What to Serve with Red Snapper (11 Sides You’ll Love)

If you’re looking for a delicious seafood dish to serve at your next get-together, look no further than red snapper. This fish is both flavorful and healthy, but it can be a little tricky to pair with the right-side dishes.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of 11 of the best side dishes to serve with red snapper! Keep reading for recipes and cooking tips galore.

Side Dishes For Red Snapper

1. Roasted Garlic Cauliflower
2. Zucchini Fritters
3. Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
4. Sauteed Spinach with Garlic
5. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
6. Cilantro Lime Rice
7. Grilled Corn Salad
8. Grilled Asparagus
9. Grilled Corn Salad
10. Rice Pilaf
11. Green Beans with Almonds

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower

Roasted cauliflower is a great side dish for red snapper. The roasted cauliflower has a mild flavor that pairs well with the delicate flavor of the red snapper.

What’s more, this dish is healthy and low in calories. In addition, the roasted garlic provides a subtle sweetness that helps to round out the flavors of the dish.

Quick Recipe: Roasted Garlic Cauliflower

• Ingredients: Cauliflower florets, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  3. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and slightly browned.

Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini fritters are another excellent option for a side dish to red snapper. The fritters have a crispy exterior and a soft, pillowy interior that complements the flaky texture of the fish.

They’re also packed with flavor, thanks to the addition of Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. What’s more, they’re relatively easy to make.

Quick Recipe: Zucchini Fritters

• Ingredients: Zucchini, Parmesan cheese, eggs, flour, fresh herbs, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Grate zucchini and squeeze out excess moisture.
  2. Mix with Parmesan, eggs, flour, and herbs.
  3. Form into patties and pan-fry until golden brown.

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Another great side dish to red snapper is roasted cherry tomatoes. The sweetness of the tomatoes pairs well with the delicate flavor of the fish.

Quick Recipe: Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

• Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Roast for 20-25 minutes until soft and slightly browned.

Sauteed Spinach with Garlic

Sauteed spinach is a classic side dish that goes well with just about any main course. It’s also a great option to serve with red snapper.

The spinach is packed with nutrients and has a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the fish. While the garlic taste is subtle, it does help to round out the flavors of the dish.

Quick Recipe: Sauteed Spinach with Garlic

• Ingredients: Spinach, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet.
  2. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  3. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

As the name suggests this is a creamy and cheesy potato dish that is absolutely delicious. It’s also a great side to red snapper because it helps to balance out the flavors of the fish.

Scalloped Potatoes

• Ingredients: Potatoes, onion, cream, Gruyere cheese
• Cooking Time: 1 hour
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Layer sliced potatoes and onions in a baking dish.
  3. Pour cream over and top with Gruyere cheese.
  4. Bake for 1 hour or until bubbly and golden.

Cilantro Lime Rice

This dish is a great side to red snapper because it’s light and refreshing taste complements the savory taste of the red snapper.

The rice is cooked in chicken broth and then flavored with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and garlic. To make this dish, start by cooking the rice according to the package instructions.

Then, add the chicken broth, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic. Stir to combine and then taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Serve alongside red snapper for a complete meal.

Quick Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

• Ingredients: White rice, chicken broth, fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Cook white rice according to package instructions, substituting water with chicken broth for added flavor.
  2. While the rice is cooking, finely chop fresh cilantro and mince garlic.
  3. Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and transfer it to a large bowl.
  4. Add the chopped cilantro, minced garlic, and freshly squeezed lime juice to the rice.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Mix well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
  7. Serve warm alongside red snapper or your choice of main course.

Grilled Corn Salad

This salad is made with grilled corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, and a simple dressing of lime juice and olive oil. The ingredients in the grilled corn salad complement the taste of the red snapper very well.

In addition, the grilled corn salad is a healthy side dish that is low in calories and fat. You can grill your corn for this dish, or you can also cook it in the oven.

Quick Recipe: Grilled Corn Salad

• Ingredients: Fresh corn ears, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Grill corn ears until charred on all sides, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from grill and let cool.
  3. Once cooled, cut the corn kernels off the cob and place them in a large bowl.
  4. Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl.
  5. Dice avocado and red onion, and add them to the bowl as well.
  6. Finely chop cilantro and add it to the mixture.
  7. In a separate bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
  8. Pour the dressing over the corn and vegetable mixture.
  9. Toss everything together to combine well.
  10. Serve immediately or chill for later use.

Rice Pilaf

This makes for a hearty side dish that is packed with flavor. Rice pilaf is a great option to serve with red snapper because it keeps you fuller for longer.

The rice is cooked in chicken broth and then flavored with onion, garlic, and spices. This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to serve it.

Quick Recipe: Rice Pilaf

• Ingredients: Long-grain white rice, chicken broth, onion, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley for garnish
• Average Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent.
  3. Add rice to the skillet and stir to coat with the oil and onion mixture.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 18-20 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Green Beans with Almonds

This is a simple yet delicious side dish that goes well with just about any main course. The green beans are cooked until they’re tender and then they’re topped with toasted almonds.

The almonds give the green beans a nice crunch and they also provide a bit of healthy fat. To make this dish, start by cooking the green beans according to the package instructions.

Then, drain any excess water and add the green beans to a large skillet. Next, add the almonds and cook for a few minutes.

Green beans with almonds is a simple dish that can be made in minutes, yet it is packed with flavor and nutrition. Together, these ingredients make a dish that is not only nutritious but also tasty and satisfying.

Quick Recipe: Green Beans with Almonds

• Ingredients: Fresh green beans, almonds, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper
• Average Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Instructions:
  1. Trim the ends of the green beans and blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  3. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  4. Add the blanched green beans to the skillet and toss to coat with the garlic and oil.
  5. Toast almonds in a separate pan until golden brown, then add them to the skillet with the green beans.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Toss everything together to combine well, then serve.

A list of other side dish options

Vegetable side dishes

• Roasted Brussel sprouts
• Caesar salad
• Bean salad
• Green beans

Starchy side dishes

• Baked french fries
• Roasted red new potatoes
• Spaghetti Cacio e pepe
• Garlic bread

Miscellaneous combinations

• Asparagus cashew rice pilaf
• Citrus & fennel salad

FAQ

Do you eat the skin on red snapper?

You can eat the skin on red snapper, but it’s not necessary. The skin is edible and provides a crunchy texture, but it’s not required. If you don’t want to eat the skin, simply remove it before cooking.

How do you clean red snapper?

To clean red snapper, start by removing the scales. You can do this by scraping them off with a knife. Next, remove the guts and gills. Finally, rinse the fish off with cold water and it’s ready to be cooked.

How do you know when a red snapper is done?

Red snapper is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also check to see if the flesh is opaque and flaky.

What are some other good side dishes for red snapper?

Some other good side dishes for red snapper include rice, potatoes, vegetables, and salad. What you serve with your red snapper will depend on your personal preferences.

How do you fillet red snapper?

To fillet a red snapper, start by cutting off the head. Next, cut along the length of the fish to remove the backbone. Finally, cut each side of the fish into fillets.

Conclusion:

That’s it! 11 of the best side dishes to serve with red snapper. We hope you found this article helpful and that you’ll be able to impress your guests the next time you have them over for dinner. Thanks for reading!