like broccoli, try sprinkling it with Parmesan and roasting it in the oven for 20-30 minutes; you will discover new flavors.
More: 18 Broccoli Infographics: Health Benefits and How to Prepare
6. Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce is one of the most famous cold sauces in the world. Made with mayonnaise, chopped pickles or capers, lemon and herbs, it goes well with any seafood and is a must with fried fish. Tartar perfectly complements fish recipes and adds a tangy, creamy touch.
7. Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
These lightly caramelized peas are an excellent, quick side dish for fish. Roasted snap peas stay sweet and crunchy, and they are loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals.
8. Barley Mushroom Risotto
This mushroom barley risotto is easy to make and full of flavor. Additionally, it is the perfect mid-week dish to pair with fish. It’s also an ideal romantic side dish that looks great and tastes even better.
9. French Fries
French fries are potatoes cut into strips and fried in hot oil until golden and crispy outside and fluffy inside. They are loved worldwide, and together with fried fish they make the British classic, fish and chips. Serve them warm with tartar sauce or malt vinegar.
10. Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
This is a delicious, low-calorie, easy-to-make dish. By including cheesy cauliflower rice, you can pleasantly diversify your menu and surprise your guests. It’s rich in flavor yet much lighter and lower in carbs than regular rice, which makes it a great low-carb side for fish.
11. Panzanella Salad
The famous Italian panzanella salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and bread is perfect with fish. It’s made with lightly toasted or grilled bread that soaks up the juices and dressing. The result is a side dish with a fresh and unique taste, especially in summer.
12. Ratatouille
French cuisine is famous for its culinary masterpieces, and ratatouille, which became even more famous after the animated movie of the same name, is one of them. It’s a Provençal stew of eggplant, zucchini, peppers and tomatoes cooked with herbs. Light, colorful and full of flavor, it’s a perfect match for white fish.
13. Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Creamy, sweet and flavorful whipped sweet potatoes make a perfect side dish for fish, especially salmon. They are so smooth and naturally sweet that they almost taste like dessert.
14. Copycat Papa John’s Garlic Sauce
This homemade version of the famous pizza dipping sauce is made with melted butter, garlic and seasonings. It’s just as good on fish as on pizza, and if you try it with crab legs, it will strike your fancy.
15. Grilled Moroccan Vegetable Skewers
Bright, easy-to-make and delicious Moroccan vegetable skewers are perfect for any fish dish. They can be both an independent dish and a great addition. Grilled vegetables like these are very easy to prepare and make an impression.
16. Dill Sauce
A variety of sauces help bring out additional flavors in fish dishes, so you should not neglect them, especially if you prepare a delicious fish dish. A creamy sauce made with sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh dill and lemon is a classic, especially with salmon.
17. Lemon Dressing
Lemon has a very bright taste and aroma. It is often used with fish, squeezed over before baking or served on the side to freshen the flavor. A simple lemon and olive oil dressing goes well with almost any fish, and you can use it on the salad too.
18. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is, simply put, a salad whose main ingredient is shredded cabbage. It may also include carrots, peppers, onions, apples or even pineapple. Creamy and crunchy, it’s the classic side dish for fried fish and French fries, and it’s delicious in fish tacos too.
19. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes have long gained worldwide recognition and love, and the ways to make them are limited only by the cook’s imagination. Smooth, buttery mashed potatoes are a comforting side for baked white fish, and you can add herbs, garlic or a little lemon zest to match the fish.
20. Green Beans
Green beans are an excellent choice for followers of a healthy, balanced diet. Thanks to their neutral taste, they go well with both meat and fish dishes. The beans can be steamed, sautéed with garlic and lemon, or roasted with other vegetables and potatoes.
21. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are delicious, healthy and nutritious vegetables that contain many vitamins and minerals. They are used in salads, soups and casseroles. Roasted until crispy, Brussels sprouts are a great side for fish or meat, and you can roast both fresh and frozen sprouts.
22. Creamed Kale
The rich flavor of creamed kale will make you enjoy eating greens. The dish has a hearty texture and a delightful taste. You can serve it as a side dish to cod, halibut or other meaty varieties of fish.
What to Serve with Different Kinds of Fish
Salmon
Rich salmon loves bright, fresh flavors: lemon Parmesan broccoli, rice pilaf, roasted Greek potatoes, whipped sweet potatoes or a Caesar salad, with a creamy dill sauce on the side. For even more ideas, see our full guide: What to Serve with Salmon: 20 Best Side Dishes.
Mild white fish (cod, halibut, tilapia)
Delicate white fish goes well with mashed potatoes, green beans, ratatouille, creamed kale or a simple lemon dressing.
Fried fish
For fried fish or fish and chips, you can’t beat French fries, creamy coleslaw and plenty of tartar sauce.
Fish tacos
Serve fish tacos with crunchy coleslaw, grilled vegetable skewers and an orange lime margarita.
Thanks to its low calorie content, fish is a frequent guest in a healthy diet. Ideally, the side dish should accentuate the flavor of the fish rather than overpower it. All 22 side dishes above are easy to prepare. Just consider which one suits the fish you’re cooking. What’s your favorite side dish for fish? Share it with us in the comments!
