What to Serve With Orange Roughy: 15 Best Side Dishes

Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I greatly appreciate your support!

📦 Amazon Daily Deals 2025 DEALS

The wait is over. Shop the official price drops on Tech, Home, Kitchen & Apple products right now.

👉 Shop Amazon Sale

⚡ LIMITED TIME OFFERS • PRIME DELIVERY ⚡

Orange roughy pairs fabulously with a variety of sides that amplify its delicate flavor. Lemon herb quinoa provides a vibrant, nutritious contrast. Garlic mashed potatoes offer rich, comforting depth. For a lighter touch, try steamed asparagus or citrus arugula salad, both bursting with freshness. Roasted Brussels sprouts add caramelized perfection, while grilled zucchini is tender and tasty. Parmesan risotto adds creamy richness, and buttered green beans deliver crispness. Enhance your meal with mango avocado salsa's tangy zest, caramelized carrots' sweet crunch, or the wholesomeness of spinach orzo. Cauliflower rice and Greek yogurt cucumber salad also make excellent, healthy options. Discover more delightful pairings to perfect your orange roughy meal!

Lemon Herb Quinoa

herb infused lemony quinoa dish

Lemon herb quinoa is an excellent accompaniment to orange roughy, offering a vibrant and nutritious contrast to the mild, delicate flavor of the fish.

The quinoa is enhanced by the bright zing of lemon zest and a fragrant herb infusion, creating a side dish full of zest and aroma.

Its wholesome texture pairs perfectly, making every bite a delightful experience for your taste buds.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

tasty side dish recipe

Complementing the vibrant lemon herb quinoa, garlic mashed potatoes offer a rich and creamy counterpart to the delicate orange roughy.

The creamy texture of the potatoes, enhanced by the deep, savory notes of roasted garlic, provides a comforting balance to the fish.

This pairing not only adds depth to the meal but also guarantees a satisfying, harmonious dining experience for all palates.

Steamed Asparagus

cooked green asparagus spears

Often served as a light and nutritious side, steamed asparagus pairs exquisitely with orange roughy, enhancing the dish with its crisp texture and subtle earthy flavor.

Asparagus benefits include being rich in vitamins and antioxidants, promoting overall health.

Easy asparagus recipes can involve simply steaming the spears and drizzling them with lemon juice, offering a delicious, healthful complement to your meal.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

healthy holiday side dish

Roasted Brussels sprouts provide a flavorful and nutritious accompaniment to orange roughy, with their caramelized exterior and tender interior adding depth to the meal.

This cooking method enhances the sprouts' flavor profile, creating a delightful balance of sweetness and earthiness.

Citrus Arugula Salad

refreshing summer salad recipe

To further elevate your orange roughy meal, a vibrant citrus arugula salad offers an invigorating contrast to the roasted Brussels sprouts.

The citrus vinaigrette pairs beautifully with the peppery arugula, enhancing its natural flavors.

Arugula benefits include being rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making this salad both tasty and nutritious.

Together, these elements create a revitalizing and healthful side dish.

Grilled Zucchini

tender zucchini on grill

Grilled zucchini, with its delicate flavor and tender texture, makes an ideal companion to orange roughy. Rich in zucchini nutrition, this vegetable offers vitamins and minerals essential for a balanced meal.

To achieve perfection, use simple grilling techniques: slice zucchini into even pieces, brush with olive oil, and grill until tender. This side dish enhances the freshness of orange roughy beautifully.

Parmesan Risotto

creamy arborio rice dish

Complementing the grilled zucchini, Parmesan risotto provides a creamy and flavorful starch that pairs exquisitely with the delicate taste of orange roughy.

The risotto's creamy texture melds beautifully with the fish, while its nutty flavor from the Parmesan adds a rich, savory element.

This combination creates a delightful balance, ensuring each bite is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Buttered Green Beans

tasty green bean side dish

Buttered green beans offer a crisp and buttery side dish that enhances the light and flaky texture of orange roughy.

Preparation tips include blanching the beans briefly to retain their vibrant color and crunch, then tossing them in melted butter.

Nutritional benefits are plentiful, as green beans are rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants, making them an excellent healthy addition.

Mango Avocado Salsa

fresh and flavorful salsa

Mango avocado salsa provides an invigorating, tangy contrast that pairs beautifully with the delicate flavor of orange roughy.

This revitalizing dip, featuring tropical flavors, adds a burst of color and zest to your plate.

The creamy avocado blends seamlessly with the sweet mango, creating a harmonious balance that complements the fish perfectly.

It's a delightful side dish sure to impress your guests.

Caramelized Carrots

roasted root vegetables recipe

Enhancing the vibrant flavors on your plate, caramelized carrots offer a sweet and savory accompaniment to orange roughy. Coated in a delightful honey glaze, these carrots provide a perfect texture contrast to the tender fish.

Their sweetness and slight crunch elevate the overall dining experience, making each bite a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Perfect for a balanced and satisfying meal.

Spinach Orzo

healthy pasta dish option

Complementing the delicate flavor of orange roughy, spinach orzo adds a touch of elegance and wholesome nutrition to your meal.

This side dish boasts a creamy texture and vibrant color that pairs beautifully with the fish.

The orzo's tender pasta mingles with fresh spinach, creating a visually appealing and nutritious accompaniment that elevates the dining experience, making it both satisfying and delightful.

Tomato Basil Couscous

delicious mediterranean side dish

Tomato basil couscous offers a flavorful and aromatic side that harmonizes perfectly with the mild taste of orange roughy.

Infused with Mediterranean flavors, this dish combines the light, fluffy texture of couscous with the rich taste of tomatoes and fresh basil.

There are many couscous variations, but this one stands out for its vibrant colors and delightful aroma, making every bite a pleasure.

Sautéed Spinach

healthy side dish option

For a nutritious and flavorful accompaniment, sautéed spinach pairs exceptionally well with orange roughy.

Spinach offers numerous nutritional benefits, being rich in vitamins and minerals.

The cooking technique is simple: briefly sauté spinach in olive oil with garlic until wilted.

This method preserves its vibrant color and nutrients, providing a delicious, healthy side dish that enhances the delicate flavor of the fish.

Cauliflower Rice

healthy rice alternative option

Embracing a low-carb alternative, cauliflower rice offers a light and versatile side dish to accompany orange roughy. This rice alternative brings numerous cauliflower benefits, including being rich in vitamins C and K, and low in calories.

Its mild flavor pairs well with the delicate taste of orange roughy, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a healthier, yet delicious, meal.

Can the Same Side Dishes Be Paired with Both Orange Roughy and Red Snapper?

When deciding on the best side dishes for red snapper or orange roughy, consider options like roasted vegetables, a fresh garden salad, or a citrus-infused quinoa. These versatile sides can complement the flavors of both types of fish, making them a perfect accompaniment for your seafood meal.

Greek Yogurt Cucumber Salad

refreshing and healthy summer salad

An invigorating Greek yogurt cucumber salad adds a creamy and tangy complement to the mild flavor of orange roughy. The Mediterranean flavors of fresh cucumber, dill, and garlic blend seamlessly with the yogurt, offering a revitalizing bite.

Not only does this side dish enhance the taste, but it also brings significant health benefits, thanks to its high protein and probiotic content.