Wondering what to serve with calamari for dinner? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide of the BEST side dishes for calamari.
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 Goes with Calamari?
Red Cabbage Coleslaw (No Mayo)
Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.
Red Cabbage Slaw
Air Fryer Shoestring Fries
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
Lemon Risotto with Mascarpone
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
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
Sous Vide Asparagus
How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.
Sous Vide Asparagus
Asian Quinoa Salad
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
Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber 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
Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons
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
Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts
Love artichokes? Try this quick and easy Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts recipe! Seasoned with parmesan and Italian seasonings, they’re an incredibly crispy and flavorful appetizer or healthy snack.
Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts
Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
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
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
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
Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
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
Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.
Hawaiian Coleslaw
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
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
Instant Pot Parmesan Risotto
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
Vegetarian Kale Caesar Salad
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
Italian Radicchio Salad
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
Simple Arugula Salad Dressing
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
Blistered Shishito Peppers Recipe
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
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
Shaved Fennel Salad
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
Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad
This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing.
Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad
Bang Bang Sauce
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
Garlic Rice
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
Tzatziki Sauce
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
This simple Italian Chopped Salad dresses fresh veggies, salami, mozzarella & chickpeas in a delicious homemade Italian dressing.
Italian Salad
Cocktail Sauce Recipe
This easy Cocktail Sauce recipe is a zesty and tangy dipping sauce that’s perfect for calamari.
Cocktail Sauce
Creamy Garlic 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
Dill Yogurt 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
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
Chipotle Crema
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
Coconut Lime Rice
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 sides 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 side dishes?
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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Full Recipe
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.
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Serves 12 people
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.
Nutrition
Calories: 39kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 169mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1276IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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