15 Easy Side Dishes that Go Well with Fried Catfish

When it comes to fresh dinner party food ideas, it might be difficult to find inspiration. Fried catfish seems to be a safe bet, but are there any additional sides to consider?

See Also: 22 Sauces for Catfish We Cant Resist

What sides go well with fried catfish? Begin by researching various methods to dress up your catfish. You may serve fried catfish with basic fresh veggies or something a bit more difficult, such as braised collards or even roasted sweet potatoes.

If you’re looking for some creative and unique ideas for your next dinner party, look no further!

Everything you need to know about serving sides with fried catfish is right here.

15 Easy Side Dishes that Go Well with Fried Catfish

Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

This may seem to be a simple meal, yet many people overlook it while shopping for side dishes.

We normally think of fish and seafood meals as the main course, so making them the focus of the plate seems natural.

Fried catfish, on the other hand, has a superb taste balance and the crispy, crunchy edges make the fish come alive in your mouth.

That is why we like it with roasted broccoli. The smokey taste of the broccoli complements and enhances the flavor of the fish.

Serve lemon parmesan roasted broccoli with your fried catfish for a stunning fish and vegetable feast. It really is a great mix!

Rice Pilaf

A rice pilaf is a terrific alternative if you’re searching for something with depth. Rice is another basic that we all utilize in our daily lives, and it can be used in a variety of ways.

Rice may be served as a side dish or as the main course, ranging from basic white rice to a more complicated combination such as Thai red curry rice.

Fried catfish tastes complement rice nicely, so you’re sure to discover something you like when you add rice to your meal.

Often, the rice will serve as the foundation for your meal, with the catfish adding salinity, texture, and taste. You may use your favorite rice type and even experiment with other flavors.

It is critical to have enough taste on your dish to compliment your main course.

Roasted Greek Potatoes

This is again another perfect fit. Fish and potato are a classic pairing and the sweetness of the potatoes really helps to cut through the richness of the fish.

One of my favorite ways to eat potatoes is with roasted potatoes. They have a crisp surface and a soft interior, making them ideal for snacking on while watching your favorite TV program.

You could easily transform them into standard baked potatoes by cutting them in half lengthwise, smearing them with olive oil, and seasoning them with salt and pepper. Bake at 400°F for 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft.

Caesar Salad

Catfish is a white fish and one of the least popular fish choices when it comes to buying in a store. That doesn’t make it any less tasty. It’s simply that it’s not as eye-catching as other fish.

That is why a side dish of Caesar salad is a terrific way to spice up the platter. Catfish is also rather meaty, so a side dish of Caesar salad cuts through the fat and gives a nice contrast to the taste of the fish.

Alternatively, use red onions.A simple green salad might also work well. Just make sure the lettuce is crisp and the tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables are fresh.

Cheesy Cauliflower Rice

Crispy fish is usually a good option, but particularly when preparing for someone with a delicate taste. Fried fish may be highly oily, and if you have a strong flavor in your tongue when you eat it, it is easy to have a fishy aftertaste.

That is why I like pairing fish with cheese. The cheese’s creamy and savory taste mellows out the flavors of the fish, making it a more pleasurable meal for everyone.

When it comes to fried catfish, a mild, white cheese like Brie or Swiss is ideal. Both of these cheeses will lighten the catfish tastes and make your fried fish combo intriguing and delightful.

You may also couple your catfish with Cheddar or Monterey Jack. These cheeses will give your meal a bit extra zing, which is always a good thing.

Barley Mushroom Risotto

Barley mushroom risotto is a side dish prepared with rice and some form of liquid, similar to standard risotto. The only difference is that instead of rice, you use barley.

This is another another classic side dish that has been around for a long time. This is a quick and simple side dish that can be on the table in about 30 minutes. When you have a large number of guests around for dinner, it may also be a fantastic leftover meal side dish.

If you utilize the appropriate ingredients, you can transform this basic side dish into something extraordinary! Instead of regular old white mushrooms, try wild or button mushrooms. Simply slice them into little pieces before putting them to the pan. That way, they’ll become a little sautéed and softened, giving you a more powerful mushroom taste.

A tiny quantity of butter or oil to cook the onions and mushrooms until soft and slightly caramelized would be an excellent addition. Then, add a little chicken stock and boil until virtually all of it is absorbed. Finally, whisk in the risotto rice and simmer for a few minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.

French Fries

Frying is a terrific technique to prepare meat and seafood with a nice texture. However, frying causes the food to absorb the taste of the oil.

French fries are usually a crowd pleaser. They have a neutral taste that complements practically anything. A big order of french fries will enough for your supper, but feel free to prepare more than one dish if desired.

You may add cheese, salsa, or other toppings to your fries. They are so tasty that they may stand alone as a dinner. You can serve these with fried catfish, and it will be a delicious combination.

Roasted Sugar Snap Peas

Fried catfish and roasted sugar snap peas are a perfect complement. Sweet and crunchy are the two best flavor combinations in the world, and combining them is like eating candy for your tastes.

Catfish is quite oily, which means it absorbs the taste of anything you combine it with. Sugar snap peas are naturally sweet, so they provide a great counterpoint to the richness of the salmon.

Always use fresh sugar snap peas. They should be bright and fresh. If fresh peas are unavailable, you may use frozen peas, but they will be less crisp and lose their sweet flavor.

When it comes to sugar snap peas, a little saltiness goes a long way, so don’t overdo it. A little amount will go a long way.

Creamed kale gratin

Creamed Kale is a delicious way to consume kale. It imparts a creaminess that cuts through the fried fish, leaving it delicate and juicy.

The gratin component of this recipe helps to retain all of the delicious taste of the kale while also keeping it crispy so you can eat it all.

This is one of those recipes that can be made ahead of time and flavored with additional veggies such as carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, and so on.

Lemon pepper asparagus

This is a classic combo and a fantastic way to give an old favorite a fresh spin.

Asparagus is a lily family member with a peculiar taste that is evocative of chicken. The mild sharpness works well with the sweetness of the fried fish.

Lemon’s acidity brightens the meal, and the lemon pepper flavor adds that additional kick that makes everything sing.

You can serve this as an appetizer or a light lunch, and you can add avocado or other toppings to make it more substantial.

Garlic roasted Brussel sprouts

Garlic roasted brussel sprouts go perfectly with fried catfish and are also a good option to pair with your fried fish.

Fried fish is often accompanied with tartar sauce or tartar sauce laced with horseradish or spicy pepper flakes.

Brussels sprouts have a lot of flavor, and the garlicky flavor enhances the flavor of these veggies.

Brussels sprouts have a lot of nutrients as well, so you receive the advantages of both.

These sprouts are also quite cheap. They are one of the less expensive side dishes available, but they will make you feel like you spent a fortune.

This easy side dish is guaranteed to satisfy catfish fans.

Instant pot steamed veggies

Fried catfish with steamed vegetables is a traditional combination. It is quite adaptable and may be served as a main course or as a side dish.

Steaming helps to retain the taste of the vegetables in this recipe while also making them more soft. This will also enhance the taste of the fried fish.

You can steam up a variety of veggies in the Instant Pot like carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, broccoli, or cauliflower. Steaming may be accomplished in a saucepan on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. Simply choose your favorite veggie and simmer it till tender.

Summer squash succotash

Summer squash has long been used as a vegetable, and it is a tasty and healthful alternative. You don’t want it to get mushy or overcooked, so select a cooking technique that allows for rapid cooking while still keeping it crispy.

Squash goes great with fried meals as well. It gets that crispy edge and crunch from the batter that you desire.

Summer squash pairs nicely with catfish since it lacks a distinct taste, but it may be hot when combined with other foods.

This dish brings all of those flavors together and makes a great addition to your summer catfish fry.

Garlic roasted parmesan cauliflower

Roasted veggies are an excellent choice. Fried catfish’s smokey, salty aromas pair well with roasted garlic and herbs.

When cooked at high heat, the rich taste of catfish truly shows through, and the smokiness of the fish is heightened by the smoke flavor of the pan. That means your cuisine will taste even better.

This is another another fantastic classic combo!

Serve with a simple salad on the side for a full dinner that includes a second course of a tasty protein like fried catfish.

Vegetarian stuffed bell peppers with Israeli couscous

Because catfish is a strong source of protein, it makes logical to add veggies to the meal as a side dish.

For numerous reasons, vegetables are typically best coupled with fish. They are often lower in fat and greater in nutrient content than meats.

To achieve more tender outcomes, vegetables are often cooked at a lower temperature for longer periods of time.

Fish is a wonderful source of protein, but it may also be heavy in salt, so veggies are a better alternative for a taste and nutritional balance.

Choose your favorite vegetable, such as sweet potato, asparagus, or broccoli.

To add flavor and texture to these stuffed bell peppers, add Israeli couscous. You can prepare this in a pan, on the stovetop, or in the microwave.

If you have any leftovers, reheat them and serve with lettuce and tomato the following day.

FAQ

What are some good catfish dinner sides?

Catfish is a white fish that is solid and moderate in flavor. It is an excellent fish for eating on its own or in fish sandwiches. Catfish goes well with coleslaw, potato salad, and pickles, or even garlic mashed potatoes.

What are some healthy sides for baked catfish?

Fish and seafood are among the healthiest foods available. Steamed veggies are an excellent accompaniment to fish or shellfish. Rice, couscous, or even a salad are more alternatives.

What are some easy seafood side dishes?

Seafood is one of the simplest items to deal with, and if prepared properly, it is pretty simple to cook.

Serve them with salad, potatoes, or spaghetti; just make sure they’re light enough to match the food you’re serving them with.

What are some delicious pasta side dishes for fish?

As a side dish, fish is nearly usually served with some kind of carbohydrate. Pasta dishes are ideal for this use. You may use fettuccine, penne, spaghetti, or any other form of pasta you’d normally use in cooking.

Season your spaghetti with whichever spices you choose. I prefer to season with crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt. When cooking the pasta, I sometimes add a little olive oil or butter to the water.

What are some delicious vegetable side dishes for fish?

Vegetables are often served with fish and seafood meals. These veggies, such as cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower, are often crisp and have a little bite to them. Asparagus, brussels sprouts, green beans, and snap peas are some more vegetables that go well with fish.

what vegetable goes with fried catfish?

Collards are an easy side to serve with fried catfish. Collard leaves may be steamed or added to your favorite soup. They will keep the catfish taste fresh in your tongue.

what sauce goes with fried catfish?

Fried catfish pairs well with any tartar sauce. As a dipping sauce for fried catfish, buttermilk, cocktail, blue cheese, sweet-and-sour, or even plain old tartar sauce would all work.

what goes well with fried salmon?

Fried salmon is an excellent side dish. It may be eaten as a crispy and light complement to fried chicken or fish, or as a main entrée served over greens or pasta.