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Looking for what to serve with Tilapia? Something compelling, something which blends well with fish’s flavor, something which makes the meal a hearty one! Here are the most amazing side dishes that go well with tilapia. So be it your regular home dinner or a potluck dinner, show your culinary skills by cooking these awesome sides.
Vegetable Side Dishes
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
With these crispy roasted Brussels sprouts and accompanying dip of your choice, you can get your taste buds tantalized and boost appetite for the main course. And if you have some leftovers, you can also make shaved Brussels sprout salad. These sprouts not only make a delicious side with tilapia but also with baked chicken or chicken wings with honey and pepper.
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Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus is a great food that pairs up with so many main courses. And it’s not necessary to pull up a fancy dish with many ingredients to incorporate asparagus in your meals. Toss them in vegetable oil, add seasonings, and herbs, and roast in the oven. It works well when you are invited to the 4th of July celebration and have no planned meal.
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Grilled Veggies on the Skewers
Serve all the goodness of the vegetables in one creative and delicious side dish. You can fix any veggie you like, including zucchini, eggplant, capsicums, onions, tomatoes, and what not. Slice veggies using a vegetable chopper and marinate with olive oil, lime juice, and spices. Grill till the desired softness and aroma. This dish goes well with protein meals like grilled tilapia, baked chicken, beef steaks, etc. Pop it up by adding some mushrooms to the skewers.
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Stir Fry Vegetables
If you have a main rice and fish meal, try serving this stir-fried vegetable dish as a side. If the menu has so many dry items, add some tomato paste while cooking to make a little bit of gravy. Stir-fried vegetables are an easy-to-cook meal and highly nutritious. It is also one tasty dish to feed your child his vegetable portion without much mess.
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Vegetable Fritters
Who doesn’t love some crispy fritters with fish? And when it comes to veggie fritters, we are all in for some. You don’t need to stock up on many fancy ingredients for this. Slice up some eggplant, zucchini, and baby spinach leaves. Dip in a batter of gram flour and spices and fry in hot oil. Prepare some greek yogurt dip, guacamole dip, or they also go well with tartar sauce.
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Air Fryer Carrot Chips
Light, crispy, flavorful and what not? These golden carrot chips are the best alternative to the regular fries or potato chips, and serve well with any seafood based entrée. I love making this vegan, gluten-free and keto side for every occasion when I have some picky guests. Make these carrot chips and serve with a any of your favorite dip or sauce for a unique twist.
Mashed Cauliflower
When you can incorporate cauliflower instead of potatoes in a gratin, why not make mashed Cauliflower? This low-calorie vegan side requires minimum prep, while delivering a great taste, and creamy texture. Flavor it up using some garlic, chopped chives, fresh parsley, and some rosemary. The best side for growing children and expectant mothers. Serve with grilled filet fish, fish cakes, baked chicken, or even BBQ wings.
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Stir-Fried Nutty Broccoli
Get rid of that boring old steamed broccoli recipe and try this new stir-fry method. This recipe is so customizable that you can add zucchini, carrots, cauliflower, roasted almonds, and anything you want to experiment with. This stir-fry Nutty Broccoli can be served as it is or over a bed of plain quinoa or fried rice. Not only cashews, but also try roasted almonds, peanuts, or pecans.
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Cilantro Lime Rice
A flavorful green rice recipe that is a unique twist to the regular fried rice or rice pilaf. This oil-free and low-fat recipe can take your simple rice to another level. You can use it as a full meal as well as a complementary meal with any protein rich meal. Cilantro lime rice is perfect with all foods; like a weeknight chipotle-style burrito bowl, you can add salsa, veggies, and beans for a balanced diet.
Lemon Butter Green Beans
If you love lemonade-flavored recipes, you will fall in love with each flavor of the lemon butter green beans. A delicious and healthy side dish that serves perfectly with your favorite protein based dishes. If your partner loves side dishes with chicken or grilled veggies, then serve lemon butter green beans with tilapia for datenight dinner; and I’m sure it will make him go crazy.
Mint And Green Pea Soup
Tilapia, is known for its healthy fat content, and recommended (in moderate amounts) for post-operative patients. This Minty Green Pea Soup is not only fulfilling and detoxifying side but also makes a complete meal for seniors. The soup is flavored with mild herbs and sauteed shallots. You can also get creative and add as many green leafy ingredients as possible.
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Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy, oven-baked, and heavy on the cheese recipe. Yes! We are talking about garlic parmesan sweet potato fries. Best homemade potato fries, which serve best as a side dish with any of your dinner meal. Not much prep is required: assemble the ingredients, fry the fries, and serve with hot sauce, or your favorite dip.
Salads
Crab Salad
A perfect seafood side for summer – this refreshing and light crab salad complements perfectly with tilapia. This is a favorite snack of my kids because of its unique flavors. A combination of tender and colorful ingredients add a unique twist to the salad. So, if you are looking for a potluck salad for summer lunch, try this simple crab salad for a nutritious additon to your meal.
Roasted Beets With Goat Cheese Salad
A delicious and healthy salad that excellently combines the sweetness of beets with savory tilapia. This salad is not only a great standalone dish but also a perfect side dish for tilapia, as it complements the mild flavor of the fish and adds a pop of color to the plate. Beets loaded with goat cheese provide textures and flavors in a satisfying meal.
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Want a healthy and nutritious side? Great! Try tomato and cucumber salad. The classic tomato and cucumber salad contains the flavors of juicy tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, red onions, and vinaigrette dressing. Serve with roasted meat or any of your favorite fish.
Tropical Mango Avocado Salad
When it is mango season, I love adding them in everything! Mango lends a tropical flavor to this delightful summer salad. Avocados, corn, and cherry tomatoes lend the citrus, crunch, and overall texture that you can add to any seafood meal. Try finishing up the salad with a garnish of fresh parsley, basil, and a drizzle of lime and lemon juice.
Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad
Try this quinoa and roasted veggie salad, and I’m sure it will be a staple recipe in your kitchen. A perfect combination of chickpeas, quinoa, vegetables and feta. Thanks to the pantry ingredients, this quinoa and veggie salad is a quick potluck recipe you can make within a few minutes.
Bell Peppers and Pine Nut Salad
The bell peppers give a colorful appeal and flavor to anything they are added to. So grab these in all available colors and make this salad. The only lengthy step is where you have to caramelize the peppers in the oven. Meanwhile, grab some pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, bread pieces, and mozzarella cheese. With a dash of vinegar and olive oil, this flavorful salad is ready to go to your dinner table.
Fruit Salsa With Cinnamon
Preparing tilapia for Independence Day celebrations without a serving of fruit? No way. Grab 3 to 4 seasonal fruits and chop them all up. However, add at least one tropical one, like pineapple or mango, to bring in the refreshing flavor and sweet tang. Fruit salsa does not require additional items, but some tortilla chips will add to the crunch and taste of the overall side dish.
Recipe Video
Rice and Grain Dishes
Lemon-Herb Couscous
When you are not in the mood to stay in the kitchen, try making this simple Lemon-Herb Couscous. Not only is it easy-to-make, but the tangy refreshing flavor greatly combines the grilled tilapia. To make this a gluten-free dish, replace couscous with quinoa.
Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
As fancy as the name sounds, this side dish is not at all difficult to pull off, even when you have less time and limited ingredients in your pantry. Moreover, this Cauliflower rice dish does not add much to the caloric count. Fry/Boil the rice along with seasonings and pour over the thick cheesy sauce. However, if you like thin and runny sauce, adjust the consistency by adding more cream.
Roasted White Beans
White kidney beans take a lot of time to tender up, but, when roasted, they give the most exotic flavor in combination with tomatoes and herb sauce. Start preparing this dish way before you prepare the main course. In this way, the beans will absorb all the flavor and aroma. They have a high protein content and form a wholesome side. Garnish with fresh parsley and basil.
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Cajun Corn Sauté
Delicious and easy to make Cajun corn sauté is the next favorite recipe. A perfect combination of sweet corn, Cajun, and seasonings. Its unique and healthy flavors melt in the mouth and satisfy the cravings of everyone. If you’re holding a family get-together, it will be everyone’s favorite recipe. Top the corn with black pepper or seasonings and serve whenever you want.
Baked Side Dishes
Cheesy Zucchini Spaghetti
Since you are already getting your protein content from the tilapia, this entirely vegetarian dish ideally complements it. It is a low-calorie dish flavored with pesto sauce and hazelnut parmesan. Zucchini not only blends well with all the flavors but is a nutritious and cool vegetable. And the best part, even a beginner chef can pull it off. Not only as a side dish, but you can also fix it as a quick lunch box recipe for your kids.
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Baked Potato Crisps
Fish like tilapia, cod, or salmon are paired with a high-carb meal to make it a fulfilling main course. So when you say high carb, we hear potatoes. These baked potato chips are a healthy option because they are not deep-fried. Just season the potato slices with herbs and peppers, and roast them in an oven. These chips will be the first item to disappear from the table.
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Pesto Orecchiette
This dish is surely going to win the hearts of pasta lovers. The pesto sauce creates a zesty taste, and the orecchiette fulfills the appetite—toss orecchiette in pesto sauce and some sauteed spring onions. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake till a nice golden top. Add a pinch of spices and pair up with a less spicy tilapia fish recipe. This site can also become a main meal if you add chicken chunks or mince.
Recipe Video
Garlic Cheese Bread
This cheesy garlic bread is the best side option if you have baked, grilled, crusted, or fried tilapia on your table. The best thing, even a beginner can bake it. You just need to have garlic butter with parsley and a loaf of French bread to make it. Top with mozzarella cheese and shove in the oven for 5 minutes.
Recipe Video
Other Delicious Options
Grilled baby bok choy
Roasted red cabbage
27 Delicious Sides to Serve with Tilapia – Easy Pairings
Ingredients
Salads
- Crab Salad
- Roasted Beets With Goat Cheese Salad
- Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Tropical Mango Avocado Salad
- Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad
- Bell Peppers and Pine Nut Salad
- Fruit Salsa With Cinnamon
Vegetable Side Dishes
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Roasted Asparagus
- Grilled Veggies on the Skewers
- Stir Fry Vegetables
- Vegetable Fritters
- Air Fryer Carrot Chips
- Mashed Cauliflower
- Stir-Fried Nutty Broccoli
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Lemon Butter Green Beans
- Mint And Green Pea Soup
- Sweet Potato Fries
Rice and Grain Dishes
- Lemon-Herb Couscous
- Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
- Roasted White Beans
- Cajun Corn Sauté
Baked Side Dishes
- Cheesy Zucchini Spaghetti
- Baked Potato Crisps
- Pesto Orecchiette
- Garlic Cheese Bread
Instructions
- Select one of the best sides for Tilapia from the list and open it in new tab.
- Gather the ingredients. Always buy fresh ingredients
- Follow the instructions carefully.
- Once you are done making the side dish for Tilapia, don't forget to tag us on instagram, twitter, Pinterest.
