What To Eat With Lobster Tails: 25 Tasty Side Dishes To Take Your Meal To The Next Level

Lobster tails are a true delicacy and make for an elegant, luxurious meal. Their sweet, tender meat deserves to be accompanied by side dishes that can complement and enhance their delicious flavor.

Trying to figure out what to eat with lobster tails can be tricky. You want sides that add interest and variety to the meal but don’t overpower the seafood. The good news is that there are limitless options for amazing pairings!

In this article, we will suggest 25 of the very best side dishes to serve with lobster tails From classics like coleslaw and baked potato to more unique appetizers like cauliflower fritters, there is something here for every palate Read on for inspiration to take your next lobster dinner to new heights of flavor!

Why Serve Sides With Lobster Tails?

Before jumping into the recipes, let’s first go over why lobster tails pair so well with side dishes:

• Contrasting textures: Lobster has a unique tender, slightly chewy texture. Sides like crunchy coleslaw or flaky biscuits provide an appealing textural contrast.

• Complementary flavors Rich, indulgent sides like mac and cheese and garlic bread balance and accentuate the sweet brininess of the lobster meat

• Nutrition: Sides like fresh green salads or roasted veggies add nutrition to balance the richness of the lobster.

• Visual appeal: The right sides contribute to a stunning presentation by adding color, height and visual interest.

• Satiation: Heartier sides help provide a satisfying, filling meal when enjoying the luxurious but lighter lobster as the star attraction.

With those benefits in mind, let’s get into the list!

1. Drawn Butter

You can’t go wrong by serving lobster tails with drawn butter, the classic pairing. Melted butter brought to a boil with fresh lemon elevates the flavor and provides the perfect dip for dunking the sweet meat. Its richness perfectly complements the delicate texture of the lobster.

2. Baked Potato

For an indulgent, hearty side, baked potatoes are a no-brainer with lobster. Load them up with melted butter, sour cream, bacon bits, and chives for the ideal complement. The creamy interior provides a decadent base to soak up butter while the skin offers crunch.

3. Corn on the Cob

Buttery steamed or grilled corn on the cob makes for a classic, refreshing pairing with lobster tails. Its sweet flavor and tender crunch balances beautifully. Drizzle your corn with lemon butter or sprinkle with parmesan for extra richness.

4. Lobster Bisque

Want to double down on decadent lobster flavor? Serve shells filled with rich, creamy lobster bisque as an appetizer before the main event. The velvety soup makes a luxe impression.

5. Clam Chowder

New England style clam chowder brings its own briny seafood flavor to pair perfectly with lobster tails. The creamy base adds comforting flavor and texture. Sprinkle lobster meat on top to gild the lily!

6. Steamed Clams

For a surf and turf pairing, serve lobster with steamed clams drenched in garlic butter. The tender seafood complements the texture of the lobster beautifully. Fresh herbs add brightness.

7. Mac and Cheese

Ooey-gooey, cheesy mac and cheese is a crowd-pleasing indulgence alongside lobster. The creamy pasta tempers the richness of the lobster. Serve shells stuffed with lobster meat or grated truffles for luxury.

8. Twice Baked Potatoes

Scoop out baked potatoes and whip the insides into a decadent blend of butter, cream and cheese, then restuff the shells for the ultimate rich side. The combo of creamy interior and crispy skin pairs divinely.

9. Greek Salad

A refreshing Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta and a lemony dressing balances the richness of the lobster. The tangy flavors make a bright counterpoint.

10. Asparagus

Grilled or roasted asparagus spears served with lemon vinaigrette or hollandaise make an elegant, nutrition-packed accompaniment for lobster tails. The vegetables’ crisp-tender texture contrasts deliciously.

11. Garlic Bread

Warm, crusty garlic bread is a can’t-fail pairing with lobster. It soaks up any residual butter or sauce and provides the satisfying crunch you crave. Load it with extra butter and parmesan for pure deliciousness.

12. Quinoa Salad

For a lighter, gluten-free side, try quinoa tossed with lemon, herbs and vegetables like corn, tomato and avocado. The fluffy quinoa alongside the lobster texture is highly satisfying.

13. Risotto

Creamy risotto makes an indulgent, on-theme pairing for lobster tails. The smooth rice against the lobster meat is sublime. Infuse herbs like saffron or lemon for Mediterranean flavors.

14. Coleslaw

Cool, crunchy coleslaw offers the perfect crisp, tangy crunch alongside luxurious lobster tails. The vinegar dressing cuts through the richness for balance. Load it with veggies you love.

15. Roasted Potatoes

Crispy roasted potatoes are a delicious starchy side to fill out the meal. Potatoes soak up all the butter and flavor of the lobster beautifully. Herb and garlic roasted potatoes are simple but amazing.

16. Caesar Salad

A classic Caesar salad with crunchy romaine, savory parmesan and a zippy garlic dressing provides a nice counterpoint to lobster’s richness. Brighten it up with lemon wedges for extra flair.

17. Pasta Salad

For a flavor and color packed pairing, try a pasta salad with vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, olives and artichokes. The medley of flavors and textures complements lobster gorgeously.

18. Cauliflower Fritters

For an upscale spin on veggie fritters, fry up some grated cauliflower with shallots, herbs and cheese. These crispy bites make a creative pairing, adding fun texture and flavors.

19. Boston Baked Beans

Earthy, slow cooked Boston baked beans simmered with salt pork offer indulgent, satisfying flavor alongside lobster. The creaminess pairs perfectly with the shells.

20. Dinner Rolls

Warm, pillowy dinner rolls are great for sopping up any butter or sauce left behind after devouring your lobster. Sprinkle rolls with garlic, onion and herbs to take them up a notch.

21. Creamed Spinach

Buttery, nutty creamed spinach is a classic pairing for surf and turf. The velvety vegetable helps cut through the richness but offers plenty of its own. Spoon some directly into shells.

22. Scalloped Potatoes

For ultimate creaminess and indulgence alongside your lobster tails, try scalloped potatoes au gratin, layered with cheese and cream. The comfort food favorite is heavenly with seafood.

23. Wild Rice Pilaf

Nutty wild rice pilaf provides a highly satisfying base for lobster tails. The chewy texture and woodsy flavor pair beautifully with the sweet shells. Toss in mushrooms or nuts for extra flair.

24. Bruschetta

Topped with a mélange of tomato, basil, garlic and olive oil, bruschetta offers the ideal flavor contrast for lobster. The crisp bread is perfect for dipping into any leftover butter or bisque.

25. Shrimp Cocktail

For an elegant seafood tower appetizer, layer peeled shrimp, crab meat and cracked lobster tails over ice with lemon wedges and dipping sauces. Mixing shellfish textures and flavors kicks off your meal in style.

Tips for Serving Lobster Tails

Now that you have tons of amazing side dish ideas to choose from, keep these serving tips in mind:

• Accompany your lobster with chilled white wine like Chardonnay or sparkling options like Champagne. Dry rosé is also a great pairing.

• Add some height and visual interest to your plates with garnishes like lemon wedges, fresh herbs, edible flowers or grated parmesan.

• Serve lobster with small dipping bowls of melted butter, lemon wedges, olive oil and sea salt for drizzling over the meat.

• For easy prep, choose side dishes you can make 1-2 days ahead. Roast veggies and potatoes, cook rice and grains and mix up salads in advance.

With the right combination of flavors and textures, you can create a lobster feast that looks and tastes incredible! Get creative with your favorite ingredients to find sides that complement these succulent seafood stars.