Ready in just 30 minutes, Blackened Shrimp with Summer Vegetables is the ultimate summer dish. This recipe is easy to follow and makes a delicious meal that’s great for any event, from family dinners to backyard barbecues.
During the summer months, I am all about bright, bold flavors. True feel-good food that nourishes not only the body, but the soul. Maybe I’m biased, but in my opinion nothing says summertime quite like blackened shrimp and fresh seasonal produce. Bursting with a symphony of fresh flavors and bold spices, this dish is out-of-this-world good.
There are a lot of different ways I’ve cooked shrimp, but this Cajun blackened shrimp recipe is by far one of my favorites. After cooking the shrimp, the Creole seasoning gives it a beautiful crust and makes every bite taste great. Not only is it crazy good, but the shrimp only takes a few minutes to cook up.
You can use the stovetop, oven, or grill to blacken shrimp, but I personally prefer the stovetop method. There aren’t any long waits or fuss, and you only have to clean one pan afterward. A summer dish that is simple to make, clean up, and tastes great? That’s a triple threat.
If you’re having a barbecue or cooking dinner for your family, Blackened Shrimp with Summer Vegetables is sure to be a hit. Looking forward to reading this great recipe in print in The Washington Post on July 7th!
To bring this mouthwatering blackened shrimp dish to life, you will need the following key ingredients:
The star of the show, these shrimp are going to be seared to perfection. Feel free to swap out the shrimp for chicken or fish, if needed.
Summer vegetables. To get the freshest flavors, seasonal produce is a must. In this dish, we incorporate fresh summer produce like corn, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
This gives our blackened shrimp a lot of rich flavor and helps the seasonings stick to them, so they get the most flavor.
Creole seasoning. Spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, basil, oregano, thyme, and paprika can be bought at the store, or you can make your own. I recommend my Savory Seasoning blend.
I like to garnish this dish with a few dashes of Louisiana hot sauce and some fresh parsley. Feel free to leave out the hot sauce if you aren’t a big fan of heat.
Blackened shrimp is a popular Cajun dish that is full of robust, smoky flavors. While delicious on its own, pairing blackened shrimp with the right side dishes can take the meal to the next level. So what should you serve alongside this iconic Louisiana specialty?
I took a deep dive on this topic and came up with 33 of the very best side dish ideas for blackened shrimp. Whether you want something green, starchy, spicy, or sweet, this list has you covered Keep reading for seriously tasty recipe inspiration!
Overview of Blackened Shrimp
Before jumping into the side dishes let’s do a quick rundown of what exactly blackened shrimp is. This flavorful shrimp is seasoned with a blend of spices, including paprika garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, and oregano. It is then cooked in a cast iron skillet at very high heat which allows the spices to “blacken” and caramelize onto the shrimp.
The result is shrimp encrusted with an intense, smoky spice blend that packs some heat. Blackened shrimp emerged as a Creole dish in Louisiana and it has since become a staple in Southern cooking. It’s most commonly served as an entrée or appetizer.
Now let’s get to the good stuff – the 33 best side dishes to pair with blackened shrimp!
33 Side Dishes for Blackened Shrimp
1. Spinach Alfredo Pasta
A creamy, cheesy pasta is a classic accompaniment for seafood. This spinach alfredo has a lighter touch, using a blend of milk, cream cheese, and just a bit of butter. The fresh spinach provides color and nutrition.
2. Sautéed Corn and Zucchini
For a fast, summery side, you can’t beat sautéed corn and zucchini. Browning the butter adds nuttiness while lemon brightens up the veggies.
3. Kale Tortillas
Make taco night more nutritious with homemade kale tortillas. Fill them with blackened shrimp, salsa, and your favorite taco fixings for a healthy meal.
4. Cauliflower Congri
Give yourself a serving of “rice” and beans with this cauliflower congri. It’s a low carb take on the classic that’s big on flavor from sofrito, bacon, and bold spices.
5. Southwest Quinoa Salad
With corn, black beans, tomatoes and more, this salad packs the flavors of the Southwest. The quinoa makes it hearty and protein-packed.
6. Cheese Grits Casserole
For ultimate comfort food, try baked cheese grits. The creamy, cheesy grains pair perfectly with spicy shrimp.
7. Lemon Asparagus Risotto
Elevate your shrimp with a fancy risotto accented with lemon and fresh asparagus. Easier to make than you think!
8. Three Chili Guacamole
Spicy, creamy guacamole is a no-brainer pairing. Make it extra fiery with 3 types of peppers!
9. Cowboy Caviar
This veggie-packed caviar brims with contrasting textures and flavors. From creamy beans to crisp onion – it’s downright addictive.
10. Kale Caesar Salad
Get your greens on with a kale caesar salad. The kale stands up well to the shrimp and tangy dressing.
11. Grilled Asparagus
Simple grilled asparagus gets a touch of smokiness that mimics the blackened shrimp. Pick fat spears so they don’t fall through the grates.
12. Cheesy Grits
For classic shrimp and grits, you can’t leave out the cheese. Extra sharp cheddar adds punch.
13. Southern-Style Collard Greens
Slow cooked, smokey collards are a staple of Southern cuisine. Balance their bitterness with sweet, spicy shrimp.
14. Cornbread
Moist, sweet cornbread soaks up any leftover sauce and seasoning from the shrimp.
15. Coleslaw
Cool cabbage balances the heat of blackened shrimp beautifully.
16. Rice Pilaf
Simple rice pilaf lets the star ingredient shine. Toss in diced bell pepper for flavor and color.
17. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes are pure comfort.
18. Baked Sweet Potato
For a lighter option, try baked sweet potato. Top it with blackened shrimp for a satisfying meal.
19. Roasted Broccoli
Broccoli roasts up crispy on the edges and pairs nicely with shrimp.
20. Mac and Cheese
Ooey-gooey mac and cheese is a match made in heaven for shrimp. Consider kicking it up with cajun spices or hot sauce.
21. Corn on the Cob
Juicy grilled corn on the cob is a classic summer side. Dip it in melted butter spiked with cajun seasoning.
22. Coconut Rice
Sweet coconut rice adds tropical flair to this Louisiana classic.
23. Southern Baked Beans
Smoky, sweet baked beans offer more Southern flavor.
24. Cucumber Salad
A crisp cucumber salad balances the richness of the shrimp.
25. Skillet Cornbread
Cast iron cornbread straight from the skillet has incredible flavor.
26. Cheese Quesadillas
Melty quesadillas can be stuffed with shrimp and served with sides of guac and salsa.
27. Loaded Baked Potato
Baked potatoes make an easy, filling side. Load it up with all the fixings!
28. Creamed Corn
Sweet creamed corn is simple but delicious.
29. Fried Green Tomatoes
Tart, crispy fried green tomatoes offer great textural contrast.
30. Potato Salad
Cool, creamy potato salad is a classic pairing for shrimp.
31. Roasted Vegetables
Roast up a medley of vegetables like zucchini, peppers, and onions.
32. Pasta Salad
Chilled pasta salad with fresh veggies is perfect for summer. Toss with shrimp for a meal.
33. Dinner Rolls
Fluffy, buttery dinner rolls work with just about any meal.
Putting it All Together
With so many tasty options, it can be hard to choose just one side for blackened shrimp! Luckily you can mix and match different accompaniments. Some of my favorite pairings are:
- Cheesy grits and collard greens
- Southwest quinoa salad and guacamole
- Pasta salad and cornbread
- Coleslaw and fried green tomatoes
You could also turn the shrimp and sides into tacos, sandwiches, rice bowls or kabobs for fun ways to serve this flavorful seafood.
Can you freeze cooked shrimp?
Yes. Let cooked shrimp cool to room temperature before putting it in an airtight storage bag. This will help you freeze the shrimp later. Once stored like this, you can keep the cooked shrimp in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
what to serve with Blackened Shrimp with Summer Vegetables?
You can eat Blackened Shrimp with Summer Vegetables as a full meal, but if you’re having a party or are just really hungry, I have something else for you. Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve with blackened shrimp: