21 Delicious Sides for Fried Fish
Updated: Feb. 07, 2024
Sides for fried fish go beyond chips, coleslaw and tartar sauce (though all are deliciously appropriate). We have recipes for the classics plus a few new ideas that make any fish fry spectacular.
It doesn’t matter if you’re making a Friday night fish fry during Lent or just eating more fish in general: All fried fish needs a good side dish. Once you figure out the best fish to fry, whether it’s air-fryer fish and chips or deep-fried halibut, you can’t go wrong with classic sides like creamy coleslaw, tartar sauce and even pickles. But you can also adopt some regional specialties, like hush puppies or rye bread, or switch out fries for oven-roasted potatoes, onion rings or sweet potato chips. Broccoli works, too!
That’s all to say, when you need sides for fried fish, the options are limitless. We’ll get you started with some of our favorite recipes.
Hush Puppies
Cornmeal batter fried to a golden brown is one of the best things about a fish fry (after the fish, of course). The key to keeping hush puppies together is making sure the oil is hot enough.
Classic Tartar Sauce
This simple and quick tartar sauce recipe will have you swearing off the jarred stuff for good. While you can serve this immediately after making, it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours.Psst! You might also like these fish fry recipes.
Crispy Baked Onion Rings
These crispy and lightly browned onion rings make a great side for fried fish. Serve with any kind of dipping sauce, from ketchup to thousand island or tangy fry sauce.
Sauteed Zucchini
Sometimes it’s nice to keep sides for fried fish on the lighter side. Cook discs of zucchini until just crisp-tender for the best result. Summer squash works, too.
Cowboy Cornbread
Half and half makes this sweet cornbread richer than others, and it’s a dynamite side for fried fish and just about everything else. Check out more cornbread recipes for other savory and spicy options.
Lemon-Scented Broccolini
Lemon is a nice touch alongside any kind of fish, fried or otherwise. Using fresh broccolini or broccoli ups the healthy quotient, too.
Buttery Dinner Rolls
Rolls make an excellent addition to fried fish dinners. These are buttery, tender and fluffy, and even more delicious when eaten straight from the oven.
Easy Dill Pickles
If you like a crisp and tart contrast to fried fish, this easy dill pickle recipe is the perfect place to start. Make zesty homemade spears with lots of dill, garlic and peppers.
Dill & Chive Peas
The Brits like mushy peas with their fish and chips, but these herbed peas are a nice alternative. Use fresh or frozen peas and lots of fresh dill and chives.
Crispy Ranch Fries
Turn boring frozen fries into these zippy fries in a flash. Don’t skimp on the zesty dipping sauce.
Baked Sweet Potato Chips
For a crunchy and addictive side dish for fried fish, toss thinly sliced potatoes with seasonings before popping them into a hot oven. They’re so good, you’ll want to make a double batch!
Bread and Butter Pickles
These pleasantly sweet-tart pickles make a good foil for fried fish. Once you see how easy it is to pickle cucumbers, try other pickling recipes. The possibilities are endless.
Zucchini Fries
We love the idea of serving other vegetables in place of potatoes on a fried fish platter. These zucchini fries are coated with panko, baked until crisp, and served with any kind of dipping sauce you like, from marinara to ranch.
Buttery-Onion Corn on the Cob
In some parts of the country, corn on the cob is a fish fry staple. But instead of boiling it, try slathering corn on the cob in butter and onion soup mix and roasting it in the oven.
Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
Jazz up baked macaroni and cheese with ground mustard and hot pepper sauce. It’s the perfect side dish for fish, barbecued meats and more.
Southwestern Sauteed Corn
You only need a few extra ingredients, like tomato, cumin and cilantro, to give corn a punch of flavor. Use fresh or frozen corn kernels.
Brown Sugar Baked Beans
Making baked beans from scratch takes a little more time than opening a can, but the rich flavor is worth the effort. These sweet and spicy beans make the perfect side dish for just about anything.
Fry Sauce
When you want to go beyond ketchup, blend it with mayo and spices for the perfect fry sauce. Use it as a dip for fries, fried zucchini, onion rings—anything!
Rustic Rye Bread
Around the Great Lakes, especially in Wisconsin, you’ll see potato pancakes and rye bread at every fish fry. This gorgeous loaf has just a touch of sweetness and goes well with a thick pat of butter.
Contest-Winning Old-Fashioned Potato Salad
Everyone will want this old-fashioned potato salad at every fish fry, family gathering, picnic and potluck. While hard-boiled eggs, celery and green onions are a classic combination, make the recipe your own by adding other mix-ins like diced red pepper, fresh herbs or bacon.
Herbed Steak Fries
These steak fries make a quick and tasty side for a casual supper, from fried fish to burgers, meatloaf and more. Plus, the recipe calls for frozen fries, so it’s easier than you think.Originally Published: March 28, 2023
