If you’re looking for dinner ideas, tilapia is a classic fish dish that goes well with almost any side. But what should you serve with it? In this article, I list 5 of the most popular pairings to go with your tilapia dinner.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best sides to serve with tilapia are steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, grilled zucchini squash, lemon garlic spinach, or mashed mini potatoes. Try making a mango salsa topping or spicy slaw salad. For an extra unique twist
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Steamed broccoli
Broccoli is one of those classic sides that can’t seem to go wrong – and when steamed, it offers a balanced nutty flavor and bright green hues that will make your plate look appetizing too. Add garlic butter onto the top of flaky steamed tilapia for even more flavor intensity.
This recipe for parmesan-garlic broccoli will show you how to turn steamed broccoli into something so delicious that everyone will be asking for seconds (or thirds!).
Roasted asparagus
Asparagus is one of those vegetables that are so versatile—it can be eaten cooked or raw and still tastes just as good either way! Roasting asparagus helps enhance its sweet taste and crunchy texture, making it perfect when served alongside tilapia dishes.
For an Italian-inspired treat, serve roasted asparagus on top of your fish dish with a splash of olive oil and Parmesan cheese to finish the plate. Get step-by-step instructions on how to make herb-roasted asparagus here!
Grilled zucchini squash
Grilled veggies are ideal companions for fluffy white fish like tilapia because they bring out the flavors without overwhelming them; they also offer plenty of nutrients along the way!
Zucchini squash has subtle sweetness, making it incredibly delicious when grilled and served next to lightly seasoned fish dishes – try marinating them in olive oil before grilling them off for extra flavor!
This simple 3 ingredient recipe for grilled zucchini squash only requires garlic powder, salt & pepper, and oil — all things you probably already have in your pantry or fridge! It’ll take less than 10 minutes from prep time to being ready for serving – now that’s efficiency!
Lemon Garlic Spinach
Recipes that call for fresh vegetables will always get bonus points in my book, but this one really takes the cake — spinach wilts quickly when cooked, which makes it ideal when paired with light proteins like Tilapia; plus adding some zesty lemon juice combined with crushed garlic takes this veggie side dish into another level entirely!
To get started, all you need are spinach leaves (washed!), lemon juice (freshly squeezed!), garlic cloves (crushed) & salt/pepper/oil to taste – simmer briefly together until spinach turns slightly wilted and bright green, then place onto warm plates alongside shredded Tilapia fillets – deliciousness awaits you!
Mashed Mimi Potatoes
Mashed potatoes may already be a mealtime favorite, but why not kick things up by trying out Mimi potatoes instead? These mini spuds boast more flavor than regular-sized potatoes – mash them up with some cream/butter/fresh herbs, then bake until golden brown and crispy around the edges – heaven on a plate!
Serve these super flavorful mashed mini potatoes next time you cook up Tilapia fillets alongside other sides like roasted tomatoes/zucchini – everyone at your dinner table will thankyou+come back begging for more later on down the road ;). Get step-by-step instructions on how to make these creamy mashed mini potatoes here.
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted root veggies, like potatoes and carrots, are an excellent accompaniment to any fish dish. They’re easy to prepare and don’t take too long to cook—usually around 40 minutes in a preheated oven at 375 ℉ (190℃). This makes them a great option if you need something effortless but still flavourful.
Toss the vegetables in olive oil and season them with salt, pepper, and herbs of your choice, such as rosemary or thyme. Then pop them into the oven and let them do their thing.
Seasonal Salads
Cucumber salads are always a favorite when serving chilled summer dishes—and they taste great with tilapia too!
Other summery salads, such as greek salad or tomato salad, also work nicely alongside mild white fish dishes like tilapia.
Quinoa Dishes
Quinoa is not only packed full of nutritional goodness, but it’s incredibly versatile too.
You can make exciting things using this ancient grain—from Mexican-inspired quinoa bowls to crispy curried patties—which pair deliciously well with grilled or baked fish fillets.
Vegetable Kabobs
Vegetable kabobs are always popular for healthy eating because they’re easy to prepare and fill! The vegetables will stay fresh on the kabob sticks while cooking on the grill—so all you have to do is brush them lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle on some freshly chopped herbs before popping them onto your BBQ rack or griddle pan.
The cooking process won’t take longer than 15 minutes, so they’re perfect if you’re in a hurry!
Hash Browns Or Roasted Potatoes
Hash browns or roasted potatoes make an excellent side dish for any seafood, especially tilapia, as they absorb all that wonderful flavor from the surrounding ingredients, which helps create an even tastier meal!
All you have to do is chop up potatoes into small cubes, then fry them until golden brown for classic American-style hash browns –or roast cinnamon-coated sweet or white potatoes for a more attractive option -both will bring out unique flavors from both the seafood and potatoes alike!