Here's what to serve with seafood boil so you can find the best side dishes for your delicious seafood feast! You'll find Cajun favorites, Southern comfort food, and so much more on this list. Try a few different recipes and set up an epic seafood dinner spread!
Best Side Dishes For Seafood Boil
I love a good Cajun seafood boil with a variety of fresh seafood and plenty of butter. Crab, mussels, crawfish, shrimp, clams, you name it, I'll throw it in the pot!
While the seafood is undoubtedly the star of the show, no meal is complete without a few tasty side dishes. Below are some of the best recipes to serve at a seafood boil, no matter what's in the pot!
Jump to:
- Best Side Dishes For Seafood Boil
- What Is A Seafood Boil
- 1. Oven Garlic Bread
- 2. Coleslaw
- 3. Steamed Corn on the Cob
- 4. Drawn Butter
- 5. Red Beans and Rice
- 6. Roasted Green Beans
- 7. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- 8. Hush Puppies
- 9. Roasted Okra
- 10. Sour Cream Cornbread
- 11. Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
- 12. Deviled Eggs
- 13. Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- 14. Caesar Salad
- 15. Baked Beans
- 16. Cilantro Lime Rice
- 17. Clam Chowder
- 18. Butter Swim Biscuits
- 19. Fresh Fruit Salad
- 20. Creamed Corn
- 21. Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers with Cream Cheese
- Tips For Choosing What To Serve At A Seafood Boil
- 🦐 🐟 🦞 More Seafood Recipes
- 📋 Recipe
- What To Serve With Seafood Boil: Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers (+More Side Dish Ideas!)
- Ingredients US CustomaryMetric
- Instructions
- Equipment You May Need
- Notes
- 💬 Comments
What Is A Seafood Boil
A seafood boil (also called a low country boil or a Cajun boil) involves boiling a variety of seafood with vegetables and spices all together in a large pot.
Typically, a seafood boil is served as a communal meal for a large group of people. It's a prominent Southern tradition, particularly in coastal towns, and is a favorite choice for celebrations of any kind!
A seafood boil usually includes shellfish such as shrimp, crab, crawfish (also known as crayfish or crawdads), and sometimes mussels or clams. Other ingredients can include corn on the cob, potatoes, sausages (like andouille or smoked sausage), and onions. The exact combination of ingredients can vary based on region and personal preference.
1. Oven Garlic Bread
Nothing beats soaking up all that perfectly seasoned seafood broth with toasted bread! When you make it at home, you have complete control over how crispy you make your garlic bread.
2. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is pretty much a staple side dish anywhere seafood is served. The cool, creamy, and crispy texture makes it a great option for hot summer days!
3. Steamed Corn on the Cob
Some people like to boil the corn right along with the seafood, but there's no shame in steaming it on the side, either! When you steam your corn separately, you can personalize it with your favorite seasoning blends.
4. Drawn Butter
If you ask me, a big batch of drawn butter is a must at any seafood boil. Crab legs, crawdads, clams, shrimp, it all tastes even more delicious with a little extra butter!
5. Red Beans and Rice
Red beans and rice is a Creole classic, so naturally, it pairs perfectly with seafood. It's a hearty side dish that is savory, satisfying, and filling, so it's a great choice if you are only looking to serve a couple of sides.
6. Roasted Green Beans
Roasted green beans are a great way to add some green vegetables to your seafood boil. Add a squeeze of lemon on top of the green beans to complement all of that amazing seafood!
7. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes are a Southern favorite, and they are super easy to prepare. You can make them buttery and savory, or add honey and warm spices to sweeten them up!
8. Hush Puppies
These crispy fried cornmeal balls are typically served with seafood, so they seem like an obvious choice for a seafood boil! They're just as delicious dunked in tartar or cocktail sauce, too!
9. Roasted Okra
Okra is a common side dish in Cajun and Creole cooking and would be right at home next to a mound of boiled seafood! If you're in a hurry, you can always pop a bag of frozen breaded okra in the air fryer and cook until crispy, too!
10. Sour Cream Cornbread
Cornbread is classic comfort food, and this cream corn cornbread is some of the moistest and most delicious cornbread you'll ever try. The creamed corn gives it a subtle sweetness that's hard to resist!
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11. Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
If you're looking for a side dish that will have all the guests talking, this smoked gouda mac and cheese will get the job done. It's rich and creamy with a subtle smokey flavor that will have everyone scrambling for seconds!
12. Deviled Eggs
When it comes to parties, deviled eggs are always a crowd-favorite appetizer. A seafood boil is a party more often than not, so bring on the homemade deviled eggs!
13. Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
While potatoes can be boiled in the pot with the seafood, it's just as easy to toss a few baby potatoes in your air fryer! The inside of these bite-sized potatoes stays nice and fluffy while the outside crisps up beautifully.
14. Caesar Salad
If you've ever had a shrimp Caesar salad, then you know just how delicious Caesar dressing tastes with seafood! It's an easy and light appetizer that will leave you plenty of room for all the delicious food to come.
15. Baked Beans
When I think of cookouts, I think of a big pan of baked beans to go around! My baked beans feature ground beef and bacon, so they are super flavorful and oh-so-satisfying!
16. Cilantro Lime Rice
Sometimes you just want to keep things simple, and when that's the case, a big pot of cilantro lime rice always does the trick. The citrus flavor complements the seafood nicely, and everyone enjoys rice!
17. Clam Chowder
As if an epic seafood boil wasn't enough, you can really impress your guests by starting out with some homemade clam chowder from scratch! The recipe is easier than you'd think, just don't forget the crackers.
18. Butter Swim Biscuits
These fluffy buttermilk swim biscuits can be served with butter or jam, or you can dunk them right in all of that delicious seafood broth! Just set them out on the table and watch them disappear.
19. Fresh Fruit Salad
This fruit salad is made with a rainbow of fresh fruits tossed in a sweet citrus dressing. It's a nice way to contrast the rich and savory (maybe even spicy) flavors of a seafood boil!
20. Creamed Corn
If you prefer corn 'off the cob,' you'll be head over heels for this classic creamed corn! It's ready to eat in just 15 minutes, and even though it's made from a vegetable, it always seems like a special treat.
21. Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers with Cream Cheese
Spicy jalapenos, salty bacon, and smooth and creamy cream cheese come together to make the perfect balance of flavors! No matter the occasion, bacon-wrapped jalapenos with cream cheese filling are always a hit.
Tips For Choosing What To Serve At A Seafood Boil
If you're trying to find the perfect side dishes for your next seafood boil, here are a few things to keep in mind. You will want to consider the flavor of your seasoning and what additional veggies you'll already have cooking with the seafood!
- Complementary Flavors: Seafood pairs perfectly with citrus and herb flavors. A side of lemon wedges for squeezing or a fresh herb salad are both great choices.
- Starchy Sides: A starchy side dish can help soak up the delicious spiced broth from the seafood boil. You can never go wrong with bread, cornbread, or biscuits!
- Keep It Classic: If your seafood boil is Cajun or Creole-inspired, consider serving traditional Southern sides such as collard greens, okra, or red beans and rice.
- Cool and creamy: If you like your seafood with a kick, cool and creamy side dishes are a great way to balance out the heat. Try something light and refreshing, like a cucumber vinegar salad or a creamy chip dip!
- Dipping Sauces: Don't forget about dipping sauces! Tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or a simple lemon butter can take your seafood boil to the next level.
I hope with these recipes and tips; you can throw an amazing seafood boil you won't soon forget! Comment below what kind of seafood you like to add to your seafood boils!
🦐 🐟 🦞 More Seafood Recipes
- Seafood Chowder with Smoked Salmon - This creamy and delicious seafood chowder is loaded with tender chunks of smoked salmon!
- New England Lobster Rolls - What's not to love about creamy lobster salad on a toasted bun?
- Spanish Seafood Paella - Spanish seafood paella is sure to impress at dinner parties and date nights!
- Baked Monkfish - If you've never tried monkfish, this tender and buttery baked monkfish will blow you out of the water!
- Creamy Seafood Pasta - The seafood lovers in your life will be obsessed with this super rich and creamy seafood pasta!
- Oysters Rockefeller - If you're looking for a show-stopping appetizer, oysters Rockefeller never disappoints!
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📋 Recipe
What To Serve With Seafood Boil: Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers (+More Side Dish Ideas!)
Ingredients
- 12 medium jalapenos
- 8 oz cream cheese (1 8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened, at room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
- 12 slices bacon (use standard bacon rather than thick sliced bacon)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and coat a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- To prepare the jalapenos, wash them then slice them in half lengthwise. Discard the seeds and the ribs. *For presentation, I like to keep the stem on the jalapenos and slice it down the middle when I cut the jalapenos in half.12 medium jalapenos
- Put the softened cream cheese and lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl and mash them together. Then add the shredded cheddar cheese, onion powder, and salt & pepper and stir to combine.8 oz cream cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
- Fill each jalapeno half with the cream cheese mixture, not too much or they will overflow when cooking. I try to fill them just to the edges or slightly above.
- Cut each bacon slice down the middle lengthwise to make two thin strips. Wrap one strip of bacon around each of the jalapeno poppers and secure them with toothpicks.12 slices bacon
- Put the jalapeno poppers in your prepared baking dish and bake at 425°F (218°C) for 10-15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and browned.
- Remove your jalapeno poppers from the oven and serve right away, they will be very hot!
Equipment You May Need
Notes
- Working with room-temperature cream cheese is what makes it easy to mix the filling ingredients together. Be sure to set your cream cheese out on the counter about 30 minutes before starting!
- Smaller jalapenos are best because they are easier to wrap with bacon.
- If you are worried about the bacon coming undone, place a toothpick in both ends of the jalapeno.
- To store: Let the jalapeno poppers cool then place them in a single layer in an airtight storage container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- To freeze: First, freeze the fully cooled (or unbaked) jalapeno poppers in a single layer on a baking sheet. After they have frozen, transfer them to a heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze them for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- To reheat: Reheat leftover jalapeno poppers in the oven at 375˚F (190˚C) for 8-12 minutes.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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