Delicious Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Fish Tacos

Fish tacos are a lighter and healthier alternative to traditional tacos.

They’re made with white fish, such as cod or halibut, which is usually breaded and fried in oil before being placed in the taco.

The tacos usually consist of white corn tortillas filled with cabbage and topped with a sauce, such as salsa or sour cream.

There are many variations of fish tacos, which often include shrimp and mahi-mahi.

In California, a popular variation is made with grilled fish topped with a cabbage slaw dressed in a sweet but spicy vinaigrette.

Typically served as an appetizer or snack, fish tacos are perfect for potlucks and barbecues.

They’re also a favorite for Cinco de Mayo parties. When it comes to serving fish tacos, the options are endless.

They’re perfect for warm summer days when you want something light but filling.

Serve them with any of these side dishes, and watch your friends swoon over your new signature dish.

In this article, we will list 8 of the best side dishes to serve with fish tacos.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Fish Tacos?

Fish tacos make a great filling for lunch or dinner.

They are easy to make and can even be made ahead of time, working well for crowds.

Side dishes complement fish tacos perfectly and can add some interesting flavors to the meal.

Keep in mind that fish tacos typically consist of thinly sliced, white fish that has been battered and deep-fried in oil.

This means that they are already pretty heavy in terms of taste.

So, you want to make sure that the side dishes you use will not overwhelm or cover up the flavors of the fish.

Also, consider the flavor of the side dish that you are serving.

Fish tacos have a traditional pairing with lime juice, cabbage slaw, and salsa.

So, if you plan on adding additional flavors to your side dishes, make sure they pair well with these ingredients.

What to Serve with Fish Tacos? 8 BEST Side Dishes

So without further ado, here are the best side dishes to serve with tacos (in no particular order).

1 – Mango Avocado Salad

A delicious combination of flavors that work great with tacos.

This salad has a lot going for it – it combines sweet, sour, crispy, and creamy.

A versatile dish that can be made ahead of time, even the night before.

The ingredients are simple – mangoes, avocados, red onion, and cilantro mixed with lime juice, salt, and pepper.

To boost flavor, why not add some garlic and chili powder.

The final result is a delightfully fresh and crunchy salad that goes perfectly with fish tacos.

Perfect for summer or springtime eating.

2 – Rice Salad

This rice salad has various vegetables and grains, making it hearty and packed full of nutrients.

It comes together in less than 30 minutes while requiring very little active cooking time.

The whole thing can be made ahead of time, even the night before – which means it’s perfect for hosting a dinner party.

The ingredients are simple – arborio rice (short-grain rice), broccoli florets, grape tomatoes, fresh parsley, fresh chives, lemon juice, and olive oil.

As for flavorings – salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese all work well.

The final result is a delicious side dish that’s full of flavors. It goes perfectly with fish tacos.

3 – Honey Lime Cabbage Slaw

A sweet yet refreshing twist on coleslaw made with cabbage, carrots, and cilantro.

The ingredients are simple – green cabbage, carrots, cilantro, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and palm sugar (or honey).

You can use corn syrup, but I prefer the taste of palm sugar. As for flavorings – salt, pepper, and cayenne are all amazing.

The final result is a perfect side dish with fish tacos. The sweetness will make your mouth water while the spicy cayenne brings it back to reality.

Make this slaw in advance, even the night before, and keep it in the fridge.

4 – Avocado Tomatillo Salsa

A rich salsa that is great for dipping (or eating with a spoon). It’s also easy to make.

Ingredients are simple – tomatillos (the small green tomatoes), avocado, jalapeno, red onion, garlic cloves, lime juice, salt, and pepper.

As for flavorings – cilantro is the perfect herb to use. The final result is a beautiful salsa, perfect for dipping.

Make it the night before and keep it in the fridge. It goes perfectly with fish tacos.

5 – Shrimp Avocado Salad

A delicious combination of flavors that work great with tacos.

This salad has a lot going for it – it combines sweet, sour, crispy, and creamy.

A versatile dish that can be made ahead of time, even the night before.

The ingredients are simple – mangoes, avocados, red onion, and cilantro mixed with lime juice, salt, and pepper.

To boost flavor, why not add some garlic and chili powder.

The final result is a delightfully fresh and crunchy salad that goes perfectly with fish tacos.

Perfect for summer or springtime eating.

6 – Guacamole

A classic Mexican dish that always tastes great with fish tacos.

It may be simple, but it has a lot of flavors going on.

There’s avocado for a smooth texture and creamy taste; there’s cumin for a bit of earthiness, lime juice adds some acidity, and salt is the perfect final touch.

There is a bit of prep to get started – you will need an onion, garlic cloves, jalapenos, and tomatoes.

You’ll also need a blender, or if you prefer a more rustic texture, then some mortar and pestle will work too.

Once everything is prepared, all that’s left is to mix it into tasty guacamole.

This is truly a simple dish, but it’s truly delicious.

7 – Pickled Vegetables

A dish that’s incredibly easy to make but packs great flavor.

The pickling process brings out all the flavors of the vegetables, and it works especially well with carrots.

All you need are some carrots, cucumbers, and onions.

You’ll also need apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt for this dish.

The process of making this dish is simple – cut up your ingredients, boil them together with some salt for about an hour or so, then let it all cool down.

You can store the pickled vegetables in a jar, and they will last quite a long time.

8 – Mexican Black Beans

A side that’s packed full of great flavors, along with a rich texture.

Black beans are delicious on their own, but they are especially tasty when mixed in with Mexican-style spices.

You will need some black beans, brown sugar, ground cumin, and garlic powder to get started.

You’ll also need vegetable broth or water to help cook your beans.

Once everything is boiled together, you can serve it to your guests.

Just make sure to season it well with salt and a bit of lime juice – a squeeze or two will do just fine.

This side is perfect for those who love rich flavors and textures that are full-bodied.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fish tacos are delicious and surprisingly easy to make.

If you’re having a party or event, it’s easy to impress your guests with great side dishes to go along with the tacos.

The best thing about these sides is that they all taste great together – it’s the open season when it comes to creativity.

Be sure to experiment using different ingredient combinations because different ingredients sometimes bring new flavors to your fish tacos.

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