Name: 30+ BEST Sides for Calamari
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ½ head red cabbage (shredded); ½ head green cabbage (shredded); 1 carrot (grated); ¼ cup apple cider vinegar; 1 Tablespoon honey; 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; Salt and pepper (to taste)

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Wondering what to eat with calamari? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide of the 20+ BEST side dishes for calamari.

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These simple side dishes served with your calamari dinner will guarantee an amazing, meal!

Perfect for quick, weeknight cooking, but also amazing served at a dinner party.

PS – Be sure to check out these 15+ Dipping Sauces for Calamari too!

What to Serve with Fried Calamari

Overhead close up of combined vinegar slaw in large white mixing bowl.

Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.

Red Cabbage Slaw

These Air Fryer Shoestring Fries come out exactly like your favorite fast food fries! They’re crispy, golden on the outside and perfectly fluffy inside. SO much better than deep frying or baking! Plus, you can cook different types of fries – waffle fries, steak fries and more!

Air Fryer Frozen Shoestring Fries

Indulge in this luxurious Lemon Risotto with Mascarpone. Rich, creamy, and tangy – Its bright flavor makes a perfect vegetarian entrée or a delicious side dish.

Lemon Risotto

Instant Pot Artichokes are quick and easy to make with the help of your electric pressure cooker. Plus, this recipe gives them SO much flavor!

Instant Pot Artichokes

Spears of asparagus cooked sous vide topped with parmesan shavings.

How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.

Sous Vide Asparagus

Overhead shot of Prepared asian quinoa salad in bowl with serving tongs.

This vibrant Asian Quinoa Salad has a colorful blend of fresh vegetables topped on a bed of fluffy quinoa. Dressed in a tangy vinaigrette, it’s a delicious and naturally vegan meal you can make for meal prep or a healthy dinner.

Edamame Quinoa Salad

This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!

Tomato Cucumber Salad

This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons.

Cherry Tomato Salad

Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and covered in a sweet and spicy kung pao sauce. Toss with roasted peanuts and red chilis for a crazy delicious spin on a classic roasted vegetable.

Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts

Overhead close up of zucchini fries on platter.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

This copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is bursting with flavor. Beautifully marinated cucumbers drizzled in chili oil is an outstanding vegetarian appetizer you can enjoy for any special occasion!

Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.

Hawaiian Coleslaw

Bowl of cooked pinto beans flecked with cilantro.

Instant Pot pinto beans are easy to make and taste so much better than the canned version! Perfect for meal prep or as a side dish to your favorite tacos, salads, or protein bowls, these beans can be ready in under an hour with no soaking required.

Instant Pot Pinto Beans

Risotto in grey bowl next to shards of parmesan cheese.

Instant Pot Risotto is hands-down the best way to make risotto! It has the signature creamy, rich goodness you expect without all the stirring and fuss of making it on the stove. Plus there are 6 add-in options to make your risotto extra flavorful.

Instant Pot Risotto

This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.

Kale Caesar Salad

Prepared radicchio salad in grey bowl with serving utensils.

This delicious Italian Radicchio Salad is dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with buttery calvestrano olives, tasty breadcrumbs and nutty parmesan cheese. And, a special tip ensures that your radicchio won't be bitter!

Italian Radicchio Salad

This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.

Arugula Salad

These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you.

Blistered Shishito Peppers

Apple Celery Root Slaw is an exciting twist on your basic coleslaw. Crisp apples and celery root combine with jalapeno, cilantro & pickled onions. It's sure to be a stand out side dish!

Apple Celery Root Slaw

Overhead shot of shaved fennel salad in green serving bowl on pink table.

This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.

Fennel Celery Salad

This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing.

Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad

Add a tangy, sweet and spicy kick to your fried calamari with Bang Bang Sauce! It’s an easy, creamy chili and mayo dipping sauce made from ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.

Bang Bang Sauce

Ordinary white rice is transformed into the best savory side dish in this Garlic Rice recipe! Super fluffy and loaded with garlic and butter, one taste and you’ll never settle for blah rice again.

Garlic Rice

Learning how to make Tzatziki Sauce at home is easy and takes less than 10 minutes! Using grated cucumbers, Greek yogurt, and fresh herbs, you get the creamiest and most refreshing sauce that goes well with not only gyros, but also all kinds of meats and vegetables.

Tzatziki Sauce

Italian chopped salad in large bowl on white table.

This simple Italian Chopped Salad dresses fresh veggies, salami, mozzarella & chickpeas in a delicious homemade Italian dressing.

Italian Salad

This easy Cocktail Sauce recipe is a zesty and tangy dipping sauce that’s perfect for calamari.

Cocktail Sauce

This 5-minute Creamy Garlic Sauce recipe is an easy go-to sauce you can serve with pasta, chicken, shrimp, and so much more. The flavors are rich and savory, and will keep you coming back for more!

Creamy Garlic Sauce

This delicious Yogurt Dill Sauce is a creamy yet light all-purpose sauce you’ll want to use on everything. Easy to make with Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, and dill, just a scoop adds bright and vibrant flavors to salad bowls, veggies, grilled meats, and more!

Yogurt Dill Sauce

Pa Amb Tomàquet (or Pan Con Tomate) is a simple but delicious tapas recipe made with only 5 ingredients! It's like a Spanish version of bruschetta in the best way possible with toasty bread, garlic and fresh grated tomatoes.

Pan con Tomate

Add some smoke and spice to your favorite recipes with this Chipotle Crema. A Mexican-inspired sauce, this creamy mix is made with chipotles in adobo to give a boost to tacos, salads, and more!

Chipotle Crema

Overhead close up of bowl of lime coconut rice with chopsticks.

This Coconut Lime Rice is fragrant, fluffy, and easy to make. The mild coconut flavor is delectable, making this simple side dish perfect for curries, stir fry, stew, and more. Rice cooker, Instant Pot, and stovetop directions included.

Coconut Lime Rice

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these calamari side dishes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

More Side Dish Recipes

Did you make any of these calamari sides?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what to serve with calamari. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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30+ BEST Sides for Calamari

Wondering what to serve with calamari? I've got you covered with this handy guide of the 20+ BEST side dishes for calamari. Try this Red Cabbage Slaw. A super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 10

Servings: 12 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

½ head red cabbage (shredded)
½ head green cabbage (shredded)
1 carrot (grated)
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tablespoon honey
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Add cabbage and carrot to a large bowl.
Whisk together apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil and salt. Pour over cabbage mixture.
Toss well to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.

Notes

In place of the cabbage and carrot, you can use a 16-ounce package of shredded cabbage mix.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

What to Serve with Calamari (30+ BEST Side Dishes)