This article was updated on the 21st of August 2023 for clarity and freshness.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your flounder, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 13 of the most popular side dishes for flounder.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve with flounder are roasted lemon potatoes, easy rice pilaf, ratatouille, and garlic aioli. Try classic Caesar salad, steamed vegetable medley, sauteed spinach, or pineapple coleslaw for healthier options. Add some crunch with deep-fried hush puppies.
For each side dish, I’ve provided alternative options to cater to various diets and lifestyles, including vegan, quick and easy, and health-conscious options.
Starches
A light main dish like flounder leaves more room for you to enjoy heavier starchy dishes on the side! Roasted potatoes are always a good option that requires minimal effort, but why not whip up risotto to elevate your humble fish?
Greek Roasted Potatoes
4.7 ⭐️ (6 ratings) | 1 hr 33 mins
These are an upgrade over your regular roasted spuds. They’re lightly crisp on the outside and perfectly fluffy on the inside, with a bright, savory flavor that runs deep.
The difference maker is the addition of a lemon-flavored broth in the roasting process. This increases the cooking time, but trust me — these spuds are worth the wait.
Enjoy these alongside your seared flounder and a dipping sauce (try the garlic aioli below) for the ultimate weeknight dinner.
What readers are saying…
“There was so much flavor and they were so delicious. I would definitely make these again and I already recommended them to my sisters to cook too.”
“I grew up with Greek potatoes. Brought me back to my aunt’s iconic Greek potatoes. Oh so, so good!”
“I love potatoes but these are out of this world good. Crispy and fluffy, just as you said, but the flavor…”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🥰 Herb and Garlic Mashed Potatoes
💃 Fondant Potatoes
🌿 Buttery Parsley Potatoes
Rice Pilaf
4.8 ⭐️ (57 ratings) | 28 mins
Rice is an excellent starchy side to serve with flounder, but why not shake things up and transform steamed white rice into a pilaf?
This dish requires extra steps such as toasting the rice in butter and simmering it in broth instead of plain water. Plus, it also calls for additional ingredients like garlic and bay leaves. But these additions help infuse the rice with a light, savory flavor that pairs nicely with your mildly sweet flounder.
Psst… for best results, use any variety of long-grained rice for this recipe. Avoid instant or brown rice.
What readers are saying…
“Kids even commented that they loved the rice!!! Turned out perfect!”
“Just tried this recipe and it’s a keeper for sure!! Love the flavor the bay leaf and garlic added. Very good!”
“Easy and taste is spot on! I used basmati rice and was very happy with the flavor, texture, and ease!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
💃 Spring Pea Risotto
🧘♀️ Golden Turmeric Cauliflower Rice
🏃♀️ Keto Fried Rice
Deep-fried Hush Puppies
4.4 ⭐️ (17 ratings) | 20 mins
Planning on frying your flounder? Enjoy it with a side of these hush puppies.
These treats are made with a cornmeal batter seasoned with garlic, onion powder, and paprika. They’re crispy and golden on the outside, with fluffy insides that are to die for.
Once you’ve got all these fried up, all you need is a dipping sauce and you’ve got a winning meal.
What readers are saying…
“Just made these! My first time making hush puppies. No paprika but they are good.”
“They were amazing! Even better than the restaurant we get them from. Light and full of flavor. Crispy and amazing!”
“These were delicious! We couldn’t stop eating them.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
😇 Air fryer Hush Puppies
🍂 Squash Puppies
🦐 Shrimp Hush Puppies
Pasta Pomodoro
5.0 ⭐️ (21 ratings) | 30 mins
Pasta Pomodoro has your back if you’re in the mood for a quick pasta dinner.
This Italian classic features a homemade tomato sauce made from canned San Marzano tomatoes, which give you the perfect sweet-acidic flavor to brighten up your flounder.
The sauce is then finished off with a bit of butter and parmesan to add a little richness. Yum!
What readers are saying…
“This is a new family favorite. Everyone loves this, especially Mama because it’s fast, easy, and delicious.”
“This was such a satisfying dish! I heaped on the parmesan cheese as I love it that way! I did have fresh basil so I added it on too.”
“This is my family’s all-time favorite recipe! Made this for dinner last night and am going to serve it again this evening! Easy and delicious!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🧘♀️ Spaghetti Squash al Pomodoro
🍝 Zucchini Noodles Cacio e Pepe
Vegetables
Veggie main dishes are my first choice when I want something light and healthy with my flounder dish. Sauteed greens are great, but don’t worry if you want more interesting options — the world of veggies has a lot to offer!
Sauteed Spinach and Onions
4.4 ⭐️ (7 ratings) | 30 mins
You can’t get any healthier than a plate of sauteed spinach and onions. It’s a quick and easy side dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, it has a mild sweetness that pairs well with different proteins, flounder included.
This recipe is incredibly simple so aside from the onions, I also like adding a bit of parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes for a subtle nuttiness and a light kick.
What readers are saying…
“I had onions and spinach leftover from sukiyaki and wanted to use them up in some way.
I saw this recipe and it sounded good, and it was! Thanks!”
“This was amazing.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🍄 Balsamic Spinach and Mushrooms
🤤 Creamed Spinach
👵 Grandma’s Collard Greens
Ratatouille
5.0 ⭐️ (55 ratings) | 50 mins
Anyone who’s seen the movie ‘Ratatouille’ by Disney is familiar with this classic French dish. The version in the movie involves thinly sliced veggies arranged in a baking dish, but did you know you can also prepare it over the stovetop?
The finished dish looks more rustic than restaurant-ready. But trust me – it’s just as flavorful because the veggies are caramelized individually to maximize their natural flavors.
Scoop a heaping spoonful of this French stew over your baked flounder or enjoy it on the side with a slice of crusty bread.
What readers are saying…
“I come from Provence and this is the first time that I see a genuine Ratatouille recipe on an English-speaking website!! Well done, the recipe is on point!!!”
“This is really wonderful! Very flavorful and melding together very nicely. Thank you!”
“Excellent recipe. I’ve tried one-pot versions and avoided making the dish as they all were a bit blunt. This recipe makes the difference.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Calabacitas
4.8 ⭐️ (62 ratings) | 30 mins
Calabacitas is a popular Mexican dish made with sautéed zucchini, squash, onion, and bell peppers.
There are many variations of this dish, but this recipe has an added cheese sauce made with milk and shredded cheddar, just to add a light decadence to the veg.
Serve this veggie dish alongside your seared flounder for a tasty Mexican twist.
What readers are saying…
“Delicious!! We were visiting friends and used fresh ingredients from her garden so we used fresh corn instead of canned…Turned out so good.”
“This was a brand new dish to me, and I loved it! I’m always looking for veggie heavy dishes that are filling and delicious and this was perfect!”
“We had this with dinner tonight and, oh my goodness, it was delicious! I did not have cotija or cilantro so I topped it with mozzarella. Even so, it was so fresh and flavorful!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🌱 Dairy-free Calabacitas
🤤 Classic Succotash
☀ Corn with Basil Lime Butter
Cheesy Broccoli
5.0 ⭐️ (69 ratings) | 15 mins
Steamed broccoli is a common side and pairs well with flounder, but it’s definitely not the most exciting option. Good thing you can easily jazz up it up with a drizzle of piping hot cheese sauce.
This recipe keeps it simple with a cheddar cheese sauce, but you can easily swap it out for your favorite cheese. Pepper jack is a good option if you want a touch of heat, or you can try Gruyere for a delightful nuttiness.
Psst… if you want something a bit more grown-up, try parmesan roasted broccoli.
What readers are saying…
“I love this recipe! It’s my first time making this dish and I will make it regularly! Thank you for sharing!”
“Quick and easy indeed! My husband loved it! Thanks for this recipe.”
“I usually do cauliflower and cheese but had an excess of broccoli. How easy was this! I added a spoon of Dijon mustard for extra depth.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🤩 Broccoli Gratin
🇬🇧 Cauliflower Cheese
🍲 Broccoli Potato Soup
Salads
Salads offer a fresh bite and a bright, acidic flavor that complements the delicate and mildly flavored flounder. But don’t feel limited by only using leafy greens – starchy additions like croutons and quinoa help bulk out the meal and also add a different layer of texture.
Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (11 ratings) | 35 mins
Flounder is a mild fish, so you want to serve it with dishes that have a balanced flavor, like this quinoa salad.
The combination of quinoa, cranberries, and the vinaigrette creates a lightly nutty, tart flavor that pairs well with flounder. And if that’s not enough, the recipe also adds apples for a bit of sweetness and an extra crunch.
Psst… not a fan of cranberries? Swap them for your favorite dried fruit. Raisins and dried figs are solid choices, but I personally love dried apricots.
What readers are saying…
“Tried this salad. It was really great! Will definitely go for it again.”
“I made this salad last night for lunch all week. So glad it was a hit cuz otherwise I would have starved!”
“Amazing! So easy to make and delicious. Definitely will be one of my go-to salads.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🇮🇹 Caprese Quinoa Salad
🇲🇽 Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad
🇬🇷 Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Pineapple Coleslaw
5.0 ⭐️ (25 ratings) | 30 mins
This cool, crunchy slaw is an excellent side dish for your crispy fried flounder.
The creamy mayo dressing adds just enough richness, while the pineapples bring a fruity-tangy note that lifts your flounder’s mild flavor.
This recipe uses pre-shredded coleslaw mix to speed up the prep work, but you can definitely shred your own veg to ensure they’re at their freshest state.
What the chef says…
“I use canned pineapple tidbits here because they don’t turn brown (compared to fresh pineapple)… keep in mind that the enzymes in fresh fruit can affect creamy dressings over time. I do highly recommend sticking to canned pineapple if you are not eating the slaw right after making it.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
👵 Grandma’s Buttermilk Coleslaw
😇 Red Cabbage Slaw (No Mayo)
🍏 Green Apple Jicama Slaw
Classic Caesar Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (422 ratings) | 30 mins
Caesar salad is one of my go-to side dishes for flounder because it’s a crowd-pleaser.
It has a bit of everything: some crisp from the lettuce, some tang from the dressing, and some crunch from the croutons.
And if you want to make this classic salad special, follow recipe creator Natasha’s lead and make the croutons and dressing from scratch. And no worries — Natasha’s version of Caesar dressing doesn’t have anchovies.
What readers are saying…
“This recipe is a keeper! I am glad it does not have anchovies.”
“This salad is soo good I’ve made it like 3 times in just a few weeks!”
“This recipe is delicious. The croutons are amazing. I loved the dressing and just want to keep eating more and more.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Sauces
Flounder’s mild flavor makes it the perfect canvas for different sauces that could take the dish from ordinary to fabulous. Be careful with bold spices, though, or you might end up overpowering the delicate taste of your flounder.
Garlic Aioli
4.6 ⭐️ (39 ratings) | 5 mins
This garlic aioli is the perfect dipping sauce for your fried flounder.
The fresh garlic and lemon juice adds so much flavor and not only works for the fish but also sides like wedges and hushpuppies too.
And the best part is you can whip this sauce up in no time.
What readers are saying…
“I have been making this dip for a couple of years now… it is good on absolutely everything! It is so simple to make!”
“Loved this creamy garlic sauce, had it with roasted potatoes and it really elevated the whole dish!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
😇 Dairy-free Garlic Aioli
🤩 Tartar Sauce with Dill
🌿 Pesto Aioli
Lemon Butter Sauce
5.0 ⭐️ (44 ratings) | 15 mins
If you’re not frying your flounder, this lemon butter sauce is a great substitute for garlic aioli.
It seems too simple, but this sauce has butter and heavy cream for a light richness and lemon juice for a vibrant, citrusy twist.
Psst… this sauce cooks quickly, so don’t leave it unattended or it’ll burn.
What readers are saying…
“This sauce is so good, thanks for sharing.”
“My husband and I have found our new favorite seafood sauce! It’s delectable.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🌿 Sage Butter Sauce
🌱 Dill Cream Sauce
😇 Dairy-free Ranch Dressing
What To Serve With Flounder – 13 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1 portion rice pilaf
- 1 portion cheesy broccoli
- 1 portion caesar salad
- 1 portion sauteed spinach and onions
- 1 portion pineapple coleslaw
- 1 portion hush puppies … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your flounder according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: roasted lemon potatoes, ratatouille, garlic aioli, sauteed spinach and onions, cranberry quinoa salad, pineapple coleslaw, cheesy broccoli, classic caesar salad, easy rice pilaf, calabacitas, and deep-fried hush puppies.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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