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If you’re wondering what to serve with fish, you’ve come to the right place!
Here, we’ve gathered our favorite side dishes for fish, including salads, sautéed veggies, and more!
Cooking is a one-part technical ability, one-part patience, and 100% creativity.
I’m always wondering what to serve with fish that doesn’t come in a frozen bag or a blue box.
Fresh ingredients, simply prepared, are often the best way to level up fish recipes.
The internet has been a wealth of inspiration for how to cook, but even more so is a look-book for side dish recipes and a treasure trove of ideas, especially when I know I don’t have everything I need at once, so I can improvise where needed.
So, we put together lists of recipes to help you decide what to eat with fish that you can make at home.
These serve as a jumping-off point for some of your favorite flavors and allow you to use 1:1 of what you have on hand.
Enjoy our recommendations for fish side dishes, from a beautiful cauliflower dish with coriander seeds and Italian parsley to simple, comforting Garlic Spaghetti powdered with parmesan.
What we feature here is just a taste (see what we did there) of all the amazing recipes of the best side dishes that go with fish.
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Food at home can sometimes be time-consuming to prepare, but Whole Roasted Butternut Squash is as simple as it comes.
Butternut squash is a favorite alongside salmon—a lightly sweet complement to that rich salmon.
With a chef’s knife, slice one lengthwise, coat with olive oil, and set on a baking sheet at 400F, and you have a vegetable that’s either ready to eat or ready to use in recipes.
Once cooled, cube al dente roasted butternut squash for fall salads, or scoop it into a blender to make it into a puree for soup, similar to how you might use sweet potatoes.
While not (yet) one of America’s most popular grains, this chewy, nutty, and absolutely fortifying grain makes a perfect side dish for pork, chicken, and, as I see it—fish.
This site uses an air fryer to make quick work of the prepped root veggies, and you still have the stovetop to simmer the pearled farro to an al dente finish.
Served hot as a hearty pilaf or a chilled dish that serves up similar to a pasta salad, this will make a lovely, easy side dish any time of year.
Another beautiful air fryer recipe, this one is a simple mixed veggie dish that uses zooks, and either cherry tomatoes or cut tomato wedges.
Grab your big mixing bowl and toss your oil and seasonings, then set your air fryer to “awesome,” and you’ll eat in about 15 minutes.
Get your fish going at the same time, and everything is practically ready to serve at once.
This one is both a recipe and a how-to, so especially if you are new to cooking, it’s a good tip for how to sauté with a short list of the ingredients.
With delicate fish, it’s good to enhance that light flavor in two ways: stay with a light-lunch ideal, or make your flavorful sides do the heavy lifting on the plate.
Freshly snapped green beans will cut the rich, creamy cajun flavors of Baked Flounder with Pontchartrain Sauce, for example.
Got a Salmon Oscar?
We got you these al dente green beans with just a hint of sea salt and olive oil are the great way to go.
We really love the versatility of bok choy—the carte blanc of “exotic” vegetable side dishes.
This article mentions it as a side for meatloaf, sirloin, and of course, plenty of Chinese meals feature bok choy.
But I love this sauteed bok choy as a great side dish for fish.
This three-ingredient recipe (hit that Jump to Recipe to go straight there) is really a jumping-off point for using your favorite seasonings.
The trick is not to flip or move around the bok choy too much so it gets nice and charred.
I will be the first to admit that I grew up LOVING spinach.
It was one of the only vegetables that my mom served that I didn’t throw a fit about.
Maybe it was the irony (get it? Iron?) of how she was so shocked that I would eat it, but I made it my life’s mission to eat it and enjoy it in as many recipes as possible.
This Cheesy Creamed Spinach is one of many.
The garlic and parmesan transform these leafy greens into a rather decadent dish, but you can still say you had your veggies for the day.
How often have you had seafood out, and rice was over, under, or beside your seafood entrée, nestled with a lemon wedge?
Citrus just goes hand-in-hand (hand-in-fin?) with fish, and that perfectly cooked basmati rice just brings it all home.
Combine these classic flavors into this 5-Ingredient Lemon Rice Recipe—one versatile and delicious side dish.
This recipe uses lemon zest, garlic, and olive oil as a simple, fresh sidecar to practically any fish recipe.
Want more lemon juice flavor?
Double that zest and make it sing.
Does it get any simpler than a serving bowl of noodles slathered with butter, salt, and black pepper?
Didn’t think so.
This easy recipe for a fish side has got the trifecta of yum: pasta, butter, and salt.
Ah, it’s such a great option when you want a filling, easy side.
There are many ways to enhance this main ingredient with fresh flavors and spices.
You can garnish the heck of buttered noodles with practically any herbs like fresh dill, shaker cheese, lemon zest, and more, so go to town on this simple recipe.
Pro Tip: Never overcook thy noodles is rule one.
Sweet Potato Fries are always a nice change from the usual, and you can make this all in one go when you use a conventional oven.
Baking these gems will cut down on the fat, but there are some things to remember:
- Peeling provides a smoother fry – that skin comes out tough in the oven
- Slice the fries as thin as possible
- Only cook in one layer
- Don’t place them too close together
- Use parchment paper or sprayed foil on the baking sheet.
You can make these into sweet potato wedges, too.
Corn is so versatile, and if you’re grilling your fish, find the grilling method here and get these set up on the grill before you put your fish on.
Grill it all and save your kitchen the cleanup.
But if you only have a few minutes and you want to get your fresh corn on the table fast, boil them on the stovetop.
Serve with plenty of salt, butter (and Tajîn if you’re feeling fancy).
We always recommend that you drain corn on the cob well and cool them for a couple of minutes before serving.
Get the bibs out—corn on the cob is one of the best sides for fish this side of the Fishissippi. (Sorry.)
While we are happy cooking with garlic in any state, there’s something PROFOUND about roasted garlic. Profound, I tell you.
High heat changes the flavor profile of garlic completely!
Smooth, luscious, and practically creamy with warm, nutty notes instead of the tang of fresh garlic, this recipe helps you take that first step to make roasted garlic for a charcuterie board, to add to sauces, or to make into a spread.
We do tend to like cauliflower with fish because we can add a lot of sauces or cheese (or both) and still call it a veg.
This one, though, makes like steak—cut in thick slices and charred beautifully.
Add spices of your choice, or use the ones we’ve included.
The trick is not to move the cauliflower too much so it gets nice and dark on each side.
It adds a smoky flavor that just steamed cauliflower doesn’t have.
It’s hard to wait, and patience is a virtue in this recipe.
This goes in the oven, but you can adjust it to make it on the grill.
You know what they say, “Fake it till you steak it.”
I am always waxing poetic about how cranberries go so well with everything salmon that I make: salmon patties, grilled salmon, oven-baked salmon, and pan-sauteed salmon.
While this isn’t fresh fruit, it’s cooked; this Cranberry Compote is the first thing that comes to mind when I think about what to serve with fish.
Full disclosure: I eat cranberry compote with a spoon as a snack, too, so I REALLY love it.
That snappy sour tang isn’t for everyone, but I LOVE it.
And it’s really best with a rich fish dish. (Say that one three times fast.)
Try this recipe with a frozen bag of cranberries that you bought during that short autumn window when they are available.
Let me know what you think, unless you hate it, then don’t tell me.
This slaw is thrown it down with Granny Smith apples, apple cider vinegar, a touch of mayo and sour cream, and a prepared bag of coleslaw mix, so your recipe comes together in a snap.
That touch of table sugar heightens that apple flavor and this one disappears with the forkful.
Some days, I think simple baked potatoes are so…simple…and then once I have one in front of me, I tuck it in like I’ve been long lost in the desert.
That perfectly soft and fluffy new potato, or Yukon golds, or a fine Russet.
Topped with everything…or almost nothing…a baked potato will make your fish’s day.
We are hooked on the simplicity of a baked potato and how fast and easy it is to bake in the air fryer—and we still get that beautiful, aromatic, oven-roasted texture.
See? Now I want a baked potato.
A light, bright no-mayo coleslaw goes perfectly with summer seafood recipes.
We have a couple of slaw options on the site, but this one is our favorite to come alongside easy dinner recipes of meaty fish or grilled fish fillets.
We pile this one high on sliders and fish sandwiches, and it’s the perfect pairing with fish tacos, too!
What list of sides to serve with fish would be complete without tartar sauce?
There’s plenty of fried fish out there (and maybe a few french fries) that are lonely and hoping for a quick dipping sauce to make life complete.
Can you mix sweet relish with mayo and call it a day?
Sure.
But also try this recipe.
When pairing flavorful dishes, mango salsa is a sublime choice for fish.
The ripe, juicy mango adds sweetness, while the fresh peppers and cilantro add a bit of spice, creating a balance of flavors.
Not only does the combination taste great together, but the visual presentation is also crucial in any fine dining experience.
Here is where mango salsa shines—the vibrant orange and red colors of the diced vegetables look stunning against flaky white fish.
Furthermore, mango salsa is also highly versatile from a culinary standpoint as it can be served with different types of fish—from grilled tilapia to smoked salmon.
Steamed Green Beans with Lemon
Green beans make an easy and delicious healthy side dish. These steamed green beans only require 5 ingredients.
Oven-Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
But I’ve only recently learned that green beans are a delicious veggie roasted, too. They come out crisp-tender, and sometimes I add an extra five minutes in the oven to make sure they are done and not tough.
Roasted Carrots With Thyme
This Oven-Roasted Carrots With Thyme Recipe brings out the sweetness with a golden brown char, and the deep flavor of fresh thyme is activated, making this a scrumptious veggie side dish.
Oven Roasted Radishes
Oven-roasted radishes are an uncommon but yummy way to prep and serve radishes. Roasting radishes brings out their sweet flavor and mellows that peppery bite a bit.
Blackened Broccoli
If you’re looking for a quick and delicious veggie side dish, this charred broccoli recipe is perfect for you! If you want to add a bit more flavor, squeeze some lemon juice on the broccoli florets just before serving.
Easy Arugula Salad Recipe
We can’t get enough of this easy arugula salad recipe. A great feature about this salad is how insanely easy it is to create.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
This cucumber salad with tomatoes and red onion is so simple to make. It’s a fresh and light side salad that’s perfect alongside many dishes.
Easy lemon aioli sauce
You can whip up this lemon aioli in just a couple of minutes. Consequently, you’ll have a scrumptious dipping sauce for your snack, one that’s guaranteed to make you drool for days.
Quick pickled cucumber recipe
Pickling cucumbers are a quick and easy way to transform the flavor into something unique and delicious. It is also nice that pickling cucumbers only takes a few minutes and is really easy to do.
Creamy Red Potato Salad Recipe
This creamy red potato salad is the perfect BBQ, picnic, or summer side dish! Made with tender red potatoes, fresh herbs, and Greek yogurt, it’s a flavorful twist on a classic.
Cheesy Garlic Biscuits Copycat Recipe
The problem is, I can’t justify a whole restaurant trip every time I want those cheesy, garlicky little bites of heaven. Just don’t skip the garlic-butter dabbed on all the warm biscuit tops at the end; it’s where the magic happens!
Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread
It is difficult to beat having a slice of a hot and buttery piece of cornbread with, well, pretty much anything. Then if you add some cheddar cheese and a hint of jalapeño, you have something seriously darn tasty and filling, and relatively easy and cheap to make.
The bottom line
What kind of fish are you having for dinner?
We keep a lot of salmon in the freezer, so we always look for a quick and easy side to whip up at the last minute.
Take a look at these 21 Mango Recipes—there’s so much good stuff, and some of these will go great with a delicious side dish of mild white fish or other seafood pasta dishes.
We put together this Lemon & Dill Salmon with Herbed Salad, and it’s a nice main course that you can substitute other types of fish if you’re not a fan of salmon.
Let us know if you have any of these dishes for your fish a try and if you made any adjustments.
PS: We mention air fryer recipes a lot because we love ours and use it all the time.
Enter to win our giveaway for an air fryer.
If you have one and love it, you can give it to someone for Christmas. Or keep it as a backup.
