27 BEST Sides for Fried Fish: Delicious Fish Fry Menu Ideas
What to serve with fried fish! Here are the best side dishes for fried catfish, white fish, and fried fish sandwiches, so you can transform your favorite fish recipe into something totally memorable.
Crispy golden brown fried fish fillets are a delicious and easy dinner idea that will have everyone digging in.
Fried catfish is best when dipped in a cornmeal mixture or panko breadcrumbs, and mild white fish in a beer batter cannot be beat.
Now that you’ve decided on your main dish, you’re probably wondering what goes with fried fish?
Luckily, I put together a list of 27 delicious side dishes to serve with your fried fish dinner!
What is a good side dish for fried fish?
Creamy coleslaw or french fries are classic sides that might come immediately to mind, but there are so many options for your fish fry!
From healthy, veggie options, to Southern comfort foods, any of these dinner sides will really complete the meal.
If you serve fried fish regularly, you can really change it up by swapping out different sides.
What to Serve with Fried Fish
1. Hush puppies
Southern hush puppies are tender little fried cornmeal nuggets with crispy outer edges and slightly sweet centers.
Not only are they a great side dish for fried catfish or a fish sandwich, but they’re a simple dish to make that come together with a few inexpensive ingredients.
Some grocery stores even sell them in the freezer section, if you don’t want to make them from scratch.
2. Collard greens
Silky, Southern collard greens (like Grandma used to make) turns your fried fish dinner into a truly ‘down home’ meal.
Braised in a smoky liquid made from onions, garlic, a ham hock, and apple cider vinegar, this is truly the most delicious way to eat your greens.
3. Coleslaw
Creamy, crunchy coleslaw is just the perfect side dish for fried fish.
It complements the tender nature of the fish, and it’s a slightly sweet counterpart to the fish’s salty nature.
You can pick it up premade in your store’s deli section, or make homemade coleslaw out of a pre-shredded bag of cabbage and a simple dressing.
4. Fried green tomatoes
Another time-honored Southern staple are fried green tomatoes.
Unripened tomatoes get coated in a seasoned cornmeal crust and fried to golden brown.
They’re like little slices of heaven, and if you’ve never tried them, you simply must.
Just trust me on this.
5. Green beans
Garlicky skillet green beans are technically healthy, but they taste indulgent when prepared properly.
They’re quick and easy to make, and the perfect use-up for those fresh summer green beans.
6. Baked beans
It doesn’t get any easier than opening and heating a can of baked beans.
They’re just one of those popular side dishes that it seems like everyone likes.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make homemade baked beans, and watch everyone lick their plate clean!
7. Onion rings
Speaking of delicious, finger licking good side dishes, onion rings also fit the bill.
If you’re ambitious, you can make homemade onion rings.
Or feel free to buy frozen ones at the local grocery store, and toss them in the oven or air fryer, or even make them in the deep fryer along with your fried fish.
8. Cilantro lime rice
This Chipotle copycat cilantro lime rice would be super good with fish tacos, but can certainly be eaten with so many types of fried fish.
It’s really easy to prepare, and super flavorful and light.
And you can certainly substitute cauliflower rice if you want a healthy alternative.
9. Macaroni and cheese
If you’re planning a comfort food dinner of fried fish, you might as well go all in and serve mac and cheese as well.
Whether you simply prepare your favorite boxed mix, or make it from scratch in your oven, slow cooker, or on the stovetop, there are so many varieties to consider.
It might be an unexpected pairing, but boy will your guests be pleased when they see it at your dinner party!
10. Cornbread
Soft, moist, buttery cornbread with slightly crunchy edges will have everyone gobbling up their dinner.
It’s one of those classic fish fry menu ideas that your guests will love, and goes especially well with Southern fried catfish.
Potato side dishes for fried fish
11. French fries
French fries are a classic side dish for a reason… they’re delicious, and everyone loves them!
Something about dippable comfort food just makes people happy.
And to me, if it goes with fried chicken, it goes with fried fish.
Whether you make homemade fries or bake frozen fries in the oven, you simply can’t go wrong by serving them.
12. Mashed potatoes
The creaminess of mashed potatoes will pair really well with your fried catfish dinner.
Garlic redskin mashed potatoes are especially tasty, though you can certainly go with traditional potatoes and gravy.
And if you want to balance the calories of the fried fish, you can serve mashed cauliflower instead.
Some people can’t even tell the difference!
13. Zucchini potato bake
Even if it doesn’t sound like potatoes, zucchini, red bell pepper, and breadcrumbs go together, this zucchini potato bake is SUPER delicious.
I’ve gotten so many compliments every time I’ve served it!
14. Sweet potatoes
These roasted sweet potato wedges have a touch of chili powder, which balances their sweetness, and helps cut the heaviness of the fish a bit.
You can also make them in the air fryer for a healthier alternative, or if you don’t want to turn your oven on on a hot day.
15. Salt and vinegar potatoes
The creaminess of fingerling or new potatoes is balanced nicely with the acidity of the vinegar brine in these salt and vinegar potatoes.
It results in a soft-in-the-center, crispy-on-the-outside delicacy that’s chock full of flavor.
16. Potato chips
It doesn’t get any easier than opening a bag of potato chips, and salt and vinegar chips are brilliant for pairing with fish.
The acidity will cut the rich flavor of the meal, and even taste great when dipped in tartar sauce.
Salad side dishes for fried fish
17. Corn and tomato salad
With just 4 ingredients and an easy vinaigrette, corn and tomato salad is a delicious summer side, and the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
It’s light and refreshing, making it the perfect side dish to pair with fried fish.
18. Fresh salad
A fresh green salad will add a lightness to balance your crispy fish.
Bitter greens such as arugula and a tangy lemon vinaigrette dressing can be the base for your favorite in-season salad ingredients.
Sliced almonds, cranberries, grape tomatoes, shredded carrots, or shaved parmesan are all a great choice!
19. Pea salad
This 15-minute classic pea salad is a staple at so many potlucks and picnics across the Midwest and Southern United States, and there’s no reason it can’t hold its ground at your fish fry.
Sweet peas, combined with bacon, cheddar cheese, red onions, and a slightly sweet dressing.
It’s a retro classic that deserves to be rediscovered.
20. Potato salad
There’s just something so comforting about potato salad, which means it’s always a crowd favorite.
It can easily be made ahead if your whipping it up homemade, or feel free to buy it premade from the deli area of your grocery store.
Either way, your guests will be licking their spoon clean.
21. Pasta salad
Pasta salad is more customizable than you can imagine.
Different sauces, noodle shapes, and veggies can be brought together for all kinds of flavor profiles.
Southern macaroni salad in particular is one of those perfect fried fish sides that’ll have your guests feeling like they’re back at grandma’s house.
Read Next: 27 Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes (you won’t regret eating!)
Vegetable side dishes for fish
22. Fried okra
Southern fried okra is one of those surprisingly delicious comfort foods that’ll have everyone going back for seconds.
Plain okra gets a major makeover when covered in a cornmeal and flour mixture and fried to a golden brown.
Don’t knock it ‘til you try it!
23. Roasted cauliflower
Oven roasted cauliflower takes on an all new crispy texture and delicious flavor with a few simple seasonings.
It’s super easy and inexpensive, and will probably become your go-to side dish for all kinds of easy dinners.
24. Corn on the cob
Fresh, sweet corn on the cob is such a nice complement to salty fried fish.
It has the same casual, finger food style, and is always a crowd pleaser.
Just remember to keep lots of napkins or paper towel on hand!
25. Grilled asparagus
Garlic grilled asparagus with parmesan cheese is as delicious as it sounds.
You can roast it in the oven or air fryer, but the grill gives it a charred smoky flavor that’s hard to beat.
Plus, it only has a few ingredients, and cooks in minutes.
26. Veggies and dip
Another super easy side dish idea is plain ol’ veggies and dip.
Whether you put together a crudite platter yourself, or buy one premade, it’s the easiest way to offer some healthy sides for those who prefer a well-balanced meal.
27. Fruit salsa
Pineapple mango fruit salsa will take your fried fish dinner to a taste buds firing tropical-level.
Use it as a topping for fish tacos, or set out some tortilla chips for dipping.
Desserts that go with fried fish
Peach cobbler
Good old fashioned peach cobbler is not only super easy to make, you can use fresh or canned peaches, making it accessible year round.
Best of all, it only takes about 5 minutes to throw together, and is supremely delicious.
Lemon bars
Tart, rich lemon bars are lip smackin’ good, and come together with just 7 ingredients.
The lemon curd filling and shortbread crust are so flavorful that you’ll have everyone clamoring for the delicious recipe.
Strawberry shortcake
A light, refreshing dessert option is strawberry shortcake, especially if you use angel food cake.
Homemade strawberry shortcake typically uses biscuits, but store bought angel food cake makes it extra easy and light.
Dipping sauces for fried fish
Tartar sauce
Tartar sauce is the quintessential dipping sauce for all types of fish, and this homemade tartar sauce recipe is much better than anything store bought, so I recommend making your own if you have time.
It incorporates creamy mayonnaise, fresh dill, lemon juice, capers, pickles, and Worcestershire sauce.
You can serve with all kinds of seafood, and definitely with your fish fries.
Seafood sauce
Spicy seafood sauce is another simple recipe, but definitely a must have dipping sauce.
It’s creamy but incorporates hot sauce, which makes it slightly spicy.
You’ll catch your guests refilling their plate with more and more.
Squeeze of lemon
Be sure to set out lots of lemon wedges, so everyone can squeeze fresh lemon over their fried fish.
It really helps cut the richness, and bring out the flavor of the mild fish.
Ready to try some of these fish fry sides?
I hope this list of sides for fried catfish has given you lots of inspiration for what to serve at your fish fry dinner.
With this variety of side dishes, you can easily change up the menu depending on the season, making fried fish more versatile than you’d think.
I see many a delicious meal in your future!
What to serve with fried fish! Here are the best side dishes for fried catfish, white fish, and fried fish sandwiches, so you can transform your favorite fish recipe into something totally memorable. 1. Decide which of these side dishes you'd like to serve with your fried fish dinner
27 Best Sides for Fried Catfish
Ingredients
Instructions
2. Gather the ingredients and prepare the sides
3. Serve a delicious dinner
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