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Wondering what to serve with fish tacos? I've got you covered! I've compiled a list of more than 30 of the best options that pair perfectly with this Mexican dish. From toppings and sauces to soups and even dessert, I've got plenty of ideas for you!
Jump to:
- Tortillas and Alternatives
- Salsas
- Other Sauces
- Toppings
- Slaws
- Beans
- Finger Foods
- Rice, Soup and More
- Sweets
- Comments
Tacos are without a doubt one of my favorite foods and Taco Tuesday is a weekly event in our house.
With a variety of flavors such as shrimp, pork carnitas, chicken, beef and fish, they make for an ever exciting dinner that is easy enough to whip together on a weeknight.
But, often, what to serve alongside it ends up an afterthought.
Then I'm scrambling trying to come up with some sides to turn it into a wholesome, filling meal. And for some reason, I find coming up with sides for fish tacos the most puzzling.
Which is where this list comes in.
The next time you find yourself scratching your head and wondering what would pair well with your fish tacos (or any tacos, really), this post is here to give you plenty of tasty inspiration!
Tortillas and Alternatives
First, let's briefly go over your options for what to serve you fish tacos on. Obviously, corn tortillas are the natural choice, but if you're looking for some other options, you could also try:
- Oat Tortillas
- Flour Tortillas
- Lettuce Wraps- For best fill-ability (is that a word?), I recommend butter lettuce, like in these Asian lettuce wraps.
Salsas
A good salsa is the perfect topping on your fish taco (and sometimes, all you really need!). Try your fish tacos with:
- Tomato Salsa- This classic salsa is a great option. Use your favorite or try this easy blender recipe.
- Corn and Black Bean Salsa- This fresh recipe is a colorful way to top off your tacos.
- Pico de Gallo- This uncooked, chunky salsa adds is an excellent way to complement the fish in your taco.
- Salsa Verde- Made with tomatillos, this green sauce provides a tangy contrast to your taco.
- Pineapple Salsa- This sweet and savory mixture is a delicious option too.
Other Sauces
Take your seafood dish to the next level by drizzling your tacos with one of these tasty sauces, either instead of or in addition to your salsa!
- Fish Taco Sauce- This spicy Greek yogurt based sauce is one of the easiest ways to take your tacos up a notch.
- Santa Fe Ranch- This zesty Greek yogurt based dip is a great accompaniment to taco flavors.
- Queso- Spicy and creamy, my recipe is ready in 5 minutes and is made with cashews instead of cheese. Feel free to use regular queso though, instead, if you'd like.
- Guacamole- Creamy and fresh, this avocado dip is an excellent topping for fish tacos.
- Chimichurri- This parsley garlic sauce adds fabulous fresh flavor to fish tacos (as it does to Chimichurri shrimp bowls).
- Hummus- Hummus? Stay with me! Similar to the texture of refried beans, hummus is creamy and garlicky, making it a delicious topping for fish tacos, especially if you're in a pinch.
- Avocado Lime Crema- This creamy, fresh sauce features avocado, cilantro and lime plus Greek yogurt for an extra creamy and fresh topping.
Toppings
As for toppings, I like to include a lot of fresh, crunchy elements with fish tacos to compliment the light taste of the fish. Here are some great options:
- Chopped Cilantro
- Diced Onions (Red or White)
- Pickled Onions
- Sliced Jalapenos
- Fajita Vegetables
- Sliced Avocado
- Chopped Lettuce
- Sliced Radishes
- Diced Tomatoes
- Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
- Cheese (such as crumbled cotija)
Slaws
Slaws are another fantastic topping for tacos that also doubles well as a side dish. Try one of these delicious versions with your fish tacos.
- Chimichurri Slaw
- Lemon Tahini Slaw (or try making the dressing with lime)
- Cilantro Lime Slaw
Beans
A filling side, beans are a wonderful option to serve with your fish tacos. Refried beans are a common classic side but ordinary beans work as well- try adding some Taco Seasoning to them for flavor.
- Black Beans
- Refried Beans
- White Beans
Finger Foods
Tasty finger foods make a great side dish to fish tacos for a no-utensils-needed kind of meal.
French Fries or Potato Wedges- These baked fries are crispy, perfectly seasoned and are one of the best sides to serve with almost anything, seafood tacos included!
Sweet Potato Fries- Use sweet potatoes in place of regular potatoes in my baked fries recipe for the perfect side dish to your tacos.
Baked Sweet Plantains- This easy side dish is crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside and the ideal combination of salty and sweet.
Grilled Elotes- This popular Mexican street food makes a for a delicious accompaniment.
Fresh Vegetables (Aka: Crudite)- For the ultimate healthy side dish, this is my go-to when I need something simple and easy. Sliced carrots, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers or whatever other fresh veggies you enjoy best is a great way to make it a complete meal.
Rice, Soup and More
Mexican Rice (Arroz Mexicano)- A staple dish in Mexican cuisine, this rice gets it's red color from being cooked with tomato sauce.
Chimichurri Rice- This fresh, green rice is an easy and delicious side to fish tacos.
Gallo Pinto- This Costa Rican dish of rice and beans is a hearty side to serve with your tacos.
Tortilla Soup (Sopa De Tortilla)- This tomato and pasilla pepper based broth soup makes an excellent warm side to serve with fish tacos.
Santa Fe Salad- If you're looking to serve your tacos with an extra side of greens, the Tex-Mex inspired flavors in this salad complement the flavors nicely.
Sweets
And last but certainly not least, if you're looking for a sweet side to serve with your tacos or as dessert, you can't go wrong with any of these.
Fresh Fruit- I like to serve my tacos with some tropical fruit such as sliced pineapple, fresh mango or guava.
Baked Churros- This baked version of the classic deep-fried dessert is a delicious option for serving after your fish tacos.
Tres Leches Cake- This creamy, sponge cake is a classic Mexican postre (dessert) that would be a great way to finish off your meal.
Hopefully you have found plenty of inspiration for what to serve with fish tacos in this post! If you're looking for a fish taco recipe, you have to try this baked version!
