What Goes with Lobster Chowder? 15 Perfect Side Dishes

Lobster chowder is a rich, creamy, and delicious soup that is full of chunky potatoes, tender lobster meat, aromatics like onion and celery, and a velvety broth. With its indulgent flavors and texture, lobster chowder makes for a luxurious and comforting meal

However, when serving lobster chowder, it can be tricky to find sides that complement its decadence rather than compete with it. The key is to pick sides that provide contrasting flavors, textures, colors, and nutrition to create a well-rounded meal.

In this article, I’ll share 15 delicious side dish recipes that pair wonderfully with lobster chowder. From crisp salads to buttery bread, these sides highlight and enhance the iconic New England soup.

Bright and Peppery Salads

A fresh green salad is a perfect lighter counterpart to rich, creamy lobster chowder. The crunch and acidity of the vegetables cut through the chowder’s richness. I recommend making a green salad with peppery greens like arugula or watercress, which stand up especially well to the lobster chowder.

For added interest, include sweet and juicy fruits like sliced strawberries, mandarin oranges, or pears which contrast nicely with the peppery greens. Tangy vinaigrettes made with lemon juice or vinegar also help cut through the chowder’s creaminess.

Some great salad pairs for lobster chowder include:

• Arugula Salad with Strawberries, Feta, and Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Watercress and Orange Salad with Lemon-Thyme Vinaigrette
• Baby Spinach Salad with Fresh Herbs and Red Wine Vinaigrette

Crispy Buttery Breads

Warm, crispy bread is meant for dipping into creamy soups and stews. With lobster chowder, I suggest garlic bread or cheesy biscuits which complement the soup’s indulgence with their own doses of butter and flavor.

The crunch of the bread contrasts beautifully with the chowder’s smooth creamy texture. Meanwhile the garlic and cheese offer savory, aromatic notes that enhance the sweet lobster and potatoes.

Some crispy, buttery breads that pair deliciously with lobster chowder include:

• Cheesy Garlic Bread
• Rosemary-Parmesan Croutons
• Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits
• Popovers

Bright, Crunchy Vegetables

Fresh vegetables add color, crunch, and brightness to balance out lobster chowder’s heavy textures and colors. I suggest serving raw vegetable crudités like carrots, celery, radishes, and cucumbers with a flavored cream cheese or yogurt dip.

For cooked vegetables, opt for quick-cooking ones like green beans, asparagus, or broccoli so they maintain their vibrancy and crunch. Boost the flavor with lemon, garlic or herbs. Crisp, hearty roasted root vegetables like Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and beets also pair nicely.

Some great veggie sides for lobster chowder include:

• Lemon-Garlic Green Beans
• Roasted Broccoli with Parm
• Honey-Glazed Carrots
• Roasted Beet and Potato Salad

Satisfying Grains

Hearty grains like rice, quinoa, or barley make satisfying accompaniments to rich lobster chowder. They provide an additional source of protein and fiber. Herb-seasoned rice pilafs offer subtle flavor that won’t compete with the soup. Toasted barley or farro salads lend fun chewy textures.

Some hearty grain side ideas include:

• Basil Pesto Rice Pilaf
• Lemon-Thyme Quinoa
• Farro Salad with Kale and Feta
• Toasted Barley with Herbs

Indulgent Pastas

In place of grains, creamy pastas make a rich pairing for lobster chowder. The starch-on-starch combo is comforting and indulgent. Opt for pastas tossed in olive oil or cheesy sauces that won’t overpower the chowder. Short pasta shapes like orecchiette, cavatappi, or gemelli hold the sauces nicely.

Some pasta sides that pair well with lobster chowder include:

• Orecchiette with Spinach and Parmesan
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Cavatappi with Creamy Cheese Sauce
• Gemelli Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Artichokes, Olives

Complementary Seafood

For a surf and surf meal, add a secondary seafood dish like sautéed shrimp, seared scallops, grilled fish, or fried calamari. The extra hit of briny flavor enhances the sweet lobster in the chowder beautifully. Opt for quick-cooking seafood that can be prepared simply with olive oil, herbs, citrus and seasoning.

Some delicious seafood sides for lobster chowder include:

• Lemon-Garlic Shrimp
• Seared Scallops with Herb Butter
• Grilled Salmon with Dill
• Crispy Fried Calamari with Lemon

Crunchy Coleslaws

Cool, crunchy coleslaw provides texture contrast and vinegar tang to cut through lobster chowder’s richness. Boost the coleslaw withContrast juicy lobster with the crunch of coleslaw. Boost the slaw with fruits and nuts for more layers of flavor. The cabbage offers healthy fiber to balance out the chowder’s cream and butter.

Try these flavor-packed coleslaw recipes:

• Coleslaw with Apples and Walnuts
• Creamy Coleslaw with Raisins
• Jalapeño Lime Coleslaw
• Jicama Coleslaw with Orange Dressing

More Chowder Accompaniments

Beyond the categories above, here are a few more side dish ideas that pair wonderfully with lobster chowder:

• Corn on the Cob – The natural sweetness and crunch balances the chowder.

• Cornbread – Warm cornbread offers savory flavor and tender crumb.

• Potato Chips – Crispy chips provide fun salty crunch.

• Bacon – Salty, smoky bacon makes a hearty protein side.

• Grilled Cheese – Gooey grilled cheese dunked in the chowder is divine.

##Putting Together a Complete Chowder Meal

When compiling a full meal around lobster chowder, I suggest picking at least one lighter, healthier option like a fresh salad or vegetable dish. Balance it out with an indulgent carb side like cheesy biscuits or pasta. For more protein, add a seafood, meat, or plant-based choice like grilled shrimp, baked tofu, or chickpeas.

Play with contrasting colors, textures, flavors and nutrition to make the lobster chowder shine as the star of the meal while the sides play a perfect supporting role. With the right sides, you can stretch this special soup into a whole restaurant-worthy feast.

##Lobster Chowder Side Dishes Summary

Lobster chowder makes for an indulgent, comforting soup. Pairing it thoughtfully with lighter, brighter, and more nutritious sides creates a satisfying and balanced meal. Use contrasting flavors, colors, textures and nutrition profiles to complement the lobster chowder.

Some top side dish recommendations include:

• Green salads with vinaigrettes
• Crispy, buttered breads like biscuits or croutons
• Fresh, crunchy vegetables and crudités
• Grains like rice, quinoa, farro and barley
• Creamy pastas tossed in cheese or olive oil
• Quick-cooked seafood like shrimp, scallops or calamari
• Crunchy, tangy coleslaws
• Corn on the cob, cornbread, or potato chips

With a deliciously curated medley of sides, you can stretch lobster chowder into a full meal that highlights its iconic flavors and textures.