Walleye is one of those delicate yet delicious fish that really lets its natural, sweet flavor shine.
With its light, flaky texture and mild taste, walleye makes an excellent canvas for all sorts of preparations from baked to fried.
But no matter how you cook this freshwater favorite, you'll want some side dishes to round out the meal.
Here is a list of my favorite side dishes to eat with Walleye:
Jump to:
- 1.Lemon Dill Sauce
- 2.Roasted Asparagus
- 3.Creamy Coleslaw
- 4.Baked Potato
- 5.Baked Beans
- 6.Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
- 7.Wild Rice Pilaf
- 8.Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
- 9.Remoulade Sauce
- 10.Parmesan Truffle Fries
- 11.Succotash
- 12.Cucumber Salad with Yogurt and Mint
- 13.Hush Puppies
- 14.Cheesy Grits
- 15.Fried Green Tomatoes
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1.Lemon Dill Sauce
Let's start things off with a bright, herby sauce that absolutely sings when drizzled over tender walleye fillets.
The sauce comes together in just 10 minutes using ingredients I usually have on hand. Garlic, lemon juice, fresh dill, cream, and a touch of dijon mustard create a rich and flavorful sauce that elevates the meal.
The creamy yet vibrant sauce adds such incredible fragrance and flavor that allows the delicate fish to really shine. It's a light yet luxurious accompaniment that no walleye feast should be without.
2.Roasted Asparagus
If you still wonder what to serve with walleye, you really can't go wrong with some beautifully roasted asparagus spears alongside your walleye.
With just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep, you can have perfectly tender, slightly sweet asparagus on the table in 8-20 minutes depending on the stalk thickness.
Their fresh, green, earthy flavors make for such a lovely counterpoint to the rich fish. And the slender stalks provide a nice textural contrast to flaky walleye.
3.Creamy Coleslaw
When I'm craving something cool and crisp to offset walleye's heartier preparations like frying or baking in a creamy sauce, I always turn to coleslaw.
This coleslaw is a breeze to make. Just whisk together the tangy, creamy dressing, toss it with some fresh shredded cabbage and carrots, and let it chill in the fridge. In no time at all, you'll have a tasty side dish that's ready to serve.
What I love about this coleslaw is how well it complements walleye. The cool, crisp veggies and the rich dressing provide a refreshing contrast to the tender, flaky fish
4.Baked Potato
It's hard to beat a simple, perfectly baked potato as a side for just about any protein - walleye included.
Whether you top your spud with the classic butter, sour cream, cheese and chives or get a bit fancier, those starchy insides and crispy skin provide such an ideal base for catching any of the tasty sauces and juices from the fish.
While the potatoes bake, prep your favorite toppings. I love setting up a toppings bar so everyone can customize their potatoes.
Some ideas:
- Chili
- compound butter
- herbs like chives or scallions
- and even crushed corn chips for crunch!
Baked potatoes make an excellent side dish for walleye. The mild, flaky fish pairs perfectly with the hearty, comforting flavors of a loaded baked potato. Plus, most of the cooking time is hands-off, so you can focus on preparing the fish
5.Baked Beans
For a cozy, homestyle pairing, nothing tops some smoky-sweet baked beans alongside walleye.
I've tried so many recipes over the years, but this one is the clear winner.
The secret is to make the sauce from scratch. It's packed with smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors that take these beans to the next level. I use pinto beans, but navy or kidney beans work great too.
The rich, sticky sauce and bursts of porky goodness from the bacon provide the perfect hearty accompaniment while also adding layers of incredible smoky depth to complement the walleye.
These beans are flavor bombs in the best way.
6.Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
For a simple yet absolutely delicious veggie accompaniment, try roasting up some broccoli florets tossed with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and a generous shower of parmesan cheese.
The combination of crispy broccoli, savory parmesan cheese, and Italian breadcrumbs is simply irresistible.
Just toss all the ingredients together in a bag, spread them on a baking sheet, and roast until crisp-tender.In about 25 minutes, you've got a side that's packed with flavor and texture.
It's such an easy way to elevate basic broccoli into something totally craveable alongside flaky walleye.
7.Wild Rice Pilaf
This nutty, hearty rice pilaf makes an excellent base for soaking up any extra sauce or pan juices from your walleye.
The nutty wild rice and chewy brown rice create a wonderful texture, while the veggies add freshness and flavor. Garnished with parsley, it's a comforting and tasty side dish.
Although the rice takes about 45 minutes to cook, the actual prep time is only around 15 minutes. Just sauté the vegetables, add the rice and broth, cover and simmer.
Easy peasy!
8.Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
When walleye is involved, you'll definitely want to have some sort of buttery lemon sauce in your arsenal. The bright, tart lemon complements the fish's mild flavor so well.
This recipe only takes 5 minutes and 4 simple ingredients - lemon juice, butter, garlic, and salt.To make it, you just melt the butter, add minced garlic and salt, then finish it off with lemon juice.
This sauce is also great for jazzing up veggies or pasta on the side. Once you try it, you'll want to put it on everything. Bon appétit!
9.Remoulade Sauce
If you're frying or baking your walleye, a zesty remoulade sauce on the side is an absolute must.
This mayo-based sauce packs a flavorful punch with zesty ingredients like Creole mustard, garlic, horseradish, Cajun seasoning, and a dash of cayenne.
You can whip this sauce up in just 10 minutes - simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until you're ready to serve. The flavors meld together as it chills.
Its refreshing yet robust qualities make it the ideal partner for cutting through the richness of a crispy walleye while adding layers of bold flavor and tanginess.
Use it as a dipping sauce or drizzle it right over the top of the fish.
10.Parmesan Truffle Fries
No walleye feast is complete without a hearty side of fries.
These gourmet fries add a fun twist to a classic family favorite. With just a few simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of cooking time, you can whip up a batch that rivals any restaurant version.
The deeply savory, cheesy coating with hints of garlic and herb flavors make them downright addictive alongside walleye.
Plus those crispy fries are perfect for sopping up any extra remoulade or lemon butter sauce.
11.Succotash
For a bright, fresh side with plenty of appetizing color and texture, look no further than a classic succotash made with summer's finest produce.
This classic American dish is loaded with veggies like onion, corn, peppers, and tomatoes, with just a touch of bacon for added flavor.
You simply fry up the bacon and onion, then toss in the rest of the veggies and seasonings. In just 15 minutes, you've got a delicious and nutritious side ready to go.
The vibrant veggies provide a crunchy, juicy accompaniment that lets the sweet walleye flavor shine. So fresh and summery!
12.Cucumber Salad with Yogurt and Mint
I love making this cool and creamy cucumber salad during the summer when cucumbers are at their peak. It's a family recipe that's been passed down for generations.
To make it, I simply peel and slice a cucumber, add some thinly sliced red onion, and mix it all together with creamy yogurt, dried mint, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. The result is a light and refreshing side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled walleye.
Whether you're looking for a healthy summer side dish or just want something cool and refreshing to pair with your favorite fish, this Lebanese cucumber yogurt salad is sure to hit the spot.
13.Hush Puppies
What walleye feast would be complete without some crispy, golden hush puppies to dunk in your sauces? These delectable fried cornmeal dumplings make such an addictive, shareable side. They're like little bites of fried cornbread heaven.
These hush puppies are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The hint of onion adds great flavor.
These puppies are ideal for sopping up any remoulade, tartar sauce or lemon garlic butter that comes with your walleye. Pass around the honey butter for dipping!
14.Cheesy Grits
Walleye and cheesy grits were just meant to be together. This Southern staple of stone-ground corn grits gets enhanced with sharp cheddar, parmesan and cream for the ultimate rich, creamy consistency.
This recipe is a staple in my household and always impresses dinner guests.
The secret to these grits?
Smoked gouda cheese and a splash of white wine for an extra flavor punch. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
They make an incredibly velvety and indulgent base for those tender walleye fillets to rest upon, soaking up all those luscious juices and sauces. Add in some crispy bacon bits for bonus smokiness.
15.Fried Green Tomatoes
For something a little unexpected yet insanely tasty alongside walleye, crispy fried green tomatoes are where it's at. Tart green tomatoes get dredged in a cornmeal batter and fried until golden and crisp on the outside while still retaining some juicy bite inside.
Just slice the tomatoes, dredge them in flour, egg, buttermilk, and cornmeal, then fry them up in a skillet. In no time at all, you'll have a delicious, Southern-inspired side that pairs perfectly with the mild, flaky flesh of walleye.
Serve them up with a remoulade or ranch dipping sauce for coolness and added tang. The acidity and crunch factor plays so nicely with the rich walleye.
They're the epitome of Southern-inspired flavor and texture when paired with fresh, delicate fish. A total crowd-pleaser!
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