What To Serve With Ceviche (20+ Best Side Dishes)
Ceviche is a popular dish that originated in Latin America and has become a favorite in many countries. This refreshing and flavorful seafood dish is made by marinating raw fish or seafood in citrus juice, along with various seasonings and vegetables.
But, what’s a good ceviche without some delicious side dishes to go with it? That’s why I’ve put together a list of the best side dishes to serve with ceviche.
From classic Mexican sides like cilantro rice, and black bean and corn salad to more unique options like air fryer yuca fries and grilled shrimp skewers, these side dishes will take your main meal to the next level.
Looking for a quick answer? Here are my favorite sides for ceviche.
Some of the best side dishes to serve with ceviche are mango salad, pineapple salsa, coconut rice, Mexican street corn salad, grilled shrimp, cilantro lime rice, black bean and corn salad, homemade tortilla chips, coconut shrimp, sweet potato fries, baked sweet potatoes, cucumber and avocado salad, plantain chips, black bean and corn salad, pico de gallo, tostada shells, bread rolls, air fryer yuca fries, shrimp and pineapple skewers, and fresh oysters with lime juice.
1. Mango salad
One great addition to a plate of fresh ceviche is a mango salad. Mixed greens, fresh veggies, and a cilantro lime dressing make for a delightful side dish that pairs perfectly with the raw fish in the ceviche. The sweet and tangy flavors of the mango add a delicious twist to the dish.
Mango salad is also a great option for those looking for a gluten-free side dish to enjoy with their ceviche. It’s a versatile dish that can be customized with different toppings, making it a favorite for many different types of ceviche.
We love: The Best Mango Avocado Salad (by My Chef’s Apron)
2. Pineapple salsa
Pineapple salsa is a perfect side dish for ceviche, especially on hot summer days. This sweet and tangy salsa is a traditional Mexican accompaniment to ceviche and it pairs perfectly with its South American flavors.
The sweetness of the pineapple balances out the tangy lime and cilantro flavors in the ceviche, making it a refreshing and delicious addition to a ceviche lunch.
Served alongside more side dishes like sweet potato chips, corn fritters, or even tuna patties, pineapple salsa adds a burst of fresh flavors to any meal.
We love: Easy Pineapple Salsa Recipe (by Savory Nothings)
3. Coconut rice
Coconut rice is a delicious and easy side dish to serve with ceviche. The creamy and nutty flavors of the coconut milk and white rice complement the tangy and refreshing taste of the beloved seafood dish.
Rice is the easiest way to turn a ceviche appetizer into a more substantial meal. And, while I adore the flavor of coconut rice with ceviche, you can also serve “arroz rojo” or “red rice” with your ceviche.
It’s a versatile side dish that can be paired with any type of ceviche, whether it’s made with white fish, shrimp, or a mix of seafood.
We love: Coconut Rice – Instant Pot or Stove Top (by Bowls Are The New Plates)
4. Mexican street corn salad
When it comes to serving a delicious side dish with ceviche, you can’t go wrong with Mexican street corn salad.
This light and refreshing salad, also called Elote salad, is packed with flavor from the roasted corn kernels, red onions, and cherry tomatoes. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tangy to complement the zesty ceviche.
Not only is this salad a delicious side dish, but it’s also a great way to add some texture and crunch to your meal. Serve it with a side of homemade tortilla chips.
We love: Mexican Street Corn Salad (by Served From Scratch)
5. Grilled shrimp
Grilled shrimp is a tasty and light side dish to serve with ceviche. The charred flavor of the shrimp pairs beautifully with the fresh, raw seafood in the ceviche.
The natural sweetness of the grilled shrimp also complements the tangy flavors of the ceviche, adding an extra layer of deliciousness to every bite.
To make a complete and satisfying meal, serve ceviche and grilled shrimp with little bowls of refried beans, tomato salsa, and cucumber and avocado salad. This combination of dishes makes for a light and refreshing meal, perfect for a hot summer day.
We love: Grilled Shrimp – Juicy and Fresh (by A Farmgirl’s Dabbles)
6. Cilantro lime rice
Ceviche is a light and refreshing dish that is perfect for a hot summer day. And, what better side dish to serve with it than cilantro lime rice?
This tasty side dish pairs exceptionally well with ceviche, adding a subtle yet delicious flavor to the meal. The tangy lime and fresh cilantro in the rice complements the bright flavors of the fish in the ceviche.
We love: Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice (by Real Life Dinner)
7. Black bean and corn salad
Black bean and corn salad is another excellent side salad to serve with ceviche. The unique flavors of the salad perfectly complement the fresh fish in the ceviche.
This delicious side dish is a great way to add some variety to your meal. And, leftovers can be served as a light lunch on its own.
The combination of black beans, corn, and cherry tomatoes provides a great flavor and texture contrast to the ceviche. Perfect with some crispy tortilla chips or tostada shells.
We love: Corn and Black Bean Salad with Mexican Vinaigrette (by Urban Cowgirl)
8. Homemade tortilla chips
Homemade corn tortilla chips are a must-have side dish for serving with ceviche. The crunchy texture of the chips provides a perfect contrast to the tender ceviche, making it a great side for any main course.
It’s the perfect vehicle for scooping up bites of your favorite ceviche. Plus, making your own tortilla chips is super simple. You can also make air-fryer tortilla chips.
For a refreshing twist, serve your fish ceviche and tortilla chips with a refreshing mango salsa.
We love: Homemade Tortilla Chips (by The Willow’s Kitchen)
9. Coconut shrimp
Coconut shrimp is another tasty side dish that pairs perfectly with ceviche. The crispy, golden-brown shrimp is the perfect accompaniment to the tangy flavors of the ceviche.
Not only does coconut shrimp add a satisfying crunch to your meal, but it also brings a touch of sweetness to balance out the citrusy flavors of the ceviche.
I love to serve ceviche alongside a cooked protein just in case there is a dinner guest who doesn’t love the raw fish.
We love: Coconut Shrimp with the Best Sauce (VIDEO) (by Natasha’s Kitchen)
10. Sweet potato fries
These sweet and crispy fries are a great alternative to traditional sides like French fries or rice. Plus, their vibrant flavors and crunchy texture pair perfectly with the fresh and tangy flavors of ceviche.
Add a spicy mayo to dip your crispy sweet potato fries. And, for a complete meal, serve more side dishes such as slaws, salads, and salsas.
We love: Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer (by The Hearty Life)
11. Baked sweet potatoes
Looking for tasty side dishes to serve with your homemade ceviche? Look no further than baked sweet potatoes!
The slightly sweet flavor of the cooked sweet potatoes pairs perfectly with the tangy and flavorful ceviche.
We love: How to Bake Sweet Potatoes (by Eating on a Dime)
12. Cucumber and avocado salad
Cucumber and avocado salad is a classic side dish to serve with ceviche. As a light and refreshing salad, it balances out the rich and tangy flavors of ceviche.
I love to serve a creamy avocado and crisp cucumber salad when I make a spicy ceviche.
We love: Cucumber Avocado Feta Salad (by Weekend at the Cottage)
13. Plantain chips
Plantain chips are a great side dish to serve with ceviche. This unexpected pairing might surprise you, but the flavor combination is simply irresistible.
The crispiness of the plantain chips provides a satisfying crunch that complements the tender and flavorful ceviche. It’s a great alternative to the more traditional store-bought tortilla chips often served with fish tacos or ceviche.
Plus, plantain chips are an easy side dish to make at home. Simply slice and fry ripe plantains in oil until golden brown. Or try baked plantain chips for a healthier alternative.
We love: Crunchy Baked Plantain Chips (by The Novice Chef)
14. Elote pasta salad
Pasta salad may not be your first thought when you think of ceviche side dishes. But this Mexican-inspired pasta salad will be an instant hit.
The classic flavors of a Mexican street corn salad with the extra sustenance from pasta—what’s not to love?
You can use any type of pasta, but I love to make this with farfalle or fusilli pasta. And if you’re looking for a gluten-free option, give a classic potato salad a Mexican-style street corn salad twist instead!
We love: Mexican street corn pasta salad (by The Travel Palate)
15. Pico de gallo
Pico de gallo is a must-have side dish for any ceviche dish, especially during warm summer months.
This fresh and zesty salsa pairs perfectly with the tangy and slightly sweet flavors of ceviche. The combination of diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice adds an extra layer of flavor and texture to the dish, making it even more delicious.
Not only does pico de gallo add extra flavor to your ceviche, it’s also super easy to make.
We love: Pico de Gallo Recipe (Easy & Authentic) (by Downshiftology)
16. Tostada shells
No matter the type of ceviche you’re serving, tostada shells make the perfect side dish. These crispy, fried tortillas provide a delightful crunch and are often served alongside ceviche as a popular side dish.
The versatility of tostada shells makes them an easy side dish to pair with many different types of ceviche, whether it’s octopus ceviche, mahi mahi, or even smoked salmon.
We love: How to Make Tostada Shells (crispy baked!) (by Vanilla And Bean®)
17. Bread rolls
Bread rolls are an excellent option for a ceviche side dish. The soft and fluffy texture of bread rolls provides a perfect contrast to the creamy texture of ceviche.
Not to mention, it’s one of the easiest side dishes to serve with ceviche. Simply pick up a pack of pre-made rolls from the store. Or, if you’re up for a challenge, make your own using simple ingredients. Use the bread rolls to sweep up all the delicious tangy juice from your plate and drizzle with olive oil
We love: Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls (by Savory Nothings)
18. Air fryer yuca fries
Ceviche is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for a hot summer day. And what better way to complement its vibrant flavors than with some crispy air fryer yuca fries?
Not only do these cassava fries add a satisfying crunch to your meal, but they also require minimal effort. Simply season and toss them in the air fryer for a quick and easy side dish for your favorite seviche.
We love: Air Fryer Yuca Fries (by Savory Thoughts)
19. Fresh oysters with lime juice
Fresh oysters with a squeeze of lime juice make the perfect accompaniment to any type of ceviche.
The briny, slightly sweet flavor of the oysters pairs beautifully with the tangy, citrusy flavors of the ceviche. Plus, the freshness and quality of the oysters add another level of luxury to the meal.
Serve the oysters at room temperature and squeeze fresh lime juice over them just before eating. I also love to add a splash of hot sauce!
Learn: How to Shuck an Oyster at Home (by TipBuzz)
20. Shrimp and pineapple skewers
Shrimp and pineapple skewers are another perfect side dish to complement your ceviche.
The sweet and tangy combination of pineapple and shrimp is a perfect match for the fresh ingredients in your ceviche.
For a full Latin American experience, add some corn tortillas, lime rice, and pico de gallo. And if you’re feeling adventurous, add some spicy chili peppers to your skewers for an extra kick.
We love: Shrimp Pineapple Kabobs (by Running in a Skirt)
Ceviche is a refreshing and flavorful dish that makes a great appetizer. Or, you can bulk it up with the best side dishes to enjoy as the main dish.
I love to pair fish or shrimp ceviche with cilantro rice, baked plantain chips, and pico de gallo. Or, if you want something lighter, a simple mango salad with tostada shells makes a refreshing summer meal.
Add a few chilled beers, or agua fresca for a non-alcoholic drink, and you have yourselves a perfect summer’s day!
But don’t limit yourself to just these options! Get creative and load up on different flavors and textures. As long as you use the best quality fresh raw fish for your ceviche, your meal will be in instant hit.
Let me know in the comments below which side dish you think goes best with ceviche!