What to Serve with Scallops: 31 of the Best Side Dish Recipes (2024)

There are dozens of delicious scallop recipes to try! While some people may only order them when they are at a seafood restaurant, they are actually quite simple to prepare at home. Of course, this leaves the question of what side dish goes best with these tender mollusks. Here is a list of what to serve with scallops for the next time you prepare them at home.

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What to Serve with Scallops: 31 of the Best Side Dish Recipes (1)

What to serve with scallops at home

Living in Maine, I get to enjoy all different kinds of fresh seafood. While Maine is infamous for tasty lobster, the scallops from our local fish market are my all time favorite. I have a number of scallop recipes, but my favorite way to prepare them is quite simple. I enjoy make pan seared buttery scallops with a dash of fresh herbs like tarragon or basil.

While I believe a simple preparation makes the best scallops, I do love a good side dish to go along with them. So, I decided to put together a list of the 31 best side dish recipes to serve with pan seared scallops or almost any other scallop recipe you enjoy making!

The best vegetable side dish recipe to serve with scallops

Vegetables to Serve with Scallops

Sauteed green beans tossed in delicious garlic butter and parmesan – Yum! These garlic butter green beans are a delicious and easy-to-make side dish recipe that pair well with seafood.

A creamy, cheesy, crunchy side dish that everyone will love! Swiss chard stems take on a whole new look with this recipe!

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Oven Roasted Mushrooms

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Photo Credit:marleysmenu.com

Sweet and Salty Brussels Sprouts

These Sweet and Salty Brussels Sprouts will turn even the pickiest of eaters into brussels-obsessed veggie lovers with this lick-your-fingers worthy recipe.

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Photo Credit:www.shekeepsalovelyhome.com

Parmesan & Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

This creamy mashed cauliflower recipe is slightly textured, rustic, requires just 7 main ingredients and takes only 20 minutes to make! It’s keto, cheesy, and easily made vegan! A healthy side dish for a simple family meal or fancy dinner party!

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Oven Roasted Carrots with Onions and Thyme

These Oven Roasted Carrots with Onions and Thyme are a simple, yet elegant side dish. A savory blend of olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme are tossed with fresh carrots. Then, the carrots are drizzled with vegetable bouillon broth and roasted in the oven until tender.

Crisp-tender beets come to life in this Spiralized Beets with Bleu Cheese, Walnuts, and Sage! You'll love the earthy flavors of this hearty side dish, and it can be on your table in about 20 minutes.

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Photo Credit:itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com

Broccoli Stem Slaw

Broccoli Stem Slaw is crisp, colourful and totally delicious. The fantastic texture, bright flavours and creamy dressing pairs perfectly with the sea scallops.

What to Serve with Scallops: 31 of the Best Side Dish Recipes (10)

Photo Credit:notentirelyaverage.com

Oven Roasted Spaghetti Squash With Sherry And Cream

Spaghetti squash offers a delicate, sweet, and crazy spaghetti-like texture and lends itself really well to whatever you add to it.

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Roasted Asparagus and Carrots with Parmesan Cheese

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Photo Credit:marleysmenu.com

Roasted Garlic and Feta Mashed Potatoes

These Roasted Garlic and Feta Mashed Potatoes are creamy and fluffy with the perfect amount of salt and garlic to amp up each bite.

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Photo Credit:www.wholesomeyum.com

Easy Cheesy Asparagus Casserole Recipe

This easy, cheesy asparagus casserole recipe has layers of tender asparagus, gooey cheese, and creamy hollandaise. Ready in 20 minutes!

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Classic Green Bean Casserole

These low carb zoodles are bathed in a garlic, lemon, Parmesan sauce which pairs well with seafood. Zucchini noodles can be tricky to prepare, but you’ll get it right every time with these simple instructions.

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Photo Credit:www.thismamacooks.com

Marinated Asparagus Recipe

This marinated asparagus side dish recipe is easy to make. Roasted asparagus can be served either hot or cold and goes with a variety of main courses.

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Photo Credit:aussiehomecook.com

Roasted mini potatoes

These roasted mini potatoes are quick and easy to throw together. The perfect side for roasts, BBQs and mains when you need some roasted carby goodness.

Pasta, Rice and other Grains that taste great with scallops

Pasta, Rice and other Grains to Serve with Scallops

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Photo Credit:www.windingcreekranch.org

Instant Pot Rice

Instant Pot rice turns out perfect, every single time. It is light, fluffy, so delicious, and never a sticky mess. It is the perfect side dish, it goes with anything!

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Photo Credit:theforkedspoon.com

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi made with soft and pillowy store-bought potato gnocchi, basil pesto, heavy cream, and shredded parmesan. Ready in just 20 minutes, serve this easy gnocchi recipe as a side dish for scallops.

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Photo Credit:quichemygrits.com

Sundried Tomato Orzo Pasta

Sundried Tomato Orzo Pasta is a versatile dish. It's great for luncheons, dinner, or a snack in-between. It's light and easy. Plus, it's packed with healthy veggies and herbs that pair well with seafood.

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Photo Credit:www.corriecooks.com

Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto

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Photo Credit:elisetriestocook.com

Israeli Couscous Salad with Fennel

Fresh flavors of the Mediterranean in one delicious, crunchy salad! The perfect healthy side dish for any meal and pleasing a crowd.

tsaLemon Parmesan Brown Rice is ready in just 15 minutes! It's a perfect side dish to pair with Sea Scallops, and is made with fresh squeezed lemon juice, Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.p

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Easy Baked Feta Pasta Recipe

This Yellow Saffron Rice uses vegetable broth and onions to compliment the floral, aromatic saffron for a delicious and versatile side dish.

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Photo Credit:www.shekeepsalovelyhome.com

Crispy Coconut Cauliflower Rice

This crispy coconut cauliflower rice is such a delightful, low-carb side dish! A perfect rice substitute that’s so much more nutritious and absolutely delicious. With just 6 ingredients, this healthy recipe will make clean-eating extra easy.

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Vegan Rice Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Kale

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Photo Credit:cooktoria.com

Easy Angel Hair Pasta Recipe

This Angel Hair Pasta is made with cherry tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil. You won't believe how simple and TASTY this recipe is!

This Basmati Rice (Instant Pot) with Garlic Butter is super easy to make and loaded with tons of dried herbs. It only takes 5 minutes to cook in the Instant Pot. It is light, fluffy, and full of extra flavor from the chicken broth it is cooked in. The perfect no hassle side dish.

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Photo Credit:www.frugalmomeh.com

Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

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Photo Credit:veganinthefreezer.com

Slow Cooker Wild Rice Recipe

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Instant Pot Pasta Puttanesca

Top your Pasta Puttanesca with seared scallops for an extra decadent meal!

So Tell Me…

Do you enjoy making scallops at home? What is your favorite way to prepare them? Do you have a favorite side dish that enjoy with seafood? Is there a side dish here you are going to try?

Thank you so much for stopping by! As always, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great week!

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What to Serve with Scallops: 31 of the Best Side Dish Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What side dishes go well with scallops? ›

THE BEST SIDES TO SERVE WITH SCALLOPS
  • POTATOES SIDE DISH. You may not be aware that a potatoes side dish is among the best meals to serve with scallops. ...
  • ROASTED OR GRILLED VEGETABLES. ...
  • CRISPY BRUSSELS SPROUTS. ...
  • REFRESHING SALADS. ...
  • TRUFFLE CREAMED CORN. ...
  • RICE AND QUINOA. ...
  • STEAK.

What is traditionally served with scallops? ›

Traditional Side Dishes
  • Lemon Garlic Orzo with Parmesan and Asparagus. ...
  • Classic Mushroom Risotto. ...
  • Easy Seafood Alfredo... ...
  • Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta. ...
  • Rice Pilaf. ...
  • Spring Pea Risotto. ...
  • Fast and Easy Rosemary No Knead Bread. ...
  • Whole Wheat Naan Bread.
Sep 23, 2022

How many scallops per person dinner? ›

Scallops can be expensive and don't reheat well, so budget for the exact amount you need. We generally count 3–4 large scallops per person. Like shrimp, scallops vary in size; many stores will provide a count per pound, which you can use to estimate how many scallops you'll need.

How many pounds of scallops do I need for 8 people? ›

We recommend a half pound per person. If you're adding these scallops into a soup or salad, use substantially less per person.

What month is best for scallops? ›

When Is Scallop Season? Scallops reach peak harvests during late fall and winter. They're typically available year-round, but seek them out during the last few months of the year for the freshest catch.

Should scallops be seared on both sides? ›

Once the fat begins to smoke, gently add the scallops, making sure they are not touching each other. Sear the scallops for 1 1/2 minutes on each side. The scallops should have a 1/4-inch golden crust on each side while still being translucent in the center.

What to put on scallops when cooking? ›

Scallops need little more than butter or olive oil, seasoning, fresh herbs, and a few minutes on the stovetop before they're golden, and ready to served. It's that easy.

What is the difference between scallops and sea scallops? ›

Sea scallops are found in deeper waters than bay scallops, and they're harvested year-round. They are larger in diameter, usually 1 1/2 to 2 inches. While still sweet and tender, sea scallops can be chewier than bay scallops and aren't as sweet. Sea scallops are more expensive than bay scallops.

Why do you soak scallops in milk before cooking? ›

Scallops, like many other types of seafood, can have a mild fishy odor that some people find off-putting. Soaking scallops in milk before cooking can help alleviate this odor. Milk can neutralize or mask the fishy smell, resulting in a milder scent.

What happens if you don't rinse scallops before cooking? ›

It is not necessary to wash scallops before cooking. Washing or soaking scallops in water will cause the scallop to absorb water. This will make it harder for the scallop to sear and caramelize and can create excess seepage water in the pan, which negatively affects the dish.

Is it better to bake or fry scallops? ›

Because sea scallops have a chewier texture, searing them in a hot skillet is the simplest, most effective cooking method to achieving a crisp exterior and tender, just-firm texture within. Basting the scallops with butter helps finish cooking them and enhances browning, too.

What does 10 30 scallops mean? ›

Similar to shrimp, retailers describe scallop sizes by a range of numbers indicating how many of them there are in a pound. Designating scallops as "20/30" means that it would take between 20 and 30 of them to make up a pound. The smaller this number range is, the larger (by weight) the scallops are.

What does 20 30 scallops mean? ›

Sea Scallop Sizes Explained

Sea scallops are sorted based on the number that are portioned per pound. The smallest of these being the 20/30 assortment. This means that per pound for 20/30 sea scallops, you get between 20 and 30 scallops. U-8 means that you get eight scallops per pound. This is the largest available.

What to serve with scallop appetizer? ›

A sweet tart Brussels sprout salad is a great way to accessorize scallops! The raw greens aren't bitter at all: they're sweet and feathery, with irresistibly tasty flavor. Combine them with a sweet and tangy Djion mustard dressing, apples, and dried cherries, and they're pretty darn perfect.

Are scallops better grilled or pan seared? ›

Generally, the best way to cook scallops is searing them. Seared scallops are cooked on the stovetop, usually in a cast iron skillet to get an excellent sear, using butter or oil to get them nice and crispy. The result is a crisp, golden brown exterior with a delicate balance of savory, tender scallops inside.

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