Are you trying to find a tasty side dish to go with the shrimp recipe you want to make for dinner? We love making shrimp because it’s a flavorful seafood that can be used in many ways. It’s also very quick and easy to make, which is great for busy weeknights! Let us know what you think of when you hear “shrimp.” We’re going to show you more than 25 of the best and most popular side dishes that go with shrimp. These include fresh salads, creamy pastas, vegetable sides, starchy sides like rice and potatoes, and so much more.
Shrimp is a delicious and versatile protein that can be prepared so many ways From scampi to skewers, tacos to stir fries, the possibilities are endless when cooking shrimp But a great shrimp dish isn’t complete without equally tasty side dishes to complement the star of the plate. So what goes with shrimp? Luckily, almost anything!
In this article, we’ll explore 20 of the very best side dishes to serve alongside shrimp. We focused on sides that would not only pair well flavor-wise, but also balance out textures and colors on the plate And since shrimp cooks so quickly, we emphasized speedy sides you can throw together without too much fuss From fresh salads to roasted veggies, cheesy pastas to warm breads, there are options here to match any mood or menu.
Keep reading for our top recommendations on what to serve with everyone’s favorite crustacean!
Quick and Easy Side Dishes for Shrimp
When shrimp is on the menu, you want side dishes that come together just as fast. Here are some of our favorite fast and easy sides for shrimp:
Black Bean and Corn Salad
This salad couldn’t be simpler to throw together, making it an ideal pairing for quick-cooking shrimp. To make, simply combine canned black beans and corn with pre-made fresh pico de gallo and season with salt and olive oil. The tangy salsa provides a nice contrast to the sweet corn and earthy beans. The salad is ready in 5 minutes flat!
Cilantro Lime Rice
Rice is a natural partner for shrimp, so jazz it up with bold flavors like cilantro and lime. The fresh herbs and citrus take plain rice from boring to bright and lively. Toss in some cooked shrimp and you’ve got yourself a fast weeknight dinner.
Quinoa
Quinoa provides a healthy, protein-packed base for shrimp. On its own, quinoa can be bland, so we recommend seasoning it with olive oil or butter and fresh herbs. The herbs lend lots of flavor that pairs nicely with shrimp, while the fat helps the grains get nice and fluffy.
Arugula Salad
For the simplest of sides, you can’t beat arugula tossed with a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil. The peppery greens are a crisp, fresh accompaniment to rich shrimp. No need to even make a dressing!
Pan Fried Broccoli
Broccoli caramelizes beautifully when pan fried, developing crisp, golden edges and a sweet, nutty flavor. The quick cooking method is a perfect match for shrimp. Just 5 minutes in a hot skillet is all it takes for broccoli that’s far from boring.
Pasta and Grain Side Dishes for Shrimp
Hearty pastas and grains make satisfying partners for succulent shrimp. Here are some of our favorite pasta and grain-based sides:
Pesto Gnocchi
Instead of boiling gnocchi, we love sautéing it right in the skillet to absorb all the flavors of a pesto sauce. The nubby potato dumplings soak up the bright basil pesto and cook in just 10 minutes. It’s a fast, fresh take on an Italian classic.
Angel Hair Pasta
Delicate angel hair pasta cooks in just 3 to 5 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight sides. Toss the wispy noodles with a little olive oil so they don’t stick together. The light and airy texture contrasts nicely with plump shrimp.
Risotto
Creamy, cheesy risotto is a natural partner for shrimp. The Italian rice dish takes a little stirring on the stovetop but comes together in under 30 minutes. As the rice slowly simmers, it releases starch to create a rich, velvety sauce for soaking up all that garlicky, lemony, buttery shrimp flavor.
Polenta
Like risotto, polenta is a creamy, comforting side made from coarsely ground cornmeal. The hearty porridge has an irresistible golden color and soft texture. Ladle shrimp and sauce over polenta, or use polenta as a base for shrimp tacos or shrimp and grits.
Cornbread
Warm cornbread straight from the oven or skillet is a classic Southern accompaniment for shrimp. The sweet corn flavor pairs wonderfully with seafood. Bonus – this skillet cornbread recipe comes together in just 15 minutes!
Vegetable Side Dishes for Shrimp
Here are some easy vegetable sides that pair beautifully with shrimp:
Sauteed Peppers and Onions
A medley of bell peppers and onions sautéed in olive oil takes on delicious caramelized flavor. The tender veggies provide a nice balance of color, texture, and sweetness to briny shrimp.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasting brings out the sweet, nutty flavor of Brussels sprouts. Topped with salty, savory Parmesan cheese, the sprouts become irresistible. The combination of crunchy and creamy textures complements tender shrimp.
Broiled Asparagus
Simply toss asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper and broil for easy roasted flavor without having to turn on the oven. A squeeze of lemon right before serving brightens up the vegetable’s nutty flavor.
Sauteed Vegetables
A medley of quick-cooking veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, and snap peas sautéed together makes a gorgeous and tasty side for shrimp. The green veggies also make the pink shrimp pop visually on the plate.
Roasted Mini Potatoes
Tiny potatoes roast up with crispy edges and creamy centers in just 20 minutes. We love sprinkling them with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for extra flavor.
Succotash
This classic corn and bean medley has its roots in Native American cuisine. The combo of sweet corn, earthy lima beans, and vibrant diced tomatoes and peppers makes a tasty shrimp side dish.
Fresh Salad Sides for Shrimp
Don’t forget fresh greens and herbs when rounding out your shrimp dinner!
Classic Wedge Salad
Cool, crisp iceberg lettuce wedges drenched in creamy blue cheese dressing are a steakhouse classic for good reason. The combo of crunchy, juicy lettuce and rich dressing is perfect for cutting through the richness of shrimp.
Caesar Salad
Like wedge salads, Caesar salads have bold flavors that stand up well to shrimp. Garlicky croutons, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and egg create an iconic creamy dressing that coats the crunchy romaine lettuce.
Simple Spring Mix Salad
For an easy salad, spring mix tossed with a light vinaigrette is a crisp, refreshing accompaniment for shrimp. The delicate greens and herbs add freshness between bites of seafood.
More Tasty Side Dishes for Shrimp
And here are a few more side dish ideas that we love with shrimp:
Skillet Cornbread
Warm, golden cornbread is a comforting addition to any Southern-inspired shrimp dinner. Bake it in the oven or, better yet, in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop for quick cornbread with crispy edges.
Pasta Salad
Chilled pasta salads like this lemon pasta or pesto pasta make excellent shrimp partners for summertime meals. The cool, creamy pasta balances out the shrimp’s warmth and texture.
Cilantro Lime Rice
This vibrant rice brightened with cilantro, lime juice, and zest complements shrimp’s Latin flavors beautifully. Use it as a bed for tacos or shrimp bowls.
Garlic Bread
Warm, crusty garlic bread is like the best dinner roll you’ve ever tasted – especially when loaded up with Parmesan cheese on top! It soaks up any garlicky, lemony pan sauces left behind by the shrimp.
Putting It All Together: Favorite Shrimp Recipes + Sides
Now that you know what makes a great side for shrimp, let’s put that knowledge into action with a few shrimp dinner ideas:
- Old Bay Steamed Shrimp + Black Bean and Corn Salad
- Cajun Shrimp + Cheesy Polenta + Sauteed Peppers and Onions
- Shrimp Fajitas + Cilantro Lime Rice + Pico de Gallo
- Shrimp Pasta + Garlic Bread + Arugula Salad
- Shrimp Stir Fry + Quinoa + Sauteed Vegetables
- Baked Shrimp + Angel Hair Pasta + Broiled Asparagus
The possibilities are endless for amazing shrimp meals once you know what makes a great supporting side. For even more inspiration, check out our full guides on the best fish recipes, ways to cook salmon, and how to cook shrimp to perfection.
So next time you’re cooking up a shrimp dinner, use this guide on side pairings to round out a meal that looks and tastes incredible from start to finish. Mix and match different flavors, colors, and textures for a balanced plate. And with so many quick and easy sides, it’s simple to put together a tasty shrimp meal any night of the week
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Best Side Dishes for Shrimp
Fresh corn on the cob from the grill can be turned into a light and tasty summer corn salad with basil, cheese, and cherry tomatoes.
Easy coconut rice is light, fluffy, delicious, and flavorful. Its a quick and easy side dish that compliments all Thai, South Asian, and tropical dishes.
Lemon parmesan asparagus is a delicious way to serve a classic spring vegetable. This side dish is quick and easy to make in less than 20 minutes.
This vegan Buddha Bowl is the perfect mix of a salad bowl and a grain bowl. It’s full of healthy foods like grains, vegetables, and protein.
Five simple ingredients are all you need to make this quick and easy pesto penne pasta dish in less than 15 minutes. The easiest dinner.
For a summer barbecue or picnic, or for an easy lunch you can make ahead of time, you can’t go wrong with this fresh, crisp coleslaw salad recipe. Make it in less than 10 minutes.
Elote, or Mexican street corn, is a tasty corn on the cob that comes with a cheesy sauce that is made better with cilantro and lime. Creamy, cheesy, spicy, and flavorful.
Paella vegetariana is a traditional Spanish rice dish that is hearty and filling, made with perfectly cooked rice, saffron, and vegetables.
Greek lemon roasted baby potatoes are easy to make and taste great with a mix of Greek herbs, garlic, and lemon. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Making fluffy quinoa at home is faster and easier than you think! Use our simple recipe to learn how to cook quinoa right every time.
It’s light and fluffy, with fresh basil running through it and melted mozzarella cheese and blistered balsamic tomatoes on top. Ready in 10 minutes!.
Cheesy Baked Gnocchi is a quick and easy comfort food that goes together in one pot. It has chewy gnocchi bites, a simple tomato-based sauce, and melty cheese.
Creamed spinach is a rich, creamy, and delicious side dish to make this fall. Easy to make ahead and reheats well — perfect for Thanksgiving holiday dinner.
Mediterranean Couscous Salad is healthy, flavorful, and easy to make. Its packed with classic ingredients including couscous, fresh veggies, and feta.
Broccoli Rice is the perfect side dish: creamy, cheesy, healthy, and filling. Plus, it’s quick and easy and all made in one pot in just over 30 minutes.
Oven Roasted Vegetables are a delicious flavorful side dish that goes well with almost any dinner main. Customize it with whatever veggies you have on hand.
Lemon butter pasta is quick and easy to make, light yet filling, and loaded with flavor. A delicious twist on classic buttered noodles ready in 15 minutes.
A quick and easy 5-minute tomato, cucumber, and avocado salad with a tasty lemon vinaigrette is a light and refreshing salad.
Mushroom Risotto is a rich creamy one pot rice dish made with simple ingredients that deliver bold flavors. Making homemade risotto from scratch is easy!.
Balsamic Roasted Broccoli is a quick and easy side dish that only takes 25 minutes to make. It is made with tender, crispy broccoli tossed in a tasty five-ingredient glaze.
This buttery rosemary cornbread is both sweet and savory. It’s soft and moist in the middle and golden and crispy on the edges. It’s flavorful and delicious, and it’s so easy to make this holiday season.
Fresh, bright, and lively cilantro lime rice is a side dish that will make any meal taste better. Its a quick, easy, one pot recipe.
Fresh mango salsa is sweet, tangy, and delicious. This is a quick and easy recipe that you can make in less than 10 minutes with only 6 items.
Baked Sweet Potato takes almost no effort to make (in the oven or grill) and always taste amazing. Theyre soft and tender, naturally sweet, and delicious!.
Potato Onion Pierogi are a tasty dumpling recipe made from scratch with just a few simple ingredients: cheese, caramelized onions, and potatoes.
Chickpea Greek salad is a fresh, healthy, bright, and colorful salad full of superfoods, nutrients, and traditional Mediterranean foods.
Cheesy Garlic Bread has garlic butter and melty cheese on top. The outside is toasty and crispy, and the inside is tender and soft. Make in under 20 minutes!.
How to Make Ahead and Store Side Dishes
Many of these shrimp side dish recipes can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge for a few days or the freezer for up to three months. Otherwise, you can prepare the ingredients and store in the refrigerator until ready to assemble and/or cook. Check the individual recipes for full make ahead and storing instructions.
To warm up leftovers, either put them in the oven or air fryer at 300F for 10 to 15 minutes, or heat them up on the stove over medium-low heat (depending on the recipe). If heating from frozen, let it thaw first and then reheat.
Gordon Ramsay Cooks Shrimp Scampi In Just 10 Minutes | Ramsay in 10
What to serve with shrimp?
A Greek-inspired veggie salad featuring tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta cheese will make a nice refreshing side along a more heavy shrimp dish. If you’re serving your shrimp in a cheesy pasta dish or any equally hearty entree, you’ll want something light and fresh to balance it out. A low-in-fat Greek salad will do just the trick! 5.
Is shrimp healthy to eat?
Shrimp is very healthy to eat, unless you have an allergy to shellfish. Shrimp is great because it is a low calorie, high protein food that is relatively inexpensive. Shrimp is also very versatile, so there are many recipes out there, meaning that you can eat shrimp multiple times a week each time in a different way. Don’t make shrimp your only protein source, because a healthy diet is also a varied diet.
What to eat with sauteed shrimp?
your plate to complement a meal of sauteed shrimp. Shrimp, rice, and okra always play well together. Get your fill with this casserole that showcases the latter two alongside corn kernels. A scoop of casserole is a simple side for shrimp, and this one incorporates a craveable blend of squash and green chiles.
What to eat with fried shrimp?
If you have a big crowd to feed, au gratin potatoes make a tasty and filling side. Delicious Yukon gold potatoes, plenty of cream and cheese, and a little bit of garlic and spice make for a totally hearty, and absolutely ideal side dish next to some crunchy fried shrimp.