This quintessential side goes with any main dish in Jamaican cuisine. Not only is it fluffy and moist, but it also tastes savory and creamy thanks to aromatics like garlic and onion and coconut milk. Its a perfect match for classic Jamaican dishes like curry chicken, fried seafood, or oxtail stew. Get the Rice & Peas recipe.
Tartar sauce can be bought in stores, but making it yourself is always better, both in terms of taste and flexibility. It’s not clear where the sauce came from, but it’s clear that this creamy, tangy, acidic condiment is a MUST for seafood and surprisingly goes well with a lot of other sides too. Get the Homemade Tartar Sauce recipe.
We used couscous as the base for a rainbow of colored vegetables (cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion!) that were tossed in a creamy lemon Dijon dressing. Plus, we added sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese for a tangy twist, as well as crunchy toasted almonds and earthy chickpeas. It’s simple and light, but still special enough for a celebration. Get the Summer Couscous Salad 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.
To make this a truly vegan-friendly slaw, there is neither mayonnaise nor honey in the mix. Dijon mustard helps the oil and vinegar mix and gives the dish a bit of a kick in the back of your throat. Maple brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables. Get the Vinegar Coleslaw recipe.
Fried fish is a delicious, crispy treat that deserves accompaniments as scrumptious as the main dish. The right side dishes can take your fried fish meal from basic to spectacular. They add color, flavor, and texture that perfectly complement the golden fried fish.
With so many options to choose from, it can be tricky to narrow down what sides best pair with fried fish. Here are 15 of the most delicious crowd-pleasing side dishes to serve alongside your crispy flavorful fried fish.
1. French Fries
You can’t go wrong pairing fried food with more fried food. French fries are a classic companion for fried fish. The combination of the hot, crispy fries with the flaky fried fish is hard to beat. For next-level flavor, sprinkle the fries with malt vinegar or dip them in tangy remoulade sauce.
2. Coleslaw
Cool, creamy coleslaw balances the heat of fried fish wonderfully. The crunchy cabbage and carrots give a refreshing contrast to the crispy exterior of the fish. Make it sweet make it tangy – any style of coleslaw works well with this combo.
3. Potato Salad
Like coleslaw, potato salad supplies a cool, creamy counterpoint to fried fish Potatoes are also a natural pair with seafood. Try pairing fried fish with zesty German potato salad or dill pickle potato salad for some tang
4. Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is right at home next to fried fish. The creamy pasta salad helps cut through the richness of the crispy fried coating. Add some diced pickle and onion to the macaroni for more texture and flavor.
5. Baked Beans
Warm, saucy baked beans make an easy, filling side for fried fish. Their sweet and tangy flavor profile balances nicely with the fish. Pair flavorful New England baked beans or smoky BBQ baked beans with your fish.
6. Collard Greens
Southern-style collard greens seasoned with smoked pork are a delicious fried fish side. The bitter greens and smoky pork contrast the fish nicely. Plus, the collards add some much-needed veggies to this fried meal.
7. cornbread
Warm cornbread naturally soaks up all the delicious pan drippings from the fried fish. It adds starch and substance to complete the meal. For even more flavor, try jalapeno cheese cornbread or corn muffins.
8. Hushpuppies
No Southern fried fish dinner is complete without hushpuppies. These savory cornmeal fritters pair perfectly with the crispy fish. Fry up a batch to serve piping hot alongside your fish.
9. Green Beans
Some simple sautéed or steamed green beans balance the rich fish beautifully. Beans supply color and texture to the plate. Toss them with sesame oil and soy sauce or cream them up with bacon for even more flavor.
10. Fried Okra
For the ultimate Southern fried feast, add some crispy fried okra into the mix. The combination of fried fish and fried okra can’t be beat. The okra’s slight bitterness plays well with the fish.
11. Black-Eyed Peas
Warm and hearty black-eyed peas are a flavorful accompaniment for fried fish. Make them Southern-style with ham hock or keep it simple with rice vinegar and green onions. Either way, they make an excellent pairing.
12. Corn on the Cob
Sweet, summery grilled corn on the cob is a crowd-pleasing side with fried fish. The char from grilling gives a smoky depth that complements the fish beautifully. Just roll that corn in some melted butter for maximum yum.
13. Home Fries
Crispy pan-fried potatoes are right at home with fried fish fillets or baskets. Home fries supply even more crispy and salty goodness to fill out the meal. Cook them with onion and bell pepper for extra flavor.
14. Dinner Rolls
Warm, soft dinner rolls are perfect for mopping up any stray drips of sauce or soaking up pan drippings. Brush them with garlic butter or sprinkle them with sea salt before serving.
15. Grits
Last but not least, no list of fried fish sides is complete without grits. Cheese grits, shrimp and grits, bacon grits – take your pick! This Southern staple soaks up all the best pan drippings.
Mix and Match Your Favorite Sides
The options for amazing fried fish side dishes are endless. Feel free to mix and match complementary sides to design a delicious complete meal. Some suggestions:
- French fries and coleslaw
- Cornbread and baked beans
- Potato salad and collard greens
- Hushpuppies and black-eyed peas
- Corn on the cob and macaroni salad
The next time you fry up a batch of fish fillets, fish sticks or shrimp, take them to the next level by pairing them with these tasty accompaniments. With the right combination of sides, your fried fish will truly satisfy.
Black Bean And Corn Salad
This salad is quick and easy to make. It goes well with fried fish, as a topping for tacos, or as an excuse to eat tortilla chips right away. This is like a mix of the best parts of a burrito bowl, without the rice and with a little honey-lime action to get you excited. Get the Black Bean And Corn Salad recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
You wont be able to keep hushed about these. Serve them with your favorite seafood or BBQ dishes. Get the Hush Puppies recipe.
In terms of American food that can be eaten all year, baked beans might be one of the most classic side dishes. They’re sweet, tangy, savory, and the best part, surprisingly easy to make. They also only need one pot to make, which makes them even better. Plus, one batch feeds a lot of people, and the oven does most of the work while you’re away. This is a winner that will become a family tradition for years to come. Get the Best Baked Beans recipe.
Homemade Mac & Cheese
Our best mac and cheese ever at Delish is great for any event, from holiday spreads to family dinners during the week. We think the best macaroni and cheese recipe should have three things: a golden, crunchy topping, extra creamy macaroni and cheese, and lots of cheese. Get the Homemade Mac & Cheese recipe.
Sweet potato fries can sometimes have a bad reputation—especially the oven-baked ones. They usually come out limp and tasteless, but that doesn’t have to be the case! We have all the tips you need to make sure your sweet potato fries are crispy and tasty right out of the oven. Get the Sweet Potato Fries recipe.
A traditional summer salad has mint, feta, red onion, cucumber, a balsamic glaze, and of course, juicy watermelon. This watermelon quinoa salad has all of those things. This creative take on a classic is the best way to spice up your summer. It’s great as a side dish for a BBQ or as a light and refreshing summer lunch. Get the Watermelon Quinoa Salad recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.