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Scallops are a delicate and versatile seafood that can be prepared in so many delicious ways and paired with a broad range of fabulous side dishes. But what to serve with scallops to make the perfect menu? So glad you asked! Keep reading for the Best Sides to Serve with Scallops!
Whether you prefer them pan-seared, grilled, or baked, scallops can be a tasty addition to any meal.
Need more easy scallop dishes in your life?
- Broiled Scallops with Italian Salsa Verde
- Baked Scallops with White Wine, Citrus and Basil
- Brown Butter Seared Scallops with Charred Corn Polenta
- Seafood Pasta in Garlic White Wine Sauce
Best Side Dishes To Serve With Scallops
Scallops are a delicious and versatile seafood that can be paired with a range of side dishes. Whether you prefer vegetables, rice, pasta, or potatoes, there are many options that pair well with the flavors of scallops. Try experimenting with different side dishes to find the perfect combination for your next scallop meal.
Charred Corn Polenta
Creamy, rich polenta is the perfect match for scallops, and a nice change from using traditional mashed potatoes. The best thing about this delicious recipe is that it is suited really well to making with frozen (and thawed) sea scallops.
Grilled Asparagus with Creamy Vinaigrette
Grilled asparagus is a delicious and healthy side dish that adds a smoky flavor and freshness to your seafood meal.
Sautéed Orzo with Tomatoes, Basil and Goat Cheese
This orzo recipe brings all the best flavors of your favorite Italian trattoria to your own kitchen. It's a great side dish or meatless main dish, perfect for any night of the week.
Roasted Green Cauliflower Recipe
The best part of this roasted veggie dish is that it's sophisticated enough to sit next to your special occasion main dishes, but quick enough to dress up a simple Thursday night dinner with the family.
Spicy Rigatoni Vodka Recipe (Copycat Carbone!)
The texture and flavors of this dish are out of this world delicious - chewy pasta, rich and creamy sauce, sharp Parmesan and citrusy fresh notes of basil.
Fresh Cucumber Gazpacho Summer Salad
This is a great way to bring the cool, refreshing flavors of the famous Spanish chilled soup, but in a crunchy salad – no blending required!
Quick Homemade Creamy Parmesan Rice Recipe
Like luscious risotto without all the fuss and stirring, thiscreamy parmesan rice with lemon and parsleyis the perfect side to all of your best scallop main courses. It’s a great addition to your scallop dinner and makes delicious leftovers, as well
Mediterranean Tossed Salad For A Crowd
A simple green salad with a quick homemade vinaigrette dressing is always a good option, but you can also experiment with adding herbs and spices to the salad that compliment the flavors in your scallop main course.
One Pot Lemon Ricotta Orecchiette Pasta
This deliciouspastabrings rich and creamy ricotta cheese and bright lemon flavors to your table any night of the week.
Garlic Lemon Seasoned Green Beans
This simple but flavorful side dish will add brightness and tang to your meal and have everyone asking for your recipe.
Garlic Bread Baguette Recipe
A slice of warm, crusty bread is the perfect addition to any seafood meal, and scallops are no exception. You can serve a regular loaf of bread, but my favorite bread for almost any meal isGarlic Bread Baguette.
Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
A chilled, fresh salad is a great side dish to serve with a seared scallop dish. This sweet, spicy, savory cucumber recipe is viral for a reason!
Lemon Dill Rice is an easy recipe with gorgeous flavors and presentation - ideal for a dinner party, an easy weeknight meal or even meal prep Sunday. This is the perfect way to show off the delicate flavor of scallops with a memorable and tasty side dish.
Fresh Ginger Scallion Sauce
This simple but spectacularFresh Ginger Scallion Saucehas been one of the biggest flavor game changers in my kitchen over the last 10 years. Get ready to be wowed! Serve it with pan seared scallops and steamed rice for a stunning flavor combination.
Parmesan Truffle Fries (Baked, Not Fried!)
A sophisticated scallop dish is the perfect pairing for French fries, one of the most popular side dishes for any seafood. A sprinkle of grated parmesan and truffle salt bring sophisticated flavor to this delicious side.
Garlic Herb Salsa Verde Recipe
Italian salsa verde is the perfect sauce for these sweet morsels of scallop magic, adding just a little more briny umami. This salsa verde is a delicious herb sauce to serve with grilled fish, shrimp and, of course, scallops.
Lyonnaise Potatoes (Fried Potatoes and Onions)
These delicious potatoes are a southern staple and family favorite in the United States. The perfect weekend breakfast side (or breakfast-for-dinner side) and they also taste wondrous with veggie plate. Turns out, the French have their own version!
Brussels Sprouts Gratin (Low-Carb, Gluten-Free)
This dreamy, creamycasseroleis a delicious take on classic cheesy au gratin potatoes. It's a metric ton of flavor in one gorgeous, low-carb, gluten-free side dish.
French Potato Au Gratin Recipe
Tender potatoes baked in a savory, garlic and thyme cream sauce, covered in cheese and baked until bubbly and delicious. The perfect side for your big scallop event!
Jerusalem Salad Recipe
This simple and deliciousfresh and crisp salad takes a handful of crisper drawer staples and creates a surprisingly tasty, fresh vegetable salad in a matter of minutes.
Garlic White Wine Pasta Recipe
The sauce is reminiscent of a traditional Italian clam sauce - or pasta alle vongole - which is one of my favorite Italian dishes! The white wine garlic sauce is light, refreshing and deeply savory.
Mango Habanero Salsa Recipe
Fuirt salsa is a classic combination with seared scallops. For a milder salsa, use jalapeños or poblano peppers instead of habanero.
Creamy Risotto Recipe
Skip the lobster in this risotto recipe and add seared scallops at the end, plating the dish under a flurry of parmesan with a wedge of limel Buon Appetito!
So have you chosen your favorite sides to serve with your scallop dinner? Let me know in the comments!
If you have more scallop questions, keep reading for my best tips for making these delicious seafood morsels in your own kitchen.
Tips for Preparing Perfect Scallops at Home
Scallops are a popular shellfish because of their rich flavor and delicate texture. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, from simple searing or grilling to baking and broiling. Now that you know what to serve with your favorite scallop recipes, let's take a look at some tips for preparing it to perfection.
Choose Fresh Scallops or High Quality Frozen
The key to a delicious scallop dish is using high-quality shellfish. If you have easy access to fresh scallops, that's a great option. But if you don't, no need to despair! Frozen scallops are often just as fresh (or more) than seafood counter scallops because they are frozen quickly once caught. Since most of us have access to frozen scallops, let’s talk about the best way to thaw our scallops before cooking.
Tips for Thawing Sea Scallops:
- Plan ahead! For best results, thaw your scallops slowly in the refrigerator to prevent them from getting an unpleasant, mushy texture. Place them in the refrigerator for 24 hours before you plan to cook them. This will allow them to thaw slowly and evenly. Then dry them very well with paper towels before removing the side muscle, seasoning and cooking.
- Too late to plan ahead? If you’re short on time, thaw the scallops in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes to an hour. Never use warm or hot water to thaw scallops. This can partially cook the scallop, affecting the texture and flavor and potentially introducing food safety concerns.
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About Christina Jolam
Christina Jolam is a fish-forward recipe developer, photographer, and food writer. She creates easy and impressive seafood-focused recipes that home chefs of all levels can make and share. Her recipes and seafood expertise have been featured on CNNHealth, MSN, Pip and Ebby, Savoring the Good, Eat Blog Talk and more. She spends most of her time in a seaside village in Portugal with her adventure-loving husband, Ramesh.
