These are the best 40+ sides to serve with fish tacos! Here you'll find traditional sides like rice and salads, to chips and dips, drinks (both cocktails and non-alcoholic) and finally desserts! These sides are all delicious and pair perfectly with any kind of fish taco you might serve. Gluten-free and dairy-free options.
Whether you're eating shrimp tacos, fried fish tacos, seared tuna tacos, or even grilled fish tacos, there's a side for that! You'll find below countless options as well as recommendations for what type of fish tacos would work best for it.
There's no better way to celebrate the heat of the summer than tasty fish tacos and refreshing drinks. Whether you're planning a taco bar or your next BBQ, nothing completes a summer meal like drinks. So don't forget to check out my top 40+ non-alcoholic summer drinks, or if you're looking for some boozy cocktails, I've rounded up my favorite 50+ cocktails for the summer season.
Recommendations per type of fish
While most of these side dishes work with any type of fish taco, there's a rhyme and reason to pairings because every fish taco is slightly different! Below you will find a general outline of finding the right pairings!
Spicy or Blackened Tacos - Tacos with spicy seasonings and marinades require something light and refreshing. I recommend fatty sides like guacamole and creamy yogurt-based sauces or avocado based-sauces to reduce the heat.
Fried Tacos - Fried fish tacos tend to be in two types: pan-seared or battered and fried. The fish used inside is typically a lean white fish like cod or tilapia. I recommend accompanying fried tacos with sides that have plenty textures like crunchy slaws, or something that packs flavor like spicy salsas or creamy sauces.
White Fish Tacos - White fish typically has minimal taste and is great for those who are hesitant of fish. I recommend pairing bright and flavorful sides like mango pico de gallo or cilantro garlic sauce.
Grilled Fish Tacos - Grilled fish tacos generally uses tilapia, cod, tuna, salmon or swordfish. The char of the grill tends to add a flavor of its own that doesn't require any marinade. If using a seasoning or marinade, I recommend pairing with a lighter dish like a coleslaw, rice or classic salad. This won't take away from the flavor of the seasoning!
What to serve with fish tacos
Traditional sides
Here you'll find the most classic side dishes for fish tacos. Traditional sides are those classic side dishes we think of when enjoying tacos: tortillas (both corn and flour), salads, rices and veggies. Start off with a few of these ideas and then build on the rest!
Mexican Avocado Salad
Light, refreshing and delicious Mexican avocado salad. Only five fresh ingredients to make the easiest, best side dish to pair on top of or in tacos.
Best served with: Honestly, all tacos deserve avocado on the side! The fattiness of the avocados would be preferential with shrimp or lean white fish rather than fatty fish like salmon or tuna.
Corn Tortillas
Best served with: All fish tacos! Corn tortillas are my favorite kind of tortillas to serve all forms of tacos in. However, if going to make a super-loaded taco and are not gluten-free, I recommend considering a flour tortilla.
Flour Tortillas
These homemade fluffy flour tortillas will up your taco game by providing a perfectly fresh, soft, and warm base.
Best served with: Loaded fish tacos - flour tortillas can hold up a lot better than its delicate corn tortilla cousin. If adding tons of toppings, I recommend going flour!
Red Cabbage Coleslaw
This no-mayo coleslaw recipe uses bright red cabbage and features a sweet and spicy dressing.
Best served with: fried fish tacos to cut the heaviness of the batter with some acid, or as a light topping with marinated fish so as to not overpower the flavor.
Mexican Rice
This easy vegan Mexican rice recipe is the perfect side dish to your Mexican spread. This flavorful and fluffy rice is seasoned with fresh ingredients only.
Best served with: Anything! Mexican rice is a staple with any kind of taco and can be served inside or to the side. If enjoying a heavy-battered fish, you may not need to accompany with a rice side.
Tajin Watermelon Salad
Fresh watermelon, chili lime seasoning, mint and lime juice. This Tajin Watermelon Mint Salad is the most refreshing and light side dish salad.
Best served with: Anything! This salad is extremely light, refreshing and pairs as a dessert or salad!
Grapefruit Arugula Salad
This Grapefruit & Arugula Salad is the perfect side to any taco with a simple & tangy 3-ingredient grapefruit dressing.
Best served with: Anything, but preference for seasoned or marinated fish. Something light and citrusy is always a great combination with fish, and for seasoned or marinated fish the salad doesn't overpower the flavor.
Fiesta Salad
Black beans, corn and diced veggies drizzled with cilantro lime vinaigrette, Fiesta Salad is a party of flavors and textures in your mouth.
Best served with: Blackened or heavily seasoned white fish, or salmon.
Mexican Street Corn
This Healthy Mexican Street Corn is no mayo, no butter and all the flavor. It’s the lighter, healthier version of the traditional Mexican Elotes recipe.
Best served with: Anything! This light-in-flavor side dish pairs with any kind or flavor of taco!
Cucumber Salad
Zingy thin-sliced cucumber is a great pair with fish tacos! It's a great side dish to make in advance and serve a large crowd.
Best served with: This salad is great for cutting through fatty fish like salmon, tuna or swordfish. It is also a great pairing with battered and fried fish to add acid.
Chipotle Vinaigrette Salad
This Chipotle Vinaigrette is smoky, a little bit spicy, and seasoned to perfection to complete any salad! Pour over fish tacos or pair with your favorite greens.
Best served with: White fish tacos or grilled tacos, as this smokey chipotle flavor will add a ton of pizazz either to the taco itself or to any greens you pair it with.
Chips, dips + salsas
What's a combination better with fish tacos than chips and salsa? Nothing! Try these dips and salsas for chips or drizzle over your fish tacos to add extra flavor!
Corn Tortilla Chips
These homemade tortilla chips make the perfect partner with fish tacos. They're fresh, crispy and salty.
Best served with: Anything! Corn tortilla chips are a staple with tacos no matter the kind! Serve these prior to enjoying your tacos.
Spicy Salsa Verde
This authentic spicy serrano salsa uses traditional Mexican techniques to make the perfect spicy and fresh salsa.
Best served with: White fish tacos and lighter fish tacos with minimal seasoning. This chimichurri will bring the heat to tacos that otherwise have limited flavor!
Serrano Chimichurri
Want to amp up your meal with bold flavor? This Serrano Pepper Chimichurri Sauce is the perfect way to level-up any meal.
Best served with: White fish tacos and lighter fish tacos with minimal seasoning. This chimichurri will bring the heat to tacos that otherwise have limited flavor!
4 Ingredient Guacamole
This 4-ingredient guacamole recipe is so easy to make and is super flavorful. Made with minimal ingredients, and ready in under 15 minutes!
Best served with: Anything and everything! I only recommend going lighter on tacos that use fatty fish (think salmon, tuna or swordfish)!
Creamy Avocado Lime Sauce
Fresh, simple Avocado Lime Sauce with only two ingredients! This creamy sauce is perfect for drizzling on any kind of fish taco!
Best served with: Spicy tacos to cut the heat! This sauce is also a great lighter option to guacamole to pair with battered and fried tacos.
Mango Habanero Salsa
This authentic mango habanero salsa uses traditional Mexican techniques to make the perfect sweet and spicy salsa. It’s bold, fresh, flavorful and perfect with tacos.
Best served with: White fish tacos and lighter fish tacos with minimal seasoning. This salsa will bring the heat to tacos that otherwise have limited flavor!
Honey Mustard Sauce
This creamy vegan honey mustard recipe is the perfect sweet and tangy topping and/or dipping sauce for fish tacos.
Best served with: Fried fish tacos to act as a fried fish dipping sauce. This dressing is great for serving fish tacos to kids too!
Cilantro Garlic Sauce
This fresh cilantro garlic sauce is a light and creamy sauce flavored with fresh lime, cilantro, and garlic. It is fresh, tangy, and citrusy.
Best served with: Spicy tacos to cut the heat! This sauce is also a great lighter option to pair with strong seasoned fish and shrimp, or battered and fried tacos.
Mango Pico de Gallo
Best served with: Blackened fish, white fish and lighter fish tacos with minimal seasoning. Great pairing with salmon and seared tuna.
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Black bean and corn salsa is always a crowd favorite! It has such a deliciously fresh and vibrant flavor with just a perfect blend of ingredients.
Best served with: Blackened or heavily seasoned white fish, or salmon.
Aguas Frescas
Aguas frescas (or fresh water in Spanish) are a staple to serve at taco stands and are great non-alcoholic drinks to serve with tacos. These juice drinks blend water with fresh fruits and a little sweetener, resulting in a sweet and fruity summer beverage.
Pineapple Agua Fresca
This Agua de Piña (also known as Pineapple Water) is easy, refreshing and simple. It’s only 3-ingredients and ready to make in minutes!
Best served with: Anything!
Strawberry Agua Fresca
Best served with: Anything!
Agua de Horchata
This vegan horchata recipe makes a creamy and slightly sweet milky drink with a hint of cinnamon spice. It’s the perfect drink when you want something light and refreshing.
Best served with: Anything!
Cucumber Agua Fresca
This easy, refreshing Cucumber Agua Fresca is the perfect Summer drink. With cucumber, lime and mint, this recipe is a great healthy drink to keep you refreshed.
Best served with: Anything!
Orange Agua Fresca
This orange agua fresca recipe is easy, sweet and refreshing. A traditional Mexican agua de naranja is the perfect drink for the summer.
Best served with: Anything!
Cocktails
What kind of taco isn't the perfect pair with a cocktail? From your classic Mexican beer and fish taco, to tequila-based cocktails like a ranch water or margarita, there's a great combo to be had!
Skinny Margarita
Make this 3 ingredient Skinny Margarita with tequila and fresh juices for a refreshing cocktail! Skinny margaritas are a low-calorie drink option.
Best served with: Anything!
Skinny Jalapeño Margaritas
This Spicy Skinny Margarita Recipe is made with jalapeno, fresh lime and orange juice, and tequila for a refreshing twist on the healthier margarita!
Best served with: Anything!
Ranch Water Cocktail
Ranch Water is a delicious lighter, lower calorie tequila and Topo Chico cocktail. Three easy ingredients meant for the best cocktail!
Best served with: Anything!
Mexican Mule (Tequila Mule)
Bubbly, refreshing and light ginger beer cocktail! This Mexican Mule (aka a Tequila Mule) is the easiest tequila drink you can make.
Best served with: Anything!
Frozen Blackberry Margaritas
Blackberries, fresh mint and limes blended for the best Frozen Blackberry Margaritas! Fruity, fresh and tart! Top these easy margaritas with a mint sugar rim.
Best served with: Anything!
Watermelon Gin Mojito
Watermelon juice, muddled lime wedges and fresh mint. Fresh ingredients and gin add a spin to the classic cocktail. This Watermelon Gin Mojito is the perfect refreshing cocktail.
Best served with: Anything!
Red Sangria Margarita
Fruity red wine sangria, a shot of tequila, some orange juice and lime juice. The best of both worlds: a cocktail and a sangria at the same exact time!
Best served with: Anything!
Desserts
Any fish taco needs it's perfect dessert! Because fish tacos are most prominently enjoyed in the warmer months, these desserts range from light, citrusy popsicles to fruit cups and salads.
Mango Pineapple Popsicles
These creamy mango pineapple popsicles have only four, simple ingredients. The result: the creamiest, zestiest and fruity popsicle dessert!
Mango Popsicles
These three ingredients Mango Popsicles are creamy, tart, refreshing and delicious. A no sugar added frozen treat perfect for the family!
Best served with: Anything!
Lime Popsicles
Zesty, fresh Lime Popsicles made of only three ingredients! The perfect frozen treat for the Summer that’s only 48 calories.
Best served with: Anything!
Grilled Pineapple Spears
These pineapple spears are grilled to perfection with a jalapeno honey glaze! An easy and healthy summer dessert idea that everyone will love.
Best served with: Anything!
Mexican Fruit Cups
These Mexican Fruit Cups bring the taste of real authentic Mexican fruit stands right to your own kitchen!
Best served with: Anything!
Vegan Coconut Pineapple Ice Cream
No-Churn Coconut Pineapple Ice Cream
Refreshing, light, creamy coconut and pineapple ice cream. This easy no churn soft serve-like recipe has only three, natural ingredients!
Best served with: Anything!
Kiwi Sorbet
This recipe for Kiwi Sorbet couldn't be easier. With only two ingredients, this frozen treat is destined to become a summertime favourite.
Best served with: Anything!
Fresh Fruit Salad
A variety of fresh fruit with a hint of mint tossed in a delicious lemon honey dressing. This simple fruit salad will quickly become a favorite!
Best served with: Anything!