Table of Contents

If you’re wondering what to serve with your alligator, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 33 of the most popular side dishes for alligator.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best dishes to serve with alligator are dirty rice, salt and vinegar fries, buttermilk coleslaw, and succotash. You can also try four-cheese mac and cheese, spicy collard greens, or kale Caesar salad. For fun options, go for buttermilk waffles or beer-battered onion rings.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Dirty rice

Alligator is a Cajun classic and you can’t go wrong pairing it with dirty rice.

The rice gets its name from the “dirty” brown color it takes on from the meat and spices.

The trick to perfecting it is getting a good char on the meat. Cook it until you see brown crumbs forming at the bottom of your pan.

Why we love this recipe: the leftovers will last you for days.

Featured recipe
Dirty rice
Make it low-carb
Cauliflower dirty rice
Make it Korean-inspired
Kimchi fried rice

Buttermilk waffles

You’ve probably heard of chicken and waffles, but what about trying alligator and waffles?

This recipe conducted a test to find the best way to mix up waffle better. The conclusion was that the two-bowl method was best i.e stirring the wet ingredients into the dry.

Pro-tip: replace half of the buttermilk with whole milk for extra crispy waffles.

Why we love this recipe: it doesn’t require any special ingredients or tools.

Featured recipe
Buttermilk waffles
Make it savory
Broccoli and cheese waffles
Fire up the stovetop
Buttermilk pancakes

Air fryer salt and vinegar fries

Fries are a great blank canvas for flavoring, but a simple salt and vinegar combo never gets old.

The spuds require a 30-minute soak in distilled vinegar to achieve that zingy bite, but it’s worth the wait.

And if you don’t already have an air fryer, this is your sign to get one!

Enjoy crispy alligator nuggets with a side of these fries and your favorite dip.

Why we love this recipe: they’re way better than what you’d get at a restaurant.

Featured recipe
Air fryer salt and vinegar french fries
Make it different
Cajun smashed potatoes
Make it low-carb
Zucchini fries

Kale Caesar salad

Bored of the classic Caesar salad? Try switching things up with this recipe.

The addition of kale makes the salad more nourishing.

And the recipe uses Greek yogurt instead of a mayo-based dressing – providing a similar creamy texture without the extra calories.

Swap the croutons for nits of crispy alligator for a really unique lunch!

Why we love this recipe: it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Featured recipe
Kale Caesar salad
Keep it simple
Parmesan arugula salad
Make it hearty
Warm chipotle lime sweet potato salad

Hoagie rolls

Take your alligator sandwich to the next level with these homemade hoagie rolls.

They’re easier to make than you’d think. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, but you will need a bit of time because the rolls need two separate rises.

Load these soft hoagie rolls with fried alligator for a delicious twist on the classic po’boy.

Why we love this recipe: there’s nothing better than freshly baked bread.

Featured recipe
Hoagie rolls
Make a favorite
Homemade brioche buns
Make it Italian-style
Homemade ciabatta bread

Cajun remoulade

This isn’t technically a side dish, but it’s a must-have accompaniment for alligator.

Adding Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper to the remoulade gives it a decent kick that pairs perfectly with the alligator meat.

Psst… for best results, let this sit for a bit before serving.

Why we love this recipe: it goes great with everything – from sandwiches to seafood.

Featured recipe
Cajun remoulade
Make it familiar
Homemade tartar sauce
Skip the dairy
Sweet chili sauce

Buttermilk coleslaw

Everyone has their own coleslaw recipe, but this is my favorite.

It features a creamy dressing made with equal parts buttermilk, mayo, and a dash of horseradish.

This combination will give you a light slaw with an extra tangy flavor that will cut through the delicate alligator meat.

Why we love this recipe: a serving only has 157 calories.

Featured recipe
Buttermilk coleslaw
Make it dairy-free
Apple cider vinegar coleslaw
Add a fruity note
Mango jicama slaw

Baked four-cheese mac and cheese

Looking for an indulgent side for your alligator? Look no further than this baked mac and cheese.

It boasts a luscious cheese sauce that’ll make you want to lick your plate clean.

The secret? Using bechamel for the base of the sauce. It lends a rich consistency and creaminess you can’t get with heavy cream or milk.

Why we love this recipe: everyone will be begging for second helpings.

Featured recipe
Baked four-cheese mac and cheese
Skip the oven
Stovetop mac and cheese
Make a favorite
Penne alla vodka

Beer-battered onion rings

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/452822937544968406/

My only problem with onion rings is how quickly they can lose their crunch, but this recipe fixes that issue!

The addition of rice flour and cornstarch to the batter creates a thinner, crispier crust that doesn’t absorb as much oil.

Psst… these onions rings taste amazing with Cajun remoulude.

Why we love this recipe: it’s simple, delicious, and won’t break the bank.

Featured recipe
Beer-battered onion rings
Make it fun
Mini bloomin’ pearl onions
Make it Southern-style
Sweet onion hush puppies

Spicy collard greens

Collard greens are naturally tough and bitter, so you need to cook them low and slow.

Once the greens are done, you’re rewarded with a delicious broth in the bottom of the pot (called pot likker) that you can use as a sauce and drizzle it all over your alligator.

YUM!

Why we love this recipe: it’s Southern comfort food.

Featured recipe
Spicy collard greens
Make it indulgent
Collard greens au gratin
Keep it simple
Sauteed lemon garlic spinach

Succotash

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/358247345368474908/

Succotash is one of my go-to veggie side dishes.

The medley of colorful vegetables isn’t just a treat for the eye, it’s also jam-packed with good-for-you vitamins and minerals.

Succotash is traditionally a summer dish, but you can easily make it any time of the year using frozen veggies.

Don’t worry, they’re just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts.

Why we love this recipe: everything comes together in one pan.

Featured recipe
Succotash
Make a Cajun favorite
Maque choux
Make it decadent
Baked parmesan creamed corn

The best dishes to serve with alligator

Dirty rice
Buttermilk waffles
Air fryer salt and vinegar fries
Kale Caesar salad
Hoagie rolls
Cajun remoulade
Buttermilk coleslaw
Baked four-cheese mac and cheese
Beer-battered onion rings
Spicy collard greens
Succotash