Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Sabrina Currie
Is there anything better than a fresh basket of crispy fried calamari? Only if your pair it with some of the 50 best side dishes to serve with crispy fried calamari! From classic tzatsiki and Greek salad to spicy dips and fluffy breads, here are some delicious ways to serve these tasty, golden brown squid rings.
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Salads
Greek salad is a natural choice and you'll find a few versions of it here. Other green salads and Italian salads are a great choice, too. While some people like a creamy potato salad or pasta salad (totally ok, if that's what you like), I prefer to stick with vinaigrette style dressings to keep your fried calamari dinner light and well balanced.
Greek Spinach Salad With Feta + Fresh Lemon Dressing
A perfect side to crispy fried calamari, this spinach Greek salad is quick to make, full of flavor and healthy too!
Greek Spinach Salad 
Easy Arugula Spinach Salad With Quick Pickled Onions
A light and bright salad with quick red wine pickled onions and a simple vinaigrette that is the perfect counterpoint to crispy and tender calamari.
Arugula Spinach Salad 
Italian Chopped Salad
A fresh easy vegan Italian chopped salad recipe. Garbanzo beans with tomatoes, olives, artichoke hearts, & more are delicious & healthy.
Italian Chopped Salad 
Healthy Caesar Salad Recipe {without Egg}
This healthy Caesar salad is a lightened up, tasty twist on the original! Made with a delicious Greek yogurt dressing and homemade croutons!
Caesar Salad 
Traditional Tuscan Panzanella Recipe
Panzanella is a simple, Tuscan peasant dish (cucina povera) which is popular in Italy, using the bounty of tomatoes during the summer, and stale bread which is almost a staple in any Italian kitchen.
Panzanella Salad 
Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki)
This traditional Greek Salad is a healthy, fresh side dish perfect for most dishes! This authentic recipe is easy to make and packed with veggies and feta!
Traditional Greek Salad 
Greek Zucchini Salad
It's a raw zucchini salad that's packed full of so much flavor you won't even realize you're eating zucchini! Our Greek Zucchini Salad is a fresh, easy-to-make salad that has everything you love about a Greek salad but made with thinly sliced tender fresh zucchini!
Greek Zucchini Salad 
Easy Cucumber Tomato And Onion Salad
This simple and flavorful cucumber and tomato salad is light, refreshing and takes just minutes to make! Perfect as an appetizer or side.
Cucumber and Tomato Salad 
Grilled Pineapple Cucumber Salad with Peanut Dressing
This tropical Hawaiian salad is a refreshing, nutty pineapple andcucumber salad with a spicy peanut dressing. A fun and bright salad with lots of flavors and textures that pairs well with calamari steaks and rings.
Pineapple Cucumber Salad with Peanut Dressing 
Chopped Rainbow Veggie Salad
This rainbow veggie chopped salad, made with everyday vegetables is easy, quick to make and a great side or meal prep dish.
Rainbow Veggie Salad 
Best Sauces + Condiments
A dipping sauce is a must, as are lemon wedges. These add extra flavor and a creamy contrast to fresh calamari rings. You can also serve simple cocktail sauce or a side of marinara sauce if you like a piquant tomato flavored sauce.
Tzatziki Sauce
This classic Greek Tzatziki sauce is made with thick Greek yogurt, shredded cucumber, garlic, fresh herbs and lemon juice. This versatile sauce is easy to make in just minutes and so delicious, you'll want to pair it with everything!
Tzatziki 
Sriracha Dipping Sauce
A creamy and delicious Sriracha Dipping Sauce made with simple ingredients and perfect for just about ANYTHING from chicken wings to fries!
Sriracha Dipping Sauce 
Tartar Sauce Recipe
Homemade Tartar Sauce made with mayonnaise, dill pickles and fresh dill, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and capers. So easy to make and way better than any of the jarred stuff you'll find at the store, you'll love this tangy, creamy, delicious tartar sauce recipe.
Tartar Sauce 
Aioli (Roasted Garlic Mayonnaise)
A classic and simple garlic aioli that everyone loves, it's delish with French fries and crispy calamari.
Aioli 
Garlic Truffle Aioli
This garlic truffle aioli tastes gourmet but is so easy to make. Perfect as a dipping sauce for fried foods. And great on burgers/sandwiches.
Garlic Truffle Aioli 
Lemon Herb Sauce
This lemon herb sauce is perfect for dressing up simple dishes when entertaining. It's delicious drizzled on roasted vegetables or potatoes.
Lemon Herb Sauce 
Chipotle Lime Sour Cream Sauce
Sour cream, canned chipotle en adobo peppers, and fresh lime juice are all you need to a smoky, and creamy Chipotle Lime Sour Cream sauce.
Chipotle Lime Sour Cream 
Garlic Butter Sauce
Easy to make in less than 10 minutes, this Garlic Butter Sauce is perfect with veggies, chicken, steak, fish and seafood as well.
Garlic Butter Sauce 
Mezze Platter Ideas
Some of the most popular dishes to pair with fried calamari are found on classic mezze platters aka Mediterranean grazing boards.
A delicious appetizer, crispy calamari is the star of the show. Pile it high in the middle of a platter and add an assortment of accompaniments like olives, cherry peppers, dips and marinated artichokes or other vegetables. Serve up triangles of pita bread, focaccia or flatbread with your tender squid too.
Warm Marinated Olives-An Easy Festive Appetizer
Warm marinated olives are quick and easy. They make a great tangy nibble and are an essential component of any good mezze platter.
Warm Marinated Olives 
Baba Ganoush Without Tahini (Roasted Eggplant Dip)
A creamy eggplant dip, baba ganoush is delicious with pita bread and calamari. Add some olives and you have a great lunch or fancy snack.
Baba Ganoush 
Grilled And Marinated Italian Eggplant Antipasto
Quick and easy marinated eggplant slices can be served hot or cold. An Italian antipasti and a soft vegetable that contrasts well with the crispy coating of fried calamari.
Easy Eggplant Antipasto 
Red Lentil Hummus
This Red Lentil Hummus recipe is a twist on traditional hummus using cooked lentils for a smooth, creamy dip. A perfect healthy snack!
Red Lentil Hummus 
Vegetarian Dolma Recipe
Delicate vegetarian dolma recipe with a melt-in-your-mouth cheese and rice filling with lots of dill and parsley.
Dolma 
Caponata Recipe
This is a very versatile dish. It can be served as a first course; all it needs is a sprinkle of fresh shaved Parmesan cheese. It also makes a great main course accompaniment for lamb, game, poultry or beef. The only down side to this dish is you won't be able to eat it without a nice glass of red nearby, I find a relatively mellow merlot works nice with it.
Caponata 
Garlic Baked Pita Chips
Crunchy garlic baked pita chips are so good, you might not wait until your pita bread goes stale before you make them!
Pita Chips 
Breads
There's a bread for every calamari recipe. Pick a simple bread or choose one topped with Italian seasoning or tomato sauce.
Italian Focaccia Bread
Bake up an authentic batch of Italian focaccia bread with all the best insider tips and tricks from a former Italian culinary student.
Italian Focaccia Bread 
Calabrian Chili Garlic Bread
Calabrian Chili Garlic Bread, made with a blend of butter, olive oil, tons of fresh garlic, and spicy Calabrian chili peppers, makes the ULTIMATE crispy, garlicky, buttery bread! Perfect with pasta or all by itself, this will be your new favorite way to make garlic bread!
Chili Garlic Bread 
Slow-Roasted Tomato and Burrata Bruschetta
Creamy and crisp, deconstructed burrata bruschetta with slow-roasted tomatoes is a delicious Italian appetizer - perfect for sharing!
Tomato and Burrata Bruschetta 
Easy Mediterranean Flatbread (with Naan and Hummus)
This easy Mediterranean flatbread recipe features naan and hummus topped with roasted onions and red peppers! This delicious dish is so quick and easy to make and a perfect appetizer or fun finger food!
Mediterranean Flatbread 
Veggies, Rice + Noodles
These great sides are an excellent way to make calamari the main dish. Consider serving side dishes with some colorful vegetables and a starch like Greek roast potatoes, lemony rice or nutty noodle salad for a well-rounded dinner.
Sautéed Rapini (Broccoli Rabe with Garlic and Oil)
Sautéed Rapini with Garlic and Oil is a signature Italian-American green leafy vegetable that has bitter notes and a distinct flavor-a nutritional powerhouse!
Sautéed Rapini 
Marinated Tomatoes with Basil
Marinated tomatoes is a simple summer side dish that can be prepared in minutes with only 5 ingredients for a flavorful sliced tomato salad.
Marinated Tomatoes with Basil 
Simple Greek roast potatoes with lemon and feta
These potatoes will make you the hero of this summer's BBQ and potluck circuit. A 30-minute side dish that's not your typical potato salad!
Greek Potatoes With Feta 
Greek Lemon Potatoes
This easy roasted Greek lemon potatoes recipe uses simple staples like olive oil, lemon juice, garlic & herbs. Full of Mediterranean flavor!
Greek Lemon Potatoes 
Easy Lemon Rice Recipe
Easy to make Lemon Rice is the perfect side dish for chicken, fish, meat, or vegetables. You only need 5 ingredients to get this yummy side dish on the table.
Lemon Rice 
Cilantro Lime Rice
This Cilantro Lime Rice is fresh, vibrant, and perfect for summer! Serve it with your favorite Tex-Mex dishes or enjoy it on its own.
Cilantro Lime Rice 
Classic Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto
A classic creamy risotto is a delicious side dish with fresh squid fried crisp and seasoned well. Top it all with a shower of chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice for a restaurant menu type meal.
Mushroom Risotto 
Peanut Noodles with Sesame Ginger Sauce
Peanut Sesame Noodles with Sriracha is a simple, super easy, yet hugely flavorful noodle dish. Can be fully made in advance.
Sesame Peanut Noodles 
Seafood Lovers Feast
If you're a seafood lover, pair up crispy calamari rings with some more great seafood appetizers and dishes for a crave-worthy feast. Serve calamari as an appetizer followed by a seafood main course or make it a buffet of finger foods and tapas style appetizers. Here are some great seafood sides and main dishes.
Crispy Fried Oysters With Lemon Caper Aioli
If you've got the deep fryer or air fryer going, why not fry up some crispy oysters at the same time?! These juicy, crispy oysters can be pan fried, air fried or deep fried, all with great results.
Fried Oysters 
Coctel De Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Mexican shrimp cocktail is a really flavorful side dish that is also a healthy option. With loads of flavor and texture, serve this with tortilla chips for scooping it up, and maybe a margarita too!
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail 
Easy Baked Greek Cod Recipe with Lemon and Garlic
Easy, one pan Greek baked cod has lots of piquant flavor that goes great with all types of squid. Serve it up with pita for mopping up all the delicious pan sauce.
Greek Baked Cod 
Easy Grilled Spot Prawns With Garlic Butter
Peel and eat shrimp are a great addition to a seafood buffet that are super quick and easy to make. Serve lots of garlic butter on the side for dipping squid and shrimp into.
Peel And Eat Prawns 
Crispy Corn And Crab Fritters With Spicy Mayo
Faster than crab cakes to make, these crab and corn fritters will disappear as fast as you can fry them. A fun and tasty addition to a fried calamari dinner.
Crab And Corn Fritters 
Thai Prawn Salad With Mango And Spot Prawns
Sweet, salty, crisp and refreshing, this prawn salad goes great with crunchy calamari. Serve tender squid rings beside or pile them right on top of this flavorful Thai salad.
Thai Prawn Salad 
Drinks
Cold beer, crisp white wine, sparkling water or juice are all perfect, refreshing drinks to pair up with calamari. Often served at a pub, calamari is great with cocktails, too. These drinks are refreshing and bright, many with citrus that pairs well with a fried seafood appetizer.
Easy Homemade Strawberry Peach Lemonade With Real Juice
Refreshing and light, this is the perfect drink pairing for summer.
Strawberry Peach Lemonade 
Cucumber Mint Mocktail
This cucumber mint mocktail is light and refreshing and perfect for summer! An easy to make non-alcoholic cooler with minimal ingredients.
Cucumber Mint Mocktail 
Homemade Margaritas
The best classic cocktail (in my humble opinion) this is bright with lime juice and has a little orange to temper the acidity. Serve it on the rocks with a salted rim alongside calamari with it's crunchy texture and addictive flavors.
Homemade Margaritas 
Easy Lime Vodka Gimlet-A Classic Recipe With A Twist
Tart and slightly sweet, this is a refreshing cocktail perfect to pair with crispy fried squid and other pub-style favorites.
Lime Vodka Gimlet 
Grapefruit Gin Sour (No Eggs)
This frothy empress gin cocktail is made with grapefruit and a handful of ingredients. The frothy texture is from aquafaba, a.k.a chickpea juice. It is slightly sweet with a tart undertone.
Grapefruit Gin Sour 
Pineapple Gin Cocktail
This pineapple gin cocktail (pineapple gin and tonic) is an easy summer cocktail to make in just a few minutes with only 4 ingredients.
Pineapple Gin Cocktail 
The hottest cocktail of summer: The Hugo Spritz
Fresh flavours of lime and mint combined with Elderflower Liqueur and Prosecco make the Hugo Spritz a cocktail that is both delicious and simple to prepare.
Hugo Spritz 
Blood Orange Gin Fizz w/ Campari: Simple Winter Cocktail
Savor winter vibes with my Blood Orange Gin Fizz! This easy recipe features Campari for a simple and delightful seasonal cocktail. Try it now!
Blood Orange Gin Fizz 
Classic Canadian Caesar Cocktail
Another pub-style favorite, a Caesar is a savory tomato based drink. (No clamato juice? Just sub tomato juice or V8 for a bloody Mary cocktail.)
Canadian Caesar 
Dry Martini (the Little Black Dress of Cocktails)
A dry martini is like a little black dress. Its gin, vermouth, and olive or twist is a simple and elegant cocktail that's never out of style.
Dry Martini 
Lavender Lemon Drop Martini With Cocktail Sugar Rim
A lemon drop martini is a tasty drink that's perfect for a special dinner. The flavors of lemon compliment calamari well.
Lavender Lemon Drop Martini 
Pin It For Next Time
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Cheers and happy cooking, Friends! Sabrina
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