What Goes With Fish? 18 Classic Side Dishes

Fried, grilled, boiled, as a fillet or whole – the possibilities for preparing fish are absolutely diverse. But only with the right side dishes does a fish dish become a complete meal. We show 18 classic side dishes and explain what they taste best with.

What goes with fish?

Sure, a fish roll or fresh matjes ate directly at the stand is absolutely delicious. But if you want to serve a complete meal, side dishes should of course be included with the fish. There is a large selection here and depending on the type of preparation, various side dishes are suitable. Since it is well known that taste can be argued with, you can of course combine the side dishes in the way that suits you best. However, it should always be borne in mind that side dishes that are too flavorful can quickly mask the quite fine aroma of fish – so a little restraint when seasoning can’t hurt for perfect enjoyment.

Tip: When it comes to the side dishes for your fish dish, you shouldn’t dare to experiment too much and rather concentrate on preparing the fish – after all, it should be the star on the plate. Uncomplicated and simple is usually better here!

List: fish side dishes

Are you unsure which side dishes to serve with fish? You will surely find what you are looking for on our list! It is up to you whether you decide to have two side dishes, as was customary in the past, or limit yourself to one delicious side dish.

Tip: If you only eat salad and/or vegetables with the fish and do without the filling side dish, which usually consists of potatoes, you have a great low-carb meal.

Potato side dishes

Of all the possible side dishes with fish, boiled potatoes really are the absolute classic! They always fit – no matter whether the fish was steamed, boiled, or fried and they taste even better if they are refined with a good piece of butter and some chopped parsley. We recommend that you use a predominantly waxy potato variety for boiled potatoes.

Boiled potatoes

In this case, potatoes are boiled with the skin in salted water until tender. Jacket potatoes also taste particularly delicious with a little butter, they go very well with herring fillets in cream, dill, or mustard sauce.

Mashed potatoes

Do you like it nice and fluffy? Then mashed potatoes are the right side dish for you with fish dishes. Floury potatoes are best for this. If you like, you can also mix pureed vegetables such as celery or parsnips with the potatoes.

Tip: If you want a meal that reminds you of your childhood, fish fingers, mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach are definitely the right choice and you can wallow in memories.

Baked potato

With a dollop of sour cream or herbal quark, baked potatoes are a great accompaniment to trout or other fish that are fried or grilled whole. Baked potatoes can be prepared both in the oven and on the grill. It is best to pre-cook them for a good 20 minutes before wrapping them in aluminum foil.

Potato gratin

Would you like some soul food? Beautifully prepared with cream and gratinated with melt-in-your-mouth cheese, a creamy potato gratin is delicious with skin-fried or steamed fish, which is served without any further sauce. Especially in combination with fried salmon, such a gratin is a crystal-clear recommendation!

Fries

The fried potato sticks should not be missing when it comes to side dishes that go well with fish. Just think of the English classic “Fish and Chips”, which is almost a national dish. French fries go well with breaded fish and a bit of tartar sauce is a good thing.

Potato salad

The potato salad, which is particularly popular in Germany and for which everyone has their favorite recipe, goes particularly well not only with sausages but also with fish, especially hearty fried fish. If you want something lighter, try a potato and cucumber salad – simply delicious and a refreshing alternative, especially in summer.

Vegetable side dishes

Steamed vegetables

Peppers, zucchini, fennel, kohlrabi, broccoli: Here you can let your imagination run wild because almost all types of vegetables go very well with a fish dish. Maybe topped with a little almond butter? It shouldn’t be overly seasoned so that the fish remains the star of the plate. In early summer, asparagus is also a classic side dish and is often served with salmon.

Grill vegetables

If the fish is grilled, it is advisable to throw the vegetables on the grill as well. Whole grilled fish or fish fillets are in top form with tomatoes or your favorite grilled vegetables, deliciously seasoned with fresh herbs, and are super healthy at the same time.

Side salads

Lettuce

Beautifully light and fresh – all kinds of leafy salads are among the classic as well as the most popular side dishes for all fish dishes. You can limit yourself to one variety or simply mix and match and choose your favorite dressing.

Vegetable salad

However, if you like it really colorful on your plate, simply serve a salad of fresh vegetables with fried fish, fried fish, or grilled fish and draw from the full range of choices. Tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and beetroot are just a few of the possible types of vegetables that can be used to prepare tasty and healthy raw vegetable salads. The more varieties that end up on the plate, preferably together with a green salad, the better!

Pasta salad

Noodles are your top priority when it comes to side dishes? Classic pasta with or without sauce does not go well with fish, but it looks completely different from a delicious pasta salad. However, a pasta salad that does not contain ham or other sausages tastes best with fish. With the variety of recipes, you’re sure to find the right pasta salad that you can serve with all kinds of fish dishes.

Side dishes

Rice

If you don’t feel like potatoes, but still want a filling side dish with fish, you can use rice. How about, for example, fish fillets fried on the skin and risotto with a nice splinter? Incidentally, black rice with fish fillets forms a wonderful contrast on the plate.

Lenses

Here we are not thinking of the hearty lentils of the past, but of a very fine, harmoniously seasoned salad of beluga or mountain lentils with small pieces of vegetables. This side dish goes just as well with fish fillets as with smoked fish, such as mackerel or trout, which becomes a complete meal in no time at all.

So how many lentils per person is the right amount? We’ll enlighten you.

Herb butter baguette

Sometimes you just have to be quick and there is simply no time for chopping vegetables or cooking potatoes. Look familiar? Then a herb butter baguette from the grill or from the oven is ideal. You can vary the herbs for the butter according to stock and taste.

Sauce accompaniments to fish

Remoulade

You can’t do without a dip at all? A delicious tartar sauce goes particularly well with battered fish.

Dill sauce

An alternative to the mustard sauce that also goes perfectly with steamed or boiled fish! With lots of fresh dills, the sauce has a great taste and also goes very well when rice is served as an additional side dish.

Mustard sauce

Steamed fish, in particular, quickly tastes bland without sauce. Mustard sauce is the ideal classic side dish and can also be combined with various types of vegetables and boiled potatoes. If you cook the sauce yourself, you can determine the degree of spiciness by the amount of mustard – a bit milder is definitely recommended for fish dishes so that the fine fish taste is not covered by the sauce.