We are massive fans of fish but when we cook it, we often find ourselves wondering what to serve with it.Fried fish is wonderful in summer but can make a hearty meal in winter when it’s served properly. If you’ve been struggling with what to serve as a side for fried fish then look no further; we’ve put together some great ideas for your next meal.
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What Types of Food Go Well With Fried Fish?
The great thing about fried fish is that it’s so versatile. There are a whole host of sides that go very well with this dish so you can afford to experiment as much as you like.Simple lemon juice brings out the best in any fish; tartar sauce is a must; French fries are a fabulous accompaniment. Where vegetables are concerned, pretty much anything goes with side dishes to create a delicious meal. You could serve carrots, potatoes, green veggies, beans, roasted cauliflower and so much more. It really depends on the style of meal you’re looking to create. For example, if you want to give it a Mediterranean flavour, you might serve peppers, red onions and courgette topped with olive oil and rosemary, or serve with a delicious tomato rag with parmesan cheese.
Alternatively, if you want an Asian theme, you could try serving your fried fish with leafy greens covered in garlic with a soy dipping sauce. There’s really no limit to what you can do aside from your own creativity.
It’s possible to go super healthy or pig out with comfort food like chips or mac 'n' cheese. There are so many wonderful side dishes for fried fish.
The Best Sides to Serve With Fried Fish
Knowing that fried fish can be served with so many different foods doesn’t really help you to narrow down your choices. If you’ve got a few pieces of fried fish you’d like to serve for dinner tonight, why not try one of the following accompaniments?
Coleslaw
In summer, coleslaw is an excellent side. I don’t know about you but I lose a lot of my appetite in the heat so light, creamy sides like coleslaw are so much easier to eat.What’s great about it is that the crunchy texture is the perfect juxtaposition to the tender fish meat. Moreover, where fish is slightly salty, coleslaw has a sweetness to it that’s the ideal compliment.
Green Beans
For those looking for a healthy option, green beans are a brilliant side for fried fish. They’re a bit bland if you eat them without anything else but by adding some olive oil and garlic, you can really liven them up. What’s more, they’re great for summer with something like potato wedges but also work well as a winter side with mashed potato
Onion Rings
Is there anything more delicious than crispy onion rings? They’re a pub favourite but there’s no reason why you can’t make them at home.It is possible to make your own onion rings but there are so many good ones in the supermarkets these days that there’s really no need. However, we would recommend cooking them in the air fryer if you want to get that signature crispy texture.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are just as versatile as fried fish so they’re the ideal side dish. However, we think that they’re best served as wedges with a little bit of chilli powder. Again, we’d cook them in the air fryer for a better texture.Alternatively, for winter comfort food, you could make mashed sweet potatoes with lashing of butter.
Salad
On a hot summer’s day when you don’t want to weigh yourself down with stodgy foods, a salad is a brilliant accompaniment for fried fish. This is a really light side dish that can be adjusted to your liking so it’ll suit every taste.You might go for a corn and tomato salad, or a traditional lettuce, cucumber and tomato salad, perhaps with a bit of crumbled feta cheese and olive oil. Or if you want something a little more adventurous, you could make a bean salad with lemon dressing. Maybe add in some nuts, cranberries or carrots and a lot of people enjoy some hard cheese like parmesan. The world is your oyster when it comes to creating a fresh salad.
Steamed Broccoli
When people think of broccoli, they often think of a boring food that’s only good for parents forcing their kids to ‘eat their greens.’ But we think it’s unfair that it’s earned this reputation when broccoli is actually a really delicious veggie when it’s prepared right.What’s more, it’s bursting with vitamin C and protein so it’s super healthy. All you need to do is add some seasoning such as salt and pepper, garlic, or even a few chilli flakes and steam the broccoli. The key is to avoid overcooking it as that’s when it’ll lose flavour and become soggy.
Mac 'N' Cheese
On those cold winter evenings, there’s nothing more comforting than a plate full of hearty food. Fried fish is hearty in itself but when you pair it with something like mac 'n' cheese, you’ve got a recipe for cosiness!We won’t lie, this isn’t the healthiest option on this list but it is perfect if you want a treat. Mac 'n' cheese can be prepared pretty easily from scratch but there are also kits that you can buy to make it even easier.
Chips
In the UK, fish and chips is a staple meal whether you buy it from the chip shop or make it at home. Choose chunky chips for a more comforting meal or French fries if you want something light and delicious.We also love to make baked sweet potato chips or loaded fries to go with fried fish. The combination of things you can try is endless but personally we love bacon and cheese-loaded fries or creamy avocado and sour cream.
Mashed Potatoes
When you want to make a more substantial meal, mashed potatoes are a must. They go really well with fried fish and have a creamy texture that compliments the flakiness of the fish.You could make classic buttery mashed potatoes or you might want to spice them up by adding some flavours. Garlic goes well with chives for a fresh taste while you might add some paprika and black pepper for a warmer taste.
Asparagus
Asparagus is a brilliant vegetable to serve with fried fish and it pairs very well with something like mac n cheese if you want to add something healthy. Fry the stalks with a little oil and perhaps sprinkle them with grated cheese.
Mint Peas
Peas are so easy to make, they’re healthy and they go with pretty much anything, including fried fish. It doesn’t matter whether you use frozen or fresh peas but to liven them up a bit, try adding some mint to really bring out the freshness. This is perfect for a summer meal.
Potato Wedges
Crispy potato wedges are a firm favourite as a side for many dishes and they go excellently with fried fish. We’d recommend going for a russet potato as the skin will crisp up nicely while the inside will remain fluffy and light.Make sure that you season your wedges to give them some flavour. You can simply use salt and pepper if you want something easy or you might add paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and black pepper for something with a little more bite.
