Calamari is a delightful treat, and pairing it with the right side dishes can enhance your meal. Garlic bread, with its rich buttery flavor, and coleslaw, offering a crisp texture, are perfect companions. French fries add a golden crunch, while grilled vegetables provide a healthier option. Rice pilaf is a light yet savory side that complements calamari beautifully. Consider roasted asparagus or lemon roasted potatoes for a sophisticated touch. For a twist, sweet potato fries or a vibrant Thai green papaya salad work wonders. Each of these options promises to make your calamari meal unforgettable. Discover more delightful pairings up ahead! If you’re in the mood for something different, consider trying these delicious side dishes for cevapcici. Mashed potatoes with gravy and sauteed spinach make for comforting and satisfying accompaniments. Or, opt for a fresh Greek salad and tzatziki for a light and refreshing contrast to the hearty cevapcici. There are endless possibilities for creating the perfect meal with these delightful pairings.
Garlic Bread
Garlic bread, with its rich buttery flavor, serves as an excellent and easy side dish to accompany fried calamari. This classic side not only complements the crispy calamari but also offers a delightful contrast in taste.
Using a hot dog roll for garlic bread adds a unique twist. Perfect for dipping in tartar sauce, it enhances the overall seafood dining experience.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw, with its invigorating texture and crunchy freshness, serves as an ideal companion to fried calamari. As one of the best side dishes to serve, coleslaw offers a healthy option with fresh herbs, adding a flavorful twist.
This revitalizing and light side dish perfectly complements the crispy fried calamari, creating a balanced and satisfying dining experience.
French Fries
French fries, with their golden crispiness and satisfying texture, make a perfect accompaniment to calamari. These crispy potato sticks provide a delightful contrast to the fried calamari, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Known for their popularity in New England seafood dishes, French fries pair beautifully with tartar sauce, offering a flavorful dipping option that complements the calamari's savory taste.
Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetables, such as zucchini and summer squash, provide a guilt-free and flavorful side dish option that pairs excellently with calamari. Perfectly seasoned with just salt and pepper, these vegetables offer a healthy and delicious accompaniment to fried calamari.
Their charred flavor and tender texture create a light and satisfying addition, complementing the crispy calamari beautifully.
Enjoy this balanced and tasty side dish.
Rice Pilaf
While grilled vegetables offer a fresh and healthy option, rice pilaf brings a light yet savory complement to fried calamari, enhancing the meal with its buttery richness and delicate texture.
This versatile side dish absorbs flavors beautifully, offering a delightful contrast to the crispy calamari. Easy to prepare, rice pilaf can be customized with herbs and spices, making it a popular choice for seafood dishes.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes provide a creamy and buttery side dish that pairs excellently with calamari, offering a comforting contrast to the crispy seafood.
The smooth texture of mashed potatoes complements the fried calamari, balancing its flavors.
You can enhance this side dish with garlic, herbs, or cheese, making it versatile and appealing for various occasions.
A true crowd-pleaser, mashed potatoes elevate any meal.
Macaroni Salad
Offering a cool and creamy contrast to crispy calamari, macaroni salad is a classic side dish that enhances the overall dining experience.
This delicious side features cooked macaroni pasta mixed with mayonnaise, vegetables, and seasonings, creating an invigorating and flavorful complement.
Easily customizable with ingredients like hard-boiled eggs or herbs, macaroni salad is both convenient and versatile, perfect for any gathering or event.
Caesar Salad
Caesar salad, with its crisp romaine lettuce, savory dressing, and crunchy croutons, makes an excellent side dish that pairs perfectly with calamari.
The tangy vinaigrette and Parmesan cheese in a Caesar salad complement the fried calamari's flavors beautifully.
The fresh, crunchy texture of the salad contrasts with the crispy calamari, enhancing the overall dining experience and making for a delightful meal.
Caprese Salad
Another excellent side dish that pairs well with calamari is Caprese salad, a classic Italian dish made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, olive oil, and balsamic glaze.
Serve with fried calamari, this delicious salad offers a rejuvenating balance to the richness of the main dish. Its vibrant colors and flavors make it one of the best side choices for seafood lovers.
Bruschetta Crostinis
Bruschetta crostinis, a quintessential Italian appetizer, combine toasted bread with a vibrant medley of diced tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil. This makes them a perfect calamari side, balancing the seafood's richness.
The fresh herbs and juicy tomatoes contrast beautifully with the crunchy bread, while the olive oil adds depth. Customize with balsamic glaze or mozzarella for an extra flavor boost.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts, with their caramelized edges and tender centers, provide a nutritious and flavorful side that perfectly complements the crispy texture of calamari. This side dish, seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, enhances the meal with its natural sweetness and crispy texture.
Rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, roasted Brussels sprouts are a healthy and delicious addition to your calamari dish.
Roasted Asparagus
Just as roasted Brussels sprouts bring a delightful combination of caramelized edges and tender centers, roasted asparagus offers a simple yet elegant side dish that perfectly complements calamari.
Drizzle the asparagus spears with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper before roasting. This method enhances their natural sweetness and creates a tender yet slightly crispy texture, making them an ideal pairing.
Lemon Roasted Potatoes
Enhancing the dining experience with a touch of citrus, lemon roasted potatoes serve as a flavorful and tangy side dish that pairs exquisitely with calamari.
Prepared in an air fryer, these potatoes are tossed with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes for a zesty kick.
Serve them with a dipping sauce to elevate the vibrant flavors, creating a delightful combination.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries provide a delectable and nutritious accompaniment to calamari, offering a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors. Their crispy texture pairs beautifully with the tender calamari, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Additionally, sweet potato fries are a healthier alternative to traditional fries, making them an excellent choice. Seasoned with herbs and spices, they add even more depth to your meal.
Thai Green Papaya Salad
Thai Green Papaya Salad serves as a vibrant and invigorating side dish that perfectly complements the crispy texture of fried calamari.
This colorful salad, featuring a spicy and tangy dressing, adds a revitalizing kick to your meal.
For a unique twist, consider using a green mango alternative.
This versatile dish can be easily customized to suit individual tastes, making it a delightful addition.