9 Healthy Sides for Fish That You Can’t Miss
So, a lot of you have been asking me what healthy side dishes you can make to complement your fish.
Ok. That’s a bald-faced lie. No single person has asked me that.
But a lot of people *should* be asking me that, because, apart from how important your health is, fish is a really great source of protein. It’s low in calories and fat, and high in omega-three fatty acids, which are great for your heart health.
But I digress. The point is, healthy sides for fish are important! And there are a lot of delicious options out there. I know choosing can be overwhelming, so I’ll help you.
As a former professional chef, who worked in some of the best restaurants in the country, and cooked for very important people, I’ve learned a lot about choosing the healthiest sides for fish.
And hopefully, by the end of this article, you too will be a healthy-sides-for-fish expert.
Healthy Side Dishes for Fish
- Ratatouille With Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Herbs
- Carrot, Cabbage, and Kohlrabi Slaw With Miso Dressing
- Creamed Kale
- Green Bean Amandine
- Shaved Asparagus and Arugula Salad
- Scalloped Corn Casserole
- Couscous Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Tahini Roasted Cauliflower With Pepitas and Herbs
- Crispy Quinoa With Kale
Ratatouille With Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Herbs
Is this too much for a side dish? Absolutely not. This dish is healthy, flavorful, and filling. It’s also really easy to make. Ratatouille is a French dish that typically includes eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs.
I like to add a little bit of everything into my ratatouille. Why? Because it not only tastes great, but it also looks beautiful.
Here’s a free top secret: this dish is my deadliest weapon against impostor syndrome. It’s an easy way to show off without having to try too hard.
I’ll tell you another thing it helps me fight against. Diseases. That’s right.
The dish is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients are important for maintaining a healthy heart, reducing inflammation, and boosting your immune system.
The eggplant in this dish produces at least 5% of a person’s daily requirement of fiber, manganese, copper, thiamine, and B-6. It also contains other vitamins; it’s low in calories and has a high water content, which makes it perfect for weight loss.
Tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, which has been linked to immunity, vision, and skin health.
Zucchini is a good source of antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as low in fat, calories, and sugar.
Bell peppers are a great source of vitamins A, E, and B-6. They’re also a good source of folic acid, which is important for pregnant women.
Onions are 89% water. They’re high in fiber and protein, which aid the body’s repair and growth processes.
Garlic has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Herbs are a great source of flavor and can also be healthy. For example, basil is a good source of vitamins, calcium, and iron. They’re good for digestion, surprisingly help fight depression and promote healthy gut health.
This dish is easy to make, healthy, and delicious. What more could you ask for?
Carrot, Cabbage, and Kohlrabi Slaw With Miso Dressing
Any good cook knows the importance of a good slaw with cabbage – classy, bougie, rachet.
This is not your average coleslaw. This dish is healthy, flavorful, and filling. It’s also really easy to make.
The first thing you need for this dish is a good miso dressing. Miso is a fermented soybean paste that’s popular in Japanese cuisine. It’s packed with healthy probiotics, which are great for your gut health.
Miso is also a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It’s been shown to boost immunity, fight cancer, and promote healthy skin.
However, the miso may be doing too much with the salt, so if you’re on a low-sodium diet, you may want to use a different dressing.
The next thing you need for this dish is a good mix of vegetables. I like to use carrots, cabbage, and kohlrabi.
The first time I tried this dish, I felt as though I had just eaten something that should be in a museum for being so good and healthy. That’s how you know it’s a good dish.
The mix of sweet, sour, and savory flavors in this dish is unbeatable. The cabbage and kohlrabi add a nice crunch, while the carrots provide a sweetness that ties everything together.
This dish is perfect for any occasion – whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just looking for a healthy side dish to accompany your meal.
Creamed Kale
Sometimes, it pays to not go overboard or overwhelm your taste buds with too many flavors. Just keep it classy and simple with this creamed kale dish.
Kale is a superfood that’s packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K. It’s also high in potassium, manganese, and copper.
This dish is healthy, flavorful, and easy to make. All you need is some kale, cream, and seasoning. I like to use garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
You can also add other seasonings to taste. For example, you could add some red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat or some Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
This dish is perfect as a healthy side or even a light meal. It’s great for lunch or dinner. And it’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
Green Bean Amandine
I came across this dish for the first time at a Frech restaurant and just had to google it because I found it so intriguing. Turns out, it’s a pretty popular dish.
The main ingredients are green beans and almonds. The beans are blanched and then sauteed with butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and lemon juice. Then, the almonds are added in for a crunchy texture.
I also tried making it myself at home, and it was surprisingly easy. The hardest part was blanching the beans, but even that wasn’t too difficult.
This dish is healthy, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. It’s a great side dish for a dinner party or a healthy snack for when you’re on the go.
Shaved Asparagus and Arugula Salad
What will you serve when asparagus is in season, and you want to take advantage of its healthy goodness? This shaved asparagus and arugula salad, of course.
Asparagus is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K. It’s also high in fiber, folic acid, and manganese.
Arugula is a sophisticated leafy green packed with beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, and K. It’s also high in calcium, iron, and potassium.
Together, these two ingredients make for a healthy and flavorful salad.
Scalloped Corn Casserole
Yes. I added this for the not-so-enthusiastic-about-veggies eaters out there. You know who you are.
This dish is a healthy, but still tasty side. It’s also a great way to sneak some veggies into your diet. My mom used to make it back then when we were kids and hated vegetables. We thought we were eating something so yummy that it didn’t even matter what food class it belonged to.
The main ingredients are corn, cream and bread crumbs. That’s it. But somehow, it just works. You can also add in some cheese, green onions, and bacon bits if you’re an unrepentant meat-lover.
Couscous Stuffed Bell Peppers
Another cheat dish for the veggie haters. These couscous stuffed bell peppers carry a special place in my heart because they’re healthy, but still filling and satisfying.
The couscous is cooked with chicken broth, garlic, onion, and tomato. Then it’s stuffed into a bell pepper that’s been hollowed out. The whole thing is then baked in the oven until the pepper is tender.
This dish is healthy, but still has all the flavors that you love. It’s a great side dish for any meal.
Tahini Roasted Cauliflower With Pepitas and Herbs
I can’t afford to eat out all the time, so I have to get creative with my healthy home-cooked meals. This tahini-roasted cauliflower is one of my favorite healthy dishes.
Cauliflower is a healthy vegetable that’s high in fiber and vitamins C, K, and B. It’s also a good source of minerals like manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium.
The entire dish is healthy, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. It’s also a great side dish for a dinner party or a healthy snack for when you’re on the go. You’d be surprised how healthy and delicious cauliflower can be.
Crispy Quinoa With Kale
Finally, a healthy side dish that’s also crispy and delicious. I love this dish because it’s healthy, but still has all the flavors that you love.
The quinoa is cooked with chicken broth, garlic, onion, and tomato. Then it’s mixed with kale and baked in the oven until crispy. The whole thing is then topped with a healthy dressing of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sides are good for a diet?
Many healthy sides are good for a diet. You want to go for sides that skimp on the calories but go all out with the flavors. A great way to do this is by choosing healthy sides that are packed with veggies. Some of these include roasted vegetables, salads, and whole grain dishes.
What are some side dishes for fish?
Some healthy side dishes for fish include Dill Potatoes Grilled in a Packet, Creamy Southern Succotash, South Indian Lemon Rice, Oven French Fries, Baked Risotto, and so on.
Conclusion
That’s all. Finally, I’ve written you a detailed answer to a question which no doubt many of you have had, but haven’t had the chance to ask me. Don’t worry, I’m not psychic. I just know these things.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post as much as I enjoyed writing it. And I hope that you find these healthy side dish recipes helpful and delicious. Until next time, Bon appetite!