Figuring out what to serve with lobster meals can overwhelm even the most experienced person. Lobster is a great romantic option for a date night, but it’s also incredibly decadent. In other words, it can fill you up quickly, leaving no room for sides.
When it comes to lobster sides, we live by the credo: Less is more. Even when deciding what to serve with lobster tails, the crustacean will – and should – be the meal’s focal point. Side dishes shouldn’t overpower the lobster. Instead, they should complement the lobster’s rich, sweet flavor.
Most Filling Lobster Sides
Most people serve Maine lobster with potatoes, boiled corn on the cob, and melted butter. But you don’t need to strictly adhere to tradition when settling on what to serve with lobster. Some filling side dishes for the entire family can include:
Mac and Cheese – The popular side dish is filling and enhances the lobster’s delicate flavor. You may want to experiment with your mac and cheese preparation. If you want a simple and classic recipe, include butter, flour, milk, and some sharp cheddar cheese. For young children with underdeveloped palates, mix the cooked lobster meat into the mac and cheese.
Pasta Salad – Serving pasta salad will fill your guests’ stomachs when choosing what to serve with lobster tails. Add vegetables and lemon dressing to for a light but punchy dish. For aesthetic purposes, you can include different colored vegetables, like carrots, sweet red peppers, or zucchini.
Cheesy Biscuits – The gooey biscuits pair well with seafood. For less experienced chefs, the biscuits are a great option if you’re looking for a simple addition for what to serve with lobster. You can bake these biscuits in less than 30 minutes. Nobody will even know they’re store-bought.
What Not to Serve with Lobster?
Here’s the good news: You don’t need to avoid much when it comes to serving side dishes with lobster. The most important thing is to consider your guests. If you know your guests’ appetites, prepare your side dishes accordingly. It also helps to plan how much lobster you will serve for the main course. Making too many side dishes and then ordering large quantities of lobster will most likely result in wasting precious lobster meat.
How to Prepare Lobster Tails
You might like eating lobster, but do you know how to prepare and serve it? Cooking lobster tails is straightforward. Before choosing what to serve with lobster, decide whether you want to steam, broil, grill, bake, or boil your lobster tails. For beginners, you may want to boil a lobster. Boiling the seafood helps prevent the tails from sticking to their shells. Once prepared, the next step is selecting what to serve with lobster tails. The choices are plentiful, including:
Coleslaw – The side dish is reliable and a simple one for someone cooking lobster for the first time. If you and your dinner companions crave some spice, toss in a minced jalapeño.
Corn on the Cob – Like lobster, corn is sweet and does well soaked in butter. You can also get creative with what to serve with lobster and try new seasonings or different kinds of toppings. For experienced chefs, try boiling the corn with the lobsters like the lobstermen do in Maine.
Cornbread – Add cornbread as your lobster side dish if you’re short on time. It also works well if you order more tails and want to avoid filling up on the sides. You can prepare cornbread in 30 minutes, but it’s also widely available pre-cooked at grocery stores.
Lobster Dinner Ideas for Two
Although lobster is considered luxurious, it does not have to be a rare sight on your dinner table. You can indulge yourself and a loved one by ordering reasonably priced lobster directly to your doorstep. Make sure to consider what to serve with lobster so that your side dishes also match the desired mood. Some classic options are:
Steamed Mussels or Clams – You can never have too many types of seafood. Consider adding steamed mussels with garlic and white wine to your date night menu. The side dish will not overpower the lobster. For good measure, get a loaf of fresh bread to leave everyone feeling full and satisfied.
Fresh Salad – Make some fresh salad when arranging what to serve with lobster tails. The combination will help you to create a light, romantic meal. It will also allow you to save room when bringing out the dessert.
Champagne – Side dishes are great, but you should not underestimate the appeal of dinner beverages. If you choose to include champagne with your lobster, get the driest champagne. You will find that it generally works best with lobster, or other seafood dishes. When selecting what to serve with lobster as far as wine, keep it simple. Get your hands on a bottle of some Sauvignon Blanc, or perhaps a crisp Chardonnay.
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