What To Serve With Snoek Braai – 12 Best Side Dishes

Snoek braai is a classic South African dish that calls for fragrant spices, smoked Snoek, and a hot fire.

If you’re looking to take your snoek braai experience to the next level, it’s essential to serve accompaniments that will complement the smoky flavor and subtle spiciness of the fish.

Here are 12 delicious side dishes that pair perfectly with snoek braai, from seasonal salads to heartwarming stews.

Create a memorable meal by serving these sides along with your freshly prepared Snoek braai – you won’t regret it!

Read Also: What Salad Goes With Snoek Braai? (10 Best Salads)

What To Serve With Snoek Braai – 12 Best Side Dishes

Snoek braai is a delicious traditional South African dish, but it can be challenging to know what side dishes you should serve with it.

To ensure that your meal is complete and balanced, here are 12 tasty options to choose from:

1. Braaied Sweetcorn

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This is a quick and easy side to pair with snoek braai. All you need to do is brush the sweetcorn with some melted butter, wrap it up in foil, and place it directly on the braai for about 20 minutes or so. The corn will be tender and lightly charred from being over the open flame.

2. Creamy Potato Salad

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No braai is complete without potato salad! And this one is sure to impress your guests. Start off by boiling your potatoes until they are just fork-tender, then mix them with lots of mayonnaise, celery, spring onion, and hard-boiled eggs for added protein. Serve it at room temperature or chilled depending on how you like it!

3. Garlic Bread

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Everyone loves garlic bread! Simply take a piece of store-bought bread (ciabatta works great here), lather it up with garlic butter, and then either put it over indirect heat directly onto the fire or cook in a cast iron skillet placed over direct heat turned low enough that won’t burn your bread. Let this toast up nicely until golden brown all around before serving warm off the braai.

4. Braaibroodjie (South African Grilled Cheese Sandwich)

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Typically served on the side of any braai, this homemade grilled cheese sandwich is simple yet delicious.

First, you start off by buttering two slices of white bread on both sides. Then you layer some cheddar cheese and tomatoes on one slice before topping it with the other piece of buttered bread.

Finally, sprinkle some oregano, garlic salt, and black pepper to bring out all the flavors. Now simply place this onto your grill over medium heat and let each side toast for about 5 minutes, or until a golden brown color appears.

5. Roasted Vegetables

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Roasting vegetables in foil over an open flame brings out their sweet flavor which pairs perfectly with any fish dish like snoek braai.

Cut up some carrots, onions, peppers, and potatoes into large pieces then add them to a square sheet of aluminum foil that’s been sprayed down with oil beforehand-this will keep everything from sticking!

Season those veggies generously before sealing them up tightly in the foil packet; they’ll need to roast for at least 15 minutes before they’re ready to eat.

6. Mandarin Mixed Green Salad

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This colorful salad is as pleasing to look at as it tastes!

Start by washing a head of romaine lettuce thoroughly then tear it into bite-sized pieces before adding them into a bowl along with mixed greens like baby spinach leaves or arugula -all lightly coated in olive oil & lemon juice.

Finally, top those ingredients off by adding two mandarins peeled & sliced plus some fresh pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for crunch and nutrition! This salad should definitely taste just as amazing next to your BBQ plate as it looks alongside it.

7. Chakalaka (spicy tomato, onion, and bean relish)

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This is a South African favorite that can be served warm or cold with snoek braai. You will need some onion and garlic for the flavor base as well as tomatoes, peppers, beans, and spices such as caraway seeds. Serve it alongside your grilled snoek for an all-around delicious meal!

8. Cheesy Pap Fries with Chakalaka Dip

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If you’re looking to switch things up from the usual potato chips accompanying your snoek braai then why not try making cheesy pap fries instead?

Pap is a traditional maize flour dough that has been cooked into thick porridge – adding toppings like cheese makes them extra tasty. Enjoy them smothered in chakalaka dip for a maximum flavor experience!

9. Grilled Pineapple

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Sweet pineapple spears are a great contrast next to salty grilled fish.

Simply cut around the core of the pineapple before slicing it into ¾-inch thick slices and brush with olive oil before grilling on each side over medium heat until lightly charred – serve hot off the BBQ garnished with a squeeze of lemon juice!

10. Lentil Butternut Squash Curry

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Lentils and butternut squash are a wonderful way to add some hearty and healthy flavors to the side of your snoek braai. I like to make this dish in the slow cooker so it’s ready when dinner comes around.

To make it extra flavorful, I add some ginger, garlic, garam masala, cumin, and coconut milk for creaminess. This side is delicious and served with hot snoek on crisp rolls.

11. Baked Beans

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Baked beans are always a favorite side of grilled foods. They have a tangy-sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with seafood like snoek.

Start off by sauteing onions in olive oil until they’re soft then add canned baked beans along with honey, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce before transferring everything into an oven-proof pan or baking dish to bake until bubbling and fragrant – about 20 minutes more or less depending on preference serve straight away!

12. Roasted Lemon Parmesan Asparagus

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This recipe just screams springtime! It’s bright, fresh, and packed full of flavor plus you only need four ingredients – asparagus spears, lemon zest & juice plus parmesan cheese!

Start off by preheating your oven at 180c fan heated (200c non-fan) then toss the spears in olive oil before adding freshly grated parmesan over the top – making sure each spear is covered – place onto a roasting tray lined with baking paper.

Roast for 12 minutes or so until tender but still firm.

Serve up this veggie staple alongside your delicious snoek for a maximum flavorsome experience.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, snoek braai is a delicious and popular dish in South Africa that is usually served with a variety of side dishes.

The best sides to serve with snoek braai are braaied sweetcorn, creamy potato salad, garlic bread, braaibroodjie, roasted vegetables, green salad with citrus dressing, chakalaka, pap and chakalaka, grilled pineapple, butternut and lentil curry, baked beans, and grilled asparagus with lemon and Parmesan.

These sides are all flavorful and easy to prepare, and they will make sure that your snoek braai dinner is one to remember. With these 12 side dishes, you’ll never run out of ideas for what to serve with snoek braai.