For many people around the world, enjoying seafood is a common occurrence. It’s considered healthier than red meat, and there’s tons of different ways you can go about preparing it.
Chances are, if you’re here, you’re serving up some seafood sometime soon, but don’t know exactly what to serve with it. Picking a side dish can be tough work, but we’re here to help!
We’ve put together a list of seventeen absolutely delicious side dishes that we’re sure will make your seafood meal absolutely perfect!
Contents
17 Seafood Side Dishes
Now that we’ve got the introduction out of the way, let’s dive right into our list of amazing seafood side dishes.
1. Kale & Quinoa
Like we said above, seafood is generally considered a pretty healthy option, especially in comparison to red meats. So, given that, it makes sense to start off with a healthy side dish!
Kale and quinoa are both revered in the health food community for their nutritional contents, so when paired together, they surely will make an amazing side dish that will both taste great and feel great!
Need inspiration? Check out this recipe here: https://veggiechick.com/kale-quinoa/
2. Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is a common side dish offered at seafood restaurants; you may have even noticed that it’s offered as part of a lobster dinner in some places.
Corn on the cob is among the most versatile side dishes out there, meaning that it can be paired with virtually anything. If you want to give it some extra flavor, try grilling it. It’s also relatively cheap, depending on where you live, of course.
Need an idea on how to make amazing corn on the cob? We’ve got one here:
3. Poached Egg
Having seafood is occasionally something people will do for breakfast, so we want to be sure we have at least one option on our list that focuses on the first meal of the day.
Poached eggs are packed with protein, meaning that they’re great for anyone who really cares about having a protein-rich meal on all fronts, both entree and side dish. They’re also generally pretty easy to whip up.
Don’t know how to make a poached egg? Find out here: https://downshiftology.com/recipes/poached-eggs/
4. Ratatouille
No, we’re not talking about the movie! If you’re looking for a side dish that’s a bit more on the complex side, we recommend ratatouille. Hearty and packed with vegetables, this one’s sure to please on all fronts.
We recommend using fresh vegetables with this side dish if you can, but canned vegetables will still work in a pinch if certain ingredients are out of season or too costly.
We’ve got a great recipe here: https://cookieandkate.com/best-ratatouille-recipe/
5. Greek Potatoes
If you have a milder seafood dish, such as tilapia, Greek potatoes are a great side dish option. They’re on the simpler side in terms of taste, but that doesn’t mean they’re not flavorful!
When cooked right, these potatoes will turn out amazingly fluffy. If you’re looking to add just a hint of more flavor, try adding some lemon juice to your potatoes!
Here’s a fantastic recipe for you to try: https://www.recipetineats.com/greek-lemon-potatoes/
6. Risotto
This side dish is for anyone that wants some kind of grain, yet who thinks regular white rice is too boring. Creamy, nutty in flavor, and full of richness, risotto wins on virtually all fronts as a side dish.
Seafood typically tends to be a bit on the lighter side, so there’s certainly room in your meal to pack in a heavier, denser side dish. Risotto certainly doesn’t go crazy in this department, but we think it does well enough.
We found a delicious risotto recipe here: https://www.kyleecooks.com/garlic-parmesan-risotto/
7. Roasted Vegetables
We’re pretty certain that you can take any kind of entree and it’ll probably pair pretty well with roasted vegetables. This colorful and flavorful side dish will add an element of beauty and robustness to your seafood.
Plus, roasted vegetables are definitely going to be on the healthier side. If all of these things sound appealing to you, then certainly give roasted veggies a try!
Here’s a great take on roasted vegetables: https://damndelicious.net/2014/10/04/roasted-vegetables/
8. Tofu Fries
We have to keep things fun by throwing a few curveballs in here! We doubt there are many people out there who can say they’ve tried tofu fries, but you can be one of the ones who has!
Seafood is gentle in texture, so the crunch of a good batch of tofu fries will surely add new dimensions to your meal. Make sure to pick out a good dipping sauce!
Want to try out tofu fries? We found a recipe here: https://healthiersteps.com/recipe/tofu-fries-recipe/
9. Pesto Pasta Salad
If you’re enjoying your seafood meal in the summertime, you might want a side dish that feels appropriate for the season. Enter the staple summer side dish: pasta salad.
This one happens to have a unique twist on it by using pesto. We don’t like to give too many plain and simple options, so we hope you’ll appreciate this addition!
Here’s a yummy recipe for pesto pasta salad: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/pesto-pasta-salad/
10. Baked Mac & Cheese
If you’re on the hunt for cozy comfort food to serve with your seafood, you’ve landed in the right place. Baked mac and cheese is loved by many, and for good reason.
Of course, you won’t be getting any health benefits out of this, but who said every side dish you can pair with seafood had to be as equally healthy as the entree? Sometimes indulgence is the key to happiness.
Find a tasty recipe here: https://www.momontimeout.com/best-homemade-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe/
11. Bacon-Wrapped Steak
So we know that we said a lot of people choose seafood as an alternative to red meat. Given that, why are we including steak on our list?
Well, it just so happens that surf-n-turf is a thing, you know. The blend of savory red meats and milder seafood can really be amazing, so try pairing a small bacon-wrapped steak with your next seafood meal.
Here’s a must-try recipe: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a34226596/bacon-wrapped-filets-with-cowboy-butter/
12. Deviled Eggs
Sometimes having a side dish that’s small yet powerful is ideal. In comes deviled eggs, perfectly made to fit this exact role.
Light yet packed with flavor, deviled eggs are sure to stand strong alongside your seafood while not at all overpowering it. While deviled eggs are best served with caviar, we think they can work with other types of seafood as well.
Don’t know how to make deviled eggs? Find out here: https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/deviled-eggs/
13. French Fries
If the tofu fries we suggested above don’t pique your palette, then good old, traditional French fries will do the trick just fine. There’s a reason fish and chips are a thing!
Of course, you can buy frozen French fries in the store. But what’s the fun in that? Try making them yourself- you might be amazed at how much different they turn out to be.
Need to learn how to make your own French fries? Find out how here: https://thecozycook.com/homemade-french-fries/
14. Couscous Stuffed Bell Peppers
Okay, so this is definitely the most advanced side dish on our list. But hey, sometimes you really have to be out to impress! If that’s the case, we really think this side dish will do the trick.
It’s definitely going to take some time and effort to prepare, but we believe it’ll surely be worth it. This is a great way to incorporate a healthy vegetable into your meal while still being really creative.
Want to make this cool side dish? Find a good recipe here: https://www.homeandplate.com/blog/2016-wholesome-rainbow-couscous-stuffed-peppers-foodiemamas/
15. Corn and Snap Pea Salad
Adding corn to a salad is not something we think a lot of people do, but they certainly should! This salad takes corn, one of the world’s most popular foods, and combines it with snap peas to create a really simple salad.
And, like many of the options on this list, this side dish is pretty healthy! If you want a side dish that’s light, unique, and healthy, this is it!
You can find a great recipe here: http://www.alisonsallspice.com/snap-pea-and-fire-roasted-corn-salad/
16. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Healthier than buffalo wings, buffalo cauliflower bites are a great way to get picky eaters to eat their vegetables. A good buffalo sauce will mask the bitter, strong taste that cauliflower has for many.
Plus, who doesn’t like to throw some buffalo sauce into their meal? Make sure to serve this dish with a good helping of blue cheese, or whatever your favorite dipping sauce is!
Check this out to learn how to make this delicious side dish: https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/buffalo-cauliflower-bites/
17. Fried Asparagus
If fries aren’t really your thing, yet you still want to experience a satisfying crunch in your seafood meal, then fried asparagus might just be what you’re looking for.
Frying it is certainly going to take away a good chunk of its nutritional value, but we think it could definitely be worth it. Experiencing a good crunch is great with any meal, and seafood is certainly no exception.
We found an amazing recipe here: https://howtofeedaloon.com/asparagus-fries/
Wrap-Up
We’ve offered up what we think are some of the best options to serve with seafood! Remember to consider whether or not you want to make your meal as nutritious as possible, and also keep in mind the type of seafood you’re serving. Post a picture of your finished meal down below!
17 Seafood Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Kale & Quinoa
- Corn on the Cob
- Poached Egg
- Ratatouille
- Greek Potatoes
- Risotto
- Roasted Vegetables
- Tofu Fries
- Pesto Pasta Salad
- Baked Mac & Cheese
- Bacon-Wrapped Steak
- Deviled eggs
- French Fries
- Couscous Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Corn and Snap Pea Salad
- Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- Fried Asparagus
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe from the list above
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prepare and enjoy in 30 minutes or less!
