Fried fish is typically associated with finger food or something quick and straightforward. Fish fry sides are best complemented by sides that balance texture, flavor, and color. What fits both of those descriptions? Fried potatoes!
Depending on your fish type, you might wonder what sides go with a traditional fish fry. Here are a few suggestions: Coleslaw, Sweet potatoes, Cauliflower, and Asparagus. For example, white fish can benefit from a creamy tartar sauce or colorful vegetables seasoned with lemon juice.
Following the Best Sides Fried Fish list below, you won’t run out of options if you plan a fried fish dinner. We’ll give you some delicious and entertaining options on what goes best and what tastes best with your fish dish, from healthy dishes to vegetable side dishes to sides for southern-style fish or fried catfish.
Try One of the Recipes Below to Make your Side Fried Fish Dish a Hit!
1. Boiling Broccoli
Quick, simple, healthful, and delicious all in one! Also, were you aware that broccoli contains a lot of protein? It’s a fantastic source of vitamin C as well. Broccoli only turns the vivid green you see on your plate after steaming, and standard cooking techniques result in broccoli turning a drab green color when overcooked.
2. Salsa of Fruit
Mangos, strawberries, kiwis, and pineapple have the ideal balance of sweetness and acidity. You may use any fruit in this salsa; make sure to include so, pin, and, and, and apple to give it a flavor of the tropics. Additionally, you may serve cinnamon tortilla chips with this salsa; when done together, your guests will be licking their fingers.
3. Hush Puppies
Hush puppies are a simple side dish that is impossible to mess up. They are crispy on the top and soft and tender on the inside. Here, the cajun flavor contributes to their slight kick. Try adding some jalapenos, gouda, and chives if you want to give it a little extra heat.
4. Mash Potatoes in the Microwave
Would you trust me if we told you that you could produce microwaved mashed potatoes? It is real! You can make fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes in only 15 minutes.
Select starchy potatoes cut them into cubes, then microwave on high for 10 minutes to prepare. Keep in mind to use milk and butter! You won’t want to make potatoes the difficult way ever again.
5. Baked Beans
This side dish, packed with savory baked beans and ground beef, will give your meal a little extra oomph! For added flavor, you could also sprinkle some shredded cheese on top!
6. Pasta with Cheese
A classic like creamy mac and cheese is unbeatable! Especially if it is simple, delicious, and creamy to prepare!
You may dip, scoop, or use your salmon cake to wipe up any remaining creamy cheese, making it the ideal complement to salmon cakes. A word of advice: pick a sharp cheddar to obtain that bold, rich flavor!
7. Coleslaw
Adding coleslaw to your fish fry is a delicious way to serve this tasty dish. It is versatile and is an excellent accompaniment for sandwiches or grilled foods. The perfect combination of salt and pepper is a must; you can season it to taste.
You can make it the night before and serve it to your guests. Once the fish is done, you can add the slaw to the grilled fish. To make the slaw, combine shredded cabbage with chopped onion. Combine the dressing ingredients, including the sugar, mustard, celery seed, and vinegar, and stir until combined.
Then, add the shredded cabbage and carrot to the bowl and stir. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour before serving. Sprinkle with paprika. Let it stand for a few hours before serving. It is best to do the slaw on the day of the fish fry to avoid it from turning brown.
8. Sweet Potatoes
A fish fry isn’t complete without some side dishes. And what better side dish is there than sweet potatoes? This versatile side dish pairs perfectly with fish and can be made quickly in an air fryer. Sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish because they have a light crispy texture and melt-in-your-mouth interior, and they can also be served as a tapas appetizer.
A simple saffron mayo aioli is an excellent accompaniment to these potatoes, and Vegan mayonnaise is also a great choice. Start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees. Place a baking sheet on the middle rack and drizzle with two tablespoons of oil. Season the sweet potatoes generously with salt, then place them on the baking sheet.
Cook for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping the fish sticks after eight minutes. Serve with lemon wedges and fresh parsley. You can also prepare an avocado ranch sauce for the fries. Make sure to allow the sweet potatoes to cool completely before serving.
9. Cauliflower
If you are looking for a delicious and healthy meal, you should try this Cauliflower with Fish Fry recipe. The cauliflower florets should be about two to three bites and be firm but not overcooked. If you want to add herbs, do so finely, and the leaves should be small but not like tea leaves.
Make sure to use herbs that taste bright. First, heat the oil. To start, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the butter. Add the fish and cook it skin-side down until opaque and crisp—season with salt and pepper.
Next, add the spinach and peas. Stir well. Transfer the fish and vegetables to plates. To serve, sprinkle the cauliflower mash on each. Serve the fish with the mashed cauliflower. This dish is delicious, served with a side of puffed rice.
10. Asparagus
This dish’s perfect combination of fresh flavors is the crunch of asparagus and the salty-sweet taste of the fish sauce. This simple dish is one of the most popular dishes to accompany a fish fry. You can make it yourself in under 15 minutes. Before cooking, make sure to rinse and dry the asparagus. Cut each spear into two-inch diagonal pieces.
Place them into a shallow pan with about 2 inches of water. Season them with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for about 12 minutes or until the asparagus is tender but still has a snap. Another healthy option is cod and asparagus. The fish should be seasoned well and then placed in a skillet.
Blanching the asparagus in ice water and boiling water will speed up the cooking process. Alternatively, you can slice the asparagus into thin pieces and skip the blanching step. This dish is a great way to enjoy a healthy dinner. You can even make it ahead of time and freeze it for later use.
11. Corn and Tomato Salad
The combination of sweet corn, okra, bacon, shrimp, and tomatoes makes for a fantastic side dish. This dish is also delicious when served at a cookout or a party and can be made in advance or the day before. To make the salad even easier, you can assemble everything in salad cups and serve them over fish.
Use fresh ingredients, such as new, ripe tomatoes, to create the best results whenever possible. Prepare simple corn and tomato salad that compliments the fried fish. It is easy to buy pre-shredded cabbage, which saves time, but it may be soggy once served.
The umami taste of the corn and tomato can help wash away the fish oil. Try mixing in some chopped basil for a fresh, flavorful side dish. Make sure to serve the salad at room temperature, as cold cabbage may become soggy when done.
12. Zucchini
Fried zucchini is a popular meze dish in Greece, and this healthy vegetable is easily prepared and just as easy as frying potatoes. Fried zucchini is served with other side dishes, including fried eggplants, calamari rings, and Greek meatballs.
It is also an ideal starter dish and goes well with most main dishes, especially those of the Mediterranean style. You can make this dish home by frying zucchini in flour and seasoning and serving it with fish fry. To make zucchini fries, you can cut them into thick or thin slices, depending on the desired thickness.
You can slice them like you would a cucumber and cut the zucchini into round pieces, similar to those used to slice cucumbers. Then, cut them into half or thirds or in half lengthwise. Once you’ve sliced the zucchini, dip one end of it into the batter and gently drop it into the hot oil. The zucchini will fry to a golden color.
13. French Fries Cooked in an Air Fryer
An old favorite prepared in an air fryer this time! Your french fries will be crispy and golden on the exterior and fluffy and delicate on the inside, thanks to the air fryer! If you have an air fryer, you already know this is the best option, but if you don’t, you’ll never want to make fries the old-fashioned way again!
14. Onion Rings
When it’s time for fried fish, add this other traditional side dish to your rotation. Who could argue against fried food? Now is the ideal time to prepare onion rings if you already have the fryer. To make the taste explode, season your batter with some seasonings. When these excellent onion rings are ready to be served, prepare some homemade sauce as a dipping sauce.
15. Advanced Ranch Sauce
With this recipe, you may also quickly produce ranch sauce at home. Some folks like tartar sauce, but fried fish pairs well with ranch. Use this sauce as a dressing to add flavor to your breaded food.
It ought to be in your collection of recipes because it is among the most incredible sauces for any breading. Make sure to make plenty because this sauce might disappear quickly.
What Kind of Oil is Best for Frying Fish?
The most widely used oil for frying fish is vegetable oil, and it has a pretty neutral flavor and is also quite reasonably priced. You should be aware of vegetable oil because it frequently contains a blend of other oils, such as canola, sunflower, soybean, palm, etc.
How Long Should Fish be Fried?
Place the coated fish gently into the hot oil and cook for 5 minutes on each side until the fish is a medium golden brown. Remove the fish and drain it on brown paper sacks when it has a uniform golden color throughout.
Can Fish be Fried without Flour?
Good news for individuals who truly have celiac disease and believe they will never be able to eat fried fish again: you can! You also do not need to spend money on pricey flour substitutes to dust or powder fish before frying; the fish can be cooked simply by seasoning and marinating it!
When you Fry Fish, can you Reuse the Oil?
You can reuse the oil by cooking your fish in a deep fryer at high heat. But unless you’re cooking fish again, you might not want to. Other foods may pick up fish flavor from the oil. No, you should not reuse the cooking oil if you pan-fried your fish.
Conclusion
Almost any fish can be fried. Catfish has a distinct flavor, and fried catfish is a popular meal in the South. Whitefish and other fish can, however, also be fried.
You may offer almost anything as the most excellent sides with fried fish, and these sides with fish can satisfy any palate, whether you want something wholesome or filling.
