What To Serve With Fish Fillets? 15 BEST Side Dishes

Serving fish fillets for dinner? Their delicate, light flavor makes them a versatile centerpiece for your meal. But what to serve alongside these tender, flaky fillets?

Here are 15 delicious  side dishes that pair exceptionally well with fish fillets. From simple vegetables to creative salads, these sides will make your fish fillet even more delightful.

Looking for a quick answer?

The best side dishes to serve with fish fillets are green beans, parmesan potatoes, pineapple salsa, steamed vegetables, roasted chickpeas, pilau rice, mashed potatoes, watermelon cucumber salad, blistered tomatoes, quinoa salad, grilled asparagus, baked sweet potatoes, lemon rice, roasted Brussels sprouts, and coleslaw.

Now, let's get cooking!

1. Green Beans

Bright and fresh green beans can be a simple yet flavorful side for fish fillets. Their slight crunch and sweet flavor make them a refreshing contrast to the soft, delicate fish. Whether you sauté them with a bit of garlic or simply steam them, they're a light, healthy side that pairs wonderfully with fish.

2. Parmesan Potatoes

Parmesan potatoes, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, are a fantastic pairing for fish fillets. The potatoes, tossed with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and herbs, then roasted until golden, offer a hearty, savory side dish that complements the light, delicate fish. The crispy edges and fluffy interiors make these potatoes irresistible.

3. Pineapple Salsa

Pineapple salsa, with its mix of sweet pineapple, tangy lime juice, and spicy jalapenos, can add a bright, tropical touch to your fish fillet meal. The salsa's vibrant flavors and refreshing crunch provide a delightful contrast to the tender, mild fish. Plus, it adds a colorful, festive touch to your plate.

4. Steamed Vegetables

Steamed vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or zucchini, can add a light, healthy touch to your fish fillets. The vegetables' natural sweetness and tender-crisp texture offer a fresh, mild side dish that pairs well with fish. Plus, their vibrant colors add visual appeal to your meal.

5. Roasted Chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas, with their crispy texture and savory flavor, can be a surprising yet satisfying side for fish fillets. The chickpeas, roasted with olive oil and your choice of spices until golden and crispy, offer a crunchy, protein-packed side that contrasts nicely with the soft, flaky fish.

6. Pilau Rice

Pilau rice, fragrant with spices and studded with colorful vegetables, makes a flavorful and satisfying side for fish fillets. The aromatic rice, with its subtle blend of spices, offers a comforting, hearty side dish that complements the mild fish nicely.

7. Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that pairs beautifully with fish fillets. The potatoes' smooth texture and rich, comforting flavor make them an ideal complement to the light, delicate fish. Top them with a pat of butter or a sprinkle of fresh herbs for an even more flavorful side.

8. Watermelon Cucumber Salad

A watermelon cucumber salad, with its sweet, juicy watermelon and crisp, refreshing cucumber, adds a fresh, summery note to your fish fillet meal. The salad's bright, clean flavors and crisp texture provide a refreshing contrast to the tender, savory fish.

9. Blistered Tomatoes

Blistered tomatoes offer a burst of bright, fresh flavor to pair with your fish fillets. These tomatoes are quickly seared until their skins pop and slightly char, releasing their sweet, tangy juices. This technique not only enhances the tomatoes' natural sweetness but also adds a hint of smokiness. Whether you use cherry tomatoes for a bite-size treat or larger tomatoes for a more substantial side, blistered tomatoes can bring a unique, flavorful twist to your fish dish.

10. Quinoa Salad

Quinoa salad is a nutritious, flavorful option that complements the delicate nature of fish fillets wonderfully. Quinoa, a grain known for its health benefits and slightly nutty flavor, serves as a hearty base. Mixed with a variety of colorful, crunchy vegetables such as bell peppers, cucumbers, or tomatoes, and dressed with a tangy vinaigrette, this salad is a texture-rich dish. It adds a vibrant, wholesome element to the meal, offering a contrast to the tenderness of the fish.

11. Grilled Asparagus

Asparagus takes on a whole new character when it's grilled. The natural sugars caramelize and the spears get slightly charred, enhancing their earthy flavor and adding a hint of smokiness. Their crisp-tender texture makes them a delightful contrast to the flaky fish fillets. Whether you choose to season them simply with salt and pepper or get adventurous with garlic or lemon zest, grilled asparagus is a versatile side dish that can elevate your fish fillet meal.

12. Baked Sweet Potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes, with their caramelized edges and rich, creamy centers, bring a touch of sweetness to the meal. The sweetness of the potato is a delightful contrast to the savory fish fillets, providing a balance of flavors that is comforting and satisfying. Whether baked whole or cut into fries or wedges, and seasoned simply with salt and a drizzle of olive oil, baked sweet potatoes make a versatile side that pairs well with fish.

13. Lemon Rice

Lemon rice adds a burst of bright, citrusy flavor to your meal. The rice is cooked with a mixture of lemon zest and juice, infusing it with a refreshing tanginess that helps cut through the richness of the fish fillets. Depending on the recipe, it might also include other spices or ingredients like mustard seeds, turmeric, or curry leaves, adding layers of flavor that complement the mild, delicate fish.

14. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts are a side dish with a lot of flavors. When roasted, these petite cabbages become tender on the inside, with layers that peel away to reveal slightly charred, crispy edges. Their slightly bitter, nutty flavor is a lovely contrast to the gentle, savory flavor of the fish fillets, and the difference in textures adds another dimension to the meal.

15. Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a refreshing side dish that brings a cool crunch to the meal. Made with shredded cabbage and sometimes other vegetables like carrots or onions, and dressed in a creamy, tangy sauce, coleslaw offers a refreshing, tangy contrast to the rich, savory fish fillets. It's a classic accompaniment that adds a vibrant touch to the plate.

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