What to Serve with Blackened Tilapia: 18 Best Sides

Blackened tilapia is such an unusual and wonderful entrée option. It’s a savory fish that has been cooked by applying a mixture of citrus-based spices and the finest grinds of black pepper.

See Also:

• 18 Easy Sauces for Tilapia I Can’t Resist
• Tilapia Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Tilapia

If you crave a mouthwatering meal for your next dinner party, blackened tilapia is the answer!

This dish goes well with so many side dishes, it’s hard not to find a side dish that suits the fish.

And since I’m always looking out for new and better ways to serve this dish, I thought you should too.

That’s why I made a list of the best sides to serve with blackened tilapia that I came up with.

So keep scrolling for side dishes that pair wonderfully with this dish!

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes For Blackened Tilapia?

Blackened tilapia is a tasty fish dish that is easy to prepare and perfect for entertaining guests.

But what about side dishes to complement this dish?

And what about the other dishes you might choose to serve with it?

Consideration of side dishes is very important for any type of food.

After all, they can determine how well you enjoy your meal as well as the taste that is enjoyed by your guests.

For example, the type of sauce used for blackened tilapia as well as the flavor of the side dishes that are served with it can contribute to the overall taste that is enjoyed by those who eat it.

And while blackened tilapia is a dish that may be prepared with ease, the flavor of the ingredients used should be considered carefully.

For example, blackened tilapia can be made with tilapia, shrimp, or even salmon.

However, no matter what type of fish is used, if the taste of the dish is important to you, you should take the time to decide on a dish that is complementary to it.

For example, you can choose to serve blackened tilapia with sweet potatoes and a spicy mustard sauce, or you can serve it with jasmine rice and a simple vegetable dish.

In both cases, the side dishes that are served with the fish will make all the difference in the way you perceive the dish.

By considering side dishes when creating a meal plan, you can ensure that all of your guests enjoy the meal as much as you do.

What to Serve with Blackened Tilapia: 18 Best Sides

Tilapia is typically considered a mild fish, but its mild taste is what makes it one of my favorites.

There’s just something about its delicate flavor that I can’t get enough of.

The trick to blackening tilapia? Add some spices and let the grill do the rest.

Or, serve it with some of these tasty sides:

1. Mashed Potatoes

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Mashed potatoes are a staple accompaniment to many kinds of fish, but blackened tilapia is a great way to try them out for the first time.

They’re particularly good if you want to impress your friends and family with a super healthy and fresh meal.

You can make your own or choose one of the many ready-made varieties available from supermarket shelves.

You’ll need to soak your potatoes for around ten minutes, and then boil them before mashing.

2. Baked Beans

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Baked beans are a delicious accompaniment to most kinds of fish, including blackened tilapia.

They’re great if you’re on the go, as you can make them ahead of time and keep them in your fridge to eat as and when you need them.

You’ll need to soak your beans for around six hours, and then cook them in a pan.

Finally, mash them up once they’re ready and serve alongside whatever you’re serving with the fish.

3. Grilled Corn

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A side serving of grilled corn is a really easy and quick option to serve alongside blackened tilapia.

Just cut the corn lengthways, grill them to a golden crisp, and serve with a generous amount of butter and salt.

It can be a bit tricky to find corn in the supermarket, but if you manage to find some, you can freeze them for later use.

Frozen corn will be as good as fresh, so just thaw and cook as normal.

4. Smothered Cabbage

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Cabbage is great for serving alongside blackened tilapia.

Simply slice the cabbage into ribbons, cook it in boiling water with a pinch of salt until tender, and then serve.

I like to add a little extra flavour by adding some chopped garlic and lemon juice before serving, but you can leave it plain if you prefer.

5. Candied Yams

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This is a really easy and quick side dish. Yams are an excellent source of vitamin C, fibre, and potassium, and are a really satisfying snack to serve alongside blackened tilapia or fried fish.

They’re also a great healthy option for vegetarian diners. Simply boil the yams until they’re soft, then drain and rinse with boiling water.

Pat dry, then cover in a dash of water, and microwave for two to three minutes.

Once cooked, they can be served straight away or stored in the fridge overnight. I like to pop them in a Tupperware box and pack them in my lunchbox.

6. Fried Okra

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As well as being delicious, fried okra is very healthy! It’s full of fibre, antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium.

It’s also incredibly versatile, and can be eaten at any time of the year. You can serve this as a side dish alongside any main course.

7. Broccoli Slaw

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This is one of my favourite salads to serve alongside blackened tilapia. It’s a simple dish made up of simple, fresh ingredients.

If you’re in a hurry, you can buy a ready-made bag of coleslaw mix, but I prefer to make my own to ensure that I get the best quality ingredients.

8. Creamy Spinach

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A simple and light side dish, creamy spinach is a great way to pack a nutritional punch into your meal, especially if you’re eating a meal with fish.

Some great choices for this one include fresh spinach (either baby or regular), garlic, and a little bit of seasoning.

You can make your own by chopping up spinach, garlic, and spices, or you can choose to buy a pre-made option at your local supermarket.

9. Green Beans

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If you’re worried about what to serve with your fish, you can always go for a vegetable or salad option.

The green beans are a particularly quick and easy option, and they go particularly well with the creamy spinach.

I like to serve them with a drizzle of low-fat Greek yoghurt, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper.

10. Sweet Potato

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A great option for a side dish with blackened tilapia is sweet potato, as it’s full of vitamin A.

I like to take the opportunity to make the most of the seasonality of this veg by roasting it, and it tastes fantastic hot or cold. If you do decide to make it for yourself, make sure you use a good quality tangerine orange variety.

The skin is edible, as is the flesh. It’s so easy to peel and cut up, and you can do the same with an apple if you prefer!

11. Roasted Potato Wedges

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Another option for a side dish with your tilapia is roasted potato wedges.

This is a simple but delicious side that you can prepare very quickly. Simply remove the skin from the potatoes, and then bake them in the oven until they’re golden and crispy.

Add a little salt and pepper and you’ve got the perfect accompaniment to your blackened fish.

12. Garlic Parmesan Bread

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Garlic bread served alongside your freshly cooked blackened fish is a real winner. It’s quick, easy, and a great way to serve up a simple meal.

If you want to make your own garlic bread, you’ll need to start by preparing the bread dough.

You’ll need a large bowl, some flour, a little olive oil, and some chopped garlic and grated Parmesan cheese.

Stir everything together and then knead it until you have a soft, smooth dough.

13. Mango Salsa

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This is a really festive side that you can serve with your blackened tilapia. It’s got a great balance of citrus and spice, and it’s great to serve in a bowl at the table.

Of course, it can also be served as part of a Mexican themed meal if you’d rather!

14. Smashed Avocado

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This is the perfect side dish if you’re planning to serve your blackened tilapia with a Mexican theme.

Just make sure you serve it with a bowl of tortilla chips to mop up all the delicious, creamy avocado juice.

15. Fried Corn

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This works great in the summer months, as you can serve it warm off the pan in a bowl.

It’s perfect for snacking on alongside the blackened tilapia, and really adds a bit more of a traditional feel to your meal.

You can use frozen corn, if you’re planning to make this dish in the middle of winter. Just be sure to cook it first as it doesn’t freeze well.

16. Corn Fritters

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These are a great accompaniment for any meal and are perfect for a quick snack.

They’re really easy to make, and you can add a little flavour by choosing your favourite dipping sauce.

I like to brush them with honey and then coat them in sesame seeds.

17. Lemon Yogurt And Cucumber Dip

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This is another healthy option that’s great to serve in a bowl at the table with your blackened tilapia.

You can buy ready-made dip here, alternatively, you can make your own. I like to serve mine with a side of crudités.

18. Grilled Peppers

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These are another great option for a side dish if you’re having a Mexican themed meal.

You can grill the whole pepper, or just the seeds and membranes. They’re delicious served in a bowl with your blackened tilapia and a bowl of tortilla chips.

2 Tips For Serving Side Dishes With Blackened Tilapia

1. Think about keeping the flavors simple

Blackened fish, whether it’s tilapia, salmon or shrimp, typically has a large, bold flavor.

So don’t go overboard with the seasonings when serving these with side dishes.

Instead, add herbs and spices like curry powder or hot sauce to the tilapia and let the flavors of the main dish shine through.

2. Ask Your Guests

A lot of the time, people have a hard time figuring out what to serve with their main entree.

When you’re having a get-together, be sure to ask the guests what dishes are their favorite, and then serve a few of those alongside the fish.

Ask them to give you their feedback on the food.

Related:

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What Vegetables Go with Baked Fish? (11 Veggies)

17 Herbs that Go Well with White Fish