Lobster tails make an exquisite meal, but most people don’t know what to serve with lobster tails besides corn on the cob and melted butter.
With so many other delicious options available, you’ll not want to settle for just these two side dishes.
Here are what to serve with lobster tails in style. These elegant side dishes will help your guests remember this meal long after they’ve left the table!
1. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
This is an excellent option if you are looking for what to serve with lobster tails. Start by peeling and dicing a large head of broccoli.
Chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces, and then coat them in olive oil and salt. Spread the broccoli evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, drizzle with half of the garlic butter, and bake for twenty minutes or until golden brown. For an even crispier broccoli roast, broil it for five minutes after baking.
In the meantime, bring a pot of salted water to boil on the stovetop, then add some linguine pasta that has been broken into thirds to cook until al dente (about eight minutes).
Drain pasta, then reserve three spoonfuls of sauce from the lobster tails to reheat them later.
2. Bacon Green Beans
One of the most popular sides for lobster tail is bacon and green beans. This easy and inexpensive side dish can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.
Green beans are boiled or sautéed, then topped with crumbled bacon, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
3. One Pan Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice
This one-pan dish is simple, easy, and family-friendly and is a good option for what to serve with lobster tails. It can be prepared using frozen or fresh broccoli and chicken breast (or boneless, skinless chicken thighs).
Cook the bacon over medium heat in a skillet or frying pan until crisp; remove from the pan and crumble into small pieces.
Next, cook the onion and garlic until translucent. Add in the broccoli and cook for an additional two minutes. Pour in water (if using frozen) or vegetable broth if using fresh.
In addition, bring the mixture to a boil, then add salt, pepper, dried thyme (or any other herbs of your choice), and rice. Cook for 15 minutes covered on low heat after stirring periodically before removing from the stovetop.
4. Bacon Ranch Corn Salad
Slice bacon into small pieces and cook until crispy. Drain on paper towels. Cook corn kernels according to package directions, but with the following variations:
Add one tablespoon of bacon fat before cooking (adds a smoky flavor), and use half the water the package instructs you to add. Stir in the green onions when cooking is complete.
Furthermore, combine all ingredients except for mayonnaise and seasonings in a large bowl until mixed well. Stir in the remaining ingredients right before serving.
5. Japanese Zucchini
Sweet zucchini is an excellent choice for this dish. Not only will it compliment the sweetness of the lobster tail, but it’s also low in calories and carbs. It also contains more potassium than spinach! What could be better?
This dish is relatively quick and easy to make and can satisfy your sweet tooth and craving for vegetables simultaneously. To make it:
Cut some zucchini into thin round slices, no more than one inch thick. Brush with olive oil on both sides and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Next, put a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking mat. Bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes until they are crispy outside but soft inside.
6. Sauteed Mushrooms With Garlic Butter
When it comes to what to serve with lobster tails, Mushrooms are an often forgotten side that offers a nice hearty meal.
Also, bring the taste of the forest to your kitchen. Sauteed mushrooms are quick and easy, making them perfect for last-minute dinners.
This recipe takes advantage of their unique flavor by mixing them with a rich garlic butter sauce and tossing them over pasta or rice.
It’s a versatile dish that can please all palates. Start by melting one tablespoon of butter in a skillet. When it begins to foam, add sliced onions and cook until translucent.
Then add sliced mushrooms and let them cook for about five minutes until they release their natural juices. Lastly, stir now and then so they don’t stick or brown too much on the bottom.
7. Butterflied Garlic Fried Rice
Butterflied garlic fried rice has quickly become one of my go-to side dishes for steak dinners. Not just because of its deliciousness but also because you can make it in advance. Another perk? It’s freezer friendly and travels well!
8. Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice
Are you looking for what to serve with lobster tails? Seasoned rice is a great option. Seasoned rice is usually cooked in butter, a little bit of canola oil, and garlic.
Meanwhile, the critical ingredient for their sauce might be white wine or seafood stock for that seafood taste that goes well with the lobster tails you are serving.
Add some brown sugar for sweetness, and the perfect side dish! And the best part is it’s straightforward and quick too.
Follow these simple steps: in a medium pot or pan on medium heat, butter, canola oil, white wine (or shrimp or lobster stock), and some freshly chopped garlic.
9. Coleslaw Orzo Salad
Combine package orzo pasta, honey, and vinegar in a large bowl. Mix until honey is evenly dispersed. Add mayonnaise, plain yogurt, onion powder, and salt; mix well.
Next, pour the mixture into a large casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray; sprinkle shredded cabbage over the top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Also, let cool before serving as desired alongside succulent lobster tails! So when it comes to what to serve with lobster tails, coleslaw is a great option.
10. Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots
Why not do what the best lobster chefs do and make some garlic butter roasted carrots? This side dish is perfect if you are looking for what to serve with lobster tails.
Also, it is suitable for your buffet table or can be served as a stand-alone starter course before the entree. These carrots are done in about 20 minutes, leaving plenty of time to start on those other dishes!
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Halve each potato and cut it into 1-inch pieces (skins on). Spread them out in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet, drizzle the butter over the potatoes, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss them well, so they’re coated evenly. Roast for 40 minutes, turning once halfway through.
Meanwhile, prepare the garlic butter: Mince the garlic cloves and combine with melted butter in a small bowl. Season it generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
11. Roasted Green Beans
This is what to serve with lobster tails. The best part about green beans is that they can be prepped in advance, so the recipe comes together quickly.
Roasting them helps bring their natural sweetness and rounds out the flavor profile of your lobster tails. They create a complete dining experience.
Start trimming the ends off green beans and snap or cut them into bite-sized pieces. After trimming, toss them in olive oil and salt until they are well coated.
In addition, spread them on a baking sheet, and pop them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until they turn a light golden brown.
Flip halfway through to ensure even cooking on both sides. Sprinkle more salt as desired and serve alongside any crustacean for an impressive presentation.
12. Classic Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a classic side dish for any occasion, and it’s perfect if you are looking for what to serve with lobster tails because the pasta can soak up all the buttery juices.
Meanwhile, boil your favorite pasta type, add some vegetables, a flavorful sauce, and chunks of cooked lobster meat.
Add this mixture to a bowl and top it off with lots of freshly chopped herbs, like basil or parsley. Top it off with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil for a delicious flavor combination that you can’t beat!
13. Grilled Veggie Marinade
Grilled vegetables are one of the most common side dishes served at BBQs, and for a good reason. Grilled veggies have never tasted so delicious! Roasting or grilling garlic cloves a little bit beforehand will infuse the marinade’s flavors into the veggies.
Grilling on an open flame is ideal, but placing them under a broiler can work just as well. Check out this grilled vegetable recipe to delight your palate while complementing a succulent lobster tail.
14. One Pan Cheesy Chicken Quinoa
In one pan, brown one pound of chicken thighs seasoned generously with salt and pepper. Transfer the chicken from the skillet onto a plate. Place the now empty skillet over medium heat.
Next, add butter and melt. Add quinoa, season lightly with salt and pepper, and toast for five minutes, frequently stirring, until fragrant.
Pour water or broth of your choice, bring to a boil, then cover for five minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
15. Dairy-Free Mac & Cheese
Of course, this is what to serve with lobster tails. Macaroni and cheese is a good side dish to serve with lobster tails. However, it may not be what everyone wants.
Therefore, you can make a Dairy-Free Mac & Cheese recipe instead! This delicious side is made from a mixture of gluten-free rice pasta, dairy-free milk, and dairy-free vegan cheddar cheese.
A pat of vegan butter does the trick for flavor and cooking heat. The recipe is simple enough to follow on your own time in the kitchen to have this particular dish ready in no time!
16. Corn & Cheddar Mashed Potato Fritters
Corn and Cheddar Mashed Potato Fritters are a perfect side dish to serve at your next family gathering. The recipe takes mashed potatoes and kneads them into the dough that can be deep-fried into crispy on the outside yet fluffy on the inside fritters.
17. Seasoned Roasted Cauliflower
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and season the cauliflower generously on all sides.
Roast for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time until caramelized and tender on the inside. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving (or, in this case, tossing in a warm salad).
18. Fritos Corn Salad
If you are looking for what to serve with lobster tails, Fritos corn salad is a great option. You’ll need a handful of Fritos corn chips, green chili salsa, chopped onions, and finely diced jalapenos (remove seeds for less heat).
Also, mix garlic, cloves, white wine vinegar, honey, and about three tablespoons of olive oil. Mix the Fritos corn chips and green chili salsa in a large bowl until combined. Set aside.
Mix the onions, jalapenos, garlic cloves, and tablespoons of vinegar in another bowl until mixed well. Pour over olive oil and add in honey while mixing again.
Lastly, drizzle this mixture over the other ingredients you previously mixed, then toss to combine evenly. Let rest at least 30 minutes before serving with lobster tails or a seafood dish if desired.
19. Creamed Corn
This recipe is super easy and comes together in about ten minutes. You will prefer corn soupy rather than creamy. So if you’re making this for an event with many people, we suggest adding extra stock or cream.
20. Spinach Gratin
A decadent, creamy spinach gratin is the perfect side dish for your holiday dinner. You can layer the creamy spinach mixture over slabs of crunchy, buttery crostini or drop it into cups of a crispy phyllo pastry shell. If you have any leftovers, it tastes great as a breakfast scramble.
Finally, don’t overlook this dish if you’re not cooking lobster tails. We’d recommend slicing some sweet bacon and browning it just before plating to give the flavor depth.
21. BLT Cauliflower Salad
This delicious and hearty salad is what to serve with lobster tails, and it is full of flavor and is the perfect complement to a succulent lobster tail. This recipe calls for bacon and lots of crispy, buttery cauliflower.
The bacon provides the saltiness, while the cauliflower offers a great base that pairs well with creamy dressings. This dish also can be enjoyed hot by heating up in the oven before adding to your bowl.
22. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Balsamic & Honey
Oven-roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic and honey are a delicious side dish that’s perfect for the holidays or anytime.
These festive vegetables’ sweet and tangy flavor pairs beautifully with almost any main course. But especially well-suited for dishes such as a rich, buttery lobster tail.
Here’s how you can make them!
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
- Rinse and dry the Brussels sprouts; remove ends from the stems and halve lengthwise.
- Combine vegetable oil, salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, and honey in a small bowl
23. Hot Honey Corn
Are you looking for what to serve with lobster tails? Hot honey corn is a great option.
Butter two dozen corn on the cob and place them in a grill basket or ring. Brush them generously with melted butter, and sprinkle coarse salt over the tops.
Remove from heat and toss in three tablespoons of hot honey. Cover until butter is absorbed by the corn, then remove the cover and use tongs to serve warm.
Conclusion
It’s easy to get stuck in a cooking rut and prepare the same dish whenever you have company. Once you’re on your feet and feeling confident, you’ll find that coming up with an original of what to serve with lobster tails can be the new hobby of your choice.
Therefore, when planning a dish for guests, it’s crucial to balance your main course by choosing what to serve with lobster tails that complement its flavor profile.
The above dishes offer excellent balance when served with lobster tails. These dishes complement lobster’s richness and are nutrient-dense so as not to add unnecessary calories or fat.
