If you want to make a creative, out-of-the box meal tonight, I have the answer. Because FLAVOR. And if you follow Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season, you now know a new fantastic fish recipe!
Pssst. If you don’t like fish sticks, this is a quick and easy way to make crunchy lemon garlic baked fish. You can put it on a sandwich or anything else you want. Have it with a side of fries. Throw it on a salad!.
You won’t believe this is the second time I’ve written about fish sticks!! I made these crispy fish sticks years ago, and they are still my favorite. I also made this fish sandwich with a potato chip crust, which is still one of my all-time favorite fish recipes.
The funny thing is that I never really ate fish sticks as a kid. My mom didn’t buy them. But they were EVERYWHERE come lent. They were marketed like crazy in grocery stores and ads and all over our school lunches. I can still see the blue box in the advertisement.
Finding the Perfect Pairing: Exploring Sauces for Fish Sticks
The satisfying crunch of an golden fish stick dipped in a delicious sauce is a favorite meal for kids and adults alike But with so many sauce options out there, what is the best pairing for fish sticks? Let’s explore some top contenders to find the ideal sauces to serve with these fried, fishy favorites
Tartar Sauce
A tangy classic, tartar sauce is a go-to for fish sticks and other types of seafood. Typically consisting of mayonnaise, pickles or capers, and herbs like dill, tartar sauce adds a cool, creamy flavor contrast to hot and crispy fish sticks. The sour cream or yogurt base balanced by sweet pickle relish is hard to beat. Tartar sauce is also easy to make homemade or find ready-made for dipping convenience.
Ketchup
As one of the most popular condiments out there, ketchup is a prime choice for dipping anything from fries to chicken nuggets, so it’s no surprise it pairs nicely with fish sticks too. The sweet and tangy tomato flavor complements the fried coating and mild white fish taste. Opt for standard tomato ketchup or try a funky flavored gourmet ketchup for an extra kick.
BBQ Sauce
Barbecue sauce gives a smoky sweetness that works wonderfully with fish sticks for kids and adults. Tomato-based BBQ sauces pair especially well, adding a tangy contrast, while vinegar-based sauces can cut nicely through any fishy flavor. The variety of barbecue sauce styles out there means you can get creative with your pairings too.
Nacho Cheese SauceFor ultimate indulgence, nothing beats dipping fish sticks in smooth, gooey nacho cheese sauce The rich, melted cheese binds to the crispy coating for a mouthwatering bite Amp up the flavor even more by adding diced jalapeños or salsa to the cheese sauce. Just be prepared for things to get messy in the most delicious way!
Cocktail SauceCocktail sauce offers a lighter tomato flavor compared to ketchup, along with a horseradish zing that livens up any bite of fish The chili pepper accent can help cut through any lingering “fishy” taste as well. Make your own cocktail sauce at home or pick up a bottle to have on hand for seafood dipping.
Buffalo Sauce
Give fish sticks an extra kick by dunking them in spicy buffalo sauce, usually a blend of hot sauce and butter. The heat pairs surprisingly well with the fried exterior and delicate fish inside. For less spicy options, use a milder hot sauce or dilute with ranch dressing or cream cheese.
Honey Mustard Sauce
Honey mustard is a kid and adult pleaser, with the sweet honey and zesty mustard melding together into sauce gold. The hint of tang and creaminess coats fish sticks nicely for a well-balanced flavor duo. Whip up DIY honey mustard quick or have a bottle of this versatile sauce ready to drizzle.
Ranch Dressing
Cool and creamy ranch is a go-to for dipping anything from pizza to veggies, so it’s an easy choice for fish sticks too. The rich, herby flavor cools the heat of fried fish for a refreshing combo. Ranch chive, buttermilk ranch, and ranch made from scratch are all tasty options.
Frequency of Entities:
Fish sticks: 8 times
Sauce: 16 times
Tartar sauce: 3 times
Ketchup: 2 times
BBQ sauce: 2 times
Nacho cheese sauce: 2 times
Cocktail sauce: 2 times
Buffalo sauce: 2 times
Honey mustard sauce: 2 times
Ranch dressing: 2 times
But I just… couldn’t.
However, then I grew up and realized I could when I made them at home.
So here, we have some grown up fish sticks, but ones that kids love too!
Just look at that texture!
The breading is a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and crushed potato chips. SUPER CRUNCHY was the goal and that goal was achieved! Super crisp. Garlic, lemon zest, lemon pepper – all comes together with this breading so the texture is phenomenal. It sticks, it’s crispy, it’s irresistible. It’s flavorful and light and the texture will have you crying tears of delicious joy!.
And the tartar sauce? Well. OMG.
Another thing is that I thought I didn’t like tartar sauce until I found out that it’s really mayo relish. Okay, I can handle that. In fact, I made tartar sauce for this amazing fish sandwich last year, and now I’m hooked. It tricked my tastebuds and changed my life.
This version is OUTSTANDING! You grate fresh jalapeño right into the sauce. It gives it a wonderful fresh jalapeño flavor without the heat. My kind of sauce! And a slightly green color too. It might be the best jalapeño flavored thing I’ve ever tried. Yes yes yes. I love it.
From now on, I’m grating the jalapeño and that’s that.
While this is such a retro throwback type of meal, you can totally make it however you’d like. Serve it with some parmesan roasted broccoli or smashed potatoes. That flavor profile is comforting and classic. Or skip the tartar and do ketchup or BBQ sauce if you must. Add some chili and lime to the breading instead of lemon. Make an open face sandwich with slaw. Cover it in hot sauce! Put it in a taco!.
There are just so many ideas. I can’t take it!
