The best tilapia fish is found in the Pacific Northwest parts of the United States. Not only this, but all the food there is exotic, and so is nature, the greenery, and the sea. So if you are here on vacation, go fishing and catch some freshwater Tilapia for your vacation dinner.
But what to cook alongside Tilapia? Something compelling, something which blends well with fish’s flavor, something which makes the meal a hearty one! So, without further ado, here are the most amazing side dishes that go well with tilapia. So be it your regular home dinner or the side dish for a potluck party, show your culinary skills by cooking these awesome recipes.
1. Roasted Beets With Goat Cheese Salad
What is unique about this recipe?
Roasted beets with goat cheese is a delicious and healthy salad that combines the earthy sweetness of beets with tangy goat cheese. Beets are the star ingredient of this dish, which are a root vegetable are loaded with essential nutrients like fiber, folate, vitamin C, and potassium.
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. Additionally, the combination of beets and goat cheese in this dish provides a variety of textures and flavors that make for a truly satisfying meal.
2. Cheesy Zucchini Spaghetti
What is unique about this recipe?
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-level chef can pull it off. Just cook zucchini with the flavoring agents and pesto and add to boiled spaghetti—simple, easy, and fun recipe. 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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3. Mint And Green Pea Soup
What is unique about this recipe?
Freshwater fish, especially tilapia, is known for its healthy fat content. It is recommended in moderate amounts for post-operative patients. The Minty Green Pea Soup not only makes a complete meal but also is fulfilling and detoxifying. The soup is flavored with mild herbs and sauteed shallots. Garlic not only acts as a taste enhancer but also builds aroma. You can also get creative and add as many green leafy ingredients as possible.
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Related: 25 Best Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
4. Roasted Brussel Sprouts
What is unique about this recipe?
Who says diet-conscious people cannot enjoy family dinners? With these crispy roasted Brussel sprouts and accompanying dip, all these people can get their taste buds tantalized and their appetite boosting for the main course. These sprouts not only make a delicious side with tilapia but also with baked chicken or chicken wings recipes. Egg, flour, and panko breadcrumbs make these crispy, and parmesan adds to the overall flavor.
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5. Coconut Milk Spinach
What is unique about this recipe?
Contrary to popular belief, spinach cooks best when cooked for a short period. It also retains its nutrients and color. While many spinach recipes use heavy cream, you can alternate this ingredient with coconut milk to reduce the calorie count. It is flavored with ginger, garlic, and fresh herbs. Cayenne pepper also helps develop the flavor. The final texture is a creamy, rich green dish that adds color and flavor to the menu. This spinach recipe is super rich in calcium and is best for people dealing with osteoporosis.
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6. Mashed Cauliflower
What is unique about this recipe?
When we can incorporate cauliflower instead of potatoes in a gratin, why not make mashed Cauliflower? It is a low-calorie recipe with the same preparation, great taste, and creamy texture. Flavor it up using some garlic, chopped chives, fresh parsley, and some rosemary. This dish is best for growing children and expectant mothers. Serve it with grilled filet fish, baked chicken, or even Chicken steak.
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Related: What to Serve With Cabbage? 20 Sides For Dinner
7. Bell Peppers and Pine Nut Salad
What is unique about this recipe?
Red, Yellow, Green, Orange Bell Peppers! They sure give a cheerful appeal and flavor to anything they are added to. So grab these in all available hues and start making 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, mozzarella cheese, and garnishing. With a dash of vinegar and olive oil, this flavorful salad is ready to go to your dinner table.
8. Fruit Salsa With Cinnamon
What is unique about this recipe?
Independence day celebrations without a serving of fruit! No way. This recipe doesn’t require much. Just 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 crunchiness and taste of the overall side dish.
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9. Aromatic Floral Rice
What is unique about this recipe?
When we say, Aromatic Floral Rice, we don’t mean you run to your grocery store and look for some floral essences. You only need special Jasmine-scented rice between the long grain and basmati. And the preparation is simple, just boiling it up like regular rice. But of course, be creative and stir-fry some shallots. Make a scrambled egg. Toss them with the rice and serve with an amazing tilapia recipe.
10. Nutty Broccoli
What is unique about this recipe?
Get rid of that boring old steamed broccoli recipe and try this new stir-fry method. This recipe also allows customization. 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 garlic rice. Not only cashew, but also try this with roasted almonds, peanuts, or pecans.
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11. Baked Potato Crisps
What is unique about this recipe?
Fish like tilapia, cod, or salmon is paired with a high-carb meal with them 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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12. Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
What is unique about this recipe?
As fancy as the name sounds, this side dish is not at all difficult to pull off, even when you have less time and fewer supplies in your pantry. Moreover, this Cauliflower rice dish does not add much to the caloric count. Fry 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.
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13. Roasted Asparagus
What is unique about this recipe?
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 any healthy oil, seasonings, and herbs, and roast them in the oven. It works well when you are invited to the 4th of July celebration and have nothing else on your mind. And we assure you, they will disappear in no time!
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Related: 25 Best Chicken and Asparagus Recipes
14. Grilled Veggies on the Skewers
What is unique about this recipe?
Serve all the goodness of the vegetables in one creative and delicious side dish. You can fix any veggies you like, including zucchini, eggplant, capsicums, onions, tomatoes, and whatnot. Cut them into slices 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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15. Stir Fry Vegetables
What is unique about this recipe?
If you have a main rice and fish meal, try serving this stir fry vegetable dish as a side. If the menu has so many dry items, add some tomato paste during cooking to make a little bit of gravy. Stir fry vegetables are an easy-to-cook meal and highly nutritious. The veggie combo is customizable according to family preferences. Mushrooms and corn can be added to boost the flavor and aroma. It is also one tasty dish to feed your child his vegetable portion without much mess.
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16. Pesto Orecchiette
What is unique about this recipe?
This dish is surely going to win the hearts of pasta lovers. The pesto sauce creates a zesty taste, and 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. Pesto is on a bit of the spicy side. Add fewer 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.
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17. Garlic Cheese Bread
What is unique about this recipe?
Who says garlic bread is only a side for pizza? This bread is the best side option if you have anything on your main course that is baked, crusted, or fried. The best thing, even a beginner can ace this. 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. You can eat it as it is or dip it with the main course and double its flavor.
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18. Balsamic Baby Carrots
What is unique about this recipe?
Baby carrots are somewhat bland in flavor, but you can always use a variety of dried herbs and spices. The balsamic flavor is a natural taste enhancer and adds a zest to the veggies and salads. Sea salt, fresh ground black pepper and thyme, basil, oregano, and garlic powder make perfect seasonings. Roast these baby carrots and serve them with a delicious crusted parmesan tilapia fish.
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19. Roasted White Beans
What is unique about this recipe?
White kidney beans take a lot of time to tender up, but 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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20. Vegetable Fritters
What is unique about this recipe?
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 delicious greek yogurt dip, or they also go well with tartar sauce.
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21. Cilantro Lime Rice
What’s Special?
Cilantro lime rice is nothing bland and plain to cook. It is full of flavored green rice recipe that is very easy to make. This recipe can take your simple rice to another level, with oil-free and low-fat. The sprinkled stems at the very end are firm and impart more flavor. 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. It is effortless and quick to make a recipe that you will love whenever you cook it.
22. Italian Vegetable Ragu
What is unique about this recipe?
When you think of nothing else to cook, give this Italian Vegetable Ragu a try. The reason? It is delicious, tasty, and totally easy to make. This is an experimental side dish in which you can throw a lot of vegetables, such as zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, turnip, etc. Flavor it up with garlic, some fresh herbs, and ground black pepper. This side item goes so well with any freshwater fish as a side for rice-based lunch menus and breakfast.
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22 Best Side Dishes for Tilapia – Easy And Healthy
Ingredients
- Roasted Beets With Goat Cheese Salad
- Zucchini Spaghetti
- Tilapia
- Bell Peppers and Pine Nut Salad
- Mint And Green Pea Soup
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Coconut Milk Spinach
- Mashed Cauliflower
- Fruit Salsa With Cinnamon
- Floral Rice
- Nutty Broccoli
- Baked Potato Crisps
- Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
- Roasted Asparagus
- Grilled Veggies on the Skewers
- Stir Fry Vegetables
- Pesto Orecchiette
- Garlic Cheese Bread
- Balsamic Baby Carrots
- Roasted White Beans
- Vegetable Fritters
- Italian Vegetable Ragu
How to Make?
- 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.
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Nutrition
Conclusion
Freshwater fish like tilapia have a mild flavor in general. If you are cooking tilapia, pair it up with something amazing recipe having a strong flavor to balance things. You can serve the fish as it is, but a high-carb side dish for tilapia or one with veggies will make it a complete and healthy meal.
Choose the veggies which are in season, and you will pull off a great side dish. Most of the recipes we recommend are prepared with easily available summer veggies. Herbs and spices also do a lot to the otherwise simple menu.
So, which side dish for tilapia is your family’s favorite? Drop your views in the comment box.
