If you're a regular here at Weekday Pescatarian, you know we're crazy for seafood. And lobster is the undisputed king of all seafood dishes. Hosting a luxurious lobster dinner party or date night for two can be so much fun. But at least half the fun comes in planning the best sides to serve with the seafood extravaganza. So today we're talking about what to serve with lobster. Keep reading for the best sides to serve with your favorite lobster recipes.
Lobster is a reserved for special occasions in my house...unless we're visiting our dear friends in Maine, where these tasty crustaceans are plentiful and weirdly inexpensive. I dream up recipes all year round and practice them using Argentine shrimp and then make them with lobster when we get to Maine. It's always a fun, lobster-soaked adventure!
Over the years I've found that building a full menu around a whole lobster, lobster tail, lobster chowder or lobster risotto presents unique challenges and opportunities. Lobster is a mild-flavored seafood and it should always take center stage on the menu. So how do we choose side dishes that highlight and compliment lobster while allowing the delicate flavor to shine?
I'm so glad you asked. Here are 24 of my favorite side dishes deemed worthy enough to serve with lobster.
Looking for your next favorite lobster recipe? Try these delicious dishes next!
Lobster Risotto Lobster Casserole Lobster Chowder
Sides for Lobster: French Fries
If you've ever enjoyed a lobster meal at a seafood shack along the East coast, you already know that French fries are the perfect side for simple steamed lobster. And if you really want to take your lobster meal over the top, go for Parmesan Truffle French Fries. I find that fries are a great match for coleslaw, if that's on the menu. Keep reading for my favorite savory slaw recipe below.
Fancy Green Beans
Green beans are one of the most popular (and also low carb) side dishes to serve with fresh seafood. The garlic, lemon and parmesan cheese in this green bean recipe add beautiful richness to this classic side dish and the toasted almonds top the whole thing off with a rich, nutty flavor. They are buttery and crunchy and the perfect vegetable dish to go with your lobster dinner.
Risotto
A rich and creamy risotto is one of my favorite recipes to use with lobster meat (regular or langoustine). It feels like something you would only eat on special occasions, but it’s so simple and worth the stirring time. The asparagus and lime zest add so much fresh flavor and the perfect balance to this ultra rich and creamy dish of carbs. If you’re intimidated by risotto, don’t be! Buy a bag of arborio rice (very inexpensive) and follow the instructions in the recipe link. You’ll have a creamy, delicious dish on the table before you know it.
Fresh Corn on the Cob
If you spent much of your time in the Midwest, like me, you know that fresh corn is the best part of summer. Corn on the cob is one of the most simple side dishes, but it is so fresh, delicious and nostalgic. If you're planning to grill lobsters, throw a few ears of corn on the grates for 6-7 minutes. Bring them to the table with a stick of butter and watch the crowd go wild. And if you have any leftover corn, use them in Mexican Street Corn Casserole tomorrow!
Gazpacho Salad
Gazpacho is the taste of summer in Southern Europe. And for me, cucumber gazpacho salad is the best way to bring that cool, refreshing flavor of the famous Spanish chilled soup in a crunchy salad - no immersion blender required! The fresh basil leaves, sweet bell peppers and pumpkin seeds all add the perfect balancing flavors and crunch, making it a great light side for a healthy and colorful lobster dinner.
Grilled Asparagus
Marinated and grilled asparagus is a simple and elegant side dish that pairs well with so many lobster-themed dishes. To make this easy recipe, marinate the spears in a simple vinaigrette, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill them over medium-high heat until they are tender-crisp and charred. Top with the rest of the vinaigrette and a warm egg. This grilled asparagus recipe is a delicious and healthy side dish that would be a great addition to your seafood meal.
Jerusalem Salad
This simple salad is full of crunchy veggies, but the real star of the show are the fresh herbs and lime dressing. Think of the herbs as a co-star, not just the garnish. This Jerusalem salad is especially delicious paired up with Lemon Dill Basmati Rice, if that's on the menu for your lobster dinner.
Lemon Dill Basmati Rice
If a light and refreshing Mediterranean flavor combination like lemon and dill makes your heart sing and your taste buds dance, this delicious side dish is your ticket to bliss. Lemon Dill Rice is an easy recipe with gorgeous flavors and presentation – ideal for a lobster dinner party, date night at home or an easy weeknight meal. This is the perfect way to show off the delicate flavor of lobster with a memorable and tasty side dish.
Garlic Brown Rice and Quinoa
This nutrient-dense, nutty, garlicky bowl of goodness brings crazy good flavor to your lobster party. If you're looking for a healthy and flavorful option for your party guests, this will be an all star in your supporting cast. This roasted garlic and grain dish is especially delicious with Fancy Green Beans and Roasted Green Cauliflower.
Baked Potato
A crispy-skinned, simple baked potato with crunchy sea salt and black pepper is one of the best sides you can add to your steamed lobster dinner. It's a humble dish, but when it is done well...it's a virtuoso. Top with butter and sour cream and the salty, steamy insides will be the perfect combination with your buttery lobster. If you're in a hurry, roasted new potatoes give you great baked potato flavor in a fraction of the time.
Creamy Parmesan Rice
Like luscious risotto without all the fuss and stirring, this creamy parmesan rice with lemon and parsley is the perfect side to all of your best lobster recipes. It’s a great addition to your grilled lobster tail dinner and (bonus!) it makes delicious leftovers, as well.
Napa Cabbage Slaw
For a luxurious but simple lobster dinner like Lazy Lobster Casserole, I love serving a savory napa cabbage coleslaw. If you're looking for a coleslaw side for your seafood meal, this fresh slaw is a perfect way to add crunchy cabbage, tomatoes, radish and peppers to your fish main dish. The lemon juice in this colorful and light side dish adds a beautiful balance to your menu. This savory slaw is a pretty healthy option and it's especially complementary to a baked potato or French fries, if they're on the menu!
Roasted Green Cauliflower
Gorgeous green cauliflower roasted and topped with olive oil, anchovies, pine nuts and a squeeze of lemon...this veggie dish is the perfect side for so many seafood recipes. But it is sophisticated enough to be a great choice for a special occasion meaty lobster tails or even a Lobster Chowder. Substitute regular cauliflower or romesco if you can't find green cauliflower.
Perfect Pasta Salad
This Persian-inspired Pasta Salad Recipe is fresh and delicious, with texture and umami to spare. It’s studded with feta, walnuts and loads of fresh herbs. And the lemon pasta dressing makes this the loveliest side dish for your lobster rolls or lobster pizza recipe. Perfect anytime of year, this is the pasta salad that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
French Au Gratin Potatoes
Garlic, shallots, heavy cream and cheese. Really, what else do you need in life? To complete a perfect lobster meal, you need nothing else. Au Gratin Potatoes are one of the great side dishes for holidays and special occasions, which make them the perfect accompaniment for your fancy dinner party.
Mediterranean Tossed Salad
Any simple green salad will add balanced freshness to a seafood main course. But this Tossed Salad adds a little something extra. It's a great choice if you're looking for an all-in-one veggie side with leafy greens, tomato, pickled veggies, garbanzo beans, parmesan and pumpkin seeds. It's my every-day salad full of all my favorite fresh vegetables and it is a delicious side dish for lobster.
Garlic Bread Baguette
French baguettes are one of life's true joys. Add some salted garlic butter, fresh herbs, lemon zest and Parmesan, and your life will never be the same. Grab this Garlic Baguette recipe and take your lobster side dishes game to the next level.
Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is a simple and sophisticated side dish option for your Maine lobster dinner. Crunchy romaine, crispy croutons, salty parmesan and homemade croutons make the perfect pairing with lobster. If you have leftover lobster from your party, chop up cold lobster meat and add it to the top of a homemade Mexican Caesar Salad for a real treat.
Mashed Potatoes
Ahhhhh, good old mashed potatoes. The most comforting side dish on the planet. Any simple recipe on the internet will do the trick, but I'm especially fond of this recipe. And if you have any leftovers, stay tuned...I've got a great solution for you.
Mashed Potato Latkes
All the best parts of traditional potato pancakes, but without the hours of shredding, soaking, salting and squeezing. Mashed potato latkes can be made with leftovers from last night's dinner, or ready-made mashed potatoes from the grocery store. They are the perfect side for seafood, and so delicious dipped in spicy aioli or lemon dill sauce.
Italian Salsa Verde
Italian salsa verde is the perfect herbaceous sauce to serve with lobster. Similar to Argentinian Chimichurri, but with a little more briny umami, salsa verde is a delicious herb sauce to serve with grilled fish, shrimp and, of course, lobster. For the non-pescatarians among us, it’s equally amazing on grilled steak and chicken! I always double this sauce because it’s delicious over roasted potatoes, rice and for dipping baguette.
Lemon Dill Sauce
If traditional tartar sauce seems too pedestrian to serve with lobster for your romantic dinner at home, this sour cream sauce with fresh dill may add the creamy freshness you need on your seafood dinner. Herby and garlicky with a touch of lemon juice, this sauce is a great way to complement your lobster without overshadowing the delicate flavor. It's also delicious as a topping for baked potatoes or for dipping French Fries, if they're on the menu.
Spicy Aioli
While melted butter is the traditional dipping sauce for lobster, there's plenty of room for more flavorful options. One of my all time favorite dipping sauces for seafood is this spicy aioli sauce. It is customizable to your family's spice preference, but brings delicious flavor and a creamy heat to any seafood dinner, lunch, brunch or snack.
Bloves Seafood Boil Sauce
This sauce is a great option when you want to make a lobster-themed seafood boil in a hurry. Combine steamed lobster with whatever baked or sauteed fish you have on hand - crab legs, tilapia, shrimp and cod all work well - drench them in this garlicky butter sauce, and you have a stunning seafood boil, no boiling required!
Looking for more delicious date-night dining? Try Sautéed Sea Bass next!
Conclusion: Sides for Lobster
Lobster is such a delicious and luxurious seafood and it can be paired with a range of side dishes. Whether you prefer vegetables, rice, pasta, or potatoes, there are many options that pair well with the sweet flavor of lobster. Try experimenting with different side dishes to find the perfect combination for your next lobster dinner at home.
I would love to hear your favorite sides for lobster! Comment below or send me your thoughts at christina@weekdaypescatarian.com.
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