Want to eat vegetables, meat, and seafood all at the same time? If so, make a shrimp boil to satisfy your hunger. It is a perfect dish for the entire family and is enjoyed with hands.
Since this dish is a masterpiece, it is bound to spread smiles. But if you’re having a big party, you might want to serve some side dishes along with the shrimp boil.
When you have a shrimp boil, the best sides are baked beans, corn on the cob, deviled eggs, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese.
Boiled shrimp is a delicious and versatile main course that works for any meal. The sweet briny flavor of the shrimp makes it quite appealing on its own but pairing it with the right side dishes can take your shrimp boil to the next level.
When cooking up a batch of boiled shrimp at home, it can be tricky to decide what to serve alongside it. You’ll want sides that complement the shrimp without overpowering their taste. The good news is that there are lots of options for amazing shrimp boil pairings that are easy to make.
In this article, we’ll highlight 15 of the best side dishes to serve with boiled shrimp. We’ve got recipes for classic Southern pairings as well as creative globally-inspired shrimp accompaniments. Read on to get inspired about what to cook alongside your next shrimp boil!
Complementary Sides for Shrimp Boil Night
1. Cheesy Garlic Bread
You can never go wrong pairing seafood with warm crusty bread. For your shrimp boil make a loaf of easy homemade cheesy garlic bread. The garlic and cheese flavors pair perfectly with the briny shrimp. Slice up the bread and let guests tear off pieces for dipping in any leftover shrimp boil broth.
2. Mac and Cheese
A rich, creamy mac and cheese is comfort food at its finest. Smoked gouda mac and cheese makes an especially wonderful pairing for boiled shrimp. The smoky cheese complements the sweetness of the shrimp. Make it an indulgent shrimp boil meal by serving hefty portions of mac alongside the peel-and-eat shrimp.
3. Fried Okra
In the South, no shrimp boil would be complete without fried okra. The crispy, corny exterior around the tender okra pods makes a perfect textural contrast to the shrimp. Fry up a batch using cornmeal for a truly authentic shrimp boil experience. Tartar or cocktail sauce are great dipping options.
4. Hushpuppies
Another quintessential Southern shrimp boil side are hushpuppies, These fried cornmeal biscuit-style nibbles are irresistible Season some hushpuppy batter with sweet onions and fry them up in small rounds Serve them hot alongside the shrimp for a delightful crunch in every bite,
5. Cilantro Lime Rice
For a fresh, fast rice side, make some zesty cilantro lime rice. The bright, herbaceous flavor pairs wonderfully with sweet shrimp. Make it on the stove or in a rice cooker. Top with extra lime wedges and cilantro leaves for lots of fresh flavor in every bite alongside the boiled shrimp.
6. Homemade Biscuits
Fluffy, warm homemade biscuits are a great accompaniment to peeled shrimp. The biscuits soak up any excess sauce or broth beautifully. Make them buttery for ultimate richness. Split them open and fill them with shrimp for a fun, handheld take on this shrimp boil pairing.
7. Spicy Coleslaw
Cool, crispy coleslaw balances out the warmth of boiled shrimp perfectly. For an extra complementing flavor, make it with a spicy sriracha dressing. The subtle heat and crunch of the cabbage, carrots, and onion make a tasty accompaniment. The acidity of the slaw also cuts through the richness of the shellfish.
8. Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
What could be better alongside shrimp than the creamiest, richest mashed potatoes? Make them even more decadent by using brown butter instead of regular butter. The nutty brown butter flavor takes the potatoes up a notch. Generous shrimp boil portions call for even more generous helpings of garlicky mashed potatoes.
9. Corn on the Cob
Don’t forget classic boiled corn on the cob as an accompaniment to shrimp. Grilled, roasted, or boiled, the natural sweetness of corn makes it an iconic shrimp boil pairing. Slather the hot corn in butter and spice it up with chili powder or cajun seasoning for extra flavor.
10. Cheesy Grits
Down South, grits are a staple side dish for shrimp. Made creamy and cheesy, they’re irresistible alongside boiled shrimp. The richness of the grits balances well with the brininess of the shrimp. Sprinkle your cheesy grits with green onions or hot sauce for even more flavor.
11. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
For a unique, tangy side for your shrimp boil try making Hawaiian macaroni salad. Elbow macaroni gets tossed in a creamy dressing with pineapple, shredded carrots, and chunks of ham. It’s sweet, savory, and super complementing to boiled shrimp. The pasta salad vibe makes for a fun twist on classic shrimp sides.
12. cornbread
Buttery, golden cornbread is a quintessential pairing for Southern shrimp boils. Each tender, cakey bite soaks up the lovely shrimp broth beautifully. Make it extra good by adding cheese, onions, or jalapenos to your cornbread batter before baking. Serve it warm right out of the oven alongside piles of boiled shrimp.
13. Baked Beans
No shrimp feast is complete without baked beans. Their melty, smokey sweetness makes beans an ideal side dish for boiled shrimp. Traditional Southern-style or kicked-up jalapeno baked beans both work well. The beans add protein and comfort to a shrimp boil meal.
14. Potato Salad
Creamy, old-school potato salad deserves a spot on any shrimp boil spread. Potatoes soak up flavors easily, making them a perfect pairing for sweet shrimp. Dress sliced potatoes with a mayo-based dressing spiked with mustard, onions, pickles, and hard-boiled eggs. The potato salad will be a favorite side item on your table.
15. Collard Greens
For a traditional Southern touch, make some slow-cooked collard greens as a shrimp side. Their earthy, vegetal flavor stands up well to briny shrimp. Cook the greens low and slow with smoked ham hocks or bacon for full flavor. The tender greens will be delicious with the peeled shrimp for a homestyle, hearty feast.
Spice Up Your Shrimp Boil Sides
The beauty of shrimp is that it pairs wonderfully with so many flavors. Don’t be afraid to add heat, zest, herbs, spices, and other excitement to your shrimp boil sides. Cajun seasoning, salsa, garlic, citrus, chili powder, and hot sauce can all enhance side dishes for peeled shrimp.
Boiled shrimp also works well with lighter sides and sauces too. Think lemon wedges, vinegar-based slaws, tangy salsas, and fresh herbs. You really can’t go wrong – the versatility of shrimp makes for endless pairing possibilities at your next seafood boil.
So next time you’re making boiled shrimp for dinner or entertaining, try out a few of these sensational shrimp side pairing ideas. With the right combination of sides, your homemade shrimp boil will be an incredible meal that feels like a special occasion. Just don’t forget the melted butter for dipping and plenty of napkins!
20 Side Dishes Served With Shrimp Boil
With the extra carbs and proteins in shrimp boil, a good side dish can help you feel better. So, make your selection carefully.
Raise your hands if you have always been a fan of Mac and Cheese. We all love this creation as its cheesy, warm, and soft. Whats more, you can pair it with the shrimp boil for a hearty meal.
However, ensure to serve this dish while its fresh. Since elbow macaroni gets soggy over time, you might not want to eat the dish at that point.
Mashed potatoes are buttery, soft, and delicious. They have a wholesome texture and flavor, making them the best side dish for any main meal. You can serve a scoop or two of mashed potatoes with each bowl of shrimp boil. They are very easy to make.
This side dish is easy to make with just corn on the cob, water, butter, and salt. You can make it for as many people as you want. Moreover, you can also make a separate seasoning for people who prefer a spicy touch to their corn.
Cutting the cob into pieces and putting them in the same dish as the shrimp boil is the best way to serve it.
Deviled eggs taste great, especially when served with seafood. These eggs are pretty healthy and can be made more delicious with a mayo and olive oil filling.
If you crave something special, add avocado to the mix as well.
If you have extra ham in the fridge, mix it with some boiled beans to make this tasty dish. This side dish and shrimp boil make a perfect weeknight dinner for two. The beans and shrimp pair well together, creating a comfortable dish everyone loves.
Suppose the potatoes in your shrimp boil are not enough. Then you can make a fresh potato salad with apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, yellow mustard, and brown mustard as the dressing. You can also include herbs in the mix for a refreshing side dish.
Additionally, mayo also helps add a creamy texture to the salad. However, ensure to add a small amount to keep the calories as low as possible.
Shrimp boil can get very heavy sometimes, especially with all the potatoes, seafood, and corn. This is why you should also consider pairing the dish with steamed vegetables.
You can add your favorite spices to your vegetables when steaming for a much-needed kick. Alternatively, only season the vegetables with salt and pepper if you prefer low spice levels.
This is a super delicious salad that takes on 30 minutes to get ready. The dish has chicken breast, mayonnaise, almonds, mustard, and chives in it, making a healthy salad that is great for the shrimp boil.
Again, there are no restrictions when it comes to its ingredients. So feel free to add your favorite vegetables and herbs.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to serve the shrimp boil with crackers and a bowl of healthy chili.
Vegetarian chili is a wholesome side dish with beans, tomatoes, cumin, and chili powder. Feel free to use either pinto or black beans in this recipe. The extras can be frozen for up to four months.
If you want carbs and calories, shrimp boil is a great dish to go with rosemary bread. This bread is best when served warm and soft.
Additionally, the bread has very limited ingredients, such as yeast, water, rosemary, olive oil, salt, and sugar. Most ingredients are already available in your pantry, so you dont have to head out for these ingredients.
Coleslaw helps to add vibrant colors to your food table. Additionally, coleslaw is delightful and healthy.
This creamy side dish serves sour and sweet with a unique crunchy texture. When paired with the shrimp boil, coleslaw elevates the taste and texture of your meal.
When preparing a coleslaw, you can add your favorite cabbages, carrots, and onions to the mix. Also, apple cider vinegar and mayonnaise make your dressing tasty and rich.
Here is another tip. Cole slaw should be frozen for about an hour before being served with well-cooked shrimp boil. Nothing is better than cold coleslaw, so ensure you follow this tip.
If you find creating a Brussel Sprouts main dish hard, try making a side dish instead. Pan-roast the sprouts using vegetable oil and place the dish in an oven.
Roasting takes about 30 minutes, and the results are always fantastic. You can top these sprouts with seasoning and cheese and serve them with a plate of shrimp boil.
Also, Brussels sprouts are pretty healthy, so adding them to your food as a side dish makes it healthier.
Shrimp boil is a great way to enjoy seafood in the summer, and there’s no better way to do it than with a fresh salad. This is why a bowl of avocado cucumber salad makes a perfect match.
Both avocado and cucumber help elevate your salad game and make it fulfilling. Also, it prevents stomach acidity when consumed with a heavy meal.
Imagine enjoying oven-roasted asparagus with lemon, parmesan, and garlic. This side dish is healthy, light, and refreshing. Whats more, it complements a shrimp boil pretty well.
It is one of the quickest side dishes to serve urgently. Plus, asparagus is low in both carbs and fat, so you can eat it as often as you like.
You can also add two or more garlic cloves to your recipe. Cloves add a comforting flavor and excellent richness.
The baked beans recipe uses your favorite beans cooked slow and low. You can season the beans however you like. But we recommend using onion and garlic powders, turmeric, and salt for a tasty flavor.
Alternatively, spice up your baked beans with cumin, chili powder, and barbecue sauce. This baked bean recipe is pretty sweet and saucy.
Take a bowl and mix a few thinly sliced onions, cucumbers, watermelons, and cheese. Then add a few herbs, spices, salt, and pepper for a nice kick.
Pair the salad with your plate of shrimp boil and gain praise from your family and guests.
A warm bowl of clam chowder with a plate of shrimp boil is surely a hard-to-resist combination. Make sure this soup is warm, the right thickness, and full of all the great things that will make you feel full and happy before you serve it with your main dish.
Have you tried eating a shrimp boil with homemade buns? If not, this is your chance.
Buns are soft and warm. They taste great with all types of dishes, including seafood. Dip your bun in the main dish and experience a fulfilling meal.
Alternatively, you can eat the shrimp and buns separately and enjoy them with your favorite beverage.
This salad is healthy, sweet, and delicious. When you put together apples, pomegranate seeds, cinnamon-spiced pecans, goat cheese, and walnuts, you can make a side dish that goes with any seafood dish.
You cant go wrong with a caesar salad. It is healthy, delicious, creamy, and very easy to make. Also, a lot of people really like this salad, so even if you don’t like vegetables, you might find it hard to say no to this side dish.
Shrimp boil is an excellent dish that can elevate your mood easily. It’s full of good things for you and tastes so good they’ll make your taste buds dance with joy.
We have shared some amazing sides above if you dont want to experience this seafood alone. So take a pick and enjoy your meal.
The Perfect SHRIMP BOIL Recipe Everyone LOVES!
What goes well with shrimp boil?
After experimenting with loads of different combinations, I’ve come up with 48 delicious sides that pair perfectly with shrimp boil. The best side dishes for shrimp boil are hush puppies, coleslaw, jalapeno cornbread, and mac and cheese. You can also serve baked sweet potato fries, sourdough dinner rolls, or garlic rice pilaf.
What can I serve as a side dish with shrimp?
Fresh cilantro, lime juice and lime zest can transform plain old rice into an excellent side dish for shrimp. Use it as a side or make impromptu shrimp burrito bowls. Quinoa seasoned with butter and fresh herbs is another ideal side dish for shrimp.
What goes well with grilled shrimp?
When in doubt, a Caesar salad is a perfect side next to grilled shrimp. It’s as simple as romaine lettuce, crispy croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing, but it is oh so tasty. Fresh, crunchy, and flavorful, there’s no going wrong! 13. Coleslaw Another traditional side that pairs marvelously with shrimp, or any seafood dish, is coleslaw.
What to eat after a shrimp boil?
The best side dishes for shrimp boil are hush puppies, coleslaw, jalapeno cornbread, and mac and cheese. You can also serve baked sweet potato fries, sourdough dinner rolls, or garlic rice pilaf. For healthier options, consider serving watermelon salad, vegetable skewers, or peach salsa.