surf and turf

American  

noun

1. a steak served with seafood or fish, especially filet mignon and lobster.

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Usage

What does surf and turf mean? Surf and turf is a dish consisting of both seafood and meat, usually lobster and steak. The word surf is a fanciful way of referring to the ocean or sea, where seafood comes from, and the word turf refers to grass or land—where cows graze. Surf and turf is basically a shorter and more fun way of saying meat and seafood together in a single dish. An abbreviated form of the term is surf-’n’-turf (which is sometimes spelled without the hyphens and with a different combination of apostrophes or none at all). When it refers to a particular dish on a menu, it’s typically used with the article the, and not a, as in I’d like to order the surf and turf (not a surf and turf). Because it essentially includes two main courses, surf and turf is usually considered an indulgent meal. Since steak and lobster are both usually expensive by themselves, surf and turf can be expensive. Although the classic surf and turf combination is lobster and steak, it can also include other kinds of seafood, such as shrimp or crab, and other types of meat, such as prime rib. Example: My favorite kind of surf and turf is shrimp piled on top of filet mignon.

Example Sentences

The surf and turf variety includes Angus beef, chorizo, lobster and scallops.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

I'd skip the surf and turf, which included an aged California strip loin and a half lobster, in favor of something on the menu that's more unique.

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2022

So much that when asked to consider them, he found himself weeping into his surf and turf.

From New York Times • Sep. 28, 2022

If you’re at a nice restaurant with a friend who tells you to get whatever you want and they’ll pick up the tab, the surf and turf can be mighty tempting.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 20, 2018

“I wanted to do surf and turf, but not with beef or lobster,” says De Pue, who has a catch in flash-fried octopus paired with peach-topped pork loin.

From Washington Post