Are you looking for what to serve with fried catfish? Look no further. We’ve compiled a list of the best and most popular side dishes for your catfish meal.
Fried catfish is a popular dish in the southern United States. It has a rich, moist texture and a moderate, mildly sweet flavor. When deep-fried, it is less flaky than other kinds of white fish.
However, fried catfish can be greasy and heavy, just like most fried foods; therefore, serving it with a side dish is advisable to balance it out.
Here is a collection of side dishes to pair with your fried catfish to make it a complete meal!
1. Garlic Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower
The best option is almost usually roasted vegetables. Roasted garlic and herbs go incredibly well with the salty, smokey aromas of fried catfish.
When you cook catfish at a high temperature, the fish’s deep flavor really comes through, and the pan’s smoke taste enhances the fish’s smokiness. Your food will therefore have even more flavor as a result.
You may have a complete meal that includes a “second course” of a tasty protein like fried catfish if you serve it with a simple salad.
2. Summer Squash Succotash
Try summer squash succotash if you’re looking for what to serve with fried catfish. Summer squash is a tasty and healthy alternative that has been consumed as a vegetable for a very long time.
In order to avoid overcooking it or causing it to become mushy in any manner, pick a cooking technique that promotes swift cooking while maintaining a slight crunch.
Summer squash pairs exceptionally well with catfish since it doesn’t have a distinct flavor but can be hot when combined with other ingredients.
This meal combines all those flavors and is a wonderful complement to your summertime catfish fry.
3. Instant Pot Steamed Veggies
Steamed vegetables and fried catfish are a classic combination. It is versatile and great as a side dish or a main entrée.
The vegetables in this meal can benefit from steaming to retain some flavor and become a little softer. Furthermore, this will enhance the flavor of the fried fish.
The Instant Pot can steam various vegetables, including carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, maize, broccoli, and cauliflower.
You can steam food in a slow cooker or a saucepan on the stovetop. Just pick your favorite veggie and cook it until it is soft.
4. Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
This is another option for what to serve with fried catfish. Fried fish is generally served with tartar sauce or tartar sauce coated with horseradish or hot pepper flakes.
The garlicky flavor truly contributes to the flavorful depth of Brussels sprouts, which are already very tasty.
You gain from the nutrients in the Brussels sprouts as well because they are loaded with nutrients.
Furthermore, the price of these sprouts is relatively low. You will feel as though you spent a lot of money on them even though they are one of the more affordable side dishes available.
5. Lemon Pepper Asparagus
A member of the lily family, asparagus has a flavor somewhat reminiscent of chicken. The mild sharpness is a wonderful counterbalance to the sweetness of fried fish.
Lemon’s acidity greatly brightens the food, and the lemon pepper flavor adds that extra kick that truly makes everything pop.
This may be eaten as a light dinner or an appetizer, and you can add avocado or other toppings to it to make it more filling.
6. Creamed Kale Gratin
For what to serve with fried catfish, try creamed kale gratin. Getting your kale on with creamed kale is fantastic.
The fried fish becomes more soft and moist due to the creaminess it contributes, which cuts through the batter.
The gratin component of this meal helps to retain all of the kale’s excellent flavor while also keeping it crispy so you can eat it all.
This is one of those dishes that is simple to prepare ahead of time, and you can always add other vegetables to the mix for more flavor, such as carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, etc.
7. Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
Roasted sugar snap peas and fried catfish go together like butter and honey. Combining the two best flavor combinations in the world—sweet and crunchy—is like eating candy for your tastebuds.
Ensure that the sugar snap peas are fresh. They ought to be crisp and vibrantly green.
If fresh peas aren’t available, frozen peas can be used instead, but they won’t be as crisp or have the same sweet flavor.
Don’t add too much salt; a little amount of salt goes a long way with sugar snap peas.
8. French Fries
Try French fries if you’re still looking for what to serve with fried catfish! It’s impossible to go wrong with french fries. They go well with most things because of their bland flavor.
Your lunch will be complete with one large order of french fries, but you are always welcome to make additional servings. Cheese, salsa, and other toppings are available for your fries.
They have such a rich flavor that they can stand alone as a whole dinner. These are wonderful when paired with fried catfish.
9. Barley Mushroom Risotto
This is yet another long-term popular side dish that has been around for a very long time. In less than 30 minutes, you can have this delicious side dish on the table.
If you’re hosting a large dinner party, it can also make a wonderful “leftover meal” side dish.
It’s possible to transform the flavor of this simple side dish into something quite amazing if you use the correct ingredients! Instead of the usual white ones, you can substitute wild or button mushrooms.
If you do, cut them into small pieces before adding them to the pan. In this manner, they will slightly sauté, soften, and give you a stronger mushroom flavor.
10. Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
For what to serve with fried catfish, try cheesy cauliflower rice. Cooking for someone with a delicate palate is a fantastic excuse to serve crispy fish.
It is common for people to experience a fishy aftertaste after eating fried fish because it can be extremely oily.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to combine fish with cheese. Everyone will love the fish meal more because of how the cheese’s creamy and delicious qualities smooth out the flavors of the fish.
For fried catfish, you should select mild, white cheese, such as Brie or Swiss. Both of these cheeses will enhance the flavors of the catfish and make your fried fish combo enticing and delicious.
11. Caesar Salad
A side of Caesar salad is a fantastic way to spice up your catfish entrée. Catfish is also rather meaty, so serving it with a side of Caesar salad helps to trim the fat and contrasts beautifully with the flavor of the fish.
You might also have a simple green salad. Just be sure the lettuce has a wonderful sharpness to it and that the tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions have a little freshness.
12. Roasted Greek Potatoes
This is also a fantastic option for what to serve with fried catfish. Fish and potatoes are a popular combination, and the sweetness of the potatoes helps to balance off the richness of the fish.
The combination of their soft interior and crisp exterior makes them the ideal snack for enjoying while watching television.
You could easily transform these into standard baked potatoes by cutting them in half lengthwise, smearing them with olive oil, and seasoning them with salt and pepper. Bake at 400°F for 45 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
13. Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf is a fantastic choice if you’re searching for something filling. Also, rice can easily be a side dish or the main course, whether white rice or a complex combo like Thai red curry rice.
When you include rice in your dinner, you will undoubtedly discover something you like because the flavors of fried catfish also go nicely with rice.
Often, your meal will start with rice as the foundation, and the catfish will then provide salinity, texture, and flavor. You can select the rice you choose and even alter the seasonings.
14. Fruit Salsa
Try fruit salsa if you’re looking for what to serve with fried catfish. The correct balance of sour and sweet can be found in mangos, strawberries, kiwis, and pineapple.
You may use any fruit in this salsa; just include pineapple for a truly tropical flavor.
In addition, you may serve this salsa with cinnamon tortilla chips, which will leave all of your visitors licking their fingers.
15. Mac and Cheese
For what to serve with fried catfish, try mac and cheese. This delicious mac and cheese recipe will gratify your taste buds more than anything else.
Everyone will like making it because it is quick and simple. To make it savourier, you could even add some bacon. The most incredible quality of mac and cheese is its versatility.
You can make it kid-friendly by including cheddar or blending in some gruyere for additional richness. No matter what you do, you’ll have a side dish that pairs well with fish.
16. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is an excellent accompaniment to fish because it balances the heaviness of the batter with the light and crisp cabbage.
You can make a zesty side dish perfect for serving during the summer grilling season by combining your favorite mayo and mustard.
If you want to experiment with a new dish or keep it simple, add some celery and green onion. Try substituting lime or lemon juice for the vinegar to add more flavor.
The best thing about cole slaw is how simple it is to make. You may prepare some coleslaw beforehand, no matter how busy the kitchen is.
17. Onion Rings
This is another fantastic option for what to serve with fried catfish. Who could argue against fried food? Now is the ideal time to prepare some onion rings if you already have the fryer out.
To really make the taste explode, season your batter with some seasonings. When these wonderful onion rings are ready to be served, prepare some homemade dipping sauce.
18. Seafood Sauce
This sauce recipe can elevate your fish to the next level when you need something with many flavors.
Given the abundance of spices and tastes in this sauce, it is simple to understand why it goes so well with light, fresh fish.
You can change the components to suit your preferences when making this sauce at home. You’ll have leftovers for your subsequent meals if you make even a small amount more than you need.
19. Wingstop Ranch Sauce
The ranch is another sauce you can make at home using this recipe. While some individuals like tartar sauce, ranch pairs well with fried fish.
This sauce can be used as a dressing to give your breaded dish a different taste.
It ought to be in your collection of recipes because it is among the best sauces you can use with any kind of breading. Just be sure to make a lot because this sauce can disappear quickly.
20. Salt and Vinegar Chips
For what to serve with fried catfish, try salt and vinegar chips. Here is a picture of a modified version of fish and chips.
The richness of the catfish will be cut with salt and vinegar chips, which will also add a crisp contrast to the dish.
And while purchasing a bag of chips from the supermarket is considerably simpler, creating your own at home can add some extra flavor.
Slice your potatoes as finely as possible to produce homemade chips. You should use a food processor to slice them because they must be all the same size.
After 30 minutes of soaking in a salt-vinegar solution, sauté the potatoes till crisp and golden.
21. Homemade Icecream
This is a good way to round off your seafood meal. Ask your kids to help you make some homemade ice cream!
All you need to make ice cream is milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and the ability to wait patiently for it to freeze.
Frozen yogurt, however, looks delicious if you want a healthier dessert. You can make your own froyo if you have heavy cream, honey, and plain yogurt.
Whichever one you choose to prepare, make sure to add fruits or berries for a tart flavor.
Fruits go incredibly well with ice cream and provide a lovely counterpoint to the heavy catfish supper you will eat.
22. Corn Salsa
If you enjoy corn salsa, then no need to worry about what to serve with fried catfish. This corn salsa will brighten your dish and palette.
In addition, this nutrient-rich side dish is stylish enough for a formal celebration and easy to prepare for weeknight dinners. On top of that, the fried catfish will taste great with corn salsa.
To make a dish that will please a large crowd without using meat, combine corn, bell peppers, onions, and lime juice.
Use any corn you like for this dish, even frozen or leftover corn. Aside from that, handle the jalapeno pepper with extreme care.
23. Remoulade Sauce
Catfish without a dip is akin to eating a burger without fries. Thus let’s introduce you to this wonderful sauce.
This sauce is jam-packed with ingredients and is guaranteed to make any fried or Cajun catfish dish shine.
Aside from the necessary components, this recipe amps the flavor with spicy sauce, pickle relish, and horseradish.
These additions will give the sauce more tang, spiciness, and real flavor. Feel free to tweak the spices to your liking.
Ensure all the ingredients are on the table so you can make the sauce more quickly. Combining and keeping the sauce in the same bowl is better to minimize cleaning time.
For the finest flavor, let your sauce chill for one to two hours.
24. Cheese Grits
Still, looking for what to serve with fried catfish? Try cheese grits! These cheese grits are a wonderful treat when it comes to comfort food.
This basic dish can be enjoyed any time of day and with any main course.
Your cooking time will vary depending on the type of grits. It takes longer to make stone-ground grits, but they have greater flavor and texture.
Meanwhile, quick grits are acceptable, but instant grit is not.
You can use any cheese you like, but the trick is ensuring it melts thoroughly. You can also add half & half to the cheese grits to make them creamier. Alternatively, use heavy cream or milk.
Simply season with salt to taste, or spice things up with cayenne smoked paprika and garlic mixture.
Let the cheese and cream warm to room temperature before adding them to the grits. To prevent the grits from adhering to the pan, stir them frequently.
25. Honey-Balsamic Glazed Vegetable
This is a good option for what to serve with fried catfish. A delicious side dish of vegetables will give your meal a different variety while the catfish is cooked in a sheet pan.
The balsamic glaze unites all the components and gives the food a rich, dark color while providing the ideal balance of sweet and sour flavors.
Make the most of whatever vegetables that are available. For instance, this dish chooses summer vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant.
This dish lacks precise measurements and specified ingredients, so be flexible.
It’s important to remember that cooking times vary depending on the vegetables you choose, although they frequently require 40 to 60 minutes.
You need first to cook the chopped vegetables in the oven.
In the meantime, combine balsamic vinegar and honey to form the glaze. Vegetables should be evenly coated after adding the ingredients and mixing.
Bake the vegetables once more in the oven for the final few minutes of baking.
26. Hush Puppies
Hush puppies are a simple side dish that is impossible to mess up. This delicious meal is crispy on the top and soft on the inside.
Here, the cajun flavor contributes to their slight kick. Add some jalapenos, gouda, and chives if you want to give it extra heat.
Conclusion
Now you know what to serve with catfish for your next event or family dinner.
These side dishes are simple to make, and you won’t be disappointed with the results. Thanks for reading!
