15 Easy Side Dishes that Go Well with Fried Catfish

When it comes to new ideas for your next dinner party menu, it can be hard to come up with inspiration. Fried catfish seems like a good fallback option, but are there other sides to try?

See Also: 22 Sauces for Catfish We Can’t Resist

What side dishes go with fried catfish? Start by looking at different ways to dress up your catfish. You can make a simple dish of fresh vegetables alongside your fried catfish, or you can serve up something a little more complicated such as braised collards or even roasted sweet potatoes.

If you’re searching for some innovative and interesting ideas for your next dinner party, then look no further!

We’ve got everything you need to know about what sides to serve with fried catfish right here.

15 Easy Side Dishes that Go Well with Fried Catfish

Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

This one seems simple, but a lot of people don’t really think about this dish when they are shopping for side dishes.

We usually think about fish and seafood dishes as the main item, and it makes sense to make them the star of the plate.

However, fried catfish has a great balance of flavors and the crispy, crunchy edges make the fish come alive in your mouth.

That is why we love it paired with roasted broccoli. The smoky flavor from the broccoli brings out the flavor of the fish and makes it pop.

If you are looking to make an impressive fish and vegetable dish, try serving lemon parmesan roasted broccoli with your fried catfish. It really does make an amazing combination!

Rice Pilaf

If you are looking for something with some substance, then a rice pilaf would be a great option. Rice is another staple that we all use in our everyday lives and you can use it in many different ways.

From plain white rice, to a more complex combination like Thai red curry rice, rice can easily make a side dish or main meal.

The flavors of fried catfish also go very well with rice, so you will definitely find something you enjoy when you add rice to your meal.

A lot of times the rice will act as the base to your meal, and then the catfish will add in some saltiness, texture and flavor. You can choose your favorite variety of rice and even change up the seasonings.

It’s important to have enough flavor on the plate to complement your main meal.

Roasted Greek Potatoes

This is another match made in heaven. Fish and potato are a classic pairing and the sweetness of the potatoes really helps to cut through the richness of the fish.

These roasted potatoes are one of my favorite ways to eat potatoes. They have a crisp outside and a soft inside, which makes them perfect for munching on while watching your favorite show on TV.

You could easily make these into regular, old baking potatoes by simply cutting them in half lengthwise, drizzling them with olive oil and sprinkling them with salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 45-minutes or until tender.

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 mean that it is not delicious. It is just that it is not as flashy as other fish.

That is why a side dish of caesar salad is a great way to add a little interest to the plate. Catfish is also quite meaty and a side dish of caesar salad helps to cut through that fat and provides a wonderful contrast to the flavor of the fish.

A simple green salad would also be perfect. Just make sure you get a nice crispness from the lettuce and a bit of freshness from the tomatoes, cucumbers and/or red onions.

Cheesy Cauliflower Rice

Crispy fish is always a great choice but especially when you are cooking for someone who has a sensitive palate. Fried fish can be very oily, and it is easy for people to get a fishy aftertaste if they have a strong taste in their mouth when they eat it.

That is why I love using cheese to “marry” fish. The creamy and savory nature of the cheese mellows out the flavors of the fish and makes it a more enjoyable dish for everyone.

When it comes to fried catfish, you want to choose a mild, white cheese like Brie or Swiss. Both of these cheeses will soften up the flavors of the catfish and make your fried fish pairing an interesting and delicious one.

You can also use Cheddar or Monterey Jack to marry your catfish. These cheeses will provide a little more zip to your dish, which is always a good thing.

Barley Mushroom Risotto

Barley mushroom risotto is a side dish that is very similar to regular risotto in that it is made with rice and some sort of liquid. The difference is that instead of a normal rice, you use barley.

This is another side dish that has been around for a long time and is still very popular. This is a super easy side dish to make and can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. It can also be a great “leftover meal” side dish when you have a big group of people coming over for dinner.

If you use the right ingredients, you can really elevate the flavor of this simple side dish to something spectacular! You can use wild or button mushrooms instead of the plain old white ones. If you do, simply chop them up into small pieces before adding them to the pan. That way they will get a little sauté and soften up a bit and give you a more intense mushroom flavor.

A great addition would be a small amount of butter or oil to sweat the onions and mushrooms until they become tender and slightly caramelized. Then, add a little chicken stock and continue to cook until it is almost all absorbed. Finally, add the risotto rice and stir to combine and let the mixture cook for a few minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.

French Fries

Frying is a great way to cook meat and fish that has a great texture to it. However, frying also means that the food takes on the flavor of the oil itself.

French fries are always a favorite. They have a neutral flavor that goes with almost anything. A large order of french fries will be enough for your meal, but you can always make more than one serving if you wish.

You can top your fries with cheese, salsa, or other items like that. They are so flavorful that they can be a complete meal on their own. 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 match made in heaven. Sweet and crunchy are the two greatest flavor combinations in the world and when you put them together it is like eating candy for your tastebuds.

Catfish is very oily and that means it really takes on the flavor of whatever you pair it with. Sugar snap peas have a natural sweetness to them so they also add a nice balance to the richness of the fish.

Make sure you use fresh sugar snap peas. They should be bright green and crisp. You can always substitute frozen peas if fresh aren’t available but they won’t be as crisp and they will lose their sweet taste.

A little bit of saltiness goes a long way when it comes to sugar snap peas, so don’s add too much. Just a little will go a long way.

Creamed kale gratin

Creamed Kale is a great way to get your kale on. It adds a creaminess that cuts through the fried fish and leaves it with a more tender and moist texture.

The gratin part of this dish helps to hold in all of the kale’s wonderful flavor while also helping to keep it crispy so you can eat it all.

This is one of those dishes that is easy to make ahead of time, and you can always add other vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, etc. to the mix for even more flavor.

Lemon pepper asparagus

This is a classic combination and a great way to add a new twist to an old favorite.

Asparagus is a member of the lily family and it has a very distinctive flavor that is reminiscent of chicken. The slight bitterness is a great foil to the sweetness of fried fish.

The acidity of lemon really brightens up the dish and the lemon pepper seasoning gives it that extra kick that makes everything sing.

You can serve this as an appetizer or as a light meal, and you can also make it more substantial by adding some avocado or other toppings.

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 usually served with either tartar sauce or tartar sauce that is spiked with horseradish or hot pepper flakes.

Brussels sprouts have a lot of flavor in them and the garlicky flavor really helps to elevate the taste of these vegetables.

The brussels sprouts also have a lot of nutrients in them, so you get the benefits of those as well.

These sprouts are also very affordable. They are one of the cheaper side dishes out there and they will make you feel like you spent a ton of money.

This simple side dish will be sure to please your catfish lovers.

Instant pot steamed veggies

Fried catfish and steamed veggies is a classic pairing. It is very versatile and can be enjoyed as a main dish or as a side dish.

Steaming is a great way to preserve the flavor of the veggies in this dish and make them a little more tender. This will give the fried fish a nice flavor boost as well.

You can steam up a variety of veggies in the Instant Pot like carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, broccoli, or cauliflower. Steaming can be done in a pot on the stovetop or in a slow cooker as well. Just choose your vegetable of choice and let it cook until tender.

Summer squash succotash

Summer squash has been used as a vegetable for a long time and it is a nice and healthy option. You don’t want to overcook it or have it become mushy in any way, so choose a cooking method that allows for quick cooking and is also a bit crispy.

Squash also pairs well with fried foods. It gets that crispy edge to it and that crunch you want from the batter.

Summer squash works really well with catfish since it doesn’t have a strong flavor, but it can be spicy when it is paired with other ingredients.

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

Garlic roasted parmesan cauliflower

Roasted vegetables are always a great option. The smoky, salty flavors of fried catfish work so well with roasted garlic and herbs.

The deep flavor of catfish really shines when you cook it with high heat and the smokiness of the fish is enhanced by the smoke flavor of the pan. That means your dish will have even more flavor.

This is another classic combination, and a great one!

Serve it with a simple salad on the side and you have a complete meal that even has a “second course” with a nice protein like fried catfish.

Vegetarian stuffed bell peppers with Israeli couscous

Catfish is a good source of protein, so when it comes to side dishes that go with it, it makes sense to add vegetables to the plate.

Vegetables are usually best paired with fish for several reasons. They are often lower in fat and higher in vitamins than meats.

When cooking, vegetables are typically cooked at a lower temperature for longer periods of time to produce more tender results.

Fish is a good source of protein and can also be high in sodium content, so vegetables are a better option for a balance of flavor and nutrients.

Choose one of your favorite vegetable options like sweet potato, asparagus or broccoli.

Add Israeli couscous to these stuffed bell peppers for a little more flavor and texture. You can cook this up in a pan or make it on the stove top in the microwave.

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

FAQ

What are some good catfish dinner sides?

Catfish is a firm, mild-tasting white fish. It is a perfect fish for eating out of hand or using for fish sandwiches. You can pair catfish with some coleslaw, potato salad, and pickles, or even some garlic mashed potatoes.

What are some healthy sides for baked catfish?

Fish and seafood is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. One of the best sides to serve with fish or seafood is steamed vegetables. Other options would be rice or couscous, or even a salad.

What are some easy seafood side dishes?

Seafood is one of the easiest ingredients to work with, and if you make them correctly, they are quite easy to prepare.

You can serve them with salad, potatoes, or pasta, just make sure they are light enough to complement the dish you choose to serve them with.

What are some delicious pasta side dishes for fish?

Fish is almost always served with some type of starch as a side dish. Pasta dishes are perfect for this purpose. You can use fettuccine, penne, spaghetti, or any other shape of pasta that you would use for regular cooking.

You can season your pasta with whatever seasonings you choose. I like to use a combination of crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little bit of kosher salt. Sometimes, I will add a little bit of olive oil or butter to the water when boiling the pasta.

What are some delicious vegetable side dishes for fish?

Fish and seafood dishes are often paired with vegetables. Usually, these vegetables are crisp and have a little bite to them like cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower. Some other options that would be great with fish are asparagus, brussels sprouts, green beans, and snap peas.

what vegetable goes with fried catfish?

The easiest side to go with fried catfish would be collards. You can steam the collard leaves or add them to your favorite soup. They will keep the flavor of the catfish fresh in your mouth.

what sauce goes with fried catfish?

Fried catfish goes great with any type of tartar sauce. Buttermilk, cocktail, blue cheese, sweet-and-sour, or even just regular old tartar sauce would all work as a dipping sauce for fried catfish.

what goes well with fried salmon?

Fried salmon is a great dish to serve as a side. You can use it as a crispy and light accompaniment for fried chicken or fish, or you could have it as a main course served over greens or pasta.