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Here are 30+ of the best side dishes to serve with Cod! If you’re trying out my Parmesan Baked Cod Recipe and are in search of a good side dish to serve with it, you’ve come to the right place. When it comes to cooking up some delicious cod fillets, the choices for side dishes are as wide open as the sea itself.
Whether you’re a fan of crispy baked cod or love it grilled to perfection, finding the ideal companions to jazz up its flavors is all part of the fun. From fresh salads bursting with color to classic sides like mashed potatoes, there’s a whole world of options waiting to make your cod creation a standout on the dinner table. Let’s take a look at some fantastic pairings that’ll turn your cod dish into an unforgettable feast.
Cod fish, with its mild taste and flaky texture, is like a blank canvas in the kitchen. Whether you’re into tried-and-true classics or feeling adventurous for a fresh spin, cod plays along with any cooking style. Throw it in the oven with an herby crust, sizzle it up in a pan for a satisfying crunch, or let it soak up that smoky goodness on the grill. This fish is a champ at mingling with tangy citrus marinades, savory garlic butter, tartar sauce or even a zesty tomato sauce. Keep scrolling to find the perfect side dish to pair with your cod!
30+ Tasty Side Dishes for Cod
Cold Quinoa Salad: This tasty cold Quinoa Salad recipe is versatile and delicious! Add your favorite veggies and meat for the taste you’ll crave.
Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad: Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad has an amazing depth of flavor from all of the roasted veggies and great texture from the quinoa.
Hush Puppies: Deep-fried cornmeal dumplings, with a crispy golden brown exterior and a soft, savory interior. They’re a Southern American classic, seasoned with onion and spices, often served as a side dish with seafood or barbecue.
Roasted Root Vegetables: Roasted Root Vegetables are what I crave with the first hint of that crisp Autumn air. Move over salad…make room for earthy, hearty, caramelized deliciousness in the form of oven roasted root vegetables.
Oven Roasted Asparagus: Simple and quick this easy side dish is the perfect addition to your meal! Easily prepared while your main course is cooking.
Roasted Acorn Squash: Cinnamon and nutmeg make this sweet Roasted Acorn Squash more of a seasonal dish while smoked paprika gives this an unexpected (but delicious) smoky flavor!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts: This super easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe is a delicious vegetable side dish. A brown, crispy exterior with a tender middle. They are a perfect and simple accompaniment to your cod dinner.
Green Salad: The crisp and vibrant green salad, adorned with a medley of fresh veggies, offers a refreshing and nutritious accompaniment to any meal.
Roasted Cauliflower: This basic, Roasted Cauliflower recipe is a tasty, low-carb, simple side dish to throw together any day of the week. All you need is olive oil, salt, pepper and a little oven time to get the maximum caramelized, brown, super flavorful cauliflower.
Roasted Green Beans: Need a new way to enjoy green beans? Try Roasted Green Beans! Oven roasting is a quick and easy way to not only cook your vegetables but a great method for adding more flavor to any vegetable.
Cucumber Tomato: A classic and delicious salad, this Cucumber Tomato Salad (cucumber, tomato and red onion) is light, refreshing and so so easy to make! If you want another simple recipe that’s just as good try this Cucumber Salad!
Kale Salad: This Kale Salad is healthy and super easy to toss together! Use the fresh ingredients in your kitchen and you’ll make a delicious salad in no time!
Greek Salad: This Greek Salad recipe is a delicious stand alone meal or simple side dish. Topped with a homemade tangy greek dressing, feta cheese, baby tomatoes, olive and cucumbers for that delicious classic taste.
Italian Pasta Salad: This Italian Pasta Salad has it all! Tender pasta, salty pepperoni, cubed mozzarella, lots of diced veggies and a homemade olive oil and garlic dressing.
Kale Pomegranate Salad with Maple Bacon Dressing: The sweetness of pomegranate seeds perfectly balances the smoky richness of maple-infused bacon, creating a tantalizing harmony in every bite.
French Fries: Super easy, homemade, and absolutely delicious, these Air Fryer French Fries are going to be your new go-to side dish or snack. Potatoes are cut into fries, tossed in a little oil and spices (garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper) and then air fried to perfection.
Mashed Potatoes: This Mashed Potatoes Recipe is smooth, silky and buttery! Mashed potatoes are delicious on their own or are a perfect addition to any dinner. I also have a Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe that you can use if you’re looking for a hands off option!
Garlic Mashed Potatoes: What could make Mashed Potatoes even better? GARLIC! These Garlic Mashed Potatoes are to die for. This delicious recipe is so buttery, creamy, and so so garlicky.
Butter Rice: My Famous Butter Rice is my favorite way to cook rice! Add a few simple ingredients to make the most buttery, delicious rice you’ve ever had!
Coconut Milk Rice: Coconut Milk Rice is a creamy and fragrant side dish made by cooking rice in a mixture of coconut milk and water, adding a hint of coconut flavor that pairs wonderfully with cod.
Brown Rice: The nutty flavor of brown rice pairs beautifully with cod, adding a hearty texture and a subtle earthiness that enhances the mildness of the fish for a well-balanced and nutritious meal.
Lemon Rice: With its vibrant citrusy zing, it serves as a bright and flavorful companion to cod, infusing each bite with a refreshing tang that perfectly accents the fish’s delicate taste.
Cilantro Lime Rice: You really can’t go wrong with this delicious Cilantro Lime Rice recipe. It basically pairs perfectly with any protein main dish, Mexican or Asian food!
Vegetable Rice Pilaf: A fragrant medley of fluffy rice infused with colorful veggies and aromatic spices, promising a comforting and flavorful side dish for any meal.
Vegetable Risotto: A light and comforting meal that you can have ready in no time! Vegetable Risotto is perfect for those warmer spring evenings! You could easily serve this as a vegetarian meal or as a side.
Grilled Corn Salsa: The sweetness and smokiness from the grilled corn, along with the fresh, tangy elements like tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime, provide a vibrant and flavorful contrast to the mild taste and tender texture of cod and will have your taste buds doing a happy dance!
Coleslaw: This Classic Coleslaw is a fresh, made from scratch recipe that will make you never buy store bought coleslaw again! Cabbage, carrots and onion tossed with my homemade creamy coleslaw sauce, get ready to make the coleslaw of your dreams!
Orzo Salad: A light salad with carrot, celery baby spinach and orzo pasta. Delicious with any main dish.
Zucchini Fritters: Zucchini Fritters are perfect for a fast and easy snack, light lunch, dinner side or even a breakfast side. They are low in calories, low carb, unbelievably easy to make and a great way to sneak some veggies in.
Fried Green Tomatoes: These are a must have in the summer when tomatoes are in season and would be a perfect side dish, especially if you are grilling your cod. Dip in my homemade Remoulade Sauce.
Lemon-Herb Couscous: My warm Spanish inspired Couscous Salad with Shrimp would be a great side dish to complement your cod main dish.
I hope these side dish ideas are just what you needed to take your simple cod dish to the next level.
If you make these recipes, I would really appreciate it if you would give them a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
