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.

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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 to Serve with Scallops: 31 of the Best Side Dish Recipes? ›

How many scallops should you serve? If you're serving scallops as a main course with sides, plan on around 6 ounces per person. That would be 4-6 large (U10) sea scallops and 8-10 medium sized. Appetizer portions would be half of that.

How many scallops per person for dinner? ›

How many scallops should you serve? If you're serving scallops as a main course with sides, plan on around 6 ounces per person. That would be 4-6 large (U10) sea scallops and 8-10 medium sized. Appetizer portions would be half of that.

What's a good sauce to put on scallops? ›

A delicious creamy lemon white wine butter sauce that is incredibly easy to make and goes excellent with salmon, scallops, chicken or fish. Learn How to Make Brown Butter with my info packed guide. With intense, nutty caramel flavour, browned butter will elevate all your dishes.

What's the healthiest way to eat scallops? ›

Cook them at high heat, moisten them and don't cook them for too long. Making sure they are healthy is the easiest part. Simply don't add anything that contains large amounts of fat, sugar or salt. A 450 F oven, a sprinkle of lemon juice and pepper and 10 minutes is all you need for scrumptious baked scallops.

Should scallops be seared on both sides? ›

Once it's smoking, add the scallops. Don't crowd the pan and work in two batches if necessary. Sear the scallops for 2 minutes on each side, until the sides are golden and the centers are translucent. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

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.

Should you rinse scallops before cooking? ›

Give your scallops a quick rinse to remove any grit, then thoroughly pat dry with a few paper towels, as excess moisture will inhibit searing. For added insurance, you can dry your scallops in the fridge for an hour or two before cooking.

What is the best oil to sear scallops in? ›

What type of oil should you use to cook scallops? A light, neutral oil with a high smoke point. Extra virgin olive oil will begin to smoke immediately over high heat. Instead, reach for grapeseed oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.

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 not to do when cooking scallops? ›

Don't overcook them. To know when they're done, look for the golden crust and opaque flesh. If you put a fork into them at this point, it should glide in. If you have large scallops, slice them in half so that you can monitor whether they are cooked properly on the inside or not.

What is the secret to perfect scallops? ›

Gently add the scallops to your pan (making sure there is a bit of space in between them to avoid crowding) and let them cook, completely undisturbed for at least 2 minutes over medium-high heat. The more that you move them around, the more difficult it will be to create a nice crust around the bottom.

How to tell if scallops are done? ›

Scallops are done when they are opaque in the center and golden brown on the outside. They should be firm but buttery, not at all difficult to cut or chew through (via The Kitchn). Scallops only take a few minutes to sear, meaning that they can become overcooked very quickly.

How many people does 1lb of scallops feed? ›

10-12 scallops per lb), which serves approx. 4 people.

How much scallops should I buy for 2 people? ›

If you're measuring by weight, 1 pound typically comes with 20–30 large scallops, but some extra-large scallops clock in at 10–20 pieces per pound. If you purchase larger scallops, opt for the lower end of the per-person count. How many scallops per person: To feed 2 people: 6–8 scallops, about ⅓ pound.

How many scallops is a serving portion? ›

Medium Scallops (40-60)

Serving size: 8-11 medium scallops make a 3oz portion. With 40-60 in a pound and up to 11 in a single serving, these medium scallops provide a sweet, delicate bite that's perfect for enjoying whole. Medium scallops can be seared, broiled, stir-fried, or skewered for kabobs.

How much is a portion of scallops? ›

Scallop portion size: We recommend about 170g of scallops per person.

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