Many people wonder what to serve with baked fish. Here in Key West, we cook a lot of fish and know the sides that make a meal come together. The right side dish brings out the fresh flavors and textures of your baked fish and can turn a simple dinner into something memorable.
Fish is naturally gluten-free, so you don't lose any flavor when you skip the wheat. This collection brings together simple seafood dishes that work for celiacs or anyone avoiding gluten. From quick weeknight meals to Florida-style Key West dinners, you'll find something here for every appetite and every mood.
Jump to:
- Popular Fish of The Florida Keys
- Lemon Asparagus Rice
- Roasted Cauliflower with Asparagus and Carrots
- Mixed Garden Salad
- Roasted Little Red Potatoes
- Roast Purple Sweet Potatoes
- Chickpea Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Steamed Broccoli and Carrots
- Roasted Baby Gold Potatoes
- Sweet Coleslaw
- New York Deli Macaroni Salad
- Cheddar Mac and Cheese
- Sautéed Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
- Cajun Dirty Rice
- Steamed Brussels Sprouts
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Mango Pico de Gallo
- Authentic Spanish Rice with Peas
- Tostones with Pink Sauce (Tostones con Mayo Ketchup)
- Almond Flour Breadsticks
- Cauliflower Rice
- Sautéed Tomatoes with Shallots
- Peach Mango Salsa For Fish
- Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
- Caesar Salad (no croutons)
- Roasted Baby Eggplant Poppers
- Mexican Black Bean Salad With Chili Key Lime Vinaigrette
- Garlic Roasted Broccoli
- Whipped Sweet Potatoes
- Mango with Chili Lime Salt
- Steamed Purple Sweet Potatoes
- Sauces For Baked Fish
- Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
- Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
- Mayo Ketchup Sauce
- Cilantro Lime Crema
- What Goes with Baked Fish?
- Recommended Recipes
Popular Fish of The Florida Keys
There's nothing like fresh fish from South Florida. From snapper to mahi, swordfish, wahoo, and grouper to hogfish, pompano, and so many more, the Florida Keys is the place to fish!
Some of the best fish to eat in The Keys include the red snapper, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail snapper, and mahi mahi. They're known for their mild, sweet flavor and flaky texture. We like to bake, grill, broil, fry and sear them right on the stove.
Lemon Asparagus Rice
Here's an easy recipe for Lemon Asparagus Rice to serve alongside your fish. This side dish is simple, flavorful, and perfectly complements the rich taste of roasted fish.
Roasted Cauliflower with Asparagus and Carrots
This is a roasted vegetable medley seasoned with fresh garlic and oregano. It's the perfect nutrient-dense side for your fresh-caught fish.
Mixed Garden Salad
A mixed garden salad is a fresh side dish that works with any fish dinner. Made with crisp greens, fresh vegetables, and a simple lemon Dijon vinaigrette, it's an easy salad for everyday lunches and dinners.
Roasted Little Red Potatoes
Roasted tiny red potatoes are ideal for quick weeknight dinners. They have a sweet and creamy taste and they're in 20 minutes.
Roast Purple Sweet Potatoes
Roasted purple sweet potatoes are rich, slightly sweet, and full of antioxidants. Toss with a little butter and salt, then roast until tender and caramelized.
Chickpea Cucumber Tomato Salad
A Mediterranean mix of chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta is dressed with extra virgin olive oil. This makes a perfect cold salad to enjoy with fish dinners.
Steamed Broccoli and Carrots
Wholesome and hassle-free Steamed Broccoli and Carrots is a super healthy fat-free side dish that's quick to make. Get your veggies right with this easy recipe. Ten minutes from start to finish!
Roasted Baby Gold Potatoes
Instead of French fries, try our Oven Roasted Baby Gold Potatoes. Less fat and very tasty too!
Sweet Coleslaw
Sweet coleslaw pairs perfectly with baked fish. Its cool, crunchy texture balances the warm, flaky fish and adds a fresh, tasty bite to the meal.
New York Deli Macaroni Salad
New York Deli Macaroni Salad is a sweet pasta dish. It's made with elbow macaroni, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and some chopped vegetables.
Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Our easy cheddar mac and cheese recipe uses melty cheddar for the perfect weeknight dinner or anytime comfort food fix. Kids love it!
Sautéed Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Sautéed Garlic Parmesan Green Beans are a tasty side dish that goes well with fish. The green beans are cooked quickly in a skillet with garlic until they are tender-crisp. They're topped with grated parmesan cheese and lemon zest. This dish has a great mix of textures and flavors.
Cajun Dirty Rice
Enjoy a quick and easy take on Dirty Rice, blending seasoned rice with a mix of meats for a flavorful New Orleans-inspired dish.
Steamed Brussels Sprouts
For an easy vegetable side, try steamed Brussels sprouts. They're so easy to make, have a creamy texture, and go with about every kind of fish.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Velvety garlic mashed potatoes are the perfect side for roasted fish dinners, with the garlic infusing the dish with its rich flavor.
Mango Pico de Gallo
Mango pico de gallo is made with vine-ripened Florida mangos, key limes, juicy tomatoes, and fresh veggies. This is a great cold side dish for all your meals.
Authentic Spanish Rice with Peas
In 30 minutes, you can have a pot of piping hot authentic Spanish Rice which goes well with almost any entree. It is fluffy and the grains are separate. You are going to love it!
Tostones with Pink Sauce (Tostones con Mayo Ketchup)
Tostones are a tasty treat in many Caribbean cuisines. When you pair them with garlicky mayo ketchup sauce, they become an irresistible snack or side dish.
Almond Flour Breadsticks
Almond Flour Breadsticks are a great side for fish instead of bread. These easy grain-free breadsticks are made with Simple Mills Almond Flour Baking Mix. They take 22 minutes to make and go with everything! Yeast-free.
Cauliflower Rice
By taking a head of cauliflower and "ricing" it in a processor you get a delicious, low starch substitute for white rice. I have included instructions for steaming and roasting the cauliflower.
Sautéed Tomatoes with Shallots
Add a sweet burst of flavor to your baked fish dishes with sauteed tomatoes and shallots. Fresh tomatoes are quickly sautéed with shallots in a little olive oil and finished with fresh herbs and a little salt and pepper.
Peach Mango Salsa For Fish
This peach mango salsa mixes sweet ripe peaches with tangy juicy mangoes. It makes a refreshing side or topping for any fish dish.
Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
Baked sweet potato cubes are simple, quick, and go with almost any meal. Cutting them into even pieces helps them roast fast with crispy edges and a soft center.
Caesar Salad (no croutons)
A Caesar Salad is always an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious, low-carb meal. This version keeps things simple, featuring a rich anchovy dressing and crisp Romaine lettuce. Here's an easy recipe to make a classic salad.
Roasted Baby Eggplant Poppers
Roasted baby eggplant is a delicious addition to any dinner plate. The dish can also be served as an attractive appetizer. Simple to prepare and delicious to eat, I promise you won't be able to stop at one!
Mexican Black Bean Salad With Chili Key Lime Vinaigrette
This Mexican Black Bean Salad is full of colorful ingredients. It has sweet bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapenos. All these ingredients are tossed in a zesty Chili Key Lime Vinaigrette. The tangy dressing gives a refreshing kick. This salad is a great side dish or a light meal.
Garlic Roasted Broccoli
How often do we consider vegetables a treat? Roasting broccoli with garlic is a delicious, low calorie healthy dish that's packed with nutrients. It's perfect on its own or as a side to your favorite fish and meat dishes.
Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Whipped Sweet Potatoes is a velvety and luscious side dish made with baked sweet potatoes for maximum flavor. It's seasoned with butter, pumpkin pie spice, real maple syrup, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Mango with Chili Lime Salt
This mango dish is Mexican street food. Vine-ripened mango is paired with chili powder and lime juice for the ultimate sweet and savory side dish or dessert.
Steamed Purple Sweet Potatoes
Steamed purple sweet potatoes are easy to make, healthy, and pretty. When sliced and steamed, they become soft and moist. They have a clean, sweet taste without any fat. These potatoes are full of antioxidants and fiber, making them a great side dish.
Sauces For Baked Fish
The right sauce can completely change a baked fish dinner. These easy homemade sauces add flavor without much extra work.
Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
Honey mustard sauce adds a sweet and tangy flavor that works surprisingly well with baked fish and crispy seafood recipes. Serve it on the side for dipping or drizzle over fish sandwiches and wraps.
Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
This lemon garlic butter sauce is rich, simple, and perfect for baked fish, shrimp, lobster, and crab. Made with butter, garlic, and fresh lemon juice, it adds fresh flavor to almost any seafood dinner.
Mayo Ketchup Sauce
Mayo ketchup sauce is a smooth and creamy dipping sauce that pairs well with baked fish, fries, and roasted vegetables. It comes together in minutes with simple ingredients.
Cilantro Lime Crema
This creamy cilantro lime crema adds fresh flavor to baked fish with lime juice, garlic, and herbs. Drizzle it over fish tacos, rice bowls, or simple seafood dinners.
What Goes with Baked Fish?
Here in Key West we cook a lot of fish!
Selecting the right side dish can enhance the fresh flavors and textures of your fish, making all the difference in your next fish roast.
Enjoy our easy side dishes for baked fish. We have many recipes featuring fresh fish from Florida, Key West Pink Shrimp, and local produce from nearby farms.
If you're visiting Key West, stop by the Keys Fresh Fish Market. The market is on the waterfront on Front Street in Stock Island, next door to Hogfish Bar & Grill, and the fish is super-fresh!
