What to Serve with Paella? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Paella's a big deal at our table. It's not just a meal; it's the main event.

The right sides can turn it into a feast.

Our gatherings have taught us a thing or two. Sides matter. We've had hits.

We've had misses. From those, we've picked our top 7 favorites.

No fluff, just the good stuff. We promise, these sides will have everyone asking for seconds.

7 Top Side Dishes to Serve with Paella

Here are some side dishes that will work well with paella - plus paella dessert side ideas for afters.

1. Crispy Bruschetta

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Bring in the Italian or Greek cuisine, and your audience will love the outcome - plus, they are quite close to the Spanish traditions anyway.

A bruschetta is a piece of bread - slightly baked and enhanced with all sorts of things on top.

Most recipes imply some chopped fresh tomatoes, a sauce, and maybe some cheese and spices.

All in all, bread is the only main element that misses from a paella, so this is your opportunity to bring it in and change everything.

You can prepare more dishes within a few minutes only - you can even opt for different toppings for a little variety, or try bruschetta side pairings and ideas to mix things up.

They look great, and they taste even better.

2. Caesar Salad

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Paella is delicious, and you can never go wrong with it.

The problem is that it has so many heavy ingredients that it feels quite heavy itself too.

Sure, it is complete, but if you can find a way to make it lighter, go for it.

Sometimes, a simple salad is more than enough - see shrimp Caesar salad side suggestions for complementary dishes that keep things light.

The Caesar salad c0mes with lots of greens for a bit of color and freshness.

As for the texture, nothing beats the crunchiness in this salad - great for the soft paella.

3. Homemade Crusty Bread

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While paella may seem a bit sophisticated for some, you can keep everything simple.

Simplicity is the key sometimes - this way, everyone will be able to focus on what really matters, the taste.

You can bring bread into this dish without any enhancements at all.

Plain bread is everything you need - or consider banana bread side pairings for sweet-savory contrasts if a sweeter loaf is preferred.

If you do it yourself, the crust will be a bit harder, while the soft will be tender.

You can prepare it just before your guests arrive - nothing is better than the aroma of fresh bread.

4. Fried Sweet Plantains

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Paella is not just a mix of ingredients, but also a mix of rich flavors.

All of them are slightly salty, so this is the kind of meal that makes you feel thirsty.

But then, you can simplify its saltiness with a bit of sweetness.

Now, this idea requires a lot of attention because sweet and salty can ruin everything in the wrong combo.

Keep it simple with some fulfilling sweet plantains.

Apart from the delicious taste, fried sweet plantains are also easy to make.

They have a refreshing flavor and will reduce the heavy profile of paella.

For a different sweet-and-savory balance, consider sides that pair well with rice dishes, such as chicken fried rice side suggestions for varied flavors.

5. Roasted Red Peppers

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In theory, roasting something will make it heavier - compare with roasted carrots side ideas for similar roasts to see lighter roasted options.

But when it comes to certain veggies, they manage to retain their freshness somehow.

Roasted red peppers will be softer than their fresh alternatives, but they can still retain a bit of crunch to complement your paella.

They add a slightly sour aroma and a bit of smokiness.

This type of side will take about half an hour to prepare, but it is totally worth it.

It adds a bit of color to your meal too, not to mention the extra vitamins and minerals.

6. Crispy Ham Croquettes

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Still not sure what to serve with paella? How about some crispy ham croquettes, then?

You can make them yourself with just a few ingredients.

If you want to stick to the Spanish cuisine, try to find serrano ham, as it comes from Spain - or see ham loaf side ideas for pork-based sides if substituting with different ham dishes.

If you cannot, any type of ham will do.

The breaded exterior is what makes these croquettes crispy.

They are quite salty and will match your paella like a glove.

There is one problem, though - they will make your meal even heavier, so have this combo in moderation.

7. Garlicky Green Beans

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Vegetable side dishes are always great with paella because the dish itself does not have too many of them.

Also, veggies make it feel lighter, despite all the heavy ingredients.

Green beans, for example, are quite trendy today and look pretty luxurious.

They taste great, and they bring a colorful spot to the table.

The crushed garlic is naturally infused into the beans, making them even better.

You have to roast them, but there is nothing to be concerned about - they will still be a bit crispy.

This side dish should be ready to serve within 15 minutes only.

For rice alternatives and serving tips, see paella rice substitutes and uses. For cookware comparisons that affect cooking technique, read paella pan vs wok differences.