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.
For many of us fish sticks elicit fond childhood memories. Few things said “Friday night dinner” more than a plate of crispy fried fish sticks. While we loved them back then, let’s be honest – fish sticks can be a bit boring on their own. The mild white fish tends to get lost without a flavor-packed dipping sauce.
Why settle for bland fish sticks as an adult when the right sauce can elevate this freezer aisle staple? The perfect condiment partners beautifully with the hot and crunchy coating. It adds flavor dimension, moisture, and acidity to balance the fried flavor
With the right dip, you can transform basic fish sticks into a crave-worthy grown-up meal. From tartar sauce to spicy mayo, read on for 15 sauces that take fish sticks from child’s play to gourmet guilty pleasure.
1. Tangy Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce is a classic match for fish sticks or any type of fried seafood. This popular condiment contains pickles, capers, onions, and lemon juice, making it nice and tangy. The briny flavor of tartar sauce pairs perfectly with the hot, crunchy exterior of fish sticks. It also helps cut through the richness of the fried coating. Whip up a quick tartar sauce or use store-bought to enjoy this timeless pairing.
2. Creamy Ranch Dressing
Another fail-safe fish stick companion is creamy ranch dressing. The cool, herby ranch balances beautifully with the hot breading and fried flavor. Ranch is also a great option for folks who find tartar sauce too tangy. Making homemade ranch is easy and allows you to control the ingredients. Or grab a bottle of your favorite store-bought ranch to dip those fish sticks in creamy deliciousness.
3. Sweet and Tangy Honey Mustard
Honey mustard is a sweet and tangy condiment that complements fish sticks perfectly. The honey lends a touch of sweetness while the mustard brings that nice tangy kick. The twang of the mustard cuts through the oil from frying. Honey mustard strikes an ideal balance between rich and bright that keeps you coming back for more dunks. Keep a bottle on hand to dip fish sticks for a flavor upgrade.
4. Zingy Cocktail Sauce
Cocktail sauce is typically paired with shrimp but works wonders with fish sticks too. This tomato-based sauce gets its kick from horseradish. The combination of sweet tomato flavor and sinus-clearing spiciness jazzes up boring fish sticks. Make your own or use store-bought cocktail sauce for an easy way to add major zing. Just a dunk will liven up mild white fish sticks.
5. Fresh Lemon Aioli
Whip up a quick lemon aioli by combining mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. The combination of creamy mayo and bright citrus makes a stellar dip for fish sticks. The acidity in the lemon cuts through the heavy fried coating and enlivens the fish flavor. Aioli takes plain fish from “blah” to “yum” in an instant. Make this fresh, lemony sauce in minutes for fish worth savoring.
6. Old Bay Remoulade
Remoulade is a flavor-packed cold sauce that originated in France. This version uses Old Bay seasoning to give it an addictive crab cake vibe. The lip-smacking blend of mustard, mayo, capers, pickles, herbs, and Old Bay is next-level with fish sticks. It hits all the right notes: creamy, tangy, herby, and perfectly seasoned. Remoulade makes it feel like a restaurant-worthy meal.
7. Creamy Chili Sauce
For a mildly spicy, sweet and tangy dip, whip up this creamy chili sauce. It combines chili sauce or chili garlic sauce, lime juice, and mayonnaise. The result is a sauce that clings nicely to the fish sticks with its creamy base. The chili and lime cut through the fried coating with a kick of heat and acidity. Sweet, spicy, and tangy all in one – this sauce livens up boring fish sticks.
8. Belgian Style Dipping Sauce
This Belgian-style dipping sauce only requires 3 ingredients: mayonnaise, ketchup, and a spoonful of pickle juice. Combined, they form a creamy, tangy special sauce for dunking. The mayo and ketchup provide a rich, sweet and salty base while the pickle juice provides a briny kick. The vinegar also helps cut through the heaviness of fried food. Quick and easy to mix up for an upgraded fish stick experience.
9. Spicy Fry Sauce
Fry sauce combines two popular condiments, ketchup and mayonnaise, to make a creamy, savory sauce. Add some sriracha or hot sauce and you have the ideal heat-balanced dip for fish sticks. The mayo and ketchup form a sweet, salty, and tangy base while the hot sauce brings the spice. Adjust the heat to your preferences for a next-level fish stick pairing.
10. Sweet and Sour Sauce
Homemade sweet and sour sauce is tastier and healthier than takeout packets. This recipe includes pineapple juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup and spices. The bold, colorful sauce provides a fruity sweetness and tang that complements fried fish beautifully. It also contains chili paste for a hint of heat. Sweet and sour sauce is sure to please kids and adults alike.
11. Quick Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce is an easy, kid-friendly dip that adds moisture and flavor to fish sticks. Sauté garlic and season canned tomatoes for a fast homemade sauce. The sweetness of the tomatoes balances the fried flavor while the garlic and herbs add complexity. Quick marinara sauce gives fish sticks a flavor boost in minutes. Add a side of pasta and you have a complete meal.
12. Zesty Cocktail Sauce
For an amped up cocktail sauce, combine chili sauce, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. This zingy sauce has all the tangy, spicy flavor you crave from cocktail sauce turned up a notch. The mix of heat and acidity cuts through the heavy coating and brings bored fish sticks to life. Horseradish lovers will adore this sauce’s sinus-clearing kick.
13. Cool Avocado Ranch
For a creamy, nutritious sauce, whip up this avocado ranch dip. Blend avocado, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, herbs, garlic, and spices for a tangy, salsa-like ranch. The avocado provides creaminess and nutrition while the yogurt and lemon keep it light. This dip adds moisture and a nutritional boost to otherwise empty fish sticks. The salsa-inspired flavor transports you straight to the beach.
14. Spicy Mayo Dipping Sauce
Spicy mayo is a quick, easy fish stick sauce made by combining sriracha and mayonnaise. Adjust the proportions to your desired spice level. The creaminess of the mayo helps tame the chili heat. This sauce adds moisture and a kick of heat that keeps fish sticks exciting. Spicy mayo is also perfect for dipping fries, nuggets, or spring rolls.
15. Lemon Dill Tartar Sauce
For a fresh twist on tartar sauce, use lemon instead of pickle brine and dill instead of capers. Mix mayo, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced onion, garlic, and fresh dill. This bright, herby tartar sauce partners beautifully with fish sticks. The acidity and herbs cut through fried food greasiness. Drizzle it over fish tacos too for an extra dimension of flavor.
Elevate Fish Sticks with Crave-Worthy Sauces
The next time you indulge in a fish stick dinner, leave the boring ketchup behind. With the perfect dipping sauce, you can transform a frozen food staple into a culinary treat. The sauces add moisture, acidity, creaminess, herbs, and spices that balance the fried coating and amplify the mild white fish.
From quick homemade aioli to store-bought marinara, the possibilities are endless. Just be careful not to fill up too much on the sauce before you finish the fish sticks! With flavors like these, you’ll be remiscing about the good ol’ fish stick days while enjoying an elevated version of this childhood classic.
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!
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!.
How to make YUM YUM SAUCE -SECRET Sauce for Steak Burger Chicken Fish Shrimp Seafood & Dipping Sauce
What sauce goes best with fish sticks?
Sauces that go best with fish sticks include tartar sauce, mayonnaise (and mayonnaise-based variations, such as garlic aioli), ketchup, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, hot sauce (such as Sriracha), ranch, cocktail, plum, and marinara. In reality, lots of different sauces work well with fish sticks. They are very versatile like that.
What is the healthy substitute for oyster sauce?
Oyster sauce is a sweet and salty condiment made primarily from oyster juices, salt and sugar. It is commonly used in Asian, Chinese, Thai cuisines for stir-fries, meat marinades and dipping sauces. Healthy substitutes are fish sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, worcester shire sauce with soy sauce, vegan mushroom sauce and teriyaki sauce. In this way there are also options for vegan, vegetarian or gluten free diets.
What is the best dipping sauce for fish sticks?
Old-Fashioned Tartar Sauce To me, the best fish stick dipping sauce is tartar sauce. You just can’t beat a classic! The briny flavors of the pickles and capers just go so well with the crispy, savory fish sticks. Add to that the acidic tang of the lemon juice and mustard, and you’re cutting through the greasiness with a freshly sharpened Katana!
What condiments go well with fish sticks?
Mustard ranges from sweet to spicy, making it a versatile condiment for all sorts of dishes. In this case, we’re pairing it with fish sticks, but it would also be delicious with roasted potatoes, grilled chicken, or even on a sandwich in place of mayo. 3. BBQ Sauce BBQ sauce typically has a tangy flavor with a slightly sweet and smoky taste.