Cod is a fantastic fish to eat because it tastes amazing and it’s relatively healthy. It’s mild in flavor, so it’s incredibly versatile, meaning you can pair it with lots of different side dishes!
Sometimes, the best options for side dishes when it comes to cod are the classics and that’s exactly what we are going to be talking about today! We’ve put together a list of 15 of the best side dishes for cod.
All of these options are considered to be classic side dishes for this popular fish, and you’re sure to love each and every one!
1. Mac And Cheese
If you have never tried mac and cheese with cod before, then this is your sign to try it right now! Everything tastes better when you put mac and cheese on the plate, and cod is no exception.
It’s creamy, gooey, and super easy to make! Even if you’ve never made mac and cheese before you will have no problems making this recipe for yourself!
2. Coleslaw
Here’s another classic that pairs perfectly with cod. Coleslaw is both creamy and crunchy and compliments the mild flavor of the cod perfectly.
The beauty of coleslaw is that it’s so easy to make and you don’t have to worry about spending all day in the kitchen because it’s a super quick recipe that is incredibly effective when it’s paired with cod fish.
3. Ratatouille
If you’ve never tried ratatouille before then you might think that it’s a really fancy dish that is quite complicated to make.
However, this isn’t the case at all! It definitely tastes fancy, but once you have a go at making this recipe for yourself, you will be surprised by how easy it actually is!
Ratatouille is basically a vegetable stew, and it is comprised of many veggies such as eggplant, tomato, onions, zucchini, and garlic. On top of tasting incredible, this is actually quite a healthy side dish to make, so you can enjoy it completely guilt-free!
4. Risotto
Parmesan risotto is an incredibly creamy and simple dish, but it’s one of those simple dishes that are incredibly effective!
Because cod is so mild in flavor, this risotto will complement it extremely well. While risotto might seem like a really complicated dish to make, you will soon find out that it’s super easy!
This is one of those side dishes that you will find yourself making again and again, whether you are eating cod or not!
5. Cornbread
Cornbread is one of the most popular side dishes, especially in Southern cooking. It’s moist, dense, and incredibly delicious. All you need to do to enhance its flavor is pour some butter on top.
It may seem a bit odd to pair it with cod, but once you try this combination for yourself, you will definitely want it again.
The flavors and textures of both dishes just complement each other so well and you will get absolutely lost in your food.
Cornbread is so easy to make as well! You only need a handful of ingredients and you can have a warm, fresh batch ready in about 40 minutes.
6. Cheese Grits
If you’re not in the mood for cornbread but you want something similar, you should definitely give cheese grits a try! Like cornbread, it is made of corn and it’s one of those side dishes that are incredibly moreish.
Cheese grits are incredibly cheesy and creamy and when you pair it with cod it just tastes even better! This is a great recipe to make if you want something tasty and cheesy that doesn’t require too much effort to make.
7. Fried Okra
Okra isn’t for everyone, but when you give this fried okra a try, you’ll definitely have a different opinion of it! Because it’s fried, it’s going to be crunchy and filled with flavor, which pairs incredibly well with cod fish.
You’ll actually be frying this okra in an air fryer, which makes it way more healthy! Fried okra is a perfect side dish to make if you’re in the mood for something fun and a little different.
8. Asparagus
If you just want something simple and effective to pair with your cod, then you should definitely give asparagus a try! It’s mild, refreshing, and deliciously crunchy, which works really nicely with the fish.
It’s super easy to prepare as well because you can have it in so many different ways. We recommended roasting it, but if you aren’t in the mood for that, you can just put it in a salad.
However you decide to do it, it’s going to taste absolutely amazing.
9. Buttered Peas & Carrots
Practically all vegetable pair well with cod, and peas & carrots are definitely some of the most popular! This recipe is a bit more fun than it usually would be though because you will blending the peas and carrots with delicious, creamy butter!
The butter really adds a whole new depth of flavor to this dish and it pairs so well with the cod, you will definitely find yourself making it again and again.
10. French Fries
When it comes to cod, the most popular and most classic side dish is definitely French fries, so we couldn’t make this list without including a recipe for them!
They are crispy, chunky, and filled with delicious potatoes. When you pair them with cod you have a fantastic combination of tastes and textures that are too good to put down.
Making your own French fries is easier than you might think as well, so you should definitely give this a try when you have the chance!
11. Lemon Rice
Cod by itself isn’t usually that filling, but that’s why it pairs so well with different rice dishes! Lemon rice is especially good because it gives the whole dish a zesty tang that is a little sweet, but still savory.
Rice by itself can also be quite bland, which is why lemon rice is such a good alternative. This side dish is incredibly tasty, simple to make, and nice and filling!
12. Hush Puppies
If you’ve never had Hush Puppies before all you need to know is that they are basically deep-fried cornmeal batter, and they taste absolutely amazing.
This is such a simple dish that is incredibly easy to make and super effective when paired with cod. If this is your first time eating Hush Puppies, you will definitely find yourself making them again and again!
13. Zucchini Fritters
This is a great recipe to try if you are making a cod dinner and you have a lot of zucchini you need to use up! This is such a healthy and delicious side dish that you will absolutely love.
Zucchini fritters are super easy to make, and you only really need zucchini shreds, flour, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper to get this recipe going! On top of being really easy to make, they will also be ready to eat in 25 minutes!
14. Grilled Corn On The Cob
Simple but effective, you can’t really go wrong with corn on the cob! This classic recipe is fantastic when it’s paired with cod because it’s crunchy, buttery, and compliments the fish so well!
Because this recipe will have you grilling the corn on the cob, it’s actually a bit smokey, which just adds to the flavor even more. This is such a simple recipe to make and you will absolutely love the end result.
15. Roasted Potato Wedges
If you love French Fries but you want something with a bit more substance, you will absolutely love these roasted potato wedges! They are super thick and fluffy and crispy on the outside.
This dish pairs incredibly well with cod and will leave you feeling warm and cozy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The beauty of cod fish is that it’s incredibly versatile, so it can be paired with lots of different things. It’s very mild in flavor, so you can pair it with other foods that are a bit stronger and it will still taste nice.
Some of the most popular things people pair with cod include potatoes, carrots, vegetables of all kinds, and couscous.
Salmon is more nutritious than cod, but its fillets have more fats and calories. Salmon is healthier than cod because it is filled with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, potassium, and many other vitamins and nutrients.
Cod on the other hand is leaner than salmon, and it is far less calorie dense.
It is recommended that you only eat cod once or twice a week. You can eat other fish as well as cod during the week too.
Conclusion
There are so many different side dishes you can pair with cod. There is something for everyone on this list and you will love each and every one!
Try some of these recipes for yourself and see which one you love the most!
Cooking is great for your mental, physical, and emotional health. What’s the worst that could happen? Find a recipe that you like the sound of and cook it along with me. You might even unlock a new passion!
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