Blackened fish is a delicious and easy main course. It’s a little spicy and super flavorful with a smokey blackened crust. If you’re wondering what to serve with blackened fish, I have over 40 of the best side dishes for you. There’s seafood appetizers, vegetable and starchy side dishes, and savory sauces!
What is Blackened Fish?
Blackening is a cooking method that originated in New Orleans by Chef Paul Prudhomme with his famous dish blackened redfish. Food, usually protein like fish, shrimp, or chicken, is coated in butter and blackening seasoning, then cooked at a high temperature in a cast iron skillet. The result is a spicy crisp layer on the outside of the protein that is spicy and rich in flavor, just like New Orleans!
Blackening seasoning is a mix of dried herbs and Cajun spices including cayenne pepper, garlic and onion powder, and black pepper. To learn all about blackening spices, the cooking technique, and a recipe to make homemade blackened seasoning, check out Homemade Cajun Blackening Seasoning. You can also see Blackened vs Grilled Fish for a deep dive into blackened recipes!
When serving a spicy dish like blackened fish, you can go two ways. Go for a cool or creamy side dish to balance out the spiciness of the fish like Cajun Tartar Sauce or Mango Pico de Gallo. OR you can double up on the heat, and serve up something spicy to go with it like Skillet Charred Blackened Corn or Blackened Green Beans. The best side dishes for fish are ones that can cool down the flavors, or amplify the spice!
What Flavors pair well with fish?
Fish can have a strong or mild flavor depending on which variety you are preparing. Fish can also be more fatty like salmon or more lean like cod. Here are a few flavors and ingredients that go well with fish no matter which one you are serving.
Lemon juice and lemon zest (lime too!) – The acidity of citrus cuts down on the fattiness of some fish dishes, especially fried fish! This is why you will most often see lemon wedges served with fish.
Butter and cream – The richness of butter or cream can help add moisture and flavor to drier, more lean fish. This Crawfish Cream Sauce pairs so well with fish because of this!
Strong aromatics like garlic and ginger – Garlic goes with just about any savory flavor if you ask me! The bold flavors of garlic and ginger can hold up well against fish with a stronger flavor, like salmon.
Fresh herbs, especially parsley, basil, and chives – Fresh herbs especially compliment the flavor of fresh fish. I think this Persillade Sauce is the perfect accompaniment to stronger or spicy flavored fish!
White wine – For pairing with the meal to drink and to cook with! A lighter white wine sauce is excellent poured over the top of fish.
Tomatoes – A tomato relish or light tomato sauce is a great topper for fish, especially white fish. The tomatoes can also help keep fish moist while cooking.
Best Appetizers for Fish
When serving a fish main course, I like to double down and serve a fresh seafood starter as well! Creamy seafood dips or cocktail shrimp are great options. Here are some seafood recipes perfect for starting off your blackened fish meal.
Cajun Shrimp Cocktail
Classic shrimp cocktail with a twist! Plump shrimp are coated in homemade cajun seasoning and roasted. Also includes a recipe for homemade cocktail sauce! This is a quick and easy appetizer, ready in 20 minutes.
One of my all time favorite appetizers from Chinese food restaurants in a dip! This dip uses cream cheese, crab meat, sesame oil, green onions, and soy sauce to recreate the filling of those delicious fried gems. Plus crispy wontons for dipping.
Combining the delicate flavor of smoked trout with a creamy and tangy base and amazing flavors from the fresh herbs, this dip is a true delight. It works well with blackened fish since it has a rich creaminess and compliments the smoky flavor.
These Southern Hush puppies are the perfect complement to any dish! These fry up light and fluffy, with the perfect amount of spice! Visit any New Orleans restaurant that serves fish, and hush puppies will always be on the menu!
Warm crab dip is a great starter for blackened fish! It’s creamy, rich, and so satisfying. This one is covered in cheese which is always a plus in my book!
This Coconut Shrimp Recipe is a sweet spicy favorite that will make you feel like you are on a tropical vacation. Making it at home is easy! Coconut shrimp is a classic starter for fish.
Shrimp Stuffed Jalapeños are cheesy delicious shrimp jalapeño poppers! Easy to make with a simple shrimp dip filling that is even tasty on its own with chips or crackers. These will pair great with the spiciness of blackened fish.
Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip is a decadent baked dip with a cream cheese base and Ritz cracker topping. Easy dip for holidays and game day. This one is fun since it combines crab dip with spinach and artichoke dip!
Tuna tartare is light, full of flavor, and super impressive to make for family and friends. This is definitely one to add to any entertaining menu! This is an elegant restaurant style appetizer to start off your fish main course.
A quick and easy recipe for Cajun Crab Dip! Cajun seasoning, lump crab meat and a blend of cheeses harmonize together to make the ultimate party dip served hot in under 30 minutes.
Mussels in white wine sauce is a classic dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner or a special occasion. This appetizer makes an impressive presentation!
What are the best vegetables to serve with fish? I like to keep it simple like oven-roasted potatoes or greens. For blackened fish, slaw is a great creamy and crunchy choice. Anything cool and refreshing like a fresh salad is a great addition to a spicy meal!
Cajun Blackened Green Beans Recipe
Easy green beans side dish ready in 20 minutes! Blistered green beans are tossed in blackened seasoning, garlic, onions, and butter. Lots of flavor, little time.
Blackened corn is a great side dish recipe to spice up your meal! Juicy corn is charred in a cast iron skillet then tossed with blackening seasoning, butter, lemon, and parsley. It’s sweet, smoky, and all around delicious.
The best homemade mango pico de gallo. This fresh mango salsa is perfect for cooling down the spice of blackened fish! The lime and acidity also works well.
Cornbread croutons are a creative way to jazz up Caesar salad! Romaine lettuce is coated in creamy Caesar dressing and topped with croutons. Of course cornbread is great with any southern style meal!
The sweet and spicy flavor of these honey sriracha brussels sprouts is a great pair for blackened fish! They are roasted in the oven so your stove top is free to sear the fish.
This Israeli salad updates a classic tomato cucumber salad. Modern twists include olives, avocado, sumac, and mint. Perfect for summer eating. This cool and refreshing side dish is perfect with blackened fish.
Roasted Green Beans and Brussels Sprouts is a simple, but flavorful side dish! This easy sheet pan recipe has perfectly tender but crisp brussels sprouts and green beans tossed with fresh basil, lemon zest, and a hint of garlic. It is the perfect side dish with a pop of flavor!
This Healthy Creamy Coleslaw recipe is made with low fat Greek yogurt for a delicious crunch, creamy texture and a little tang! The creaminess and crunchy texture of this coleslaw make it a great side dish for blackened fish.
Tender and crispy roasted asparagus and brussel sprouts are the perfect pairing for this easy healthy side dish. Ready in under 30 minutes! Roasting vegetables is my favorite way to serve them, as it brings out their flavor so well!
This simple roasted broccoli and potatoes is an easy and tasty side dish! Crispy potatoes and tender broccoli florets make a delicious side dish, ready in 30 minutes!
This kale slaw with apples is such a delicious salad with tons of crunch and flavour. Make it in just minutes with crispy apples, slivered almonds, kale, and a tangy homemade dressing. This cool crunchy salad is perfect for cooling down spicy fish.
Bright healthy Citrus Salad made with a variety of oranges and grapefruits. Dressed in a zesty orange vinaigrette, with pistachios, and mint. The citrus pairs perfectly with the spicy blackened fish, and makes a beautiful presentation!
This easy roasted corn salsa has a little bit of heat and lots of flavor. Made with just a few ingredients – jalapeño, red onion, white corn, cilantro, lime and salt. It's the perfect addition to tacos, burritos, bowls or to serve as a side.
Quick, easy, and simple side dish. This easy 5-minute Garlic Sautéed Spinach recipe makes for the most tasty and delicious spinach side dish. Spinach is a classic side dish!
If you love tacos like I do, you need to try this cabbage slaw for blackened fish tacos (or any kind of taco!). This no mayo coleslaw is easy & tasty! A spicy coleslaw will be delicious with blackened fish of any kind!
Anything starchy and creamy makes a great side dish for blackened fish. Dishes like rice and couscous are also a great choice to add some bulk to your meal. Here are some of the best sides!
Creamy Boursin Mashed Potatoes Recipe
The perfect creamy mashed potato recipe! Smooth potatoes with Boursin cheese, cream, butter, and fresh chives. Serve them for the holiday season or a special dinner. 5 ingredients and 30 minutes.
Coconut Lime Rice is made with tropical flavors of coconut milk, toasted coconut, and fresh lime. Gluten free, vegan and vegetarian side dish recipe. The creaminess of coconut milk and fresh lime go great with blackened fish.
Elevated Mac and Cheese with Brie and White Cheddar
This creamy brie mac and cheese recipe is an elevated version of stove top mac and cheese. It has creamy brie and white cheddar melted in a silky béchamel sauce with thyme, topped with buttery toasted breadcrumbs.
Sautéed sweet potatoes are the perfect easy side dish for dinner! The sweet potatoes have tender insides with crisp outsides and are coated in tasty warm spices.
This stove top Mac and Cheese recipe is made with four cheeses melted into a béchamel sauce and topped with buttery toasted crumbs for the perfect creamy and crispy contrast in textures.
Last but definitely not least. My favorite part of the meal – the sauce! Adding sauce to your blackened fish dinner is a great way to cool down the spiciness (or amplify it!). If I could recommend just one, it would be the Cajun tartar sauce!
Homemade Cajun Tartar Sauce Recipe
The best tartar sauce recipe with a cajun kick. Pickle forward, and only 10 minutes of prep. The vinegary pickle flavor and creaminess is a match made in heaven for spicy blackened fish!
This fresh and herby parsley sauce is sure to brighten up any dish. Made with parsley, green onions, garlic, and lemon. Only 5 minutes of prep! This sauce was MADE to cool down spicy blackened fish!
This classic cajun remoulade sauce is sure to spice up any seafood dish! What's more perfect to pair with a New Orleans classic like blackened fish, than another New Orleans classic like remoulade sauce!
This creamy sauce is seasoned with cajun spices and freshly grated parmesan cheese to make the perfect Cajun Alfredo sauce. Toss this sauce with pasta, then serve your blackened fish on top. It will be amazing, I promise!
Zesty spicy garlic aioli that goes on anything! I love it for fries, chicken sandwiches, burgers, onion rings, shrimp, Brussels sprouts, crab cakes, tacos, poke bowls, roasted potatoes, chicken wings . . . anything that needs a sauce or a dip.
If you love the red salsa you get in a restaurant, you can easily and quickly make this recipe for restaurant salsa at home! You might not normally think of pairing salsa with fish, but the acidity of tomatoes is a great pairing!
Chipotle lime sauce is a smoky, creamy, and spicy sauce that is perfect for adding a punch of flavor to your meal. It makes a great dipping sauce or for drizzling or tacos, bowls, and more.
If you prefer a chunkier salsa, go for this pico de gallo! This delicious fresh garden salsa recipe with tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeño peppers, and lime juice is perfect as a dip for chips or a topping for your favorite Mexican dish!
Enjoy the best of both worlds with this rich, buttery and super creamy Béarnaise Sauce with a flavorful twist. Another creamy sauce perfect for drizzling on top of spicy fish.
I’m the blogger, recipe developer, food photographer, and otherwise food obsessed gal behind Lauren From Scratch. I was born and raised in New Orleans and lived in South Louisiana most of my life. Growing up around Cajun country has instilled a love of food that runs deep in my bones. I am passionate about food and teaching you how to make mouth-watering Louisiana inspired dishes in your own kitchen!
