What Kind of Rice Goes Best with Baked Fish? 12 Suggestions and Recipes to Try

Baked fish is a light, healthy and delicious meal that goes great with a variety of rice side dishes. The rice soaks up any extra sauce or seasoning from the fish, while also providing texture contrast and added flavor.

When selecting the right rice to serve with baked fish, you’ll want to consider ingredients, preparation method, and complementary flavors. Here are 12 fantastic rice recipe suggestions to consider for your next baked fish dinner.

Quick-Cooking White or Brown Rice

For a simple weeknight side dish, basic white or brown rice fits the bill White rice cooks quickly and offers a mild flavor that pairs nicely with baked fish. Brown rice brings more nutrients like fiber, though does take a bit longer to prepare.

• White Rice – Rinse the rice, combine with water or broth, bring to a boil, then simmer until tender Fluff with a fork before serving Goes well with basic seasoning like lemon, herbs, or butter.

• Brown Rice – Follow same method as white rice but increase water and cook time Works well with heartier fish like salmon or halibut

Herb-Infused Rice

Pumped up with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro or dill, herb rice offers a flavor punch that awakens baked fish. These quick-to-prepare recipes add bright, lively flavors.

• Lemon Herb Rice – Cooked with lemon zest and juice along with parsley. Citrus brightens up mild white fish.

• Cilantro Lime Rice – Lime and cilantro provide a taste of the tropics. Pairs well with fish tacos or fajitas.

• Dill Rice – Fresh dill and lemon complement fish like cod or tilapia.

Buttery Garlic Rice

Buttery garlic rice is comforting yet indulgent. The rich flavors match well with fattier fish like salmon or trout that can stand up to the richness.

• Garlic Butter Rice – Simmer rice in broth and stir in butter and minced garlic just before serving.

• Garlic Parsley Rice – Sauté sliced garlic in oil or butter until fragrant, then add rice and broth to cook. Finish with chopped parsley.

Coconut Rice

Coconut rice adds sweet flavor and texture contrast to baked fish. The coconut milk mellows out any strong fish flavors.

• Coconut Rice – Simmer rice in a combination of coconut milk and chicken or vegetable broth. Top with toasted coconut flakes.

• Coconut Curry Rice – Sauté onions and spices like curry powder, cumin and coriander, then add coconut milk and rice. Finish with cilantro.

Spanish-Style Rice Dishes

Drawing inspiration from classic Spanish cuisine, these rice dishes pair wonderfully with simple baked fish.

• Spanish Rice – Made with onions, garlic, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce for bold flavor.

• Yellow Rice – Uses saffron to give the rice a bright golden color. Often includes peas as well.

Risotto

Creamy risotto is a more elegant rice choice that works as an indulgent side for special occasion meals with baked fish.

• Mushroom Risotto – Slowly simmer Arborio rice with mushroom broth and sautéed mushrooms. Finish with Parmesan.

• Asparagus Risotto – Blend asparagus into the rice along with lemon zest.

Fried Rice

Fried rice is a heartier option that introduces another layer of flavor from ingredients like vegetables, eggs or meat. The toasted rice textures pair nicely with softer baked fish.

• Vegetable Fried Rice – Quick-cooking and colorful with carrots, peas, onions and garlic.

• Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice – Sweet pineapple balances savory shrimp and spices.

• Kimchi Fried Rice – Spicy kimchi adds a kick to complement mild white fish.

Wild Rice or Rice Pilafs

To switch things up from plain white rice, try wild rice or rice pilafs cooked with herbs, spices, vegetables and other mix-ins. These flavor-packed sides stand up well to bolder or more intensely seasoned baked fish.

• Wild Rice Pilaf – Cook wild rice with chicken or vegetable broth then toss in veggies like diced carrots or zucchini.

• Curried Rice Pilaf – Incorporate spices like cumin, coriander and turmeric when cooking the rice for exotic flavor.

• Rice Pilaf with Nuts and Dried Fruit – Consider additions like slivered almonds, dried cranberries or apricots.

What to Avoid with Baked Fish

When selecting a rice for baked fish, it’s best to avoid extremely sticky varieties like sushi rice or dessert-style rice puddings. These dense textures don’t pair as nicely.

Also be mindful of seasoning. Skip rice dishes with very bold, spicy flavors or those competing for attention like crawfish etouffee. Instead, choose rice with mild or complementary flavors to let the baked fish shine.

Recipe Inspiration for Rice with Baked Fish

To get your creative juices flowing, here are two delicious recipes for rice dishes that pair wonderfully with simple baked white fish fillets:

Garlic Lemon Parsley Rice

• 1 1⁄2 cups uncooked white rice
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp lemon zest
• 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Rinse rice in a mesh strainer until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring broth to a boil over high heat. Add rice, stir once, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest.
3. When rice is done, fluff with a fork. Stir in garlic-lemon oil and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm alongside baked fish.

Coconut Curry Rice

• 1 14-oz can coconut milk
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
• Lime wedges for serving

1. In a saucepan, combine coconut milk, broth, rice, onions, curry powder, ginger and garlic. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer covered for about 20 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
2. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork then fold in cilantro. Serve with lime wedges alongside mildly seasoned baked fish.

Finding the Perfect Pairing

Rice makes an easy, delicious pairing for baked fish dinners. Try out some of these suggestions the next time you’re preparing a baked fish fillet entree. Experiment with different spices, herbs, vegetables and proteins mixed into the rice to find a side dish that complements your fish perfectly.