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Scallops are one of my very favorite special-occasion dinners. They don’t come cheap, so my husband and I save them for celebratory meals, which makes them feel like a luxury when we do sit down to them.
The best part? Whether they’re pan-seared scallops, baked scallops, grilled scallops, or air-fried scallops, they take practically no time to cook. That leaves you with time to focus on preparing a side or two to round out your meal. The sweet, tender shellfish pairs with a multitude of vegetables, potatoes, and more. Whether it’s mashed potatoes, a simple sheet pan of roasted veggies, or a light and refreshing salad, here are 37 of our best sides to serve with scallops.
Vegetables Sides
A cooked veggie like broccoli, kale, or Brussels spouts — especially when the latter involves bacon — is always a good match with buttery scallops.
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Sautéed Brussels SproutsThese perfect Brussels sprouts have a little bit of char and are perfectly crisp-tender: cooked all the way through with a little crunch remaining.
Go to Recipe 12 / 13
Creamed SpinachTender baby spinach, mixed in a flavorful cream sauce, makes one of the best and easiest side dishes for holiday dinners.
Go to Recipe Potatoes, Pastas, and Grains
Orzo becomes almost risotto-like when cooked in one pot on the stove, so it can be used as a creamy bed for scallops. Or go even creamier, and serve up a skillet of cheesy gratin-like domino potatoes.
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Mushroom Rice PilafThis creamy mushroom- and herb-flecked pilaf starts with leftover rice, so it's the perfect recipe if you have some remaining from last night's dinner.
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Cheesy Skillet Domino Potatoes Thin slices of potatoes are doused in a cheese-bolstered cream mixture and baked in a skillet until it becomes a crispy and tender gratin-like dish that everyone will love.
Go to Recipe Simple Salads
For a lighter (yet no less satisfying) side, opt for a crisp salad. These recipes aren’t your usual bowls of lettuce — they’re colorful and varied.
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Green Bean SaladAdorned with toasty nuts, fried shallots, and radicchio, this green bean salad is a beautiful addition to your table.
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Spanakopita Kale SaladWith briny feta crumbles, crunchy toasted walnuts, and zippy herbs, this chopped kale salad tastes just like spanakopita, the iconic Greek savory pie.
Go to Recipe 7 / 12
Smashed Carrot Salad In this salad, every ingredient has a purpose — lending texture, temperature, brightness, and acidity to what turns out to be a symphony of flavors.
