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

In this article, I list 45 of the most popular side dishes for cod.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best side dishes to serve with cod are cilantro lime cauliflower rice, grilled pineapple salsa, pad thai zoodles, and spring pea risotto. You can also try cheesy grits, mushy peas, potato wedges, or Greek-stuffed tomatoes. For salad options, try edamame mango salad or a sweet potato and kale salad.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Teriyaki grilled pineapple salsa

Cod has a relatively mild flavor, so it makes a great base for boldly flavored salsas.

This grilled pineapple salsa is brimming with a delectable combination of sweet-savory flavors. And the candied jalapenos add a smoky heat to every bite.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a flavor party for your taste buds.

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Teriyaki grilled pineapple salsa
Make it different
Peach salsa
Skip the fruity note
Roasted chili corn salsa

Cilantro lime cauliflower rice

Pre-made cauliflower rice is readily available in grocery stores, but why spend the extra bucks when you can make it from scratch?

All you need is a box grater (and some elbow grease) to get it done… or a food processor!

The faux rice has a mild, nutty flavor that pairs really nicely with the cilantro and lime’s zesty flavors.

Why we love this recipe: it’s an excellent low-carb side.

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Cilantro lime cauliflower rice
Make it cheesy
Parmesan cauliflower rice skillet
Try another alternative
Green pea and parmesan quinoa

Oven-roasted asparagus and tomatoes

Looking for something simple to serve with your baked cod? These roasted asparagus spears and tomatoes have your back.

As the veggies roast, the asparagus spears become deliciously crisp-tender, while the tomatoes become tender and oh-so-juicy.

A squeeze of lemon and garlic is all you need to finish the dish off.

Why we love this recipe: you can roast your cod and veggies together for a quick and easy sheet pan dinner.

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Oven-roasted asparagus and tomatoes
Fire up the grill
Grilled asparagus with marinated red peppers
Change the veggies
Roasted broccoli and carrots

Pad thai zoodles

Pad thai is a heavy dish that would normally overwhelm cod, but if you remove the noodles and use zucchini instead it’s much lighter.

You get all the delicious flavors of Thailand, without all the richness.

Prop a freshly seared cod filet on a bed of these zoodles for a fun fusion-style dinner.

Why we love this recipe: it’s super nourishing.

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Pad thai zoodles
Make it Italian-inspired
Pesto zoodles
Make it simple
Sesame zoodles

Hasselback potatoes with lemon sauce

These bright, lemony potatoes are the perfect starchy accompaniment for a light fish like cod.

The Hasselback cut allows the seasoning to seep all the way through the potato, infusing the whole thing with a fresh acidity that will balance out the seafood flavor.

Why we love this recipe: it looks as good as it tastes.

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Hasselback potatoes with lemon sauce
Make it indulgent
Parmesan and gruyere scalloped potatoes
Make a classic
Buttery herbed mashed potatoes

Minted mushy peas

Take some inspiration from British cuisine and serve your seared cod with mushy peas.

This version has creme fraiche, which gives a slight tangy note to this veggie side.

But if you can’t find creme fraiche, sour cream and Greek yogurt are excellent substitutes.

Why we love this recipe: it only has 89 calories per serving.

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Minted mushy peas
Preheat the oven
Roasted peas with garlic and feta
Add more veggies
Butter peas and carrots

Edamame mango salad

If you don’t like leafy salads, this dish will be right up your alley.

Instead of leafy greens, it’s loaded with buttery edamame, creamy black beans, sweet corn, sharp onions, and fruity mango chunks.

Then everything is tossed with a zesty and tart vinaigrette to bring all the flavors together.

Why we love this recipe: it doesn’t get soggy, making it ideal for potlucks.

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Edamame mango salad
Skip the edamame
Cowboy caviar
Make it Chinese-inspired
Chinese smashed cucumber salad

Spring pea risotto

Risotto is my go-to meal when I want something fancy (i.e date night worthy).

It’s guaranteed to impress your guests, and it’s not really very hard to make.

You only need four main ingredients and half an hour.

Why we love this recipe: it’s restaurant-quality.

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Spring pea risotto
Make another classic
Pesto risotto
Skip the rice
Creamy lemon pasta

Cheesy Southern grits

If you’re planning to season your cod with Cajun flavors, pairing it with cheesy grits is a no-brainer.

And if this wasn’t your plan, maybe it can be now!

This thick, porridge-like dish is made with cornmeal, cream broth, and two kinds of cheese.

The creamy flavors will mellow out any spice from the Cajun seasoning.

Why we love this recipe: it’s comfort in a bowl.

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Cheesy Southern grits
Make it Italian-style
Creamy polenta with burst cherry tomato
Ditch the stovetop
Baked cheese grits

Smoky sweet potato and kale salad

This sweet potato and kale combo is a great salad for winter.

The sweet, nutty flavors of the roasted sweet potatoes work well with the slightly bitter and earthy kale.

But what really makes this salad stand out is this hot ginger vinaigrette – it’s loaded with addictive umami goodness.

Why we love this recipe: it’s filled with nutritious goodness.

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Smoky sweet potato and kale salad
Make it heartier
Roasted sweet potato black bean quinoa salad
Make it simple
Crunchy kale parmesan salad

Creamy parmesan garlic brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts usually get a bad rep, but this recipe will hopefully change your mind.

The brussels sprouts are smothered with a creamy, garlicky sauce.

It’s the perfect dish to add a touch of decadence to your simple seared cod.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a budget friendly dish.

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Creamy parmesan garlic brussels sprouts
Change the veggie
Creamed spinach
Make it quick
Fried brussels sprouts

Greek stuffed tomatoes

Also known as yemista, this dish involves stuffing tomatoes with rice, fresh herbs, olives, and vegetables.

They’re then baked in a tomato sauce, resulting in a healthy, satisfying side.

All you need is some protein to complete the meal… and that’s where your cod comes in!

Why we love this recipe: it’ll transport you straight to a Greek island.

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Greek stuffed tomatoes
Make it different
Greek orzo stuffed peppers
Make it familiar
Quinoa stuffed peppers

Crunchy beet and carrot slaw

Raw beets are naturally earthy and slightly bitter, so this recipe pairs them with sweet carrots, golden raisins, and a honey-based dressing.

There’s also some cumin, ginger, and mint involved which gives the dish an exotic feel.

And it will bring a nice pop of color toy our plate.

Why we love this recipe: it’s simple but packs a flavorful punch.

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Crunchy beet and carrot slaw
Make it different
Jicama slaw
Go back to basics
Classic coleslaw

Potato wedges

Got plans to fry your cod? Serve it with some potato wedges for a healthy twist on the iconic fish and chips.

The wedges have a nice crispy outside, with a soft and pillowy inside.

And you can flavor them however you want. This recipe keeps things simple with garlic and herbs.

Why we love this recipe: there’s no pre-soaking or parboiling involved.

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Crispy garlic potato wedges
A veggie alternative
Air fryer zucchini fries
Stick to the basics
Creamy mashed potatoes

Classic tabbouleh

This popular Mediterranean dish is a melting pot of different flavors.

One of the main herbs is parsley, which is a classic herb to pair with cod.

There’s also mint, sweet tomatoes, tangy onions, and a sharp lime juice dressing.

Yum!

Psst… I always add in a handful of crushed walnuts for added crunch.

Why we love this recipe: it’s super fresh.

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Tabbouleh
Skip the herbs
Summer couscous salad
Change the flavor
Brown butter quinoa salad

Related: what to serve with haddock