What To Serve With Shrimp And Grits: 25 Delicious Side Dish Ideas

Shrimp and grits is a classic Southern dish that combines tender shrimp with creamy savory grits. It’s comfort food at its finest. But when serving shrimp and grits you need more than just the shrimp and grits. Having the right side dishes can take this iconic meal to the next level.

In this article, I’ll share 25 delicious side dish ideas to serve with shrimp and grits From casseroles and vegetables to breads and starches, there’s something here for every preference Many of these sides can be prepped ahead of time, leaving you more time to focus on the shrimp and grits. Let’s dive in!

Hearty Casseroles

Casseroles make excellent accompaniments for shrimp and grits. They tend to be rich creamy, and full of comfort flavors. Here are some of my favorites

• Green Bean Casserole: This classic with crispy fried onions is a crowd-pleaser. The green beans pair nicely with the grits.

• Corn Casserole: Sweet corn, creamed corn, corn muffin mix, and cheddar cheese – what’s not to love? It enhances the richness of the grits.

• Squash Casserole: A sweet, creamy yellow squash filling topped with a crispy Ritz cracker topping. It contrasts the shrimp beautifully.

• Jiffy Cornbread Casserole: With a cornbread base and sweet pudding-like filling, this casserole is irresistible alongside shrimp and grits.

Southern Favorites

You can’t go wrong pairing shrimp and grits with other Southern staples. Here are some classics to consider:

• Collard Greens: Wilted greens cooked with bacon and seasoning – a quintessential Southern veggie.

• Fried Okra: Lightly breaded and fried okra has the most delightful texture. It adds nice pops of flavor.

• Cornbread: Bake up some sweet cornbread muffins using a mix like Jiffy. Effortless and tasty.

• Coleslaw: A tangy, creamy coleslaw pairs nicely with spicy Cajun shrimp.

• Succotash: A medley of lima beans, corn, and veggies – perfect alongside shrimp and grits.

Breads

Breads help soak up all of the delicious sauce and flavors from the shrimp and grits. Here are some excellent options:

• Drop Biscuits: Flaky, golden biscuits are easy with Bisquick and taste heavenly.

• Garlic Bread: You can’t go wrong with homemade garlic bread – it takes minutes to make.

• Cornbread: As mentioned above, sweet cornbread muffins made from a mix are easy and delightful.

• Cornbread Casserole: For an indulgent twist, make Jiffy cornbread casserole. Everyone will want seconds.

Veggie Sides

Don’t forget your veggies! Roasted and sautéed veggies pair nicely with shrimp and grits. Consider making:

• Roasted Broccoli: Tossed in oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes then roasted until caramelized.

• Roasted Carrots: Carrots roasted with oil, salt, and pepper become irresistibly sweet.

• Roasted Potatoes: Crispy roasted potatoes seasoned with rosemary, garlic, and pepper.

• Sautéed Greens: Sautéed collards, spinach, or kale with garlic and olive oil.

• Roasted Veggie Medley: Roast your favorite veggies like onions, zucchini, and bell peppers.

Starches And Potatoes

Starchy sides and potatoes are nice options for soaking up the rich sauce from the shrimp and grits. Here are some winners:

• Crispy Smashed Potatoes: Boil and smash baby potatoes then bake until golden brown and crispy.

• Sweet Potato Fries: Slice sweet potatoes into fries, toss with oil, and bake until crispy.

• Baked Potatoes: Bake regular or sweet potatoes and customize with shrimp and grits toppings.

• Mac And Cheese: A creamy, cheesy mac and cheese is comfort food perfection.

Fresh Sides

For something fresh and light, plates like salads and slaws complement shrimp and grits nicely:

• Wedge Salad: A crisp wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with tomatoes, bacon, and blue cheese dressing.

• Chopped Kale Salad: Massaged kale with vinaigrette, avocado, nuts and dried fruit.

• Coleslaw: As mentioned, a tangy coleslaw pairs perfectly with spicy shrimp.

• Fruit Salad: Fresh mixed berries, melon, citrus, and more – a bright counterpoint.

Appetizers And Snacks

Round out the meal with shareable appetizers like:

• Hushpuppies: Savory cornmeal fritters served with shrimp and grits throughout the South.

• Pimento Cheese: A Southern staple – mix cheese, mayo, and pimentos and serve with crackers.

• Deviled Eggs: Hard boiled eggs filled with a creamy, seasoned yolk mixture.

• Country Ham Biscuits: Split biscuits layered with salty country ham and mustard.

Putting It All Together

With so many options, how do you narrow it down? I recommend choosing one casserole or starch, one veggie side, one fresh side, and rounding it out with bread and/or appetizers.

Some crowd-pleasing combinations could include:

• Green bean casserole, roasted broccoli, wedge salad, and drop biscuits.

• Mac and cheese, sautéed greens, fruit salad, and hushpuppies.

• Cornbread casserole, oven roasted veggies, kale salad, and deviled eggs.

The possibilities are endless! The key is finding a balance of flavors, textures, colors, and prep methods.