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What to Serve with Smoked Basa: 9 Easy Sides

The perfect side dish for smoked basa is a simple baked potato. The smoky flavor of the fish is perfectly balanced out by the creaminess of the potatoes. It also pairs well with coleslaw and steamed broccoli.

What to Serve with Smoked Basa

Are you looking for a quick and easy recipe to pair with your smoked basa fillets?

Then read on!

I have a list of 9 great easy sides that will complement your smoked basa perfectly.

What to Serve with Smoked Basa: 9 Easy Sides

Smoked Basa Sides

You’ve just finished smoking some basa and you’re wondering what you’re going to serve with it.

Because smoked fish is strong, we need a side dish that won’t get wiped out by its flavor.

Here are some easy and tasty options for what to serve with smoked basa that won’t clash with the flavor of your fish.

1. Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes

Smoked basa is delicious, flaky, and has a mild flavor that pairs well with most anything.

But if you’re looking for sides that will really be the best match for your smoked basa, then look no further than baked potatoes.

One of the reasons that baked potatoes are so good with smoked basa is that they are also flaky and mild-flavored—the perfect complement to (not competition with) the fish.

When you bite into a piece of smoked basa, you want it to be smooth sailing; with a baked potato on the side, everything will melt in your mouth and leave you wanting more.

Another reason that baked potatoes go so well with smoked basa is that they have a thick texture and strong flavor—they can stand up to the fish and keep it from overpowering the meal.

And if you’ve got any kind of sauce or condiment on your fish, such as tartar sauce or cocktail sauce, the starchy potato provides a nice contrast and helps tie all of the flavors together into one delicious dish!

2. Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Salad

If you want something a little more zesty, we recommend pairing it with some Quinoa Salad.

The tangy flavor of the salad will complement the fish without overpowering it.

It’s a great choice for those of us who like to be on the go, because it’s easy to make and even easier to transport.

This means that you can take it to work or school with you for lunch and have something delicious and healthy to eat at the same time!

It’s also perfect for those days when you just don’t feel like cooking anything complicated in your kitchen at home – just throw together some quinoa salad before leaving for work in the morning and then eat it straight from its container when lunchtime rolls around (or whenever else might be convenient).

3. Coleslaw

Coleslaw

What’s better than a smoked basa sandwich on a summer day?

One with coleslaw, of course!

Coleslaw is the perfect addition to any summer cookout or picnic, and it goes particularly well with smoked basa.

The creamy, crunchy slaw complements the meaty flavor of the fish and adds an extra tang that brings everything together perfectly.

Making coleslaw to go with your basa couldn’t be easier: chop up some cabbage and carrots, add a dollop of mayo, a splash of vinegar, and mix it all together.

Make it in the morning before your picnic, and it will be ready to serve by lunchtime!

4. Cornbread

Cornbread

The trick is to add lots of flavor to your cornbread so it doesn’t get lost in the mix, and then add even more flavor when you’re serving it.

Don’t be afraid to slather on the butter or garlic butter before eating!

We recommend making cornbread from scratch rather than buying it from the store.

It’s easy and makes all the difference, and you can even make a big batch and freeze some for later.

5. Roasted carrots

Roasted Carrots

Side dishes for smoked basa should be savory, but not too salty.

Since the fish is already smoky, you don’t want other salty flavors competing with that taste.

Instead, aim for savory side dishes like roasted carrots or roasted potatoes.

To roast carrots, peel and slice them into bite-sized pieces, then toss them in olive oil and garlic powder before roasting them at 475 degrees until they are tender.

6. Caesar salad

Caesar Salad

Sometimes it can be hard to know what to serve with a fish dish.

If you’re serving smoked basa, try a Caesar salad!

Caesar salads are usually well-regarded, but not terribly exciting—they’re just a few leaves of lettuce and grated cheese with a creamy dressing.

Their simplicity is what makes them so perfect for smoked basa.

Smoked basa has a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the classic Caesar dressing, and the lightness of the salad won’t overpower the fish.

7. French fries

French Fries

What makes French fries the perfect fish side? It’s not just that they complement each other.

They actually bring out the best in each other.

When you eat them together, basa and French fries are neither dominating nor drowned out by one another.

They both shine in their own way.

The smoothness of basa will make your mouth water, while the crispy lightness of French fries will satisfy your cravings.

Plus they’re pretty much made for each other already—they go together like peanut butter and jelly!

8. Grilled zucchini

Grilled zucchini

You might be thinking, “Why does grilled zucchini go well with smoked basa?” The answer is simple: it’s all about balance.

Smoked basa is a mild fish that’s often compared to cod because of its light flavor.

And like any light-flavored dish, the key to pairing it with a side is to find ways to add complementary flavors and textures without overpowering it.

With grilled zucchini, you can do just that.

Zucchini is naturally fresh, bright, and crisp—perfect for adding life to a mild dish like smoked fish.

But when you grill zucchini?

It becomes infused with smoky elements that mesh perfectly with the smoky taste of smoked fish.

9. Lemon Rice Pilaf

Lemon Rice Pilaf

Lemon Rice Pilaf goes so well with smoked basa because of the wonderful contrast between the very mild, white fish and the bright, acidic lemon and tomatoes in the rice.

When you put it on your plate, all of a sudden you’ve got a light, clean meal that will satisfy you in a way that a meaty dish can’t.

If you want to serve something roasted with your pilaf and basa, think about vegetables like asparagus, which has a similar flavor profile to rice.

Eggplant is also a great choice because of its texture, which contrasts nicely with the flakiness of the fish.

Roasted potatoes are also an excellent choice for this meal because they’re hearty enough to stand up to the fish without overpowering it.

If you’re looking for something green to go with your pilaf and basa, consider sauteed kale or spinach.

The slight bitterness of these greens is a perfect counterpoint to both the lemon and the delicate flavor of the fish.

They’ll add a little bit of richness to your plate without weighing it down too much.

3 Tips for Serving Side Dishes with Smoked Basa

Tips for Serving Side Dishes with Smoked Basa

Smoked Basa is a moist, flaky fish that can be prepared in a number of ways.

Its mild flavor makes it perfect for adding to rich, buttery sauces, or even just serving it with a dash of soy and sesame.

Here are 3 tips for serving Smoked Basa if you’re looking to mix things up in the kitchen:

1. Don’t Forget About Veggies!

Don’t forget about veggies, guys!

We’re not saying your meal HAS to have vegetables—we know you’re an adult and we trust you to make good choices for yourself.

But let’s be real: we’ve all had that moment where we’re eating our smoked basa and it hits us: “Shoot, I forgot the veggies!”

Whether you want to keep things light and simple with a big salad, or you want to really go all-in by making some roasted asparagus or sauteed mushrooms (the options are endless!), we hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to get your veggie intake in.

We know it’s tempting to just grab for the bread and butter—and hey maybe that’s all you need!

But if you’re looking for something a little extra, remember our new roasted veggie line is now available in the freezer aisle and makes a great sidekick to any meal.

2. Consider Texture

Smoked Basa is a delicate fish, so we recommend pairing it with a side dish that has a bit of crunch.

This can be achieved by preparing your side dish with nuts, seeds, or fried ingredients.

For example, you could serve Smoked Basa with a kale salad that features walnuts and pumpkin seeds.

Or you could serve it with roasted potatoes and green beans that have been tossed in bread crumbs and fried in oil.

3. Use Green Veggies of Your Choice to Add Color to Your Plate

Basa is a great fish to use when you’re making a smoked dish, and the smokiness means it’s going to taste delicious whether you serve it with a side of veggies or some garlic bread.

However, if you’re planning on serving this dish at a dinner party or just want to be sure your meal looks as good as it tastes, adding some color is a great way to make sure your plate looks appetizing.

So try adding some green veggies of your choice—maybe broccoli florets? spinach leaves?—to create depth and variety in your dish!

What to Serve with Smoked Basa

What to Serve with Smoked Basa: 9 Easy Sides

If someone served you a plate of smoked basa, what would be the first thing to come to your mind? I'll bet it's something like "hmm, this fish is great… but I'm still hungry."
Because while basa might fill up your stomach, it doesn't make you feel satisfied. It doesn't set off that feeling of being full and happy.
Why not?
Because it's a light meal—and light meals need to be balanced out with heavier side dishes!
So to ensure that you leave the table feeling full and happy every time, make sure you're serving a few sides with your smoked basa.
We recommend picking two or three simple but filling sides to serve with your basa.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 365 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Baked Potatoes
  • Quinoa Salad
  • Coleslaw
  • Cornbread
  • Roasted carrots
  • Caesar salad
  • French fries
  • Grilled zucchini
  • Lemon Rice Pilaf

Instructions
 

  • Pick any of these tasty sides to serve with your fish dinner.
  • Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
  • Be ready to serve in less than 25 minutes!
Keyword What to Serve with Smoked Basa