What to Serve with Fried Fish – 15 Delicious Sides

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Fried fish is a total crowd-pleaser because that crispy outside and juicy inside combo is just a flavor party in your mouth. If you’re in search of ideas for what to serve with fried fish, you can take your meal in so many tasty directions!

A simple Southern fish fry is so easy and you can pair it with one of my ideas below and you’ve got a delicious meal on the table in no time. 

Almost any type of side dish will work well with fried fish recipes, so use your imagination and if it sounds good to you, give it a shot!

Be sure to include your favorite sauces like tartar sauce, ketchup, lemon juice, hot sauce, or cocktail sauce for some extra flavor!

For some inspiration for some of my favorite side dishes for this meal, check out my list of 15 things you can serve with fried fish below. 

1. Grilled Corn on the Cob

Grilled corn is a great side dish for fried fish. It cooks up easily and quickly and offers a sweet balance to the meal.

2. Cole Slaw

Crunchy cabbage, shredded carrots, and a tangy dressing are the perfect combination with fried fish. This creamy coleslaw adds a refreshing crunch to your plate, cutting through the fried flavor of the fish.

3. Garlic Parmesan Fries

Upgrade your traditional french fries with a sprinkle of garlic and a generous dusting of Parmesan. These fries are a flavor bomb that takes your fried fish experience to a whole new level. You can even use sweet potato fries for this recipe. Don’t forget your favorite dipping sauce!

4. Bacon Jalapeño Cornbread

These little guys pack a spicy punch. The heat from the jalapeños combined with the sweet cornbread makes for a great sidekick to your fish dinner.

5. Cheddar and Broccoli Stuffed Mushrooms

Cheesy goodness mixed with earthy mushrooms – a side dish that’s hearty and tasty, complementing the lightness of fried fish. For a heartier version try our Italian stuffed mushrooms as well.

6. Onion Rings

This classic side dish is a shoo-in for any fried food meal! Serve onion rings with any type of fried fish like Southern fried catfish or white fish.

7. Italian Broccoli

Sauté up broccoli with Italian seasonings for a fast, easy, and healthy side dish to balance the fried fish.

8. Loaded Baked Potato

Sour cream, cheddar, bacon, and chives – this hearty side dish is comfort food in a bowl.

9. Twice Baked Potato Casserole

All the delicious flavors of twice baked potatoes in an easy to prep casserole form make this a hearty side dish for a lighter fish main course.

10. Hush Puppies

Hush puppies are always a great choice for any type of fish main dish! This is one of the most popular side dishes for seafood in general. Hush puppies have a hint of sweetness that tastes great with fried fish.

11. Baked Box Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a classic side for fried fish. Our baked mac and cheese recipe is a shortcut “almost homemade” version that is super easy to make thanks to starting with a boxed macaroni!

12. Southern Collard Greens

This easy side dish is another classic and perfect pairing for fried fish. But don’t be fooled, this isn’t necessarily a healthier alternative to other fried foods because southern collard greens recipes often require bacon fat. 

13. Greek Salad

Cool and crisp lettuce with cucumber slices and feta then topped with a zesty Greek dressing. It’s a refreshing palate cleanser between bites of crispy fish.

14. Sautéed Canned Green Beans

Sauté canned green beans for this easy side dish that is anything but boring and super fast to make.

15. Crispy Roasted Potatoes

Easy, crispy, seasoned potatoes can be made in the oven or air fryer for the perfect crunch alongside fried fish! Potato wedges or homemade fries are also another great option as well.