25 Best Scallops Sides For A Flavorful And Complete Dinner Meal

Scallops are one of the easiest seafood to prepare, and yet they have an air of elegance and sophistication about them that makes them well suited to special occasions or days when you’re feeling fancy.

Their juicy, tender texture and buttery sweet flavor are just so delicious and addictive enough to make you eat a whole tray, but since they’re not exactly the most filling or hearty dish, it’s always great to have something delicious to pair them with.  

Up ahead, you’ll find some of the best side dishes for scallops, all of which are easy to make and make a winning dish that is sure to impress anyone when served with scallops.

Quick Table: Side Dishes For Scallops

Recipe	Calories (Per Serving)	Preparation Time
Mashed Sweet Potatoes	271	15 Minutes
Garlic Herb Angel Hair Pasta	809	10 Minutes
Garlic Parmesan Risotto	367	25 Minutes
Garlic Herb Rice	277	20 Minutes
Roasted Asparagus Lemon Butter Pasta Salad	435	40 Minutes
Sauteed Spinach	85	9 Minutes
Cucumber Mango Salsa	85	15 Minutes
Creamed Corn	504	30 Minutes
Brown Butter Parmesan Polenta	Not Available	Not Available
Peach And Arugula Salad	267	20 Minutes
Creamy Brussel Sprouts	461	40 Minutes
Avocado Corn Salsa	76.4	10 Minutes
Roasted Broccoli And  Cauliflower	142	30 Minutes
Vegetable Stir-Fry	191	20 Minutes
Garlic Mashed Potatoes	251	30 Minutes
Avocado Pesto Zucchini Noodles	280	5 Minutes
Carrot Puree	114.9	30 Minutes
Gazpacho	90	2 Hours 15 Minutes
Balsamic Tomatoes	97	10 Minutes
Cauliflower Fried Rice	115.1	25 Minutes
Spicy Asparagus	68	16 Minutes
Sauteed Sugar Snap Pea	92	10 Minutes
Sweet Potato And Apple Quinoa Salad	436	30 Minutes
Skillet Zucchini And Summer Squash	197	20 Minutes
Twice-Baked Spaghetti Squash	186	1 Hour 25 Minutes

1. Mashed Sweet Potatoes

While we all love a good mashed potato, sometimes it’s always fun to switch it up, and when serving them with scallops, a sweet variation like these mashed sweet potatoes is just what you need.

Silky, smooth, and sweet, these mashed potatoes are super easy to make as all you’ll need to do is toss a few basic ingredients into an instant pot, and in a short time, you have a decadent meal ready to delight your taste buds.

Calories Per Serving: 271

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes 

2. Garlic Herb Angel Hair Pasta

Garlic herb angel hair pasta is a delicate and comforting meal all in one. Its simple yet elegant taste makes it the perfect dish to serve with scallops.  

Whether you need something for date night, or simply want to treat yourself to a nice meal, this combination of angel hair coated in a creamy sauce filled with fresh herbs, garlic, and parmesan will have you beaming with satisfaction.

Calories Per Serving: 809

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes 

3. Garlic Parmesan Risotto

When serving scallops with other dishes, it can be quite easy to overshadow them because of their delicate flavor.

However, if you want to ensure the scallops remain the star of the show, it’s best to pair them with something equally delicious but not overpowering in terms of flavor.

This garlic parmesan risotto is the perfect dish for that task. It is loaded with parmesan and garlic, yet it has a buttery smooth texture that just blends with any dish it is served with.

It is also quite easy to whip up as all you’ll need are a few basic ingredients.

Calories Per Serving: 367

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes 

4. Garlic Herb Rice

If you’re a fan of instant pot meals, this garlic herb rice is definitely going to be a new go-to meal. 

This fluffy rice is super easy to make as all you need to do is toss some rice and garlic in an instant pot, then season with fresh herbs and butter once it is cooked. 

The end result is perfectly seasoned and flavor-filled rice you can serve with scallops and just about any seafood.

Calories Per Serving: 277

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

5. Roasted Asparagus Lemon Butter Pasta Salad

If you’re looking for a cold side dish that can be served at any time without having to worry about keeping it warm, this lemony asparagus pasta salad should definitely be on your radar.

With a combination of buttery roasted asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, lemon, parsley, olive oil, parmesan, and cooked pasta all in one delightful bowl, this salad will become your favorite way to eat asparagus.

Paired it with some tender seared scallops and you’ll want to eat this dish every day.

Calories Per Serving: 435

Preparation Time: 40 Minutes

RELATED: Can You Eat Raw Scallops?

6. Sauteed Spinach

We all want to include more leafy greens in our diet, but let’s be honest, they don’t always have the best taste.

Well, this sauteed spinach is a dish designed to change your mind, and it tastes even better when served with some buttery sweet scallops.

The fresh spinach used here is sauteed with garlic, butter, olive oil, onions, pepper, and a dash of soy sauce to give it a lovely umami taste.

Calories Per Serving: 85

Preparation Time: 9 Minutes

7. Cucumber Mango Salsa

Serving your scallops for lunch on a hot summer day?  A refreshing salsa like this cucumber and mango combo might just be what you need.

This incredible salsa is juicy, sweet, and has a spicy kick of flavor. It is very easy to whip up as all you’ll need are some cucumbers, mangoes, bell peppers, onions, and lime juice.

Calories Per Serving: 85

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

8. Creamed Corn

Creamed corn is a rich and mouth-watering dish that always gets a lot of love, and it is not hard to see why. Who could say no to a creamy sweet combination of Philadelphia cheese, milk, corn, garlic, cheddar cheese, and butter all in one dish?  

Serve this creamy corn with your scallops with a garnish of parsley, and you’ll want to keep piling multiple scoops on your plate.

Calories Per Serving: 504

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

9. Brown Butter Parmesan Polenta

Polenta is a creamy and cheesy dish that always makes an amazing comfort food, no matter when it’s served.

It is super versatile, and this brown butter parmesan variation has just the right amount of rich and creamy flavors to elevate a serving of scallops.

Loaded with nutty brown butter and parmesan, this delicious polenta also poses an earthy sage aroma that is sure to tempt anyone.

Calories Per Serving: Not Available

Preparation Time:  Not Available

10. Peach And Arugula Salad

A light summer salad like this peach and arugula combo is a great side dish for scallops, and it’s perfect for days when you need something simple yet impressive. 

Equal parts crunchy, tangy and sweet, this salad is loaded with grilled peaches, blue cheese, arugula, onions, walnuts, and a freshly made balsamic dressing. It is the perfect side dish for using up those extra peaches in the summer.

Calories Per Serving: 267

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

RELATED: What Are Fake Scallops (Real Vs Fake Scallops)

11. Creamy Brussels Sprouts

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Brussel sprouts are a very versatile vegetable that always makes a great side dish as they are quite easy to prepare and go with just about any dish. With their rich flavor, these creamy Brussel sprouts make an excellent side dish for scallops.

While these delicious Brussel sprouts are certainly the main attraction of this side dish, they are made ten times better with the addition of crispy bacon and loads of cheese and butter.

Calories Per Serving: 461

Preparation Time: 40 Minutes

12. Avocado Corn Salsa

Avocado corn salsa is another great corn side dish for scallops, and when you’re in a rush and need something that can be ready in minutes, this is a great option to choose.

All you’ll need for this side dish is corn, avocado, cilantro, onions, lime juice, and jalapeno, all tossed in a bowl, and you’re good to go.

Calories Per Serving: 76.4

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

13. Roasted Broccoli And Cauliflower

Cauliflower and broccoli are great vegetables with a mild sweet flavor that pairs perfectly well with scallops.

However, they can sometimes taste boring. Best way to make them taste better? Toss them with some garlic, parmesan, pepper, butter, and a few other goodies, then roast them as done in this recipe. The result will knock your socks off.

Calories Per Serving: 142

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

14. Vegetable Stir-Fry

Veggie stir fry is always a fun way to enjoy a blend of different vegetables, and with its sweet and savory garlic sauce, this vegetable stir fry would surely make a great side dish for scallops.

The colorful combination of vegetables used here includes mushrooms, carrots, snow peas, baby corn, water chestnuts, bell pepper, and broccoli.

Calories Per Serving: 191

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

15. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

When it comes to side dishes, mashed potatoes are an all-time classic you can never go wrong with. They go great with everything and make a perfect base for piling on some delicious scallops.

However, this garlic version is not your average mashed potatoes. Instead, it is creamier and made better by the addition of sour cream. Honestly, this dish is tailor-made for those looking to take their mashed potato game to the next level.

Calories Per Serving: 251

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

RELATED: What Do Scallops Taste Like?

16. Avocado Pesto Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles are the perfect pasta alternative to serve with seafood like scallops if you’re looking for something low-carb and keto friendly.

This avocado pesto variation is creamy and filled with flavor coming from the freshly made avocado pesto sauce the raw zoodles are tossed in.

Calories Per Serving: 280

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

17. Carrot Puree

Scallops are an elegant dish perfect for entertaining guests at a dinner party. Pair them with this carrot puree, and you’ll impress your guests while feeling like a professional chef.

This pureed combination of sauteed carrots, butter, lemon juice, and salt is quite easy to whip up, but when served as the base for your scallops, the entire plate will look like something from a fancy restaurant.

Calories Per Serving: 114.9

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

18. Gazpacho

Soup goes great with anything, but it doesn’t only have to be served on cold days. A refreshing soup like gazpacho is a great summer soup that goes great with scallops.

It is fresh and easy to make, as no cooking is required. 

All you need for this Spanish-style soup is tomatoes, cucumber, and a few other ingredients blended till smooth and served chilled.

Calories Per Serving: 90

Preparation Time: 2 Hours 15 Minutes

19. Balsamic Tomato Salad

If you’re looking for a simple side dish that doesn’t require too many ingredients, this balsamic tomato salad is a great option to try.

It may look simple, but don’t let that fool you; this salad is juicy and packed full of flavor from a combination of basil and balsamic vinegar dressing. 

Calories Per Serving: 97

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

20. Cauliflower Fried Rice

Cauliflower rice is a fantastic side dish to serve with scallops if you’re on a low-carb diet. However, if you want to make it taste fun while adding some Asian flavors to your plate, then you’ve got to try this cauliflower fried rice.

This fried rice has everyone’s favorite Chinese take-out goodies. Carrots, peas, eggs, onions, and soy sauce.

Calories Per Serving: 115.1

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes

RELATED: How Long Do Raw (And Cooked) Scallops Last In The Fridge Or Freezer

21. Spicy Asparagus

If you’re a fan of spicy food, serving your scallops with this spicy asparagus is the perfect way to incorporate your love for heat into your plate.

This asparagus is super easy to make and requires only three basic ingredients.

Calories Per Serving: 68

Preparation Time: 16 Minutes

22. Sauteed Sugar Snap Peas

Sauteed sugar snap peas are another easy side dish perfect for those looking for a simple vegetable dish.

The sugar snap peas are sauteed with butter, garlic, and a few other basic seasonings, and voila! You have a buttery sweet vegetable ready in minutes.

Calories Per Serving: 92

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

23. Sweet Potato And Apple Quinoa Salad

If you’re looking for a healthy salad that is filling and brimming with sweet and savory flavors, this sweet potato and apple quinoa salad might just be the perfect side dish for you.

It features a combination of roasted sweet potatoes, cranberries, apples, quinoa,  pecans, and a sweet vinaigrette. 

Calories Per Serving: 436

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

24. Skillet Zucchini And Summer Squash

Summer squash is a great vegetable most people often have lying around their fridges in the summer. However, there are only so many ways you can use them.

If you’ve been looking for a way to use up your summer squash, then cook them with some zucchinis, onions, garlic, and fresh herbs to make an easy side dish. 

Serve them with some scallops, and you’ll have an elegant meal that comes together easily without much hassle.

Calories Per Serving: 197

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

RELATED: Are Scallops Vegan? (Or Vegetarian?)

25. Twice-Baked Spaghetti Squash

A cheesy and flavor-filled dish like this twice-baked spaghetti squash is a great side dish to serve with scallops if you want to indulge in some cheesy comfort food while avoiding carbs from regular spaghetti.

With a combination of mozzarella, pasta sauce, garlic, and fresh herbs, this baked spaghetti squash is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Calories Per Serving: 186

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 25 Minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

What Flavors Go Well With Scallops?

Scallops have a subtle sweet taste, making them a perfect base for pairing with different flavors.

Although most people tend to go for the buttery and salty flavor when preparing scallops, they can be combined with various flavors and seasonings.

Some great flavors and herbs that go well with scallops include white paper, dill, lemon, butter, oregano, basil, thyme, tarragon, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cajun seasoning.

What Vegetables Pair Well With Scallops?

Scallops can be served with a variety of different vegetables. Some great options include roasted zucchinis, summer squash, zucchinis, asparagus, tomatoes,  carrots, corn, peas, and leafy greens like arugula or spinach.

How Long Should You Fry Scallops?

Scallops cook very quickly, so you often don’t need to fry them for that long. Typically, scallops only take about five minutes to cook, so if you are pan-searing them, you’ll only need to fry them for about two minutes on each side. 

After that, the scallops should be done, and you can tell that it is cooked when both sides of the fried scallops are golden brown and look opaque all the way through.