Perfect Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Red Snapper

Red Snapper is a fish known for its lean and mild flavor.

It tastes delicious with various spices, herbs, and vegetables, depending on each individual’s preference.

Compared to other fish, Red Snapper is much lower in fat and calorie content.

Red Snapper can be cooked in many ways, whether in the oven, on the grill, or under the broiler.

Red snapper’s flavor and taste vary depending on if it is fillet or in the complete form.

When cooking Red Snapper, making sure not to overcook it is vital.

It is best to grill the fish until the flesh becomes opaque and flakes easily.

Depending on preference, many people will not eat the skin of Red snapper.

However, if one prefers to eat the skin, it must be crispy because if not cooked correctly, the skin will taste rubbery.

It is very easy to make red snapper at home, especially if cooking for just one or two people.

It will be sure to please everyone.

That being said, serving it with eight side dishes that are simple and easy to make will be a guaranteed hit.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Red Snapper?

Red snapper is traditionally served as a main dish; it’s often baked, pan-fried, or broiled.

While some people may be satisfied with this option, others may prefer to serve red snapper as part of a larger meal: serving red snapper as a side dish will allow you to incorporate it into your menu in various ways.

In addition, red snapper is a great choice for side dishes because it pairs well with several items.

Experimenting with side dishes will help you expand your menu by incorporating red snapper into more meals.

If you want to serve red snapper as a side dish, it’s important to consider the flavors and ingredients of other foods you’ll be serving.

For example, if you plan to serve teriyaki salmon as your main course, pairing red snapper with a sweet potato stir fry will offer a complementary flavor profile that won’t crash.

So if you want to expand your menu and try something new, consider serving red snapper as the side dish at the next family dinner.

What to Serve with Red Snapper? 8 BEST Side Dishes

Red snapper is delicious on its own, but when you serve it as the main dish, you’ll want to consider serving side dishes that complement it.

We’ve compiled this list of the eight best side dishes for red snapper, so you have plenty of options when planning your next family dinner or special occasion menu.

1 – Asparagus Grilled in Lemon Butter

Consider serving grilled asparagus with lemon butter if you’re looking for a more elegant side dish that takes minimal effort.

All you have to do is heat up the grill, grease it lightly so the asparagus doesn’t stick, and then coat each stalk of asparagus with freshly squeezed lemon juice and melted butter before grilling on each side.

Grilled asparagus is a great side dish for red snapper because it pairs well with the fish’s subtle flavor.

Lemon and butter are staples of many seafood recipes, so bringing these flavors to a side dish ensures a complimentary taste profile.

Grilling the asparagus also adds a smoky flavor to this dish that brings the flavors of your main course and side dish together.

In addition, grilling brings out the natural sweetness in the asparagus – a perfect accompaniment to seafood.

2 – Rice Pilaf

Rice pilaf is a classic side dish that goes well with red snapper.

While many rice varieties are, our favorite version is the classic one made with white rice and flavored with onion, garlic, celery, and thyme.

Adding these ingredients to your rice gives it flavor; most importantly, the onions will enhance the flavor of your red snapper without overpowering it.

This side dish is a nice accompaniment to red snapper because it offers a crunch that will play against the soft, flaky texture of the fish.

In addition, since rice pilaf isn’t too heavy, you’ll want to consider pairing it with your main course.

If you’re serving teriyaki salmon as the main course, a lighter side dish like rice pilaf is a good option.

3 – Easy Succotash

Succotash is a traditional Southern dish that’s typically made with sweet green lima beans and corn.

While this version uses these two ingredients, the recipe also includes red bell pepper for added flavor.

Adding green pepper to succotash brings out the natural sweetness of the other vegetables; it also adds a touch of spice that will complement the delicate flavor of red snapper.

Succotash is a great side dish for red snapper because it’s easy to prepare – all you have to do is boil the vegetables until they are tender.

While this recipe calls for lima beans, you can also substitute another bean, like black-eyed peas.

4 – Grilled Corn Salad

Grilled corn salad is a great side dish for red snapper because the grilled flavor adds another layer of flavor.

This tasty dish is easy to prepare and will bring out the natural flavors in your fish while complementing it with its unique taste.

We like this version of grilled corn salad because it uses parsley instead of cilantro.

The parsley adds a freshness to this recipe that will contrast nicely with the smoky taste of your red snapper.

It’s also important to use high-quality olive oil in this recipe; since you’ll be grilling it, any hint of bitterness or staleness will ruin the dish.

Make sure to try out different brands to find one with a flavor that isn’t overpowering.

5 – Cilantro Lime Rice

Lime and cilantro are staples of many Mexican dishes, so it’s no wonder why this recipe makes a good side dish for red snappers.

This recipe calls for long-grain rice, the best option when making this dish; basmati rice is a close second option.

Adding these ingredients to your rice gives it some flavor; most importantly, the cilantro will enhance the flavor of your red snapper without overpowering it.

This side dish is a nice accompaniment to red snapper because it offers a crunch that will play against the soft, flaky texture of the fish.

In addition, since rice pilaf isn’t too heavy, you’ll want to consider pairing it with your main course.

If you’re serving teriyaki salmon as the main course, a lighter side dish like cilantro lime rice is a good option.

6 – Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Cheesy scalloped potatoes are a delicious side dish that will bring out the richness of your main course.

This recipe uses sharp cheddar cheese, which creates a nice golden crust on top of the potatoes; adding parmesan to this dish offers an added punch of flavor.

Using cheese adds flavor and richness to this dish – for example, sharp cheddar cheese is rich and tangy, while parmesan is sharp and salty.

Both kinds of cheese are appropriate for this recipe because they complement the dish without overpowering it.

You can also use low-fat or fat-free milk to lighten up this dish and still enjoy the cheesy flavor.

7 – Sautéed Spinach with Garlic

Sautéed spinach is a simple side dish that matches well with just about anything.

This recipe calls for olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes, which are the ideal ingredients to bring out the flavor of your main course – in this case, red snapper.

Blended, these ingredients create a flavorful sauce that works well with the mild flavor of your fish.

Unlike heavy side dishes, this recipe is subtle and won’t compete with the bold flavors of red snapper.

While it only takes a few minutes to prepare, this dish pairs nicely with other main courses like grilled salmon or teriyaki chicken.

8 – Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

This recipe uses cherry tomatoes, which are small and work perfectly as a side dish.

Whole cherry tomatoes roasted in olive oil with garlic and herbs, such as basil or thyme, bring out the flavors of your main course without overwhelming them.

Tomato sauce is often too potent; it’s full of spices that can overpower your fish.

This recipe comes together quickly and is very easy to make; you can easily add it on after you’ve finished cooking your red snapper.

It’s also important that you use high-quality olive oil in this dish; since the cherry tomatoes are roasted, any hint of bitterness or staleness will ruin the flavor of this dish.

Make sure to try out different brands to find one with a flavor that isn’t overpowering.

Conclusion

Red snapper is a unique and flaky fish that works well with bold flavors.

If you want to enhance the flavors of your red snapper without overpowering it, these side dishes are a great option.

Each of these side dishes offers a unique flavor that will bring out the best in your main course.

To learn more about enhancing flavors without overpowering, click here for an article on complementary ingredients.

If you want other great suggestions or insightful cooking tips, read through our growing collection of informative articles.

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