Fried fish is a fast favorite among seafood lovers, and while it’s delicious on its own, there are so many sides that make it even better. Whether you’re serving the fish with a side of fries or something more complex, the options are endless. Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite side dishes for fried fish.
How To Make Fried Fish?
Fried fish is a classic Southern dish and a favorite in many other regions, as well. It can be cooked by pan-frying, deep-frying, or even baked in the oven. If you are looking for an easy way to make fried fish at home that tastes just like what you get at your favorite restaurant, there are some simple steps you can follow to achieve this delicious result. The first step is to choose a good quality fish such as tilapia or catfish which has been cleaned and gutted before cooking. This will ensure that there are no bones present that could potentially break off into your meal when frying it later on down the road!
Season both sides with salt and pepper (or whatever spices you like best) then place them onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Make sure all pieces are touching so there are no air pockets between them; this will help keep everything crispy as opposed to soggy later on during cooking time!
Heat up some oil in a large skillet over medium heat while waiting on your fish pieces to be ready themselves!
When you are ready to start frying the fish, turn the heat up to medium-high and add any type of fat that you choose. For example, if you want to bake your fish instead of frying it, you could use butter or mayonnaise for this purpose. Whatever fat you decide on will determine what sort of flavor and texture your fried fish has once it is all done.
Once the fat is melted, carefully add the pieces of fish into the hot oil. If using parchment paper or aluminum foil, remove it from the pan after each piece is added so you can replace it with another. Be sure to stand back while doing this as the oil will be hot and may splatter out of the pan!
Fry your fish until it is golden on both sides and cooked. The exact frying time will vary based on the size of your pieces but rest assured that it won’t take very long. If you have a thermometer in your kitchen, you should aim for about 165 degrees inside the thickest part of your fish once it is done cooking.
For the last step, you will want to drain your fried fish on paper towels or a clean dishcloth to blot off all excess fat. Ideally, you will want to save the oil used to fry the fish and use it again with future frying sessions. Just remember to let it cool down or it may cook your next batch of fish too fast!
Best Side Dishes For Fried Fish
1. Easy Green Peas With Mint Vinaigrette
Green peas make a nice side dish to fish, but they can be more than just a dollop of mush. If you want your guests to rave about your side dishes, add a vinaigrette to them. This recipe is simple enough that even the most kitchen-challenged people can make it. Just blanch some green peas in boiling water for about two minutes; then drain and cool. Toss with olive oil, red wine vinegar, mint leaves, salt, and pepper. Serve at room temperature with fried fish or any other main course.
2. Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower is an easy and healthy side dish for fried fish. You can use whole florets or sliced cauliflower pieces. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and toss the cauliflower with a little bit of olive oil and garlic. Spread the cauliflower onto a baking sheet and season it with salt and pepper. Transfer it to the oven for about 15 minutes, or until it’s tender and golden brown on top.
3. Steamed Broccoli
Steamed broccoli florets are another simple side dish for fried fish. Start by rinsing off one head of broccoli. Peel off any tough outer leaves and cut off the stems so you’re only left with the delicate green florets. Bring an inch of water to boil in a saucepan over high heat, then add a steamer basket (or colander). Add the broccoli florets to the basket, cover, reduce heat to medium-high, and steam for about five minutes, or until they are bright green and just tender enough to pierce with a fork.
4. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a classic choice for fried fish. It’s one of those dishes that simply doesn’t taste as good unless it’s been made from scratch. The vinegar-based dressing gives this dish just the right amount of acidity, while the crunchy cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables make this salad a refreshing option to take the edge off your fried fish.
5. Corn And Tomato Salad
What could be better than cornbread? This sweet and savory salad combines all of the best flavors that summer has to offer—plus, it’s super easy to whip up in just 10 minutes! Simply combine two cans of corn kernels with one cup each of diced red tomatoes and green onions in a large bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste then mix well until everything is evenly distributed throughout this delicious dish!
6. Mac N Cheese
If you’re looking for a classic side dish that’s guaranteed to please kids of all ages, this is it. In fact, mac n cheese is so popular that it’s sometimes even served as the main course!
7. Peach Salsa
Salsa is more commonly paired with grilled fish than fried fish, but I don’t think it’s fair to leave it off this list. Peach salsa is a sweet and spicy accompaniment that pairs especially well with trout and sole. Its fruity flavor really cuts through the grease from your fried fish and leaves you with a light and tangy feeling in your mouth.
8. Baked Beans
If you’re serving your fried fish with chips (which is always a good idea) then baked beans are an excellent choice of side dish. They’re easy to make and have a lovely savory flavor that will complement your lightly seasoned fish beautifully. If you’re short on time, pick up a tin of Heinz Baked Beans from your local supermarket. This classic dish goes perfectly with fried food, even though it’s not homemade!
9. Microwave Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potato is another great choice when it comes to pairing with fried food. It’s soft and fluffy texture complements the crispiness of the coating. If you don’t want to go to all the trouble of making mashed potato from scratch, try Bird’s instant mash mix – simply add hot water and microwave for one minute!
10. Fried Corn With Bacon
If you want a real treat, try this recipe for fried corn with bacon. It’s simple to prepare, and if you’re willing to get your hands a little messy, you can use the bacon grease to fry the corn in for extra flavor. This dish is perfect for breakfast or lunch!
11. Hush Puppies
Hushpuppies are a classic Southern fried food served with seafood meals like crabs or fried shrimp or fish. They’re easy to make and add a little extra crunch to the meal. They’re traditionally made from cornmeal, and they’re also good when served with a bit of honey on top.
12. Onion Rings
Onion rings are a staple of fried fish dinners everywhere. In fact, many people think you can’t have one without the other! This simple side dish is perfect for those who prefer a lighter fare, and it also pairs nicely with a variety of dipping sauces. You can choose from a wide selection of flavors or even make your own at home!
13. Sous Vide Zucchini
If your idea of the perfect side dish is one that cooks in its own juices while you focus on the main attraction, then sous vide zucchini might be right up your alley. Simply coat slices of zucchini in olive oil and salt, place them in vacuum bags (or resealable bags), seal them as airtight as possible by holding them underwater while you close, then simmer at 180 degrees Fahrenheit until tender. The results will have you drooling—and they can be eaten straight out of their bag!
14. Air Fryer French Fries
These fries are a great option for those who want something starchy to go with their fish sticks. They’re made from thin wedges of potato that get fried in an air fryer—the result is a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
15. Salt And Vinegar Potato Chips
Potato chips are the snack most commonly paired with fried fish. There are many reasons for this. First, you want something crunchy to offset the softness of the fish. Second, you want something salty to counter the sweetness of the batter or crust. Third, potato chips are inexpensive and easy to find at any store or gas station. Fourth, they’re a delicious snack even if you don’t have any fried fish.
16. Seafood Sauce
This sauce is perfect for any seafood lover! It’s easy to make and can be used on just about anything from shrimp to crab legs or even lobster tails if you want something really fancy. You’ll need butter, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or fresh minced garlic cloves when making this delicious condiment that goes well with any type of seafood dish.
17. Simple Skillet Green Beans
If you simply must have a vegetable with your meal, opt for something light and simple like this skillet green bean recipe from AllRecipes.com. These green beans are seasoned with just garlic, salt and pepper for an easy side that won’t overshadow your fish sandwich. If you’re opting for a high-calorie entrée like a fried fish sandwich, make sure your side dishes complement it without adding too many extra calories.
18. Arby’S Horsey Sauce
One of the most popular condiments at Arby’s is its signature Horsey Sauce, which you can use on your fried fish sandwich. The creamy sauce contains horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, and mayonnaise for a tangy topping that adds lots of flavor to a fried fish sandwich without adding too many calories.
19. Baked Asparagus With Parmesan
Asparagus is a good side dish for practically any meal. Baking it as opposed to steaming or sauteing gives it a crisp-tender texture and adds a lot of flavors. To make this dish, simply toss some asparagus with olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper, then bake at 375 degrees F for about 20 minutes. Sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese in the last few minutes to add some cheesy goodness to this tasty vegetable!
20. Tartar Sauce
A classic condiment to serve with fried fish is tartar sauce. It’s easy enough to buy a jar at the store, but you can also whip up your own in no time! Just mix together mayonnaise, pickle relish, fresh lemon juice, and finely chopped onion or shallots—it’s that easy! Try tweaking the basic recipe by adding different herbs or spices to give it your own spin.
21. Wingstop Ranch Sauce
Wingstop Ranch Dipping Sauce is a super simple recipe that is going to make your fried fish experience even better. It is sweet and creamy with a hint of mustard. This sauce pairs really well with chicken, pork and seafood. You can even use it as a salad dressing!
Conclusion
Although fried fish is a delicious meal, it’s usually considered to be unhealthy and lacking in nutritional value. Luckily, there are many healthy side dishes you can serve with fried fish that will add plenty of vitamins and minerals to your dinner. Some of the best side dishes for fried fish include corn on the cob, coleslaw, baked potato wedges, green beans, and pasta salad. You may also choose to serve steamed vegetables instead of potatoes or pasta salad.
