21 Best Side Dishes for Trout: Delicious Ideas of What to Serve
The best side dishes for trout! Here’s exactly what to serve with rainbow trout for dinner.
Trout fillets are a slightly sweet and very mild fish, making them versatile for a variety of flavor profiles.
They pair with citrus fruits and fresh herbs for marinades and sauces, like this trout with garlic lemon butter herb sauce.
Is trout good to eat?
Trout is one of the healthiest fishes you can eat, with rainbow trout, also known as steelhead trout, being labeled by the EPA and FDA as a ‘best choice’ fish.
Not only is it an excellent source of protein, but it’s jam packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12, and niacin.
It is a sustainable fish that contains low levels of dangerous mercury.
Now that you know all the benefits, let’s plan your trout dinner menu.
I’ve put together as list of the best side dishes to serve!
What to serve with trout
1. Root vegetables
Fresh seasonal vegetables, or root vegetables, such as carrots, butternut squash, onions, parsnips, and potatoes are so delicious when roasted.
Simply toss them in olive oil, salt and pepper, and maybe a little garlic powder, then place on a baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes.
2. Potato salad
Somehow potato salad feels both refreshing and indulgent.
Since trout filets have such a mild flavor, the heartiness of potato salad would complement it nicely.
You can either make it from scratch, or pick it up premade at the grocery store.
3. Brown rice
Brown rice is healthier than white rice, with a fluffier texture and slightly nutty flavor.
It’s naturally gluten free, and is just the perfect easy side dish for a light meal like trout.
4. Greek potatoes
Lemony greek potatoes are crispy and carmelized on the outside, and soft and creamy in the center.
This recipe has a few simple ingredients, cooked slowly together in the oven.
It has the rustic appearance and taste of cooking done well.
5. Tartar sauce
Be sure to serve tartar sauce alongside your trout.
Everyone’s favorite dipping sauce for fish is a delicious creamy combination of mayo, pickles, lemon juice, capers, fresh dill, and Worcestershire.
6. Brussels sprouts
Sauteed brussels sprouts are far tastier than you’re probably thinking.
They’re so well-seasoned, have a rich caramelized flavor, and a wonderful tender texture.
This recipe will help you get over any brussels sprouts childhood trauma you may have experienced.
7. Quinoa
Mushroom garlic quinoa might just become your new go-to side dish for all kinds of dinners.
The garlic and mushrooms add so much flavor and depth to the healthy, protein rich quinoa.
It satisfies even the most carnivorous!
8. Green beans
If you’ve wondered what vegetables go good with trout, green beans are it.
Buttery garlic green beans specifically make a flavorful but simple side dish. It’s a well balanced combination of healthy and comforting.
The fresh green beans remain crisp, but the butter, garlic, and lemon pepper seasoning make them addictive.
9. Coleslaw
Sweet slaw is so light, crisp, and truly delicious.
A bag of pre-shredded cabbage and a creamy homemade dressing made from pantry staples is all you need.
Or pick up some premade coleslaw from the grocery store or your favorite restaurant to make dinner even easier.
10. Sweet potatoes
Baked sweet potatoes are a wonderfully nourishing and filling side dish.
They pair well with the lightness of trout, and can be made more sweet or savory depending on what toppings you choose.
Sweet potato fries are a nice twist and fun option, especially if you’re serving picky eaters.
11. Cheesy cauliflower rice
This easy cheesy cauliflower rice is the perfect keto or low carb side dish.
It feels like comfort food, and its cheesiness hints at mac and cheese.
And best of all, it’s packed with hidden veggies that your kids will never notice!
12. Caesar salad
Caesar salad is an easy and classic crowd favorite.
It feels like restaurant-quality, especially if you take the extra step to make homemade croutons.
(Which is totally worth the trouble, by the way.)
13. French fries
It doesn’t get any better than a batch of tasty french fries, am I right?
And since you’re making such a healthy choice by serving trout, you can afford to spend a few extra calories on them.
Air fryer french fries as regular fries, but with much less oil.
14. Zucchini fritters
Zucchini fritters have just 5 ingredients and have the appearance and taste of potato pancakes.
They come together in about 15 minutes or less, but look so special that everyone will think you slaved away all afternoon.
15. Tomato cucumber salad
Cucumber tomato salad is so light and refreshing.
It has slivers of red onion, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing that can’t be beat.
Summer veggies never tasted so good!
16. Au gratin potatoes
Creamy au gratin potatoes feel like a holiday dish, but are simple enough for everyday.
The cheesy sauce and tender potatoes are highly addictive to your taste buds, so consider yourself warned.
17. Pasta salad
Lemon orzo pasta salad is an ultra easy recipe, but is totally chef approved.
It’s bright and fresh and lemony, which makes it the perfect side dish for fresh trout.
And since it’s vegetarian, it works well if you’re serving pescatarians.
Read Next: 27 Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes You’ll Make on Repeat
18. Roasted asparagus
Lemon garlic roasted asparagus just tastes like Spring.
Tender asparagus gets tossed in garlic and olive oil, and then simply roasted in the oven until lightly browned.
A squeeze of lemon (or lemon slices) finishes it off.
Surprisingly easy, but looks and tastes totally gourmet.
19. Corn on the cob
Sweet, tender, and slightly crisp corn on the cob is just always a crowd pleaser that brings up happy memories.
While it’s most inexpensive in the summer, you can find it in the freezer section of your grocery store year round.
Simply boil it up, then set it on a platter next to some butter, salt and black pepper.
20. Oven roasted potatoes
Crisp on the outside and tender in the center, these oven roasted potatoes are a budget friendly, easy side dish that goes well with all sorts of different meals.
A little garlic powder and fresh herbs turn basic, plain potatoes into something extra flavorful.
Be sure to make extra, since everyone will be going back for seconds.
21. Cornbread
Cornbread pairs with any fried fish or grilled fish fillets like a charm, especially if you add a bit of spicy Creole seasoning.
Homemade cornbread is easier than you’d think, and a Jiffy mix certainly never disappoints as a shortcut.
Moist and buttery, cornbread just tastes like home.
Ready to serve these side dishes for trout?
I hope this list of what to serve with trout has given you lots of inspiration for what to eat with this tasty fish.
Like so many fish recipes, trout’s lack of intense flavor lends itself so well to so many seasonings and side dishes.
The only problem is deciding which to make first for your delicious meal!
The best side dishes for trout! Here’s exactly what to serve with rainbow trout for dinner. 1. Choose 1-3 side dishes to serve with your trout dinner
What to Serve with Trout
Ingredients
Instructions
2. Gather the ingredients and prepare the meal
3. Serve your delicious dinner
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