Want to know what to serve with fried shrimp? These tasty side dishes go perfectly with this classic seafood dish.
Those of you who like seafood like I do know how hard it is to say no to golden brown fried shrimp. If you’re looking for ideas for what to eat with fried shrimp, you’re in the right place.
It doesn’t matter if you make traditional southern fried shrimp, coconut shrimp, or pan-fried shrimp; the right side dish can really make your meal. These 15 mouthwatering options will tantalize your taste buds and make your fried shrimp dinner even better.
It goes well with fried shrimp. A fresh potato salad with hard-boiled eggs, green onions, and a creamy sauce is a great side dish.
Hushpuppies are a classic side for a fried shrimp recipe or any fried seafood for that matter. The subtly sweet deep-fried balls of cornmeal add the perfect flavor to the meal.
Kick up the freshness with a zesty bell pepper slaw. Thinly sliced red and green bell peppers are mixed with a sour dressing made of olive oil and lime juice. They add a crunchy and colorful contrast to the juicy shrimp.
Swap out regular fries for a healthier twist with crispy sweet potato fries. When you eat fried shrimp with potatoes, the natural sweetness of the potatoes goes well with the saltiness of the shrimp.
Embrace a low-carb option with Parmesan-coated zucchini noodles. When mixed with garlic powder and olive oil, these zoodles make a tasty and guilt-free side dish for your shrimp feast.
Crispy, golden breaded shrimp make for an easy and tasty meal or appetizer. But what are the best side dishes to serve alongside? The possibilities are endless, but some pairings work better than others when it comes to complementing the flavors and textures of breaded shrimp. Here are 7 of my favorite sides to consider that will perfectly round out your meal.
Overview of Breaded Shrimp
Before getting into the side dishes let’s first take a look at breaded shrimp itself. Breaded shrimp is made up of peeled, deveined shrimp coated in breadcrumbs and quickly fried until golden brown and crispy. The breading provides a lovely crunch and also helps keep the interior shrimp meat moist and juicy as it fries.
Breaded shrimp is a favorite appetizer to order when dining out and also surprisingly simple to make at home. You can buy bags of pre-peeled and deveined shrimp at the grocery store along with bags or cans of panko breadcrumbs and breading mixes. Then it’s just a matter of dipping the shrimp in flour, egg wash, and finally the breadcrumbs before frying in oil for 2-3 minutes.
So what kind of sides work well with these crispy morsels? Here are my top 7 recommendations
1. Fried Rice
Fried rice makes an excellent pairing with breaded shrimp. The light flavor and fluffy texture contrast nicely with the crispy shrimp. And it can turn the meal into a heartier, more complete dinner. Fried rice also happens to be a quick and easy side dish to whip up. Simply sauté leftover cooked rice with soy sauce, sesame oil, eggs, frozen peas and carrots, and other favorite mix-ins.
2. Coleslaw
Cool, creamy coleslaw balances the hot, crunchy shrimp beautifully. The sweet and tangy shredded cabbage also serves as a bright, fresh counterpoint. While you can use store-bought coleslaw, I recommend making your own for maximum flavor. Simply shred cabbage and carrots, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and seasonings, then toss everything together.
3. Baked Beans
For a more casual, fun pairing, baked beans are the way to go. Their sweet and smokey flavors complement breaded shrimp wonderfully. Canned baked beans work great, but you can also jazz them up by sautéing onion, bell pepper, and garlic and mixing in ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and spices. Heat and serve for a easy homemade side.
4. Cold Potato Salad
Starchy potato salad provides the perfect foil for hot crunchy shrimp. The creaminess also balances beautifully. Make a classic version with chunks of boiled potatoes, mayo or sour cream, hardboiled eggs, celery, onion, mustard, and herbs. Or switch it up with flavors like dill, bacon, vinegar-based dressing instead of mayo, etc.
5. Tartar Sauce
Can’t forget the tartar sauce! This creamy, tangy condiment is practically made for dunking breaded shrimp. While store-bought works, I prefer making my own. Simply combine mayo, sweet relish, capers, parsley, dill, lemon juice and zest, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. It comes together quickly and tastes so fresh.
6. Greek Salad
A light Greek salad is a fantastic choice alongside rich fried shrimp. The cool crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese provide bright flavors and textures to balance the meal. Make a quick vinaigrette with olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and garlic or purchase Greek dressing. Top with sliced onion and pita bread too if desired.
7. Grilled Vegetable Kabobs
For a lower-carb option, vegetable kabobs are the way to go. The charred veggies offer great color contrast and nutrition. Try skewering cherry tomatoes, zucchini slices, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, etc. Brush with olive oil and seasonings and grill or broil until tender. The shrimp and veggies together make for a satisfying meal.
Putting It All Together
As you can see, the possibilities for sides to serve with crispy breaded shrimp are wide open. Play around with different flavor profiles and textures to find your favorite combinations. Accents like lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, hot sauce, and cornbread with honey butter are great too. With a couple of simple sides, breaded shrimp becomes a fantastic fast meal for family or friends. Just be prepared for requests for the recipes!
Fresh Basil Pesto Pasta
Transform plain pasta into a flavorful delight by mixing it with a generous serving of fresh basil pesto. The aromatic pesto enhances the overall dining experience, making it a great choice for shrimp lovers.