5 from 2 votes
Surf and turf consist of red meat and seafood served on a platter.
Surf, which is seafood, comprises lobster, shrimp or prawns, and turf is red meat, mainly beef or any meat.
This dish is pretty complex as it involves two different components placed together on a plate.
Regardless, this main course dish is delicious and a pure delight , especially for those who love meat and seafood.
So, are you thinking of what to serve with surf and turf, given its complexity? You can cast your confusion aside because we have it covered.
Read on to know more about it.
Table of Contents
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Surf and Turf?
Surf and turf is a unique dish where seafood and red meat are served together, given that these food components taste good by themselves.
However, it does leave your taste buds craving for more when they are eaten together.
If you like to enjoy this dish to the next level, adding a side dish will enhance the taste.
Furthermore, both seafood and red meat are protein-rich, and to balance out the nutrients; a high-fiber side dish would be brilliant.
Hence, a side dish is vital, especially with rich flavored food.
What to Serve with Surf and Turf? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Here is a list of the seven best side dishes that blend well with surf and turf:
1. Baked Zucchini Sticks
Zucchini is a nutrient-rich vegetable used as a popular side item because it’s good for health and blends well with the main dish.
Since surf and turf is a protein-rich dish, serving it with baked zucchini sticks will be a good choice.
Additionally, the preparation process of this side dish is simple and easy.
Baked zucchini sticks will be a good choice if you like a simple side item to go with the main course.
It’s nutritious and helps to even out the meal.
2. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a much-loved vegetable and are good to have alone or as a side dish.
It’s a high fiber root vegetable and would make an excellent accompaniment with surf and turf.
Roasted sweet potatoes are delicious, and they blend well with the savory main course.
Moreover, if you like a simple side item to go with your surf and turf, this recipe would be a good choice.
You can also make this side dish by yourself as it’s pretty easy to make.
Here is a simple roasted sweet potatoes recipe you can make if you’re interested.
3. Avocado and Tomato Salad
Have you tried avocado and tomato salad with surf and turf? If the answer is no, you’re missing it out big time.
The salad gives a refreshing taste to the main dish, which is heavy on flavors and textures.
Plus, it helps to even out the nutrients.
Regardless of how you have prepared your surf and turf, this salad is versatile and blends well with any type.
If you have guests for lunch or dinner, this combo would be a perfect choice.
The refreshing flavor of the salad enhances the taste of the main dish.
4. Grilled Brussels Sprouts
Among vegetables, brussels sprouts are often ignored or neglected, and we couldn’t stress enough how nutritious this vegetable is.
Brussels sprout is a rich source of fiber, folate, vitamin C and K, and if it’s cooked correctly with the right ingredient, this vegetable is quite delicious.
Grilled brussels sprouts is a simple dish, and it blends well with the main dish.
The rich fiber from the vegetable helps balance out the nutrients leading to a hearty and healthy meal.
Give this combo a chance, as it’s worth giving it a shot.
Plus, it will benefit your health by filling up your body with different nutrients.
5. Roasted Potatoes
While brussels sprouts are often neglected, potatoes are loved and relished by the masses.
This root vegetable makes an excellent side item and is compatible with most main dishes.
And it’s not surprising that a roasted potato dish is included in the list.
This dish is simple and easy to prepare, plus convenient.
This combo meal is excellent for those who love to have a light and balanced meal.
6. Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic
When choosing a side item for a dish like surf and turf, ensure that it has a subtle taste and doesn’t overpower the main dish.
That way, you can enjoy the meal wholeheartedly.
That said, sauteed green beans serve as an excellent accompaniment to surf and turf.
It’s a light side dish but blends perfectly with the main dish.
To make this dish, you need to blanch the green beans first in boiled water for a few minutes until tender and let it cool.
Take a frying pan and heat olive oil in it.
Once it’s hot enough, stir fry the minced garlic for a couple of minutes and add green beans.
Sauté for a few minutes and add pepper and salt as seasoning.
7. Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
Do you know root vegetables are a good source of fiber and rich in vitamins and minerals? Unfortunately, there has been less discussion about these vegetables’ health benefits and nutrients.
That said, oven-roasted root vegetables are easy to cook, and it blends with the savory surf and turf.
You can oven roast any root vegetables, but we recommend beetroots, carrots, radish garlic and onion.
After it’s cooked, you can sprinkle thyme or dill for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Surf and turf is a classic dish known for its unique pairing of red meat and seafood.
And to serve a side item for this dish needs to be chosen diligently.
You can find various options to choose from side dishes for this dish.
However, you need to opt for one that is light and rich in nutrients.
If you’re into a healthy and balanced diet, you should consider these aspects.
That way, it will help you sort dishes to serve with surf and turf.
What to Serve with Surf and Turf? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Recipe by Andrew GrayCourse: Side Dishes
Servings
4
Servings
Prep time
15
minutes
Cooking time
15
minutes
Calorieskcal
Total time
30
minutes
Ingredients
Baked Zucchini Sticks
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Avocado and Tomato Salad
Grilled Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Potatoes
Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
Directions
- Pick your favorite recipe from the article.
- Organize your ingredients and utensils.
- Follow the detailed instructions in the recipe to make your side dish.
- Prepare and serve for delicious meal!
Recipe Video
Andrew Gray
Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of AmericasRestaurant.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
Through his website, he aims to inspire and educate fellow food enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive resource for all things food-related.
5 from 2 votes
Greetings, culinary enthusiasts! I'm Andrew Gray, a seasoned food writer and blogger with extensive experience in the restaurant and catering industries. My journey in the culinary world has been marked by hands-on involvement as a personal chef and caterer, allowing me to cultivate a profound understanding of diverse cuisines and culinary techniques. As the proud owner of AmericasRestaurant.com, I've dedicated myself to sharing my knowledge and insights on all things food-related.
Now, let's delve into the article discussing the delightful combination of red meat and seafood in the classic dish known as surf and turf. The article not only highlights the intricacies of this culinary masterpiece but also provides a curated list of seven best side dishes to complement the richness of surf and turf.
Concepts Explored in the Article:
Surf and Turf:
- Definition: Surf and turf is a dish that combines seafood ("surf") and red meat ("turf") on a single platter.
- Components: Seafood options include lobster, shrimp, or prawns, while red meat primarily consists of beef or any other meat.
- Complexity: The dish is described as complex due to the fusion of two different components on a plate.
Side Dishes for Surf and Turf:
-
Baked Zucchini Sticks:
- Benefits: Zucchini is nutrient-rich and complements the protein-rich surf and turf.
- Ease of Preparation: The dish is highlighted for its simplicity and nutritional value.
-
Roasted Sweet Potatoes:
- Versatility: Sweet potatoes, a high-fiber root vegetable, are praised for their compatibility with surf and turf.
- Simplicity: The article emphasizes the ease of preparing roasted sweet potatoes.
-
Avocado and Tomato Salad:
- Refreshing Taste: The salad is recommended for providing a refreshing taste to the heavy and flavorful surf and turf.
- Versatility: Highlighted as a versatile accompaniment to any type of surf and turf preparation.
-
Grilled Brussels Sprouts:
- Nutritional Value: Brussels sprouts are lauded for their nutritional content, including fiber, folate, vitamin C, and K.
- Preparation: Grilled brussels sprouts are described as a simple dish that complements the main course.
-
Roasted Potatoes:
- Popularity: Potatoes, loved by many, are recognized as an excellent side item compatible with most main dishes.
- Simplicity and Convenience: The dish's simplicity and convenience make it suitable for those seeking a light and balanced meal.
-
Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic:
- Subtle Taste: Emphasis on choosing a side with a subtle taste to avoid overpowering the main dish.
- Preparation Steps: Instructions include blanching green beans and sautéing them with garlic, pepper, and salt.
-
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables:
- Health Benefits: Root vegetables are praised for being a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Versatility: Oven-roasted root vegetables, including beetroots, carrots, radish, garlic, and onion, are recommended.
Importance of Side Dishes with Surf and Turf:
- Enhancing Taste: The article suggests that adding a side dish enhances the overall taste of surf and turf.
- Nutrient Balance: Since both seafood and red meat are protein-rich, a high-fiber side dish is deemed vital for balancing nutrients.
- Rich Flavors: The richness of surf and turf calls for a light and nutrient-rich side dish to complement the meal.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide for surf and turf enthusiasts, offering not only a selection of tantalizing side dishes but also insights into the art of balancing flavors and nutrients in this classic culinary pairing.
