Enhance Your Fish: 8 BEST Side Dishes to Serve with Sea Bass

Sea bass is a type of bass with a mild flavor and flaky texture.

It is also known as the ocean perch, although it is not closely related to true perch.

Sea bass has grayish skin on its backside, while its underbelly is white.

Depending on the species, sea bass can be found in either fresh or saltwater.

The flavor of the fish depends on the species, but sea bass typically has a mild, subtle taste that can be enhanced with seasoning.

Sea bass is also very versatile in terms of cooking methods – it can be baked, poached, steamed, sautéed, or grilled.

Once cooked, sea bass can become dry. Therefore, it is advisable not to overcook the fish.

If you are grilling or poaching the fish, make sure to remove it from heat before its internal temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Many side dishes go well with sea bass.

Some of the most popular ones include green beans and cherry tomatoes, asparagus and shallots, and Brussels sprouts and pancetta (Italian bacon).

Sea bass also goes well with sauces like butter sauce and lemon butter sauce.

In this article, we will list eight side dishes you can pair with sea bass.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Sea Bass?

The side dish is an often overlooked addition to the main meal.

Noticing that sea bass is, in fact, a fish that goes well with many different combinations of food – like all other types of fish, for example- it isn’t surprising that people think pairing it with sides can be somewhat overwhelming.

However, this does not need to be the case, as many different options will complement it.

In this article, we will look at why you might want to serve side dishes for sea bass and the different things you could try.

One of the main reasons for serving side dishes is to compliment the meal.

Fish like sea bass tend to be mild, with a subtle flavor that makes it easy for other food items to overpower their taste.

It’s best to pair it with other ingredients that will enhance its flavor and not overpower it.

As such, serving side dishes for sea bass allows you to experiment with different ingredients and create new flavors – which can be a great delight for your taste buds.

Cheap cuts of sea bass like the cheeks or fillets can be tasty if cooked correctly and work well with many sauces and rubs.

Some people like to cook it whole as sea bass can be a large fish, and fillet can result in dry bites.

Bite-sized pieces allow you to try different flavors without the risk of ending up with something you don’t like.

What to Serve with Sea Bass? 8 BEST Side Dishes

So without further ado, here are eight of the best side dishes to serve with sea bass.

1 – Steamed Artichokes

The first side dish to serve with sea bass is, in fact, a vegetable.

And a healthy one at that.

Artichokes are a great way to add some much-needed fiber and antioxidants into your diet.

They’re also versatile when it comes to cooking them. You can choose from boiling or steaming them.

Steamed artichokes pair well with different types of main courses – including sea bass.

Trim off the stems and slice each leaf down to about half an inch below its base to prepare them.

Place the leaves in boiling water for ten minutes- or until you can easily remove each leaf with tongs.

Then serve on a plate with melted butter and sea salt.

2 – Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp

Alternatively, if you don’t want to eat a vegetable side dish for sea bass, why not go for seafood instead? In particular, zucchini noodles with shrimp.

Zoodles are a creative way to make your sea bass dishes even healthier by adding more vegetables into the mix.

To make them, cut the zucchini into strips with a spiralizer – if you don’t have one already, this is a great excuse to invest in one.

Then sauté it for about 5-10 minutes with some olive oil and garlic.

Top off your dish by adding shrimp, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

3 – Mashed Cauliflower with Parmesan and Garlic

Another great side dish to serve with sea bass is mashed cauliflower.

This will add a hint of creaminess and warmth, while the garlic and parmesan add a nice zest to this otherwise healthy alternative.

Making mashed cauliflower is quite easy.

All you need to do is steam or boil the florets for 10 minutes, then mash them while they’re still hot.

Then stir in some butter, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.

If you are feeling extra indulgent, top it off with some garlic chives before serving.

Alternatively, you could try simply stirring in some butter, salt, and pepper for a more basic version.

4 – Potato Gratin

Potatoes are another staple side dish that goes well with sea bass.

A perfect example of this is potato gratin.

This tasty French dish is made by layering thinly-sliced potatoes with heavy cream and seasoning.

It’s similar to scalloped potatoes but has a much more robust flavor by infusing it with garlic, nutmeg, and herbs like thyme or rosemary.

Just make sure you pre-cook the potatoes before baking them in the oven for 30 minutes – this will ensure they don’t fall apart when you cut into them.

5 – Grilled Veggies

Grilled veggies are another healthy side dish option.

This is perfect for people who aren’t huge fans of seafood but still want to have a nice meal with their sea bass main course.

You can choose whichever vegetables you like the best – make sure they’re fresh and tasty.

You can grill them on skewers or in foil packets before adding the sea bass.

Don’t forget to add in some lemon juice to make sure they don’t taste too bland.

If you are using skewers, thread the veggies onto them in random order.

This is best done with onions, tomatoes, and peppers first, followed by mushrooms, zucchini, and eggplant.

6 – Wild Rice Pilaf

You could also serve a side of wild rice pilaf with your sea bass dish to add a little extra flavor.

This is a simple mix of rice, onion, and spices that can be whipped up in no time at all.

All you need to do is sauté the spices and rice in olive oil before adding the water.

Then you allow it to simmer until all the water is absorbed.

You can top your pilaf off with any vegetables you like – peas, mushrooms, or even carrots would go great with this rice dish.

7 – Quinoa with Parmesan and Herbs

Quinoa is another great healthy side dish option that’s very similar to rice.

It cooks up just as quickly, making it perfect for people who are always on the go.

Soak the quinoa in hot water before cooking it as you would rice.

Then stir in some parmesan, salt, and pepper, as well as any other spices you like – rosemary, thyme, or saffron, will all work wonderfully.

You can also add in some fresh herbs like parsley or basil right before serving.

8 – Herbed Polenta and Wild Mushrooms

Last but not least is polenta with wild mushrooms.

This is another great dish that’s just as easy to make as it is delicious.

Plus, the mushrooms infuse the polenta with a rich meaty flavor that will be perfect for pairing with your sea bass.

Just cook your polenta according to package directions before stirring in some butter, salt, pepper, or other herbs you prefer – thyme or rosemary would both taste great here.

You can also add some garlic or onions to the polenta if you like.

Then spoon your finished product over your wild mushroom medley and sit back while your family praises you for this delectable meal.

Conclusion

Sea bass is an interesting fish with bright white meat, mild flavor, and a firm texture that goes well with many side dishes.

It can be easily paired with polenta, wild rice, potatoes, and many other vegetables to create a well-rounded dinner that everyone will adore.

If you’re looking for a simple idea for your next seafood dinner, try serving sea bass with one of these tasty side dishes.

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