25 Easy And Flavorful Side Dishes To Serve With Fish

These recipes will help any fresh catch shine.

oven roasted asparagus on a white oval dish
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

As much of the South is along a coastline or near fresh water lakes, we're partial to a good seafood dinner. While shrimp and other shellfish find their way into many of our favorite dishes like gumbo and shrimp boils, it's hard to beat a simply prepared piece of fish.

These flavorful side dishes will highlight and brighten up your fresh catch. Whether you're looking for something to serve with seared tuna, blackened mahi mahi, fried catfish, trout almandine, pan-roasted snapper or branzino, or oven-baked halibut—we have a side dish to accompany it!

01 of 25

Hush Puppies

a plate of hush puppies with coleslaw on side
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Fried catfish or cod on the menu? Serve it up beach style with these delicious hushpuppies.

02 of 25

Roasted Broccolini With Pecans And Lemon

Southern Living Roasted Broccolini with Pecans and Lemon

Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Micah Morton; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch

Swap out your go-to steamed broccoli for a more flavorful veggie side like this broccolini with pecans and roasted lemon.

03 of 25

Mango Salsa

Southern Living Mango Salsa in a bowl with a wooden spoon

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Rebecca Cummins

Mango, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, and lime juice come together for an easy tropical topping or side for any flaky white fish.

04 of 25

Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Whether as a small side salad or full meal, a simple seared piece of salmon, tuna, or your choice of fish atop this filling salad makes for an easy supper.

05 of 25

Air Fryer Asparagus

air fryer asparagus

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Most methods of preparing fish don't require long cook times, which is why a quick and easy side dish makes for the perfect pairing. Start this asparagus in your air fryer before preparing and searing your fish filet and the two will be done at the same time.

06 of 25

Vegetarian Dirty Rice

Vegetarian Dirty Rice
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Food Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl

Is there anything a heaping scoop of dirty rice doesn't go with? Packed with veggies and seasonings, it's the perfect side dish to a piece of simply seared or blackened white fish.

07 of 25

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Southern Living Roasted Brussels Sprouts on a platter to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

For a hardy dinner, serve up a healthy helping of crispy Brussel sprouts alongside a nice piece of salmon over grits or polenta.

08 of 25

Cucumber Tomato Salad

Southern Living Cucumber Tomato Salad in a bowl to serve

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Pile this cucumber, tomato, shallot, and herb salad over top of oven-roasted white fish and let the fliet soak in all the yummy juices.

09 of 25

Cheese Grits

Southern Living Cheese Grits servings in two bowls with glasses of orange juice

Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

It's hard to beat a creamy bowl of cheese grits no matter what you're serving them alongside, but they especially make a nice base for a crispy piece of saucy salmon.

10 of 25

Roasted Green Beans With Spicy-Sweet Glazed Shallots

Roasted green beans with spicy-sweet glazed shallots in white casserole dish

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

From a piece of pan-seared branzino or tuna to oven-baked halibut, you can't go wrong with these flavorful roasted greens and shallots.

11 of 25

Best-Ever Succotash

Southern Living Best Ever Succotash in the pan ready to serve

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

There's nothing better to pair with a fresh piece of fish than an equally fresh side dish like this summertime favorite loaded with in-season tomatoes, okra, corn, lima beans, and more.

12 of 25

Herb Rice

Southern Living Shrimp and Herb Rice Bowls ready to serve with a lemon wedge

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Build your own bowl with this herby, lemony rice as the base. (Just skip the shrimp cooking instructions.) Use fresh chopped herbs of your choice or a mix including thyme, chives, and parsley.

13 of 25

Tangy Rainbow Slaw

Tangy Rainbow Slaw
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

For an asian-inspired dish, serve up seared tuna with this crunchy and tangy slaw.

14 of 25

Speedy Grain Salad With Sugar Snap Peas

Southern Living Speedy Grain Salad with Sugar Snap Peas in a bowl to serve

Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley 

For a filling lunch or easy and light dinner, skip the chicken and instead top this farrow and snap pea salad with your favorite piece of fish like mahi mahi, tuna, or salmon.

15 of 25

Spiced-Up Shoestring Fries

Southern Living Spiced-Up Shoestring Fries on a plate to serve with chipotle mayonnaise.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Enjoy a classic fish and chips meal with these gussied-up french fries.

16 of 25

Classic Fresh Field Peas

Southern Living Classic Fresh Field Peas in a bowl to serve

Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

There's little a generous spoonful of fresh field peas won't compliment. Enjoy this traditional recipe extra-Southern style with fried catfish or for something lighter try something light trout, sol, or flounder.

17 of 25

Crisp And Elegant Frenched Green Bean Salad

Frenched Green Bean Salad - Southern Living

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Daley

This vibrant dish with green beans and a medley of tomatoes is just the thing to brighten up any ho-hum piece of white fish.

18 of 25

Creamy Risotto

Southern Living Shrimp Risotto ready to serve

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Swap out shrimp for your fish of choice (we'd recommend a seared or blackened white fish, snapper, or trout) and add a roasted veggie alongside this creamy risotto for a delicious and indulgent dinner.

19 of 25

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

oven roasted asparagus on a white oval dish

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

There's no better side for trout almondine than some equally almondy roasted asparagus. This recipe would also pair nicely with pan-seared or parchment roasted halibut, mahi mahi, cod, or salmon.

20 of 25

Zucchini, Squash, And Corn Casserole

Southern Living Zucchini Squash and Corn Casserole ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

For a veggie heavy side, you'll want to add this delicious casserole to the menu—no explanation needed because Southerners know any squash or corn casserole is always welcome on the table.

21 of 25

Smashed-Cucumber Salad

Southern Living Smashed Cucumber Salad in a bowl to serve

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Any type of juicy or saucy side, like these marinated cucumbers, is bound to pair nicely with a piece of fish as it can soak in the additional flavors.

22 of 25

Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli

Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Keep it light and fresh with a filling side salad that can easily accompany a piece of fried, pan-seared, or blackened fish of your choosing.

23 of 25

Lemon Vinaigrette Pasta Salad with Field Peas

Lemon Vinaigrette Pasta Salad with Field Peas

ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: CLAIRE SPOLLEN; FOOD STYLING: RISHON HANNERS

For an easy meal or leftovers lunch, add a flaky piece of salmon to this pasta salad and dinner is served!

24 of 25

Roasted Potatoes

Southern Living Roasted Potatoes in a bowl to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We're never one to say no to any form of potatoes as a side dish, and that includes when the main is fish. Try a piece of roasted lemony cod with your spuds.

25 of 25

Sautéed Spinach

White Plate of Fresh Sauteed Spinach with Garlic on Wood
PoppyB/Getty Images

Sautéed spinach is another staple side that goes with just about anything. Enjoy it with your fish of choice for a light and healthy meal.

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