Halibut is a flaky, delicately-flavored fish you can prepare in many ways: grilled, roasted, baked, blackened, pan-seared, or pan-fried. Its simple flavors also mean you can pair it with many delicious side dishes, from salads to roasted vegetables.
To help you out, here are 14 best-tasting vegetable and salad sides for halibut. They go well with the many ways this fish is cooked. Moreover, they’re all perfect for those watching out for their health.
1. Roasted Vegetables
Halibut on a bed of roasted vegetables is timeless. Whether grilled, baked, roasted, or pan-fried, the fish’s freshness is suited for the medley of caramelized flavors that come from the roasted small potatoes, carrots, parsnips, herbs, and spices. You can also add any other vegetables you like, as long as it’s suitable for roasting.
2. Homemade French Fries
If you’ve had fish with chips, you’ll know that flaky fishes like halibut are great with French fries. Although fries don’t sound healthy or even like the dinner date material, these baked fries will change your mind. They aren’t oily, so the flavors come out more and in a healthier way. They’re still as crisp as the original ones, so it’s perfect for those who want something simple and healthy.
3. Healthy Mashed Potatoes
Another way to enjoy starch with your halibut is with creamy, healthy mashed potatoes. This side dish is usually heavy for some because of all the fat from butter, milk, cream, and other ingredients. But this one uses low-fat sour cream and keeps the butter minimal. If that isn’t enough for you, it also suggests using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and olive oil instead of butter.
4. Oven-Roasted Asparagus
Among all veggie sides, the most classic with halibut is asparagus. Some recipes even incorporate them so you can cook the fish and asparagus alongside each other. But if you’ve had your fish prepped and ready, you can follow this recipe. It takes only 15 minutes to complete, and you only need a bunch of asparagus, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
5. Roasted Zucchini
Many roasted veggies go well with halibut, one of which is zucchini. This cucumber look-alike veggie is flavored with parmesan, Italian seasoning, and herbs and comes out of the oven perfectly tender and delicious. The recipe also gives tips on roasting the zucchini. Hence, it comes crisp and not soggy, making it more enjoyable to eat.
6. Roasted Rutabag
Rutabaga, or Swedish turnip, is an underrated alternative to potatoes. It’s also a root crop but is less starchy and has fewer carbs than the usual potatoes. The flavors are a unique combination of earthy, sweet, and buttery. These sweet flavors are even more pronounced when these vegetables are roasted, as the heat caramelizes the sugars inside them.
7. Cauliflower Pancakes
Pancakes do not sound like dinner food, but these cauliflower pancakes aren’t like any other. It’s savory and creamy, thus, bringing novel textures and tastes to your halibut. If you’re fond of cauliflower rice, this recipe reinvents it by combining the food-processed florets with eggs, shallots, gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt. Also, it’s cooked over avocado oil, so it’s much more healthier!
8. Okra Stew
The sliminess of okra puts off many people, but with this recipe, you can minimize that. This okra stew is rich, flavorful, and heartwarming, perfect for pouring over your tasty halibut. It’s made from a combination of vegetables, spices, and seasonings, making your simple halibut meal much more complex in the best way possible.
9. Tortellini Broccoli Salad
Halibut goes great with salad and pasta, so why not have both on one plate? This tortellini broccoli salad combines cheese tortellini with fresh broccoli, bacon, red onions, dried cranberries, and walnuts. The salad’s magic dressing is creamy and flavorful, made from light mayo, sour cream, sugar, and balsamic vinegar. Also, you can modify the dressing according to your taste, like adding less sugar.
10. Caesar Salad
Among the most classic salads is Caesar salad, which is full of crisp textures and freshness from the romaine lettuce. You’ll also find other traditional elements of a Caesar, such as savory garlic croutons in this recipe. What makes it stand out and perfect for halibut – is the fresh parmesan topping and creamy, delicious parmesan garlic dressing. The dressing also has anchovies.
11. Caprese Salad
A side of caprese salad is also excellent with halibut, as both flavors and looks are on point with this dish. Fresh slices of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil are arranged beautifully on a platter, drizzled with dark balsamic glaze. The juicy textures, tangy taste, and fresh flavors transform your simple halibut into an elegant meal.
12. Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad
Another refreshingly good side dish for halibut is tomato cucumber avocado salad. It is light, simple, and healthy. Plus, it’s a quick treat – something you can do within five minutes. Besides the main elements in the name, you only need a few ingredients like cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
13. Creamy Cucumber Salad
If you need another choice for a quick side dish, try this creamy cucumber salad, it takes only 5 minutes to complete. As the name implies, it’s fresh and creamy, perfect for dinner dates amidst a hot summer. Such cool, tasty flavors come from the cucumber slices, sour cream, red wine vinegar, fresh dill, garlic, salt, pepper, and red onions.
14. Fresh Mango Salsa
This fresh mango salsa is not just perfect for tortilla chips, tacos, and other Mexican treats. It’s amazingly great with halibut, as it brings a sweet, tropical feel and flavor. A great way to brighten up the meal with an assortment of avocados, mangoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, onions, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
