Do you want to find the best sides for surf and turf dinner? Congratulations, you found them. For a seafood dish, you want to keep the sides simple. Here are some ideas for the right and healthiest sides to go with your surf and turf dinner.
18 Sides to Complete Surf and Turf Dinner
The surf and turf dinner is a classic dinner that has been around for years. It has been a favorite of many people, especially those who love seafood and beef. The surf and turf dinner usually consists of fish and a beef protein, though some people use lamb or other types of meat. The most common types of fish are salmon, tuna, and swordfish, while the most popular beef options include filet mignon, ribeye, and porterhouse steak.
If you’re looking for a complete surf and turf dinner, you’ll want to make sure you have some sides. Here are 10 sides that will go great with your seafood or steak:
1. Brown Sugar and Citrus Salmon
This brown sugar and citrus salmon is cooked with lemon slices, brown sugar, and thyme leaves for an easy weeknight meal that’s full of flavor! The salmon is cooked on foil packets so it doesn’t stick to the grill, making cleanup a breeze!
2. Garlic Green Beans
These garlic green beans are roasted in a skillet with olive oil and garlic until they’re crisp-tender. They make a great side dish, especially when paired with fish or shrimp.
3. Baked Zucchini Sticks
Zucchini sticks are a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies! These baked zucchini sticks are breaded and baked until crispy, then dipped in marinara sauce for a tasty treat. They’re perfect alongside fish or chicken.
4. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
These sweet potato fries are baked, not fried, and they’re seasoned with chipotle powder and lime juice for a little kick.
5. Tomato and Avocado Salad
This salad is a great way to use up summer tomatoes. It’s also an easy way to get kids to eat their veggies!
6. Green Bean Almondine
This side dish is bursting with flavor and made with bacon, almonds, and green beans!
7. Grilled Asparagus with Soy Lime Vinaigrette
Grilling asparagus gives it an interesting smoky flavor that goes well with any type of meat or seafood. The Soy Lime Vinaigrette is a tasty sauce that adds a little zing to the dish!
8. Grilled Steak Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri is a herb-based sauce that goes well with all kinds of grilled meats, including beef steaks. This recipe uses flank steak but you could also use flank steak tips or skirt steak (which are usually cheaper). Just be sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly on the grill.
9. Pork Loin Chops with Balsamic Glaze
These pork loin chops are seasoned with rosemary and thyme and then grilled until they’re tender and juicy inside with a delicious browned crust outside. The balsamic glaze gives them just enough sweetness without being too sweet or overpowering the meatiness of the pork chops themselves.
10. Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus is a delicious and healthy side dish. The grilled flavor pairs well with seafood and other grilled meats.
11. Creamy Buttery Mashed Potato
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish for surf and turf. This recipe uses heavy cream, butter, and sour cream to give it its creamy texture.
12. Salt and Vinegar Fingerling Potatoes
An alternative to regular mashed potatoes is a flavorful twist on the traditional potato dish. These fingerling potatoes are seasoned with sea salt, garlic powder, and black pepper before being baked in the oven until tender. The finished product has a crispy outside with a warm, fluffy inside that pairs perfectly with seafood dishes like this Surf & Turf Burger Sliders Recipe!
13. Grilled Chicken Breast
Grilled chicken breast is one of my favorite ways to prepare poultry because it’s quick and easy! It only takes about 10 minutes to grill up these boneless skinless chicken breasts which make them perfect for weeknight meals! You can serve these grilled chicken breasts over rice or pasta with fresh vegetables on the side!
14. Sauteed Mushrooms with Garlic
This recipe is simple but flavorful — just browning garlic in butter for a few minutes, then tossing with sliced mushrooms until tender. The mushrooms will soak up all the garlic flavor, so there’s no need for extra seasoning here.
15. 3-Ingredient Roasted Dijon Potatoes
The best part of this recipe is that it only requires three ingredients! You’ll need potatoes, olive oil, and Dijon mustard. Simply toss everything together in a bowl, spread onto a baking sheet, and bake until tender (about an hour).
16. Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
If you’re looking for comfort food, this dish might be right up your alley! It’s made with elbow pasta (or rotini), cheddar cheese sauce, and topped with panko breadcrumbs — nothing too fancy here but still delicious nonetheless! This recipe calls for both Velveeta cheese sauce and cream of mushroom soup, so let me assure you that this dish is undoubtedly delicious.
17. Steakhouse Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
This is a great salad to serve family-style at your dinner party, or even to serve one side as a meal on its own! It’s so easy to make ahead of time, and everyone loves it! And don’t forget the blue cheese dressing – it makes all the difference!
18. Grilled Corn on the Cob with Cilantro Lime Butter
I love this recipe because it’s so easy and flavorful! The corn comes out nice and tenders after being grilled in foil packets, which helps keep all of that buttery goodness inside as well!
The Surprising Benefits of Eating Surf and Turf Dinners
It’s no secret that surf and turf is one of the most popular types of meals in the world, but you may not know why. The combination of seafood and beef is so popular because it’s delicious, but there are other benefits to this type of meal that you may not have thought about.
Here are some surprising benefits of eating surf and turf dinners:
1. It’s Healthy
Surf and turf dinners are often high in protein, which helps build muscle mass and increase metabolism. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health.
2. You’ll Get More Protein
Surf and turf dinners are full of protein, which is a vital nutrient for building muscle mass and maintaining healthy bones. Even if you’re not trying to build muscle or lose weight, having enough protein in your diet can help prevent age-related muscle loss and osteoporosis later in life.
3. You’ll Eat Fewer Calories
When people eat large amounts of red meat, they tend to consume more calories than they need each day. Red meat is high in fat content, which means that even if you eat small portions of it, you’ll still take in too many calories from fat. That’s why it’s important to balance out your surf-and-turf dinner with lots of fish instead of just sticking with steak or hamburger meat alone every time you eat this type of meal.
4. High in Protein
One of the biggest benefits of eating surf and turf dinners is the high amount of protein found in each meal. If you’re trying to lose weight, protein can help you feel fuller for longer periods of time, making it easier for you to stick with your weight loss plan.
5. Rich in Nutrients
Surfing and turf dinners are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. A 3-ounce serving of beef contains 8 grams of protein, while a 3-ounce serving of shrimp contains 19 grams. A lobster tail contains roughly 11 grams of protein per 3 ounces. Each serving also contains essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, phosphorus, zinc, and iron. These nutrients are vital for maintaining healthy bones, blood cells, and immune systems, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
6. It May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Eating more fish may help protect against heart disease, but does that mean you should avoid red meat? Not necessarily. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that substituting red meat with white meat can reduce your risk of heart disease by up to 16 percent. This is partly due to the lower saturated fat content in white meat, but it also has something to do with iron levels. Iron deficiency is linked to an increased risk for heart attack and stroke, so eating foods rich in iron like beef can help keep these conditions at bay
6 Steps to Better Surf and Turf Dinner
The surf and turf dinner is a classic meal that you can enjoy with family and friends. You can get the best surf and turf for your money by following these 6 tips:
- Make sure you have a variety of seafood, including lobster, crab, and shrimp.
- Add steak or chicken to your menu.
- Don’t forget the side dishes! Serve up roasted Brussels sprouts and garlic mashed potatoes with gravy.
- Choose sides that complement each other well. For example, try sauteed mushrooms with garlic or roasted squash and brussels sprouts side dishes with your meal for an extra boost of flavor.
- Serve seafood with a creamy sauce or melted cheese for a hearty meal that everyone will love!
- Get creative with your main dish by combining different types of seafood in one dish (for example, lobster tail and shrimp). This can create a unique flavor profile that nobody has ever tried before!
FAQs
1. What is a surf and turf dinner?
Surf and turf dinner is a meal that combines seafood and meat. The meat portion of the meal is usually beef or pork, but some people may choose chicken or lamb instead. The seafood portion of the meal can include shrimp, crab, lobster, and other fish.
2. Why are surf and turf so popular?
Surf and turf have been around for centuries, dating back to the Roman Empire. The first record of this meal was found in an ancient Roman cookbook. It wasn’t until the 19th century that surf and turf became popular in the United States. During this time, many wealthy families would host lavish dinner parties where they served lobster with filet mignon. Today, many restaurants offer this meal on their menus as well as catering companies that specialize in serving surf & turf dishes.
3. How do you make surf & turf?
There are several ways to make your own surf & turf dinner at home:
-Include both meat and seafood in your main course (for example, steak & lobster tail)
-Serve one type of meat (for example, filet mignon) with a side dish that includes seafood (for example, baked potatoes topped with shrimp).
4. Are our surf and turf dinners healthy?
Yes! As long as you choose healthy options for both your seafood and your meat entree, you can enjoy this meal without feeling guilty afterward. For example, if you order grilled salmon with green beans as your seafood dish and a lean cut of steak as your meat entree, you can feel good about eating it because it will provide plenty of protein while keeping calories low.
5. What are some examples of surf and turf dinners?
There are many different ways to make a surf and turf dinner. Some people prefer seafood for their main course, while others might choose steak (or chicken) for theirs. Some people even want to combine these options into one meal! The possibilities are endless.
In Conclusion
In this article, I will be compiling a list of the best sides for surf and turf dinner. These are my personal favorites and are tried and true. I hope this will help you! Have a good dinner!