Fish, shellfish, and crustaceans are some of the ocean’s greatest treasures. With unique textures and flavors, seafood makes any meal exceptional. But what transforms any seafood entree into a fabulous feast are the side dishes. If you aren’t sure of what to serve with fish, shrimp, lobster, and the like, today’s your lucky day. I’ll walk you through different sides that pair perfectly with your favorite seafood dishes. Elevate your simple seafood dish into a sumptuous dinner! These stunning sides will surely make seafood shine.
1. What to Serve with Shrimp
Let’s kick things off with sides for the ever-so-tasty shrimp. Since this plump seafood has a lovely sweet flavor, it pairs beautifully with rich and savory sides, such as a macaroni salad. Al dente elbow macaroni, hard-boiled eggs, bell pepper, and celery in an ultra-creamy mayo dressing? Apart from the flavor, the different colors and textures also offer a wonderful contrast to your main. Serve it on the side of boiled shrimp for a glorious summer meal. For grilled shrimp, nothing could be better than vibrant fruit and vegetable kebabs. Skewer your favorite summer veggies and tropical fruits for the most refreshing side. Pick crisp veggies that taste wonderful when charred, such as zucchini, squash, and peppers. For the fruits, you can’t go wrong with pineapple, strawberries, and watermelon. To add a tropical twist to your nautical feast, pair your shrimp with mango guacamole. The flavor combination of ripe mangoes and avocados is absolutely amazing! It’s summer in one bite.
2. What to Serve with Lobster
Next up is the strange-looking yet well-loved crustacean. Perfectly sweet and decadent on its own, it doesn’t take much to make a stunning lobster meal. It’s so insanely delicious that I doubt anyone will have a problem devouring loads of lobster by itself! But since it’s such a luxurious (and expensive) seafood, it needs accompaniments to turn it into a hearty meal. That’s why lobster longs for the company of hearty sides. If you want to make sure you’ll be full and happy at the end of your meal, pair your lobster with a simple baked sweet potato. It has just the right amount of sweetness – not too much to overpower the lobster, and it’s incredibly filling. Plus, it also tastes 100 times better with another component that’s most likely already on your dinner table – butter! Biscuits are another excellent starchy side that goes well with lobster. They’re crisp, tender, fluffy, and downright delicious. They’re already rich as it is, but you can still take that flavor even further by soaking them with more butter. Mmm.
3. What to Serve with Crab Legs
Crab legs have a wonderful yet subtle flavor, so serving them with dips is essential. Clarified butter the best way to go, but there are also a lot of other stunning sauces to choose from. For a tangy dip with a kick, combine ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper. For something thick and creamy, you can’t go wrong with mayo, mustard, lemon juice, and dill. Since crab meat is very light, it also pairs well with carbs. Steamed white rice is great, but a lemon rice pilaf is fantastic. The flavors of cheese, lemon, cream, and Jasmine rice is to die for!
4. What to Serve with Salmon
The richness, creaminess, and juiciness of salmon are perfect. Some people find the taste to be too overwhelming, so it’s great to pair it with something starchy to dial it down a notch. A refreshing lemon pasta is a perfect candidate. The lemon flavor tastes wonderful with salmon, and the pasta helps tone down the umami-ness of the dish. I’m a fan of angel hair pasta with salmon because it’s lighter and more delicate which plays well against the tender, flaky fish. Crisp and sweet roasted carrots also make a fine accompaniment. The crunch and sweetness are a lovely contrast to the rich and tender fish.
5. What to Serve with Scallops
Sweet, buttery, and nutty, scallops are a gift from the sea. The flavors aren’t that bold, though, so you definitely want dishes that will enhance it further. A creamy and cheese bowl of Fettucine Alfredo will get the job done! The richness of the dish amps up the subtle flavors of scallops beautifully. Bacon is also fantastic with scallops. Wrap your scallops in smoky, fatty bacon for the ultimate flavor and texture bombshell!
6. What to Serve with Tilapia
Tilapia is a tender, flaky fish with a subtle flavor. You want to pair it with bold flavors, to elevate it into a magnificent meal. Corn casserole perfectly fits the bill. It’s sweet and creamy, with a crisp crumb topping and a custard-like center. It’s everything a tilapia is not, making the two an excellent pair. Mac and cheese is another delectably rich and creamy side that’s 100% amazing with tilapia. Its bold flavors are a perfect match for the mild fish.
7. What to Serve with Fish Tacos
Fish tacos are an exciting dish that will make any boring Tuesday a lot more fun. What will make it even more fun, though, are the sides. You’re already having Mexican for dinner, so might as well go in with a side of chips and salsa. Why, it’s the quintessential Mexican side! The chips add a wonderful crunch to the tender tacos. And salsa is basically a taco essential, so you already know it’s a fantastic pair. Guacamole is another yummy must-have for Taco Tuesday!
8. What to Serve with Cod Fish
Rich, buttery, flaky: the battered and deep-fried cod fish is truly a stunner. Nothing pairs better with this Southern dish than classic Southern sides! A crunchy and creamy coleslaw is the most popular side to codfish, and for good reason. The texture, flavor, and temperature contrast are just phenomenal. Baked potato wedges also make a spectacular side. Think fish and chips, but healthier. They’ll still give you that lovely crunch, but minus the grease (and guilt).
9. What to Serve with Clam Chowder
Last on our list is the insanely rich and creamy clam chowder! Extremely thick soup loaded with potatoes and clams, it’s the ultimate comfort food. To make a hearty meal out of a drool-worthy chowder, pair it with bread rolls. Sure, it’s carbs on carbs, but hey, it works. Dip the buttery rolls in the chowder for a wonderful, tastebud-tickling experience. If you want something lighter, a simple salad is your best option. The crisp and refreshing flavors balance out the richness of the soup beautifully. Click on a star to rate it!
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