Everyone in the family loves this 30-minute Shrimp, Peas, and Rice dish for dinner. It’s easy to make and doesn’t take long to cook.
Rice and shrimp make an amazing flavor combination, The sweetness of the shrimp complements the mild flavor of the rice But sometimes just rice and shrimp can get boring So what can you serve with shrimp and rice to liven up this classic duo?
I love getting creative with sides to serve with shrimp and rice. There are so many possibilities to make this simple meal into a flavor-packed feast. In this article, I’ll share my favorite pairings for shrimp and rice along with recipes to try. Let’s dive in!
Savory Vegetable Sides
Veggies add freshness, color, and nutrients to shrimp and rice. Here are some of my favorite savory veggie pairings.
1. Sauteed Broccolini
Broccolini has a sweet, mild flavor that won’t overpower the shrimp. Saute it with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and red pepper flakes for a quick side. The bright green will pop against the shrimp and rice.
2. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts get caramelized and crispy when roasted in the oven. Toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting. Their nutty flavor is the perfect complement to succulent shrimp.
3. Garlic Green Beans
Blanch green beans until just tender then saute them with olive oil and minced garlic. The fresh, grassy flavor cuts through the richness of the shrimp and rice
4. Sauteed Zucchini
Thinly slice zucchini into half moons. Cook over medium heat in olive oil with garlic and red pepper flakes. The soft, mild zucchini soaks up the flavors.
5. Creamed Spinach
Make a quick creamed spinach by cooking spinach in olive oil then stirring in heavy cream, garlic, and nutmeg. The creamy texture pairs nicely with fluffy rice.
Colorful Salads and Slaws
Bright, fresh salads and tangy slaws complement shrimp and rice. They cut through the richness with acidity and crunch.
6. Greek Salad
A classic Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, feta, and olives is perfect with shrimp and rice. Toss everything in a red wine vinaigrette.
7. Watermelon Feta Salad
Mix cubed watermelon and feta with red onion, mint, and balsamic vinegar. The sweet juicy watermelon balances the brininess of the shrimp.
8. Orange Avocado Salad
Make a citrus salad with oranges, avocado, red onion and cilantro in an olive oil and lime dressing. The creaminess of the avocado is delicious with shrimp.
9. Asian Slaw
For an Asian twist, make a crunchy slaw with napa cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, scallions, cilantro, sesame oil and rice vinegar.
10. Grilled Corn Salad
Fire up the grill to char corn on the cob, then cut the corn off and mix it with cherry tomatoes, avocado and cilantro. Smoky grilled corn is amazing with garlicky shrimp.
Flavorful Carb Sides
Carbs like rice, potatoes or bread soak up the garlicky, buttery sauce from the shrimp.
11. Herb Butter Potatoes
Roast cubed potatoes in the oven until crispy then toss them in melted butter with parsley, chives, lemon zest and garlic.
12. Cheesy Polenta
Make creamy, rich polenta by cooking cornmeal in broth and milk. Stir in Parmesan for a decadent side.
13. Garlic Bread
What shrimp dish is complete without garlic bread? Spread toasted bread with buttery garlic goodness.
14. Coconut Rice
Cook rice in coconut milk instead of water for a creamy, tropical side. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes.
15. Cilantro Lime Rice
Fresh and zesty cilantro lime rice complements the shrimp beautifully. Just add cilantro and lime juice to cooked rice.
Protein-Packed Accompaniments
More protein takes your shrimp and rice to the next level. These hearty add-ons pair perfectly.
16. Seared Scallops
Buttery seared scallops are amazing with garlicky shrimp. Pan sear them in butter for 2 minutes on each side.
17. Bacon
Crispy, salty bacon adds so much flavor. Fry it up until perfectly crisp.
18. Chicken Sausage
Pick your favorite flavor like spinach feta or sundried tomato. Brown it in a skillet for an easy protein.
19. Garlic Bread Shrimp
For double the shrimp flavor, make a batch of easy garlic butter shrimp to serve alongside the main shrimp and rice dish.
20. Seared Tuna
Seared ahi tuna steak has a beautiful rare center that melts in your mouth. It’s the perfect luxury to go with humble shrimp and rice.
Zesty Sauces and Condiments
Finishing sauces like chimichurri, gremolata or harissa mayo add tons of flavor. And condiments like hot sauce or mango chutney spice things up.
21. Chimichurri
This bright green Argentinian sauce has herbs like parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar and olive oil. It’s amazing on garlicky shrimp.
22. Mango Chutney
Sweet, spicy and tangy mango chutney served on the side takes the meal to the next level.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to pairing sides and condiments with shrimp and rice. Use these ideas to inspire your next tasty combination!
Shrimp, Peas and Rice
Last week I shared this Shrimp, Broccoli and Orzo dish. It’s Lent, so I thought I’d share another quick 30-minute meal with shrimp. You can find more recipes that are good for Lent here.
This shrimp and rice dish always brings back memories of my childhood. My dad used to make this with white rice and a lot of grated cheese at the end. It was kind of like risotto but not quite. My dad made it with a lot more butter, but this version with less butter tastes just as good. The brown rice cooks in chicken broth giving it lots of flavor.
- Quick Brown Rice: To make this faster, I used brown rice that had been changed. It took about 25 minutes for the rice to cook. You can also use quick-cook brown rice and follow the directions on the package to make it faster.
- White Rice: Use long grain rice and follow the directions on the package if you want white, fluffy rice.
- You can use frozen peas and carrots, broccoli, or chopped frozen mixed vegetables instead of the peas.
- When shrimp is on sale, buy a pound or two and ask for frozen shrimp. All shrimp sold has been frozen before it is sold and thawed in the store. This way, you can freeze it and only use it when you need to. Note, when weighing your shrimp, peel it first. Sometimes, 1-1/4 pounds of skinned meat gives you 1 pound of peeled meat.
What To Serve with Shrimp and Rice
You can eat this as a meal, but if you want more vegetables, serve sautéed string beans or broccolini on the side. A side salad would also be perfect.