Indulging in a succulent lobster dinner is a culinary experience like no other, but the question remains: What should be served with lobster? This comprehensive guide unveils the perfect sides, dips, and more to elevate your lobster feast to epic proportions.
Whether you prefer salads, hearty accompaniments, or delectable seafood pairings, we have you covered.
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What Goes Best with Lobster?
Salads and Lighter Sides
- 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.
- Baby glazed carrots with a touch of brown sugar are a fantastic root vegetable to serve with lobsters.
- Fresh blanched green beans work well with cherry tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt, pepper, and maybe a handful of torn basil leaves.
- String beans and broccoli covered in butter and fresh grated Parmesan cheese is delicious, or try mixing green and white beans and covering them with lemon juice and fresh herbs.
- Grilled or steamed asparagus is enjoyable with lobster. Lemon and olive oil make a simple dressing, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, a sesame mayonnaise dip or sesame oil dressing makes for a mouth-watering asparagus dish.
- A simple tomato and cucumber salad is a summertime favorite to serve with fresh seafood, especially on a warm day.
- Penne pasta salad with fresh garden vegetables and light vinaigrette dressing can be served along with a traditional salad or on its own.
- A crisp Caesar salad with Romaine lettuce and Parmesan cheese will offer a more filling side, especially when liberally sprinkled with crunchy croutons.
Love Butter? Get ideas for butters for your lobster dinner.
Heavy Side Pairings for Lobster
These carb-laden sides may be a little more substantial, but they are certainly one of the best to serve with lobster and turn your lobster dinner into an impressive feast.
- Baked potatoes with a pat of butter and a dollop of sour cream are a go-to appetizer or side for a lobster dinner. Boil up some red bliss potatoes, cube them, and cover in mayonnaise and chopped chives to make a basic potato salad. Alternatively, serve baked tiny fingerling potatoes in olive oil alongside your lobster dish.
- Macaroni and cheese is a family favorite with lobster. Of course, you can always combine the two and have Lobster Mac and Cheese.
- Risotto can be served with lobster, although rice pilaf makes a lighter option. To make a rice pilaf suitable for accompanying lobster, cook the rice in seafood broth (a splash of dry white wine is optional) and season it with salt and pepper.
- Boston baked beans are a New England staple and a perfect complement to a backyard lobster bake.
Good old crusty bread is a straightforward choice and perfect for mopping up all those juices, especially for clams or mussels (see below).
A Sumptuous Selection of Seafood Sides
Of course, clam chowder is traditionally served with lobster, and if you’re looking for that authentic taste, try New England Clam Chowder made with native clams, spices, and potatoes.
For a lighter broth, you could gently simmer steamer clams in water, dry white wine, bay leaf, and your favorite herbs. Or serve fresh dug steamer clams on the side as their sweet flavor enhances the delicate taste of the lobster.
Farm-raised mussels steamed with white wine, fresh garlic, and parsley are a classic seafood dish that is a cinch to prepare (cooks in 5-6 minutes). Serve steamed mussels as a starter or on a large platter with steamed lobsters.
Grilled or baked scallops make another ideal accompaniment to lobster. This recipe for baked scallops is easy to prepare, and cayenne pepper and Worcestershire sauce give the seafood a hint of spiciness.
The Best Sauces and Dips to Pair with Lobster
- Butter sauce: Butter’s salty flavor complements the subtle taste of lobster.
- White wine sauce: Wine-based sauces can elevate lobster.
- Lemon butter sauce: Lemon zest can bring out the lobster’s brighter notes and counteract its saltiness.
- Vodka cream sauce: This Italian-American option provides a creamy texture to lobster ravioli.
- Remoulade sauce: This simple, homemade sauce goes well with lobster cakes.
- Tomato-based sauce: Many enjoy a tomato-based or citrus-flavored sauce with lobster and ravioli.
- Pink sauce: This cream sauce is made with crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and grated parmesan cheese.
Sweet Endings
New England has some of the finest desserts to serve with your lobster, from the classic Maine blueberry pie and watermelon slices to fudgy, gooey brownies. We’ve compiled a list of over 30 desserts to serve at the end of your lobster dinner. See our best desserts to pair with lobster.
The Best Drinks to Pair with Lobster
Beer Pairings
Belgian tripels are strong, pale ales with a fruity flavor profile. They are typically high in alcohol and have a slightly sweet finish. Belgian tripels, such as lobster scampi or lobster with drawn butter, can be a good pairing for lobster dishes on the sweet side.
Hefeweizens are German wheat beers known for their cloudy appearance and banana and clove flavors. They are typically light in body and have a slightly tart finish. Hefeweizens can be great for lobster rolls or other simple lobster dishes.
Light lagers are the world’s most popular type of beer. They are typically light in body and have a crisp, refreshing flavor. Light lagers pair well with any lobster dish but are especially good with more delicate dishes like lobster salad or lobster bisque.
Wine Pairings
Chardonnay is a classic pairing for lobster. It can be buttery, oaky, or more crisp and acidic depending on the style. Chardonnay is a versatile wine that can pair well with various lobster dishes, from simple grilled lobster to more complex dishes with sauces.
Sauvignon Blanc is a light, crisp white wine with citrusy flavors. It can be a good pairing for lobster dishes that are also light and refreshing, such as lobster salad or lobster rolls. Sauvignon Blanc can pair lobster dishes with more delicate sauces like lemon butter sauce.
Rosé is a pink wine that can range from dry to sweet. A dry rosé can be a good pairing for lobster dishes that are also light and refreshing. A sweet rosé can be even better for lobster dishes that are also slightly sweet, such as lobster scampi.
Cocktail Pairings
An Old Fashioned is a classic whiskey, bitters, and sugar cocktail. It can be a good pairing for lobster dishes that are also rich and flavorful. The whiskey and bitters can help cut through the lobster’s richness.
A Mai Tai is a tropical cocktail with rum, orange, pineapple, and lime juice. It can be a phenomenal pairing for lobster dishes that are also light and refreshing. The Mai Tai’s sweetness can help balance the lobster’s flavors.
A Hurricane is a sweet, fruity cocktail made with rum, orange, pineapple, and passion fruit juice. It can be a good pairing for lobster dishes that are also slightly sweet. The sweetness of the Hurricane can help balance out the lobster flavors.
Don’t Forget the Lobster
As you can see, there are plenty of options for creating a memorable and varied lobster dinner to suit your tastes and those of your guests.
Some of them sound too good. Just remember, the lobster is your leading lady, and she doesn’t like being overshadowed by the supporting cast – so make sure you choose the finest lobster online.
Check out our post on the right tools for your lobster dinner. Are you looking for ideas on what you would like to serve for a special birthday? See our tips for throwing a kick-ass lobster birthday party.