15 Healthy and Delicious Side Dishes for Fish

When you're serving healthy fish for dinner, flavorful sides are a must. We've gathered up our favorite easy and delicious recipes that pair well with all types of fish, from delicate tilapia and trout to meaty salmon and halibut. Whether you're baking fish in the oven, pan-searing it, or tossing it on the grill, you'll find winning sides here for your plate.

How to Buy and Cook Fish for Perfect Results Every Time

01 of 15

Ratatouille With Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Herbs

Smneedham/Getty Images

Ratatouille is a rustic French stewed vegetable dish made with tomato, eggplant, zucchini, onions, garlic, and herbs. Serve it as a healthy accompaniment to steamed or baked fish, using fresh seasonal vegetables (though good-quality canned tomatoes can stand in for the fresh tomatoes in a pinch).
02 of 15

Lemony Greek Potatoes

The Spruce Eats

Greek potatoes cooked with lemon juice, oregano, and garlic is a classic Mediterranean side that pairs well with mild white fish, such as tilapia or sole. This clever recipe has you add a little water to the roasting pan, and tent it with foil, so the potatoes steam instead of simply roasting. The result is taters with a caramelized exterior and the perfect fluffy texture inside.
03 of 15

Easy Baked Risotto

The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

Think risotto has to mean endless stirring? Think again with this easy-baked risotto that does require some hands-on time, but not nearly as much as traditional preparations. It still produces tender, creamy, slightly nutty-tasting rice with all the cheesy flavor you long for in a risotto.
04 of 15

Green Bean Amandine

The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

Make this classic, 10-minute French side dish to accompany tender fillets of baked or steamed fish when you entertain guests. Cook the beans just until crisp-tender, then toss them with a simple, fragrant mixture of pan-toasted almonds, butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

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05 of 15

Tahini Roasted Cauliflower With Pepitas and Herbs

Brett Stevens/Getty Images

When oven-roasted, cauliflower takes on a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs well with mild fish. This tasty recipe inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine has you roast a cauliflower whole before you cut it into wedges and slather it in garlicky tahini sauce. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds, or scatter with snipped fresh herbs, for a special presentation.
06 of 15

Easy Oven French Fries

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Breaded, fried fish practically begs for crispy potato wedges on the side. These tasty French fries deliver what you crave, but are oven-baked, so they are lower in fat than traditional versions. Use your favorite seasonings to dress them up, or simply sprinkle them with salt and enjoy them in all their potato-ey goodness.
07 of 15

South Indian Lemon Rice

The Spruce Eats

Fluffy, lemony basmati rice infused with fragrant South Indian spices and studded with roasted peanuts, makes a delicious and colorful pilaf for serving with spice-rubbed fish. Ginger and green chiles add a nice kick of heat to this easy rice dish that takes only 20 minutes to make with leftover rice.
08 of 15

Carrot, Cabbage, and Kohlrabi Slaw With Miso Dressing

Katie Workman/themom100.com

Crunchy shredded vegetables flavored with a Japanese-style gingery miso dressing make a fresh and zesty side dish for grilled fish fillets, or a tasty topping for fish tacos. You can use a mandoline to thinly slice the vegetables but a sharp knife will do just fine.

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09 of 15

Scalloped Corn Casserole

The Spruce Eats

Cheesy, easy scalloped corn casserole makes a yummy side dish for meaty salmon steaks and more delicate fish fillets alike. Make it with fresh-off-the-cob corn, or use canned or frozen kernels when fresh aren't available. It includes colorful and nutritious chopped bell pepper and a fabulous buttery breadcrumb crust for crunch.
10 of 15

Crispy Quinoa With Kale

The Spruce Eats / Jennifer Meier

Quinoa is a protein-rich grain with a light crunchy texture, that is naturally gluten-free, making it a great alternative to rice for those avoiding gluten in their diets. Serve this nutrient-rich crispy quinoa flavored with kale, cumin, and cinnamon as a healthy, tasty, carb-free side dish for steamed or pan-seared fish.
11 of 15

Creamy Southern Succotash

The Spruce Eats / Diana Mocanu

Top a mound of creamy Southern succotash with a cornmeal-crusted fish fillet, and you have a wonderfully satisfying, healthy meal. This is a classic stovetop succotash made with fresh or frozen lima beans, corn kernels, plus onion, garlic, and bell pepper dice, in a buttery, creamy sauce.
12 of 15

Dill Potatoes Grilled in a Packet

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

When you're making grilled fish for a cookout, add these dilly potatoes to the grill for a tasty, no-fuss side dish. Let new potatoes hang out first in a quick marinade of olive oil, chopped fresh dill, garlic, butter, and simple seasonings. Then seal them into a foil packet for placing on the grill.

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13 of 15

Shaved Asparagus and Arugula Salad

The Spruce Eats / Laurel Randolph

Lighten up your dinner plate by serving freshly cooked fish with a side of greens. This winning dinner salad is more special than most, featuring bright green shaved asparagus, peppery arugula, and shelled edamame. Just toss it in a sweet and tangy cilantro vinaigrette and top it with crispy toasted breadcrumbs and salty Parmesan cheese, and you're set.
14 of 15

Couscous Stuffed Bell Peppers

Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images

Couscous stuffed peppers are pretty enough to serve at a dinner party, and a great way to add healthy vegetables and grains to a fish entree. It's so easy to steam couscous, toss it with a few simple seasonings, and stuff it into sweet bell peppers, for baking in the oven until tender and heated through.
15 of 15

Creamed Kale

Laura Agra/Katie Workman/themom100.com

Creamed kale has a heartier texture than spinach, with a rich and delicious taste that will make you happy to eat your greens. Heavy cream and Parmesan cheese transform humble fresh kale greens into an indulgent side dish. Serve it as a side dish for pan-seared halibut, cod, or other meaty varieties of fish.