42 Amazing Side Dishes to Serve with Fried Fish
Need some delicious side dishes for your next fish fry? I know you’ll find your new favorite side dishes in this list!
Making southern fried catfish for your main course? It’s hard to know what side dishes to pair with fried fish filets sometimes! I think a great side dish has the perfect combination of acidity and crunch, to balance out the rich fish breading.
Even if you aren’t frying your fish, I think the same flavors work with a salmon, cod, shrimp or any seafood dish even if it isn’t breaded.
Lucky for us, there are a ton of side dish options that go well with fish! If you want an easy, good side dish that can be fried before the fish fillets, you can always buy frozen, like hush puppies, French fries or onion rings.
Honestly, this can be a whole meal with some yummy dipping sauces like ketchup, tartar sauce or Easy Lemon Garlic Aioli.
But, if you want to provide a variety of side dishes, I have a ton of fresh ideas below! Crunchy, fried fish is wonderful when paired with the acidic taste of lemon juice, parmesan cheese and crisp greens.
There are plenty of options below to help you find your perfect pairing and our taste buds will thank you at your next fish dinner. Happy cooking!
Air Fryer Garlic Bread
This easy Air Fryer Garlic Bread recipe will become a new favorite for your fish dinners! It's Texas Toast style, using thick bread and a delicious garlic butter mixture.
Get the recipe.
Quickles- Quick Mixed Vegetable Pickles
These quick mixed pickles (sometimes called quickles) take any vegetable that you have on hand and turn them into bright, acidic, slightly sweet pickles in just a few minutes!
Get the recipe.
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Make this rich and creamy Smoked Mac and Cheese in your smoker! You'll love this smoked side dish recipe with bacon and four cheeses and pairs so well with your fried fish entree.
Get the recipe.
Baked Mac and Cheese with Panko Topping
No smoker? Don't worry. This is the BEST Mac and Cheese and it's made in the oven! This Baked Mac and Cheese has a super cheesy creamy sauce, cavatappi pasta, and is topped with a crispy panko topping.
Get the recipe.
Smoked Potatoes
Learn how to make smoked baked potatoes using a technique to maximize the smoky flavor! These Smoked Hasselback Potatoes are the perfect side dish for your next cookout. Top with sour cream and fresh parsley, chives or dill.
Get the recipe.
Street Corn Salad
Love street corn? Turn it into salad form with this creamy esquites recipe.
Get the recipe.
Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad is a classic picnic side dish, and a great make-ahead dish! Make it beforehand and store in the fridge. It just gets better!
Get the recipe.
Vinegar Based Coleslaw
Sweet and tangy vinegar based cole slaw recipe, with no mayo. A great gluten-free side dish option!
Get the recipe.
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Making Air Fryer Zucchini Chips is an easy, healthy way to use up your garden zucchini! Lightly seasoned, crispy and simple, and wonderful dipped in ranch or dill sauce.
Get the recipe.
Fried Calamari Recipe
This fried calamari recipe is tender pieces of squid soaked in buttermilk, then coated in seasoned flour and deep fried to golden brown perfection.
Get the recipe.
Black Eyed Pea Caviar (Healthy Cowboy Caviar)
Lots of fresh Tex Mex veggies like corn, tomatoes, onions, and peppers combined with a hearty bean and a zesty vinaigrette come together to make a fantastic Black Eyed Pea Caviar. And I’m not talking fish egg caviar. This is a salsa-like dish full of flavor that you won’t be able to get enough of!
Get the recipe.
Cheesy Mexican Squash
Add veggies to your fish dinner with this skillet Mexican squash! Add diced eggplant to mix it up.
Get the recipe.
Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
These Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts are made on the stove and ready in about 15 minutes! An easy and delicious side dish.
Get the recipe.
Hawaiian Mac Salad
Get ready for your fish fry with this traditional Hawaiian Mac Salad! This creamy macaroni salad is a GREAT recipe and the perfect side dish for cookouts.
Get the recipe.
Roasted Baby Potatoes with Crispy Shallots
These crispy roasted purple potatoes are crisp roasted to perfection with shallots!
Get the recipe.
Crispy Corn Cakes
These crispy corn cakes are studded with cheese, bacon and jalapenos. Perfectly crunchy and perfect with fish!
Get the recipe.
Instant Pot Green Beans
Instant Pot Green Beans are green bean perfection! Made with onions, garlic and bacon, you'll never want to make them a different way again! Just like Grandma used to make.
Get the recipe.
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad has tender noodles, egg whites, chopped onion and celery tossed in a flavorful creamy salad dressing made from mayo, mustard, and egg yolks.
Get the recipe.
Greek Salad
When I need a green salad to pair with fish dinners, I usually opt for a Caesar salad or this Greek salad recipe!
Get the recipe.
Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
If you love restaurant-style baked potatoes, then you're going to love these easy air fryer baked potatoes! The air fryer cooks the potatoes perfectly crispy skin and fluffy insides. With just a few simple steps, I will show you how to make the best baked potatoes you've ever had!
Get the recipe.
Brussels Sprouts, Apple and Bacon Salad
If your fish fry is during the fall months, try out this crunchy salad with brussels sprouts, fresh apples, salty bacon and a maple vinaigrette.
Get the recipe.
Cranberry Pecan Brussels Sprouts Salad
Another brussels sprouts salad option that's great for winter!
Get the recipe.
Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad – Through The Fibro Fog
This roasted vegetable pasta salad is full of flavor, easy to make and perfect for a summer picnic or fish fry with others dishes.
Get the recipe.
The Best Creamy Pasta Salad (with Summer Sausage)
Creamy Pasta Salad is packed with vegetables, sausage, and topped with a creamy three-ingredient dressing! Serve cold for the perfect fish dinner side dish in the summer.
Get the recipe.
Fried Okra
Crunchy fried okra is a staple for fish fries. This recipe will teach you how to make it in the air fryer, deep fryer or oven!
Get the recipe.
Easy Southern Coleslaw Recipe (GF)
This Easy Southern Coleslaw Recipe is a creamy coleslaw recipe. It's a classic side dish for all your summertime parties, picnics and BBQs.
Get the recipe.
Old Fashioned Cucumber Salad
Make these old fashioned cucumbers with your fresh garden cucumbers! This is a refreshing cucumber salad with a sweet and simple vinegar dressing, like Grandma used to make.
Get the recipe.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Make this Creamy Cucumber Salad, a refreshing side dish recipe for your next summer barbecue or potluck! This creamy version of cucumber salad is an easy side dish that anyone can make.
Get the recipe.
Air Fryer Carrots
Make this slightly sweet carrots in the air fryer! This is a super easy side dish.
Get the recipe.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
For me, nothing says summer like fried crappie and corn on the cob!
Get the recipe.
Garlic Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
These savory roasted potatoes are the perfect side dish to serve at dinner or breakfast, and make a great addition to your holiday spread.
Get the recipe.
Green Bean Casserole with Stuffing Topping
This Southern Green Bean Casserole recipe is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. It's made super special with the addition of stuffing mix. There's so much flavor in this delicious green bean casserole!
Get the recipe.
Cream Cheese Corn Casserole
You'll be asked for this cream cheese corn casserole recipe every time you bring it: sweet corn with cream cheese, chile peppers and spices make a super side dish!
Get the recipe.
Mango Habanero Salsa
This easy Homemade Mango Habanero Salsa is the perfect snack or topping for fish tacos! This flavorful salsa is full of fresh ingredients like sweet mango and peppers.
Get the recipe.
Italian Side Salad
This easy Italian house salad is one of my favorite Italian side dishes. Fresh, crisp lettuce is paired with artichoke hearts, parmesan cheese, onion and a red wine vinaigrette. .
Get the recipe.
Orzo Arugula Salad with Feta and Grapes
This vibrant and delicious Orzo Arugula Salad is filled with juicy grapes, toasted pine nuts, feta, and asparagus tossed in an easy lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for a light dinner, lunch, or mid-summer potluck.
Get the recipe.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
These crispy air fryer sweet potato fries are so easy to make! They have great flavor and work well as an appetizer, a healthy snack or a side dish.
Get the recipe.
Healthy Lemon Dill Potato Salad
This Healthy Lemon Dill Potato Salad is super hearty, perfectly creamy, and full of fresh flavors making the perfect barbecue side dish.
Get the recipe.
