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Home » Side Dishes

What to Serve with Fried Catfish

Published: Mar 7, 2022 · Last Modified: Nov 10, 2022 by Anecia

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If you're stumped on what to serve with Fried Catfish or any fried fish, look no more! Here's a collection of easy side dishes to serve with your favorite Southern fried catfish recipe!

Most often, you'll find fried catfish fillets served with the most popular side dishes - a little fresh lemon, tartar sauce and french fries, onion rings or hush puppies.

And don't forget the Louisiana hot sauce, cornbread and fried green tomatoes!

Collage of side dishes.

You can find most of the ingredients for these easy catfish side dishes at your local grocery store.

You'll love these catfish side dishes!

Fried catfish is a staple Southern comfort food that is served year-round! 

  • In the South, side dishes are just about as important to the family meal as the main entree! These recipes are tried-and-true, proven, easy and delicious!
  • Most of these can be made in advance and reheated in the microwave or on the stove top
  • No fancy ingredients - just simple, staple items you find at your neighborhood grocery store

Jump to:
  • You'll love these catfish side dishes!
  • Coleslaw
  • Greens, Beans, Tomatoes
  • Speckled Butter Beans
  • Corn
  • Squash
  • Creamy Side Dishes
  • Salads that go with catfish
  • Louisiana favorite side dishes for fried catfish
  • Sauces
  • More Southern recipes

Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a perfect side dish for fried catfish and definitely one of the most popular! Shredded cabbage and carrots in a seasoned dressing - pairs beautifully with fried food.

Coleslaw is a southern staple side dish with flaky catfish and here are two options: one with No Mayonnaise and the other, a creamy Cajun coleslaw

No Mayo Coleslaw

The No Mayonnaise Coleslaw is easy to make and has a nice apple cider vinegar flavor which holds up great in the summer heat and at outdoor picnics and gatherings!

Check out this recipe
Coleslaw in wooden bowl.

Creamy Creole Coleslaw

The second coleslaw recipe is a spin off of the traditional creamy coleslaw with a little kick of Creole heat! Make this as mild or spicy as you like! This goes great with spicy fried catfish!

Check out this recipe
Creamy Creole Coleslaw on white plate with a side of chicken wings

Greens, Beans, Tomatoes

A heaping side dish of vegetables is exactly what balances (and justifies the fried aspect) your catfish dinner. You can never go wrong with fresh seasoned collard greens or summer squash!

Southern Collard Greens

Southern Collard Greens complement the flaky and crispy exterior of the fried fish and don't they take all day to make! This is a healthy side dish that folks just love with their crispy fish!

Check out this recipe
Seasoned greens in a white bowl.

Maple Baked Beans

Baked Beans are always a good idea to serve with catfish. Here, you can "dress up" canned beans with a few seasonings, some barbecue sauce and a hint of maple syrup! Enjoy this simple dish with your homemade catfish fillets!

Check out this recipe
Beans in a baking dish.

Smothered Okra and Tomatoes

Smothered okra and tomatoes are a classic side dish in the South and this quick and easy (and healthy) recipe goes well with fish or just about anything!

Check out this recipe
Smothered okra and tomatoes in aluminum skillet.

Speckled Butter Beans

Southern speckled butter beans with bacon - always a good and healthy side dish with fried catfish!

Check out this recipe

Corn

Sweet corn kernels are a perfect side dish anytime of the year, but particularly in the summer when corn is fresh. 

Cream Style Corn

Use fresh, frozen or canned corn and turn it into homemade cream style corn. Sweet and delicious, this is a nice addition!

Check out this recipe
Creamed corn in cast iron skillet.

Pan Roasted Corn

Grab your cast iron skillet and take fresh, frozen or canned corn to the next level!

Check out this recipe
Pan Roasted Corn on the Cob

Sweet Chipotle Corn

Sweet Chipotle Corn casserole is a semi-spicy sidekick with a little Mexican flair that goes great with catfish!

Check out this recipe
Corn Casserole in black dish garnished with green onion and crumbling cheese

Squash

Summer squash, yellow neck or zucchini squash pairs well and is a quick and easy side dish!

Sauteed Yellow Squash and Onions

Sauteed yellow squash is a quick, easy and healthy option to serve with fish!

Check out this recipe
Sauteed yellow squash and onions in white bowl.

Fried Yellow Squash

If you don't mind having a fried side dish with your fried catfish, yellow squash is an excellent choice!

Check out this recipe
Fried yellow squash in bowl.

Creamy Side Dishes

Some folks gotta have those creamy side dishes and these won't let you down! They pair beautifully with crispy fried catfish!

Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is another classic comfort food and it goes great with just about anything!

Check out this recipe
Macaroni and cheese in white bowl

Mashed Potatoes and White Cream Gravy

Mashed potatoes and cream gravy are just "one of those classic side dishes" that goes with everything! Comfort food, definitely!

Check out this recipe
Cream gravy being spooned over chicken fried steak

Potato Patties

A great way to repurpose leftover mashed potatoes and a great side dish for fried catfish.

Check out this recipe
Fried potato cake patties on decorative plate.

Salads that go with catfish

If you're looking for lighter side dishes for catfish, these will be at the top of your list! 

Marinated Cucumber Salad

Easy and refreshing catfish side dish that requires no cooking! Great for a healthy summer option!

Check out this recipe
White bowl of marinated vegetable salad.

Southern Potato Salad

Just about every diner I know that serves fried catfish offers a heaping side of Southern Potato Salad! It's also a Southern staple side dish!

Check out this recipe
Southern potato salad in decorative blue bowl.

Broccoli Crunch

A summer favorite that makes a well-balanced meal with fish.

Check out this recipe
Broccoli Crunch Salad in purple bowl on red wooden table

Louisiana favorite side dishes for fried catfish

A cup of gumbo - seafood or chicken gumbo - is always a welcome side dish in Louisiana! If you can't get to New Orleans fast enough, whip up some of these sides!

Louisiana Gumbo

A classic combination in Louisiana, you'll find this at just about every Cajun or Creole restaurant! 

Check out this recipe
White bowl of gumbo with rice, green onions and seafood

Red Beans and Rice

You can never go wrong with serving red beans and rice at a fish fry!

Check out this recipe
Close up of a bowl of red beans and rice garnished with green onion.

Hoppin' John

A flavorful combination of black eyed peas and rice with onion, bell pepper and bacon! 

Check out this recipe
Hoppin john in black bowl with slice of cornbread.

Purple Hull Peas

A big bowl of purple hull peas and a slice of onion and fresh tomato! That's my favorite side dish with fried catfish!

Check out this recipe
Purple hull peas in white bowl.

Sauces

Classic Tartar Sauce

Tangy mayonnaise-based tartar sauce with a hint of sweetness and lemon! The quintessential sauce for all fried catfish!

Fried catfish and tartar sauce

Remoulade Sauce

Add a little Southern spice to your fish with this Louisiana Remoulade sauce recipe

Check out this recipe
Louisiana Remoulade Sauce being drizzled over a mixed green salad

Try any or all of these delicious Southern side dishes with your next fish fry! And don't forget the cornbread!

More Southern recipes

  • Mom's Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce
  • Beef Tips with Rice and Gravy
  • Chicken Linguine Alfredo
  • Homemade Sloppy Joe's

If you make these recipes, please scroll down and leave a comment and rating! I love to hear from you! Thank you!

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  • Eggplant casserole in white baking dish.
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    How to make the Best Southern Fried Okra

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Anecia Hero, Food Blogger

About SmartyPantsKitchen

I'm Anecia, a native Texan, author, cook and photographer for SmartyPantsKitchen where I'm sharing Traditional and Contemporary Southern recipes for cooks of all levels. There's nothing fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable! Take a tour and check out delicious recipes! 

Learn more about me →

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