Figuring out what side dishes to serve with fish can seem tricky. The key is finding flavors, textures, and cooking methods that complement the type of fish you’re making. After looking at popular recipes and food sites, I’ve gathered 25 of the very best side dish ideas for fish dinners
Choosing Sides Based on Fish Type
White, flaky fish like cod, halibut, and haddock have a mild, delicate flavor. They pair well with brighter, bolder sides like corn salsa or smashed cucumber salad to contrast the flavor. Firmer fish like tuna and swordfish can handle heartier sides like roasted potatoes or polenta. And for strongly flavored fish like salmon or trout, go for lighter sides like a green salad or steamed vegetables so as not to compete with that fishy taste.
Fried fish calls for starchy sides that soak up oil, like fries, coleslaw, or hush puppies. For grilled fish, choose fresh sides with a little char like grilled veggies, panzanella salad, or corn on the cob.
25 Winning Ways to Round Out Your Fish Dinner
After combing recipe sites and food blogs, these are my top 25 side dish recommendations for any type of fish meal. I’ve included classics as well as creative options to give you lots of variety.
1. Rice
A simple bed of fluffy white rice or coconut rice rounds out a fish dinner nicely. Rice soaks up sauce and provides a neutral base that doesn’t compete with the fish. Jasmine and basmati are ideal choices. For a more gourmet meal, make a risotto or mushroom barley risotto.
2. Roasted Potatoes
There’s nothing more comforting than a side of oven-roasted potatoes with a crispy outside and fluffy interior. Potatoes pair with any fish beautifully. Go classic with halved little potatoes or get creative with seasoned wedges or smashed, crispy potatoes like Greek lemon potatoes.
3. Mashed Potatoes
Alongside a simply broiled or baked white fish, rich and creamy mashed potatoes are a match made in heaven. They’re easy to throw together and always satisfying. For special occasions, try smashed and fried potato cakes.
4. French Fries
You can’t go wrong pairing fried fish with a side of piping hot french fries. The crispy, salty fries complement the moist interior of fish perfectly. For a healthier take, try oven-baked fries or even zucchini fries.
5. Coleslaw or Cabbage Slaw
Alongside fried fish, crunchy vinegar-based coleslaw cuts through oil and fat. Creamy mayo-based slaws are classic too. For a more nutrient-rich slaw, use shredded brussels sprouts, kale, or red cabbage instead of just green cabbage.
6. Polenta
Creamy, garlicky polenta is a fantastic base for roasted, sauced, or stewed fish dishes. It’s comforting and filling. Caponata, a Sicilian eggplant relish, tastes amazing with polenta too.
7. Pasta
Some pasta shapes like linguine or fettuccine work nicely alongside a sauced fish entree. Opt for a lighter pasta without heavy cream or cheese sauces. Pair heartier fish with spaghetti and meatballs using the fish as your “meat.”
8. Asparagus
Roasted, grilled, or simply steamed asparagus spears make an elegant and tasty side for fish. The vegetal flavor offsets a fish’s richness nicely. Drizzle with lemon butter or cheese sauce.
9. Salad
A crisp green salad is a foolproof pairing for almost any fish dish. Spinach, kale, arugula, romaine – they all work! Top with sharp cheese, crunchy nuts, tart dried fruit, and a light vinaigrette dressing. Heartier main dish salads with greens, grains, beans, and veggies make a full meal.
10. Panzanella
This traditional Italian bread salad combines juicy summer tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and chunks of bread soaked in a lemony vinaigrette. It’s fresh, bright, and substantial enough to accompany simply grilled fish.
11. Ratatouille
All the veggies in ratatouille – eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes – pair nicely with fish. The Mediterranean flavors complement seafood beautifully. Use it as a sauce, side, or base for baked fish.
12. Steamed Broccoli
An easy weeknight side is steamed broccoli drizzled with lemon juice or melted butter. Or take it up a notch with broccolini or charred broccoli florets. The bright green veggie won’t overpower a delicate fish fillet.
13. Green Beans
Quick-cooking green beans amandine dressed in toasted almonds and butter or green beans with miso sauce make easy yet elegant sides for seafood. Any preparation works – steamed, sautéed, or roasted.
14. Summer Squash
Slice up zucchini and summer squash into half moons or sticks and roast with olive oil, salt, and pepper for a simple side. For heartier sides, make zucchini casseroles or stuffed zucchini boats.
15. Carrots
Honey glazed roasted carrots, miso glazed carrots, or fresh carrot slaw all taste delicious next to a flaky fish fillet. Pick a preparation that matches the flavor profile of your meal.
16. Mushrooms
Meaty mushrooms like creminis, portobellos, and maitakes take well to roasting or grilling, making them ideal fish sides. Toss roasted mushrooms in a vinaigrette or pile them atop garlic toast for a hearty accompaniment.
17. Corn on the Cob
In summer, grill up some corn on the cob brushed with butter, lime juice, cotija cheese, and chili powder to serve alongside grilled fish tacos or blackened fish fillets. The sweet corn balances the heat perfectly.
18. Bread
Crunchy garlic bread, fluffy dinner rolls, or crusty baguette slices are simple yet tasty sides for soaking up sauce from fish dishes. Serve breadsticks, biscuits, or cornbread with stews and chowders too.
19. Farro or Quinoa
For a high protein, gluten-free grain option, try chewy farro or light and fluffy quinoa. Dress grains in vinaigrette and toss with diced veggies for a hearty salad.
Perfect Baked Sweet Potato
Adding sweet potatoes to your diet is a simple and tasty way to start eating healthier. The vegetable is a true superfood, full of fiber and vitamin C. They can also be used in a lot of different ways. For example, baking them whole in the oven is probably the easiest way to make them, and they’ll be great with any kind of topping. Get the Perfect Baked Sweet Potato recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
With minimal time and zero effort, you can have asparagus ready faster than your oven could even preheat. You can make a quick and healthy side dish with a teaspoon of olive oil and some lemon juice to make it taste better. Its our new favorite way to cook asparagus. Get the Air Fryer Asparagus recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
Chili Oil Smashed Potatoes
This recipe is a spicy take on our favorite crispy potato method: smashed potatoes. While making our garlic smashed potatoes, add chili crisp oil for the last 5 minutes. It only needs a quick roast, and you’ll be good to go! Get the recipe for Chili Oil Smashed Potatoes. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
For this summer salad, you won’t just toast the bread cubes by themselves; you’ll roast them with the tomatoes, onion, and garlic. The tomatoes burst as they roast, mixing their juices with the bread and fresh arugula. Also, did we say that the roasted tomatoes, toasted bread covered in Parmesan, garlicky bread, and mozzarella cheese taste a lot like pizza? Get the Sheet-Pan Panzanella recipe here. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
To make this a truly vegan-friendly slaw, there is neither mayonnaise nor honey in the mix. The natural sweetness of the vegetables is brought out by the maple syrup. Dijon mustard helps the oil and vinegar mix and gives it a bit of a kick. Get the Vinegar Coleslaw recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
It may sound like a lot of work to deep-fry potatoes, but we know how to make the tastiest fries ever without having to do it twice. With our method, all of the fries go in at the same time. When they come out, they’re ready to eat—after being slathered in salt, of course. Get the Perfect French Fries recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
This classic French countryside dish is chockfull of vegetables. Served with lots of warm French bread, it’s one of our favorite ways to use up summer produce. Get the Ratatouille recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
This red cabbage slaw recipe is perfect for all your summer needs. Having a BBQ? Serve it alongside red potato salad and bacon jalapeño corn salad. Are you planning a picnic? This slaw gets better over time because the lime-honey vinaigrette softens, so it will still taste great after being on the move for a few hours. Get the Red Cabbage Slaw recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
A batch of these tasty potatoes goes well with a wide range of Greek-style dishes because they are tangy and bright from the lemon. If you want to bring the tastes of your trip to the Aegean to your home, try these potatoes with Greek salmon or shrimp. Get the Greek Lemon Potatoes recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
The best side dishes for seafood
What are some good side dishes to eat with fish?
For a healthy and low-carb side dish to accompany your fish, consider a Tomato Cucumber Salad. All you need are zucchini, olive oil, and spices. If you’re looking for a particularly nutritious and healthy side dish, then you’ll find your match here. This side dish is a perfect delicious companion for your main course.
What goes well with fish?
Thankfully there are plenty of great options that will pair perfectly with your fish recipes. Fish is a lean protein, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which means it pairs well with healthy sides such as salad and vegetables, just as it pairs well with hearty side dishes, such as potato and rice. It all depends on the type of fish you are serving.
What to serve with fish dinner?
From classic sides like french fries and coleslaw, to healthy sides for fish like sauteed spinach and green beans, this roundup is here to help you find exactly what to pair with your fish dinner. Want to Save This Recipe? Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
What are some good sides for seafood?
Our parmesan baked green beans are among the best sides for seafood. To prepare, place the green beans in a large mixing bowl and toss with the olive oil. In a small bowl, combine the parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried oregano.