Ever wondered what to serve with scallops?
Find the best side dishes for scallops in this collection and achieve that satisfying meal you’ve always wanted.
If you are unsure what to serve with scallops, the first thing to do is figure out what flavors go best with this seafood.
Scallops come with a briny, slightly sweet flavor profile, so you need to find something to complement this.
This quality makes it versatile enough to be paired with many different side dishes.
On this list, you will find numerous options that include vegetables, pasta, and grains.
There are even a few fruit-based dishes on this list that can be paired perfectly with your scallops.
These side dishes will help complete any scallop dish you prepare, be it for lunch or dinner.
Some of my top favorites include Thai Salad and Creamed Cauliflower.
Also, my favorite recipes on this list are #47 and #50.
Dive into the world of scallops and find the best side dishes for the entree to have that satisfying meal you’ve always wanted.
One of the classic pairings for scallops is this vegetable dish.
Unbelievably creamy and with a hint of cheese plus some crunch, this recipe is easy and quick to make.
Here’s another simple and fast recipe you can try when looking for a great side dish for scallops.
This one uses only five ingredients!
If you’re averse to using garlic powder, you can always use fresh garlic or, better yet, add some roasted and mashed garlic to the mix.
One more easy and simple side dish for scallops is this Grilled Aspagus that adds a crunchy element to your meal.
If you think grilled asparagus spears are way too simple, you can always turn this into a salad by cutting the spears and dressing them with vinaigrette and crumbled feta cheese.
Hot tip: How to cook asparagus: 5 of the simplest techniques
Here’s a salad that goes well with just about anything.
Filling and fresh, with the right amount of zing from red onions, this salad should be made minutes before serving to prevent soggy and soft tomatoes.
Fruity, creamy, and with a bite, this salsa is a tropical treat you should add to your list of scallop side dishes.
The addition of chopped chili peppers in this dish may come as a surprise, but the zing it provides is worth it.
If you don’t want the salsa you make to be too spicy, removing the seeds and washing the peppers before chopping them can help.
As they say, nothing beats a classic, and this dish will prove that statement right!
This classic dish is one that you can tweak in many different ways.
You can make it more garlicky, slightly sour, or load it up with lots of cheese!
Want to take a break from the usual mashed vegetable side dishes like mashed potatoes?
Here’s a dish you can make to take its place!
This gives you a sweeter and earthier mash that goes great with scallops.
Crunchy and with great garlic flavor, this dish is another example of an uncomplicated side dish that just works!
If you want more umami in this dish, add some butter to your olive oil before mixing the beans.
You can add more garlic if you want this side dish to be more garlicky.
Here’s a sweet and savory side dish that’s perfect for seafood and protein.
Creamy, buttery, and slightly spicy, this recipe is also very hearty.
This recipe is one that you can easily modify to suit your taste!
Don’t like cauliflower?
You can always replace it with broccoli or swap it out for asparagus.
Can’t find fennel?
Try replacing it with celery instead!
11. Polenta Fries
This recipe uses ready-made polenta, but you can make your own for this if you want.
If using your polenta, you need to start making this a day ahead so it can chill overnight.
This is to ensure that you get the right consistency needed for the fries.
If you’re aiming for a side dish that’s filling, this is a great choice!
It goes well with different kinds of seafood, and that includes scallops.
13. Corn Succotash
Here’s a well-loved side dish that you can also serve alongside scallops.
This recipe has lima beans in it, but there are a few versions that don’t have beans in them.
If you don’t like lima beans, you can substitute them with zucchini or a similar vegetable.
Speaking of zucchini, here’s a “pasta” salad that uses this vegetable in place of pasta as a low-carb substitute.
Mixed with slivers of summer squash, you get a pasta-like dish that’s both fresh and savory.
One of the Italian side dishes people seem to be wary of making is risotto, and for a good reason.
It can be temperamental, but if cooked properly, you get a silky smooth dish perfect for seafood and other proteins.
Here’s a 25-minute side dish you can make at the very last minute.
This is a good side dish to remember when you’re pressed for time and unsure what to serve with scallops.
17. Thai Salad
If you’re making scallops with Asian flavors, this side dish is the perfect accompaniment for it.
Combining sweet, sour, briny, and spicy, this salad also brings some crunch to your dish with the crispness of the cucumber.
18. Tuscan Beans
Here’s a side dish that can also be served on crusty bread as a main course.
This bean dish is another Italian recipe you can partner with your scallops when you’re looking for something savory, garlicky, and filling.
Here’s a fruity salad that you’re sure to enjoy with your briny and slightly sweet scallops.
The addition of pistachios gives the salad a good crunch, and goat cheese adds a creamy element to it.
If you don’t have goat cheese, some feta will work well here too.
Trying to keep things low-carb?
Here’s another alternative to potatoes that is just as satisfying.
Keeping the florets whole gives you something to chew on, while the cream and cheese make the dish rich.
Asparagus can be served in other ways aside from roasted and grilled.
It can also be sauteed with cherry tomatoes, garlic, and parmesan.
You can also modify this recipe to use green beans instead of asparagus if you want.
Here’s a corn dish with a slightly spicy kick that goes well with mild scallops.
If you don’t have an outdoor grill, you can always make this on your stove or in your oven.
23. Lentil Salad
For a Mediterranean side dish to pair with scallops, this is one recipe you can try.
This dish combines briny, sour, and slightly bitter flavors that are a great accompaniment to mild seafood like scallops.
24. Couscous Salad
Here’s another Mediterranean recipe you can make for your scallop dinner.
It’s loaded with many flavors, from fresh herbs, olives, cucumbers, peppers, red onions, and the vinaigrette dressing.
25. Mashed Peas
You may already know about pea puree, but have you heard about mashed peas?
It’s a rustic version of the pureed dish, with the same flavor but chunkier and more texture for a good mouthfeel.
26. Caprese Salad
Classics never go out of style, and this salad is no exception.
If you want a version that’s easier to eat, you can cut the cheese, tomatoes, and basil into bite-sized pieces and toss them in the olive oil ala side salad.
Another vegetable dish that you can serve with scallops is this one that makes use of creamy winter squash, fresh spinach, and apples.
It also has blue cheese, pecans, orange juice, and honey that makes for a flavor explosion with each bite.
28. Ratatouille
Ever wanted to try the recipe from that popular animated film?
Here’s your chance!
This is a main dish that can also be served as a side dish.
29. Garlic Noodles
Some garlic noodle recipes are just that–pasta with garlic aioli.
This one is an enhanced version, adding milk and grated parmesan mixed in for a creamier dish.
30. Coconut Rice
If you don’t want to serve ordinary rice with your scallops, why not try this coconutty version?
A sprinkling of chopped cashews and coconut flakes on top gives it a textural diversity you’re sure to enjoy.
This recipe features mushrooms sauteed in butter and garlic.
You can create your version of this using other mushrooms, like portobello or shiitake, and add some spices to elevate the flavor.
32. Pesto Pasta
Pesto pasta is one of the easiest pasta dishes to make.
You can use homemade or bottled pesto and any pasta for this dish.
34. Pineapple Salsa
If you think that salsa can only be made with tomatoes, think again!
Here’s one that’s made with fresh pineapple, peppers, and onions.
Pineapple Avocado Salsa, anyone?
For those who love to bake, here’s a side dish you can try.
These biscuits are quick and straightforward and can be served in under an hour.
Grilling fruit for salads has become a steady trend of late.
Here’s one that uses grilled watermelon with added cucumbers, feta cheese, and mustard vinaigrette.
Salads seem to go well with scallops, so here’s another salad recipe to add to your list.
Made with a combination of cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes, this also has feta cheese, onions, and lemon juice in it.
Do you have French bread slowly going stale in your home?
You can turn this into a great side dish for your scallops with this recipe!
39. Fondant Potatoes
If you’re planning on a plated meal with scallops, this side dish should go well with it.
Shaped just like scallops, these fondant potatoes will make your plated meal look composed and sophisticated.
Another awesome side dish you can make with potatoes that go well with scallops is this one!
This dish can be modified in many different ways with the kinds of toppings you add to it.
While this is usually served with pita bread, you can always serve both with a scallop entree.
The creamy, slightly sour, garlicky dip combo goes well with any main dish.
Cheesy and creamy, this dish is another quick recipe you can make in under 30 minutes.
You can top each serving of this dish with a couple of perfectly seared scallops.
43. Mac & Cheese
If this dish goes well with lobster, why not try it with scallops?
Creamy, savory, and hearty, you can make this dish with any of your favorite cheeses like mild cheddar, Monterey jack, and gouda.
Another super simple dish to make when you don’t know what to serve with scallops is this sheet pan potato recipe.
Simply chop, mix, spread, bake, and serve!
45. Zucchini Noodles
For those practicing keto, here’s a noodle dish that will go well with your seared scallops.
This buttery and garlicky side dish can be slightly spicy with some pepper flakes or a sprinkling of cayenne powder.
Not a fan of creamy or soggy cauliflower side dishes?
Here’s a crisp version that you might just love!
47. Fried Rice
One of the go-to side dishes for seafood is fried rice.
And here’s a recipe for great fried rice that you can make in half an hour!
Another tomato-based salad you can make for your scallop main dish is this one that is made with chickpeas in it.
You can add many other ingredients to this recipe to make it your own, like cucumbers, peppers, and other herbs.
49. Quinoa Salad
For fans of grain-based salads, here’s another one for you.
This time, this salad uses quinoa, which can be paired with almost anything.
Here’s a vegetarian pasta dish that goes well with all types of proteins.
If you want to keep this dish low-carb, you can always omit the penne or substitute it with a low-carb pasta option.
51. Burrata Salad
Another Italian salad that you can partner with your scallop dishes is this one that has burrata, arugula, tomatoes, and a pesto dressing.
If you don’t like burrata, you can always substitute it with mozzarella slices or cubes.
52. Tortellini Salad
Here’s one more pasta salad you can add to your must-try recipes for when you’re figuring out what to serve with scallops.
This salad also contains olives and tomatoes, making it another Italian dish on this list.
Forget your regular potato salad and try out this Korean-style one instead!
It has ham, corn, cucumbers, carrots, and carrots, giving you diverse textures and flavors in each bite.
Let’s close out this list with a couple of classics, starting with this salad that can be served DIY style.
If plated, it’s served with a wedge of iceberg lettuce, topped with a dressing of your choice (here it’s the classic blue cheese), and various toppings on and around it.
55. Classic Coleslaw
Last but certainly not least is this recipe for everyone’s favorite side dish – coleslaw.
This recipe uses two kinds of cabbage, a carrot, some celery seeds, and a mayonnaise-based dressing.
Not a fan of coleslaw with mayo? Check out our mayo-free Carolina Coleslaw recipe!
The bottom line
Next time you find yourself at wit’s end trying to think about what to serve with scallops, remember this list of 55 recipes you can choose from.
You can try one or two at a time for each instance you serve scallops for lunch or dinner.
You can also try more than two if you have the ingredients and the time to make them.
Check this out: 15 Best Ways To Cook Scallops!
What To Serve With Scallops (55 Best Side Dishes)
Ever wondered what to serve with scallops? Find the best side dishes for scallops in this collection and achieve that satisfying meal you've always wanted.
Ingredients
- Creamed Spinach
- Oven-Roasted Brussel Sprouts In Lemon
- Grilled Asparagus
- Corn & Tomato Salad
- Avocado & Mango Salsa
- Old-Fashioned Mashed Potatoes
- Parsnip Puree
- Green Beans With Garlic
- Maple, Cheese & Bacon Grits
- Roasted Vegetable Medley
- Polenta Fries
- Fettuccine Alfredo
- Corn Succotash
- Zucchini & Summer Squash Salad
- Lemon & Asparagus Risotto
- Broccoli With Garlic & Parmesan
- Thai Salad
- Tuscan Beans
- Orange & Kale Salad
- Creamed Cauliflower
- Sauteed Tomatoes & Asparagus
- Grilled Corn With Aioli
- Lentil Salad
- Couscous Salad
- Mashed Peas
- Caprese Salad
- Roasted Winter Squash Salad
- Ratatouille
- Garlic Noodles
- Coconut Rice
- Sauteed Mushrooms
- Pesto Pasta
- Gazpacho
- Pineapple Salsa
- Cheddar Bay Biscuits
- Grilled Watermelon Salad
- Greek Cucumber Salad
- Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Fondant Potatoes
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- White Bean, Garlic & Tomato Hummus
- Four Cheese Spaghetti
- Mac & Cheese
- Herbed Baby Potatoes
- Zucchini Noodles
- Fried Cauliflower
- Fried Rice
- Tomato & Chickpea Salad
- Quinoa Salad
- Vegetarian Penne Pasta
- Burrata Salad
- Tortellini Salad
- Korean Potato Salad
- Classic Wedge Salad
- Classic Coleslaw
Instructions
- Pick one or more options from our list of What To Serve With Scallops here!
- Start creating your new favorite dish.
- Share and comment! Did you make any changes to make it even better?
Theresa Jenkins
Saturday 22nd of August 2020
This is one recipe my Hubby said he would like to try
Amber Kolb
Wednesday 19th of August 2020
Oh a baked potato and scallops sounds delicious!
Amber Kolb
Wednesday 12th of August 2020
They look good! I've never had them before. Need to try them out.
Amber Kolb
Sunday 9th of August 2020
I've never had scallops before, I need to make them!
Dorothy Boucher
Saturday 8th of August 2020
These recipes are delicious! looking and I am loving these ideas as i'm sure my family will enjoy them also. @tisonlyme143