If you want to bring an air of sophistication and celebration to your dinner table without spending hours in the kitchen, a surf and turf dinner might be the perfect solution.
With the right ingredients and a bit of planning, you can pull off an effortless meal that looks (and tastes!) over the top—and we’ve got just the recipes to show you how.
Lobster is a delicacy that deserves an equally delightful accompaniment. Choosing the perfect side dishes can elevate your lobster into a spectacular culinary experience. Whether enjoying juicy lobster tails, tender lobster meat, or whole grilled lobster, the right sides complement the sweet succulence of lobster. From classic potatoes and corn to unexpected stuffed mushrooms, here are 12 of the best side dishes to serve with lobster.
Butter
Buttery richness enhances lobster’s sweet flavor. Serve lobster with clarified butter, compound butter, or lemon butter. Clarified butter is pure butterfat with milk solids removed, melting clean and clear for dipping lobster meat. Compound butters can be flavored, like garlic-herb or chipotle lime butter. Lemon butter brightens with acidity. Butter alone makes a classic pairing, or spruce it up by drizzling lobster in Thermidor butter sauce, made with shallots, wine, and seasonings.
Light Salad
A crisp refreshing salad adds brightness without overpowering lobster. Try a lemony Caesar salad with homemade garlic croutons. For something lighter make an easy shaved asparagus salad drizzled with lemon-Parmesan dressing. Salads with zingy dressings allow lobster to shine as the star.
Steamed Clams or Mussels
More seafood complements lobster beautifully. Serve lobster with steamed mussels in garlic shallots and white wine. The broth makes a wonderful sauce for dipping. Clams like fresh steamers also pair nicely. Offer crusty bread to soak up the delicious juices.
Champagne or Wine
A glass of dry champagne or white wine suits the elegance of lobster Crisp, tart Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc work well Consider serving bubbly to celebrate special occasions.
Macaroni and Cheese
Comforting, cheesy mac and cheese makes a satisfying lobster partner. Use multiple cheeses for ultra-creaminess. Or, mix cooked lobster right into the mac and cheese. Macaroni shells resemble the shape of lobsters.
Pasta Salad
A hearty pasta salad with vegetables tossed in a zesty dressing complements lobster’s richness. Try bright flavors like lemon, garlic, or herbs. Penne, rotini, or seashell pasta work nicely.
Coleslaw
Crunchy coleslaw balances the buttery lobster taste. For something different, try fennel slaw with citrus dressing. The peppery crunch makes a tangy counterpoint.
Corn on the Cob
Sweet corn on the cob naturally accompanies lobster, a classic summer pairing. Boil corn in the lobster pot. Serve with flavored butter, cheese, lime, or other fun toppings for guests to dress their corn.
Bread
Fresh, crusty bread sopping up butter is all you need alongside lobster. Baguettes, sourdough, and ciabatta all make good choices. Bake or grill bread, then brush with garlic butter.
Vegetables
Roasted, grilled, or sautéed veggies add freshness. Favorites include asparagus, zucchini, spinach, and Brussels sprouts. Drizzle vegetables with olive oil, herbs, spices, cheese, or sauces.
Risotto
Creamy baked risotto provides comforting starchiness to balance lobster. Stir in cheese, mushrooms, or other mix-ins. Risotto and seafood scream indulgence.
Potatoes
Buttery mashed potatoes or baked potatoes allow you to enjoy more butter with lobster. Or, try potato dishes like creamy au gratin, lemony roasted potatoes, or classic potato salad.
Biscuits
Flaky, savory biscuits sop up butter with the best of them. Especially cheesy, garlic biscuits. Easy drop biscuits can bake while the lobster cooks. They happily accompany any lobster feast.
Lobster takes center stage on plates, but must-try side dishes can steal some of the spotlight. These 12 pairings highlight lobster in deliciously different ways, from classic buttered corn to unexpected loaded baked potatoes. Try complementary freshness, comfort food, crispness, or indulgence. Thoughtfully chosen sides create a complete lobster dining experience that lingers in memory long after the last morsel disappears.
Fillet and Crab Cakes
Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes come packed with flavor and seasoned to perfection. This means you can rely on crab cakes for an easy yet impressive surf offering. Pair them with tender fillet for a well-balanced meal that comes together in minutes.
Before you start cooking, make sure your crab cakes are thawed in the refrigerator. This way, they’ll cook in 10 minutes or less.
Use a large heavy cast-iron skillet for both the steak and the crab cakes.
Here’s how to do it:
- First, pat the steaks dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Brush them with a thin coating of canola oil or another high-heat oil.
- Heat your pan over medium-high heat for a good 3 to 5 minutes, until hot.
- Gently place the steaks in the skillet and sear for 4 minutes, or until you have a nice brown crust on one side. Use tongs to flip the steaks and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on the other side.
- Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and as it melts, spoon the butter over the steaks for another minute.
- Remove the steaks from the skillet when they are 5 to 10 degrees away from your desired doneness. Place on a cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and let rest while you cook the crab cakes.
- Melt another 2 tablespoons of butter in the empty skillet.
- When the butter is melted, place the crab cakes in the hot pan and sear for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown on both sides and cooked through.
How to Plan a Surf and Turf Menu
To put together a surf and turf menu of your own, start with a bit of planning to make sure your dinner comes together perfectly.
One of the best parts about surf and turf is that you can often cook both the meat and seafood in the same pan, which means less mess. Whether you use a grill, broiler, or stovetop, you can first sear the meat, then quickly cook the seafood while your steak rests.
First, choose your surf and your turf entrees. The most classic surf and turf menus feature red meat, often steak. However, if you’re not a fan or don’t eat red meat, you can certainly substitute steak for some chicken or pork.
| If you want to stand out even more, put your own spin on turf entree with a unique protein like lamb or duck. There really are no rules, so now’s your time to experiment in the kitchen! |
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Likewise, for the surf side of things, you have plenty of options. The most classic and extravagant surf and turf plates feature a bold red lobster, either whole or just the tail. Sometimes the tail is stuffed for added visual and flavor appeal. Other surf options include succulent shrimp, seared scallops, crab cakes, or your favorite fish fillet.
Finally, round out your surf and turf menu with one or two side dishes. These don’t have to be complicated or overdone. The meat and seafood are the stars of the show, so the sides are the supporting actors there to help the proteins shine. See below for the best side dish ideas to pair with your surf and turf.
The best side dishes for seafood
FAQ
What goes well with lobster as a side dish?
Coleslaw is an old favorite with lobster, but if you’re looking for something different, try a green bean salad to balance the richness of the seafood.
What appetizers go well with lobster?
Charcuterie boards. These trendy appetizers are a perfect entertaining addition to a lobster dinner. Make your charcuterie board your own by adding cheeses, crackers, grapes, jams, prosciutto, honey, jam, olives, nuts, and more!
What to serve with lobster tails and crab legs?
- Corn on the Cob. This classic seafood side dish pairs perfectly with crab legs. …
- Roasted Potatoes. …
- Coleslaw. …
- Garlic Bread. …
- Grilled Asparagus. …
- Lobster Tails. …
- Shrimp Scampi. …
- Steamed Clams or Mussels.
What side dishes to serve with lobster rolls?
- Clam Chowder. A cup of velvety clam chowder completes a traditional lobster roll meal. …
- Veggie Fries. There’s nothing wrong with pairing a lobster roll with classic French fries, chips, or even tater tots. …
- Potato Salad.
What kind of potatoes go well with lobster?
Roasted Red Potatoes
These potatoes are loaded with flavor from fresh herbs, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper. They are the perfect side dish for seafood like lobster, as well as roasted chicken, braised beef, grilled pork, or baked fish.
What goes with lobster bisque dinner?
- Simple Arugula Salad Dressing. This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. …
- Air Fryer Shrimp. …
- Air Fryer Filet Mignon. …
- Red Cabbage Coleslaw (No Mayo) …
- Shrimp Risotto. …
- Easy Mussels Marinara. …
- Cheesy Spoon Bread. …
- Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts.
What is a good side dish for lobster?
Find crowd-pleasing side dishes for lobster such as corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, Caesar salad, clam chowder, and more. Get the lobster side dish ideas here.
What are the best side dishes?
The quest for the best side dishes often feels like a balancing act, with the desire to complement the main dish, whether it’s a whole lobster, lobster rolls, or meaty lobster tails. Getting started with appetizers from eye-catching Christmas, Easter, or Fourth of July charcuterie board seems like an easy choice. But what to do about the sides?
What to serve with a lobster tail?
A scoop of flavorful risotto is a great side for your lobster tail. This easy Homemade Rice Pilaf is a classic rice dish that’s simple to make in one pot or skillet, is packed full of flavor, and is a favorite side dish of many!
What to serve with grilled lobster?
It’s one of the best sides for lobster when you’re preparing a tropical menu. Topped with crunchy walnut dressing and spicy roasted sweet potatoes, this kale salad is a perfect way to round out your weeknight meal. Serve Sweet Potato Kale Salad with your grilled lobster for a light meal.
What do you eat with lobster?
This nutritious grain compliments the sweetness of the lobster and adds a delightful texture to any dish. It’s versatility makes it even more enticing. You can cook it with butter and herbs for a fragrant side or sauté peppers, mushrooms, and onions for Mexican-inspired dishes. The list goes on and on!
What cheese goes well with lobster?
Baked mac and cheese, with its creamy texture and rich, cheesy flavor, offers a comforting and indulgent side dish that pairs perfectly with lobster. Using a blend of cheese varieties like cheddar and Gruyère enhances the dish’s depth.