The best sides for Grilled Shrimp and Scallops are Pomegranate and Spinach Salad, Mango Avocado Salsa, Fettucine Alfredo, Warm Tuscan Beans, and Lentil Salad.
Pomegranate and Spinach Salad
This is the type of side dish you would normally get in a posh restaurant, so it's very likely to impress.
For a lighter option, try Lentil Salad. Lentil Salad
Lentil is the main ingredient in this salad and clearly not the only one.
Grilled shrimp and scallops scream summer like nothing else.
It's a common dilemma. You want sides that complement, not overpower.
Lucky for you, I've got the inside scoop on the seven best sides that'll turn your seafood feast into a meal to remember.
7 Best Sides to Serve with Grilled Shrimp and Scallops
Here are a few good side dishes to consider - including chili party side ideas for big gatherings.
1. Pomegranate and Spinach Salad
This is the type of side dish you would normally get in a posh restaurant, so it's very likely to impress - think spinach dip side dish options that elevate apps.
The fresh salad will complete the dish with its unique aromas, but also allow your guests to eat more without experiencing nausea.
The fancy meal is also a great mix of textures.
You have the green spinach, as well as the crunchy pomegranate.
Then, you have the shrimp and scallops - a bit soft, but with a crispy coating.
The mix of sweet and salt is great too.
2. Mango Avocado Salsa
This side dish is similar - a bit of hearty flavors from avocado, some mango sweetness, and the mild flavors of shrimps and scallops, much like mango salsa chicken side pairings for fruity balance.
You have a fresh, flavorful, and fruity side dish that also looks like it's just come out of a post restaurant.
You can get some salsa on the plate and have your guests take their grilled food through it.
But then, you can also spread the salsa on a slice of bread or perhaps a baguette.
Overall, this side dish is light and convenient for lunch or dinner.
3. Fettucine Alfredo
Fettucine alfredo is a fabulous type of pasta that will easily complement grilled shrimp and scallops - similar to chicken Alfredo side ideas for creamy mains.
Pasta is quite fulfilling, so it's excellent if you want to feed a crowd.
Besides, it annihilates some of the fishy profile of your main dish.
Make sure you enhance it with cheese - not too much, or it can get too greasy.
The rich cheese does a good job at contrasting the scallop sweetness as well.
Just like any other type of pasta, this one takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook, so it's suitable for emergencies too.
4. Warm Tuscan Beans
You can mix your grilled shrimp and scallops with all types of beans, but Tuscan beans hit differently - reminiscent of Tuscan salmon side pairings with Mediterranean flair.
You'll get the fishy flavor of your grilled food, as well as the Mediterranean aromas of Tuscan beans.
Beans have a filling and nutty aroma, so your meal is consistent and fulfilling.
Beans shouldn't be eaten alone, but enhanced with sauces.
You can come up with your own sauce - nothing too fancy, but garlic and red pepper.
A bit of basil on top will give the dish a fresh flavor.
5. Lentil Salad
Lentil is the main ingredient in this salad and clearly not the only one. Lentils have a filling aroma - like lentil soup side ideas for hearty pairings.
They're likely to contrast the grilled shrimp and scallops, which will still manage to control the flavors.
Warm lentils are excellent when mixed with kale and carrots.
First of all, you have a mix of veggies that keep the meal light and add a fresh aroma.
Second, there's a mix of colors that will please your audience.
As for eating this dish, you can have people get a bit of salad on their plates - next to the shrimps and scallops.
You can also get a salad in more bowls and put shrimps and scallops on top of it.
6. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes work with pretty much everything, and grilled shrimp and scallops make no exception either.
In theory, mashed potatoes are quite mild, just like your main dish.
While they do bring in a unique flavor, they won't be able to overcome the shrimps and scallops.
Therefore, no matter how big the portion is, your grilled shrimp and scallops will still be the main player.
In terms of textures, everything is soft, apart from the grilled coating of your main dish.
On the other hand, smoky fishy flavors are excellent with the mild potatoes.
If a root-based starch is preferred, creamy polenta offers a similar mellow base - creamy polenta side ideas for silky texture.
7. Lemon Asparagus Risotto
This is the ultimate side dish when not sure what to serve with grilled shrimp and scallops.
Asparagus has a filling flavor and the fresh aroma associated with greens - it works wonders with a series of dishes.
Then, you have the risotto - soft and tender, ideal to support shrimps and scallops, but also very fulfilling.
This is your best bet if you have a whole crowd to feed.
Squeeze a lemon on top, and you have the perfect combo.
Also, the sour lemon matches shrimps and scallops like nothing else.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fancy meal is also a great mix of textures. You have a fresh, flavorful, and fruity side dish that also looks like it's just come out of a post restaurant.
Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.
A leafy green or fiber-rich vegetable balances the meal best. The fancy meal is a good pick for adding color and nutrients.
Pairing a protein-heavy main with a lighter vegetable side keeps the meal from feeling too heavy.
A good side dish either contrasts or goes with the dominant flavor. If the main is rich and savory, something with acidity or crunch balances the plate without competing.
Can side dishes be swapped based on dietary needs?
Yes.
Most classic pairings have easy swaps - substitute roasted vegetables for grain sides, or use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for a lower-carb option.
Grilled swordfish pairs well with many of the same sides - grilled swordfish side pairings for summer menus. Grilled ham steak also matches these flavors - grilled ham steak side ideas for hearty plates.