Eating a lobster is one of the most delicious seafood options, and you shouldn’t miss the chance to do so. You don’t even have to go to a fancy restaurant to try one; it’s pretty simple to make one at home. But what can you eat with lobster?.
After all, the side dishes elevate the enjoyment of the culinary experience even more. This is why we will tell you the best sides to pair with your lobster.
Lobster tails are decadent, luxurious, and downright delicious. When cooked just right, the succulent meat sings with sweetness. But finding the perfect side dishes to accompany lobster tails can be tricky. You want options that complement, rather than compete with, the star of the show. Luckily, there are several fantastic pairings that will let the flavor of the lobster shine.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 dynamite side dishes to serve with lobster tails You’ll get classic options, creative new flavors, and expert tips for lobster pairings Read on to discover amazing salad, veggie, starch, and sauce recipes that meld beautifully with sweet lobster meat.
1. Light Salad
A light, refreshing salad is a fantastic choice with rich lobster tails. The tangy vinaigrette and crisp greens add brightness and acidity to balance the sweetness of the lobster. Great options include spinach salads with strawberries, fennel, or citrus, or an arugula salad with shaved Parmesan. Stay away from heavy creamy dressings that will overpower the flavor of the lobster.
2. Steamed Mussels or Clams
Butter-steamed mussels or clams make an amazing pairing with lobster tails. Their light brininess adds a complementary flavor that won’t compete with the lobster’s sweetness. Serve them dripping with herbed garlic butter for a luxurious surf and turf meal
3. Champagne
What better libation to sip with lobster than a crisp, bubbly glass of Champagne? The dry effervescence and bright acidity of brut Champagne cuts through the richness of lobster beautifully. It adds just enough sophistication without overpowering the star attraction.
4. Mac and Cheese
For an indulgent and deeply comforting pairing, rich macaroni and cheese is a classic. The velvety cheese sauce matches the decadence of lobster, while the noodles provide a starchy base for dunking lobster meat. Kick it up a notch with lobster mac and cheese for a perfect one-two punch.
5. Pasta Salad
Chilled pasta salads studded with veggies make a refreshing, lighter pairing for lobster tails. Rotini or farfalle work nicely to catch any drizzled butter or lobster tomalley. Opt for oil-based, rather than heavy mayo-laden, pasta salads.
6. Cheesy Biscuits
Warm, cheesy biscuits dripping with butter are tailor-made for lobster. Their fluffy texture soaks up butter and complements the sweet meat. Get creative with flavors – cheddar chive and gouda scallion are both fantastic. Serve biscuits straight from the oven for maximum indulgence.
7. Coleslaw
For the classic seafood and Southern pairing, creamy tangy coleslaw hits the spot. The crunch of cabbage and carrot combined with mayo and vinegar dressing cuts through rich dishes. This is one side you’ll find paired with lobster rolls too.
8. Corn on the Cob
Don’t underestimate simple boiled or grilled corn on the cob with lobster tails. The sweet kernels match the sweetness of the meat, and there’s nothing better than butter dripping down buttery lobster and corn.
9. Asparagus
For an elegant veggie pairing, try roasted or grilled asparagus. The caramelized char pairs divinely with the crust of a grilled lobster tail. To take it over the top, drizzle both with hollandaise sauce for lobster and asparagus heaven.
10. Garlic Bread
Warm, buttered, garlicky bread is a no-brainer with lobster. The richness matches perfectly, and it’s ideal for dipping in any leftover lobster butter. Take it next level with cheesy garlic bread or garlic knots to mop up every last morsel.
Complementary Sauces and Condiments
Lobster also pairs fantastically with certain sauces and condiments that complement its sweet profile:
- Drawn butter – The classic pairing, melted butter is luxurious drizzled over lobster
- Hollandaise – Rich, eggy, and buttery, this sauce is divine on seafood
- Cocktail sauce – Tart and savory, it cuts through the richness
- Mignonette – Bright vinegar sauce offsets fattiness
- Lemon wedges – A squirt of lemon adds welcomed acidity and brightness
- Tartar sauce – Creamy, with a bite of pickle and onion
Don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors that balance and accent lobster’s signature sweetness. From corn and pasta to champagne and slaw, you have options. Just avoid heavy dishes that will overshadow the star.
Now get ready to treat yourself to the ultimate surf and turf meal! Grab some juicy lobster tails, melt the butter, and serve up these sensational side dishes for a feast fit for a king.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lobster Pairings
Still wondering about what sides to pick for those succulent lobster tails? Here are answers to some common questions:
What are some easy pairings for lobster at home?
Great homemade pairings include salad, bread, pasta, or veggies like corn on the cob or asparagus.
What type of salad goes best with lobster?
Opt for lighter greens with tangy vinaigrettes. Spinach with citrus and fennel is a fantastic choice. Avoid heavy, creamy salads.
What characteristics should side dishes have?
Look for bright, acidic flavors that cut through richness. Crunchy textures complement lobster’s tender meat.
Should I pair white or red wine with lobster?
Chilled white wines like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to complement lobster best. Sparkling wines are also a great pick.
How can I make boxed mac and cheese gourmet for lobster tails?
Mix in extra cheeses like cheddar or Parmesan. Top with seasoned panko breadcrumbs or herbs. Drizzle with truffle oil.
What are your favorite restaurant-style pairings?
Shellfish like mussels, corn on the cob, creamy risotto, and drawn butter are classic restaurant-style choices.
With all these possibilities, you’re sure to find the perfect combinations to let your lobster tails shine. Don’t be afraid to get creative and come up with your own bespoke pairings too. Those lobster tails deserve a memorable feast!
Heavier lobster pairing ideas
We have some excellent recommendations if you are looking for more filling side dish ideas than salads. The following sides will fill you up while complimenting the lobsters flavor perfectly.
- Macaroni and cheese
- Baked or mashed potatoes
- Spinach pesto linguine
- Pasta salad with lemon and garlic
Lobster with macaroni and cheese is a classic for a reason. It is a warm, delicious, and comforting meal for the whole family. The best thing about macaroni and cheese is that you can make it as indulgent as possible.
For a truly elevated experience, you can try smoked gouda macaroni and cheese. The smoked gouda will give an even richer flavor to this classic dish. The recipe is the same as making a classic mac and cheese except adding smoked gouda cheese sauce.
You can make more potato salad if you have more people over for dinner because it goes well with lobster. You can serve a potato salad as a side alongside our Classic New England Lobster Rolls. Besides, potato salads are great for summer potlucks and cookouts.
Pesto pasta is an indulgent side dish fitting for an intimate dinner. Serving spinach linguine pasta with spinach pesto sauce elevates the taste of the lobster. Also, the pasta is light but filling enough to satisfy you. The simplicity of the pasta will let the lobster shine while complimenting it greatly.
This is a great side dish for grilled or steamed lobster tails. A cold pasta salad with lemon and garlic is as refreshing as it is flavorful. Plus, since it doesn’t have mayonnaise in it, you can leave it out for your guests to serve themselves without worrying that it will go bad.
Lighter side dishes and salads
Something light or a salad is a good choice to serve with lobster tails as a starter. There are many delicious salads and sides that pair greatly with lobsters. Some of our best recommendations are the following:
- Grilled Caesar salad
- Stir-fried garlic spinach
- Veggie fries
- Cucumber salad
- Broccolini slaw
You can make a fresh Caesar salad with crunchy croutons, but if you want to step up your cooking game, grill the Romaine lettuce. When you grill the Romaine lettuce, it gets a smoky taste that goes well with the lobster.
Grilled Caesar salad with tasty croutons and grated Parmesan cheese goes well with grilled, baked, or boiled lobster. Try it out with these tender and juicy Easy Baked South African Lobster Tails.
Stir-fried spinach with garlic is a delicious side dish for grilled lobster tails. Besides being incredibly tasty, sauteed spinach with garlic is easy and fast to prepare.
In only 10 minutes, you can sautee some spinach while seasoning it to your taste with garlic. You can serve this side alongside our Air Fryer Lobster with Lemon-Garlic Butter.
You can always choose veggie fries if you dont want to fry potatoes due to their heaviness. However, if you wonder what vegetables pair well with lobster, the answer is most of them.
For example, you can make zucchini fries or carrot chips. You can add breadcrumbs, eggs, and Parmesan cheese to your zucchini fries to make them taste even better.
After baking them, youll get crispy and healthy alternatives to potato fries. If you dont like zucchini, you can make sweet and crispy carrot chips. Also, carrot chips are easy to make. All you need to do is slice them, toss them with oil and seasonings, and bake them.
If you want a side dish that is both light and tasty, a cucumber salad is the best choice. You can add vinegar to the cucumber salad for a more tangy flavor. After you make the salad, you may leave it in your fridge up to a day in advance. Your salad will remain fresh, and the flavor will be enhanced.
A fresh slaw is another light side dish that pairs well with lobsters. You can make a broccolini slaw with a tangy and creamy taste that will leave you wanting more. A slaw is excellent alongside lobster dishes as it can be served as a side or inside sandwich.
Like, you can make our Lobster Roll Sliders even tastier by adding broccolini slaw to the recipe.