Lobster tails are a luxurious and flavorful seafood dish that are absolutely perfect for special occasions or a fancy dinner date at home. When serving lobster tails, it’s important to consider what accompaniments will complement the rich taste of the lobster and make for a complete meal that will leave your dinner guests feeling satisfied and full. There are a variety of foods that go well with lobster tails, so you should have no trouble coming up with side dishes, sauces, and beverages that complement them.
In terms of side dishes, you can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes or some roasted vegetables. When it comes to sauces, melted butter is a classic choice, but you can also choose to go with lemon herb butter, garlic butter, or a light cream sauce. As for drinks, a glass of crisp white wine or some lemon water are both great options. We’ll talk more in-depth about what to serve with lobster tails in this article, so stick around!
What Goes Well with Lobster Tails?
Lobster has a unique, sweet, and succulent flavor that sets it apart from other seafood. The meat is tender, juicy, and has an enjoyable texture. Lobster tails can be prepared in a number of different ways, including steaming, boiling, grilling, and baking. They are extremely versatile, meaning they can be paired with a wide range of sauces, side dishes, appetizers, desserts, and drinks. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Sauce
A lot of people feel like eating lobster tails is all about the sauce, and we can see why! From classic melted butter to tangy cocktail sauce, you’re sure to be satisfied when you dig in. Just be sure to tuck a napkin into the collar of your shirt, as you don’t want butter dribbling down your chin and onto your nice clothing. Let’s go over some of the best sauces to serve with lobster tails below:
Melted Butter
Melted butter is a classic pairing for lobster tails. You really can’t go wrong with butter, so it’s no surprise that it’s such a popular choice. Butter not only adds richness to the dish, but also brings out the natural sweetness of the lobster.
Lemon Butter Sauce
Lemon butter sauce is a light and tangy accompaniment to lobster tails. Think of it as sort of a remix of the classic melted butter sauce. You can make lemon butter sauce by combining butter, lemon juice, and seasonings such as garlic, shallots, and herbs.
Garlic Butter Sauce
Garlic butter sauce is flavorful and aromatic, which means it tastes great with lobster tails. It’s made by combining butter, garlic, and herbs, and is often used to baste the lobster tails while cooking. We love a sauce with multiple purposes!
Cream Sauce
A light cream sauce made from heavy cream, white wine, shallots, and seasonings, can be drizzled over lobster tails for added richness and flavor. We highly recommend it.
Tarragon Butter Sauce
Tarragon butter sauce is a fragrant and flavorful sauce that goes particularly well with lobster tails. You can make this sauce by combining butter, lemon juice, and tarragon. Tarragon butter sauce is an excellent choice for those who enjoy herbal flavors.
Cocktail Sauce
Cocktail sauce is a tangy and spicy sauce made from ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and different seasonings. It makes for a great accompaniment to lobster tails, especially for people who prefer a more assertive flavor.
Appetizers
Ah, yes. Appetizers. For some, appetizers are the most exciting part of any meal! Lobster tails can be a main course or a side dish, so it only makes sense to enjoy some appetizers before serving them to your guests. Listed below are some appetizers that pair especially well with lobster tails:
Oysters
Oysters are a classic seafood appetizer, and they undoubtedly pair super well with lobster tails. They are rich and flavorful, and their briny taste complements the sweet taste of the lobster. Enjoy them with a melted butter sauce or some cocktail sauce if you want some extra flavor.
Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp cocktail is a popular and refreshing appetizer that goes exceptionally well with lobster tails. The sweet and juicy shrimp is an excellent contrast to the richness of the lobster, making for a well-balanced and enjoyable meal.
Crab Cakes
Crab cakes are another seafood appetizer that pairs well with lobster tails. They are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, which is always delicious. Crab cakes are incredibly popular as an appetizer, and they are an especially great way to start a seafood-themed meal.
Soup or Chowder
A bowl of soup or chowder is a warm and comforting way to start a meal of lobster tails. A creamy lobster bisque or a hearty New England Clam Chowder are especially great options.
Side Dishes
Lobster tails are sure to be the star of any seafood-themed meal, so you’ll want to make sure that your side dishes measure up. Listed below are some of the best side dishes that go well with lobster tails:
Grilled or Roasted Vegetables
Grilled or roasted vegetables, such as asparagus, zucchini, or bell peppers make for a healthy and flavorful side dish that perfectly complements lobster tails. Roasted veggies add a fresh and crunchy contrast to the richness and soft texture of the lobster meat.
Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf is a classic side dish that is often served with lobster tails. The fluffy and tender rice makes for an excellent contrast to the sweetness of the lobster, and can help balance out the richness of the meal as a whole.
Baked or Mashed Potatoes
Again, this one’s a classic. You can’t really go wrong with baked or mashed potatoes. The creamy and comforting texture of the potatoes goes exceptionally well with the delicate flavor of the lobster tails.
Steamed or Grilled Corn
What more is there to say? It’s corn! Whether you decide to steam it or grill up some corn on the cob, corn is a flavorful side dish that complements lobster tails quite well. The juicy and crunchy kernels add a fresh and sweet flavor, which when contrasted with the richness of the lobster creates a nice balance. Just be careful not to get any kernels stuck in your teeth!
Pasta
A simple pasta dish, like spaghetti with olive oil and garlic or lemon linguine, is an excellent match for lobster tails. The delicate pasta complements the sweet and succulent flavor of the lobster, making for a satisfying and delectable meal.
Desserts
It’s not a proper dinner party if your guests aren’t patting their tummies afterward and asking “so, what’s for dessert?” After enjoying a rich lobster dinner, it’s only natural to want to eat something sweet. Let’s go over some of the best desserts to serve to your guests after they’ve finished enjoying their lobster tails:
Fresh Fruit
A simple and refreshing fruit salad or a platter of seasonal fruits (such as berries, melon slices, or tropical fruits) is a great way to end a lobster tail meal. The sweet and juicy fruits help to cleanse the palate and provide a light contrast to the lobster’s richness.
Cheesecake
Cheesecake is a total classic when it comes to desserts. The creamy and tangy flavor of cheesecake can be quite refreshing after a heavy meal like lobster tails and mashed potatoes. Cheesecake also creates a nice contrast to the sweetness of the lobster, which helps to balance out the overall richness of the meal.
Crème Brûlée
Crème brûlée is a creamy and sweet dessert that makes for a satisfying ending to any meal, including lobster tails. The rich and velvety custard is sure to make your mouth water, as well as balance out the sweetness of the lobster.
Chocolate Desserts
Chocolaty desserts — such as chocolate mousse, a chocolate cake, or some chocolate truffles — are a rich and decadent way to end a lobster tail meal. The deep and rich chocolate flavor complements the sweetness of the lobster, which will make for a memorable and indulgent dessert. Your chocoholic friends will definitely thank you!
Drinks
Last but not least on our list is drinks. You can’t enjoy a lobster tail meal without having something to wash it down with. Or, maybe you can, but it’s always nice to have a drink with dinner. Listed below are some of the best drinks to enjoy with lobster tails:
White Wines
Lobster tails are often enjoyed with white wine, like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. White wine complements the delicate flavor of lobster tails, as well as cleanses the palate so that your dinner guests can enjoy their side dishes or desserts.
Light Beers
Light beers, such as wheat beer or a pilsner, are a popular choice when it comes to drinks that go well with lobster tails. They have a low alcohol content, which makes them an ideal option for a summer meal or seafood fest. Light beers often have a crisp, dry flavor profile, so they won’t overpower the flavor of the lobster.
Lemon-infused Water
Lemon-infused water is a popular non-alcoholic beverage that those who are younger than 21 can enjoy with lobster tails. It’s a simple, refreshing drink that complements the flavors of the lobster without overpowering it. The combination of lemon and water also creates a light and crisp flavor profile that can help to cleanse the palate.
What is the Best Way to Eat Lobster Tails?
As we’ve learned, lobster tails are quite versatile. They can be enjoyed in a number of different ways with a variety of side dishes that complement their rich flavor. When it comes to determining the best way to eat lobster tails, we’ve got to say: stick to the classics.
Serving up lobster tails with melted butter, mashed potatoes, and some white wine or lemon water is sure to leave your dinner guests feeling happy and full. Top it off with a nice slice of cheesecake, and your lobster tail meal will surely be something to write home about!
Conclusion
Isn’t it wonderful that there are so many delicious options when it comes to pairing other foods and drinks with lobster tails? From roasted veggies to light beers and chocolate mousse, you’re not likely to run out of ideas when it comes to what to serve with lobster tails. Impress your dinner guests by whipping up a nice cocktail sauce, or simply provide a nice melted butter sauce for them to dip their lobster tails into. They’ll surely thank you for it, and will undoubtedly be grabbing for seconds.
