What to Serve with Fried Fish? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Are you making fried fish for lunch/dinner? Excellent choice.

Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, vitamins B2 and D, and many other nutrients we need daily.

Whether you like them steamed, fried, or grilled, it is an excellent choice of food for anyone.

Now, what to serve with fried fish? You cannot eat it on its own, no matter how good the recipe is.

Luckily, there are MANY foods that pair beautifully with fried fish.

We’re here to help you find the best one if you’re unsure about what type of side dish to make.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Fried Fish?

First, you’d want to add something more filling to the table if you want to enjoy a satiating meal.

You also need some side dishes (or just one) if you’re hosting a dinner for friends and family.

Fish is one of the best sources of protein among all other foods.

But our body needs other nutrients, too, like carbs, fibers, fat, etc.

Adding side dishes to your meal will fulfill that requirement.

Therefore, it is necessary to pick side dishes that not only complement your fried dish but also give you your daily nutrient need.

What to Serve with Fried Fish? 10 BEST Side Dishes

1 – Coconut Lime Rice

–

Even plain rice makes a great side dish for fried fish.

But why not serve something more elegant, flavorful, and vibrant version?

Coconut lime rice works well in balancing savory main items.

You can use basmati or jasmine rice for this dish.

It only needs four ingredients- rice, desiccated coconut, lime juice and zest, and coriander.

So, you don’t have to worry about fetching expensive and complicated ingredients at the store.

Coconut lime rice takes only twenty minutes to prepare.

It is the perfect combination for fried fish if you want something filling for your meal.

2 – Stuffed Bell Peppers

–

If you want to get creative and make your menu look elegant and refreshing, stuffed bell peppers will do the job.

This dish is common in Mexican, Spanish, and Mediterranean cuisine.

It features halved and hollowed peppers filled with a mixture of meat, cheese, rice, vegetables, sauce, and other fillings.

You can omit the meat for the filling if you don’t want to mix fish and meat for your lunch/dinner.

Since raw peppers are easier to stuff, we suggest you don’t cook them before adding the fillings.

Also, overcooking them will make them mushy and fall apart.

3 – Minted Mashed Peas

–

Another vibrant dish to add color and nutrients to the table is minted mashed peas.

It is a classic British side dish that can get ready in less than 10 minutes and is one of the easiest on this list.

You only need peas, mint, unsalted butter, salt, and pepper.

Sautee your peas in butter until al dente, mash them into a puree, add chopped mint, season it, and you’re done.

It’s best to serve minted mashed peas warm, but they are good when cold, too.

Mint and peas pair with fried fish well.

They bring refreshing flavors to the meal, so you don’t get overwhelmed by the fish.

4 – Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

–

If rice sounds a tad heavy for your liking, we have another option for you that’s equally filling and delicious without all the starch.

Mediterranean quinoa salad is a healthy, hearty dish full of fresh ingredients and flavors.

You can enjoy it on its own, but it also goes well with fried fish.

To make a classic Mediterranean quinoa salad, you’ll need- quinoa, cherry tomatoes, red onion, Persian cucumbers, kalamata olives, feta, mixed herbs and arugula, roasted chickpeas, toasted pine nuts, and an Italian dressing.

You can cook the quinoa beforehand if you want to save time while cooking for the event.

It should be at room temperature when you toss the salad, anyway.

5 – Cheddar Hush Puppies

–

Although we mentioned it late, hush puppies are a popular side dish for deep-fried foods and seafood.

So, it’s a no-brainer that they will complement fried fish perfectly.

Cheddar hush puppy is made from batter made of cornmeal.

It includes other ingredients like cheddar cheese, baking soda and powder, sugar, flour, buttermilk, green onion, garlic powder, cayenne pepper powder, and egg.

Serve these crispy little balls as a side dish for fried fish, and you’ll have very happy dinner guests.

They are incredibly delicious- crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.

6 – Southern Baked Beans

–

If you want to ensure that your meal is comforting, hearty, and satiating, don’t miss out on a casserole of Southern baked beans.

Southern baked beans are rich, creamy, and incredibly delicious, making them suitable for potlucks, barbeques, and dinner parties.

For the recipe, you need butter, aromatics, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, seasonings, and of course, beans.

Add some BBQ sauce if you want your dish to have a smoky flavor.

People commonly use navy beans for this dish, but you can also use red or pinto beans.

Also, some recipes use ground beef for extra texture and flavor.

7 – Shredded Brussels Sprouts

–

Need an easy vegetable side dish? These shredded Brussels sprouts sautéed with parmesan, lemon, thyme, and garlic are the answer.

It’s time to change things up and pick a new way to enjoy Brussels sprouts.

You’ll require Brussels sprouts, garlic powder, olive oil, parmesan, thyme, and lemon juice for this side dish.

Don’t know how to shred Brussels sprouts? Use a mandolin slicer, food processor, or a good old chef’s knife.

Serving these flavorful shredded Brussels sprouts will surely give your guests a pleasant surprise.

8 – Peach and Pineapple Salsa

–

There’s never a wrong time to eat pineapples and peaches.

Make a salsa and pair it with your savory fried fish to add a touch of zest, sweetness, and freshness to your meal.

The recipe calls for ripe cherry tomatoes, peach, pineapple, jalapeno, coriander, and lime juice.

You can add condiments per taste, but they are good as is.

Mix a bowl of peach and pineapple salsa to serve with fried fish, and it will be done in a few minutes- everyone will love this refreshing side dish.

9 – Thai Sweet N’ Spicy Green Beans

–

Not a fan of vegetables? Thai sweet n’ spicy green beans will change your mind.

It is a quick and easy green bean dish that packs a punch of flavors.

The recipe involves frying green beans in garlic, broth, and soy sauce until tender and adding chili sauce, red pepper flakes, and salt to taste.

The result is sweet and spicy flavored green beans that everybody loves.

Thai sweet n’ spicy green beans take only 20 minutes to prep and cook.

It is an excellent side dish for those looking for a healthy option.

10 – Spinach Watermelon Avocado Salad

–

If you want to make a salad to serve with fried fish, we suggest going for a spinach, watermelon avocado salad.

The ingredients include spinach, avocado, watermelon, feta cheese, red onions, and almonds.

The avocado adds creaminess to the onions and spinach, while the watermelon brings sweetness and freshness.

And to tie up everything, a poppy seed dressing works best.

It includes white balsamic vinegar, poppy seeds, honey, ground mustard, olive oil, and kosher salt.

Conclusion

As you can see, varieties of side dishes go well with fried fish.

So, the next time you cook, you won’t run out of options when thinking about what to serve with fried fish.

Keep our list handy, and you’ll never have a dull and repetitive meal with fried fish.

Don’t hesitate to customize any recipe and add your flare; you might create something even more delicious.

However, remember not to use spices and seasonings that let your side dishes overpower the fried fish if you want it to be the star of the menu.