This easy, crispy fried shrimp is one of my favorite seafood dishes to make when I’m in the mood for fish. This is a recipe I always have on hand because I always have frozen shrimp on hand. It works great for both snacks and full meals.
If youre wondering what to serve with fried shrimp, youre not alone. Of course, you’ll never run out of ways to serve it because it goes well with so many different sides. Ive gathered together my 15 favorite side dishes to serve with fried shrimp to get the ball rolling.
The best side dishes to serve with fried shrimp are jambalaya, zucchini alfredo, and dirty rice. There are also some excellent sauces to serve alongside your fried shrimp, like tartar and cocktail sauces. But if you want something light and healthy, you can serve fried shrimp with a chopped wedge salad or mango avocado salad.
These tasty side dishes go well with coconut shrimp, shrimp scampi, and a lot of other recipes like them.
Jambalaya is a versatile dish that you can change according to taste. You will often find shrimp in jambalaya, but this recipe doesnt actually have any. You can remedy that by topping your jambalaya with some fried shrimp. This flavor-packed creole-inspired side dish is only made better with the crunchy texture of the shrimp.
This homemade tartar sauce recipe is super flavorful and easy to make with whatever you have on hand. For instance, you can substitute the mayonnaise for plain greek yogurt or sour cream. For my shrimp salad, I like to add extra dill and a little lemon zest. This is the best creamy dressing I’ve ever had.
These plant-based mains go well with fried shrimp on the side, or for a change of pace, try shrimp tacos, a beer, and a mango avocado salad on the side this Taco Tuesday.
Simple recipe using mushrooms, bell peppers and black bean. If you dont have tortillas, tortilla chips are great as well.
This salad is light, flavorful, and very versatile. The recipe is very simple, so you can follow it exactly or get creative and add anything you happen to have on hand. Say, adding fresh basil and lemon or lime juice to the dressing would make the mango taste sweeter. The addition of the shrimp will bring a delightfully crunchy texture. You could even swap out the dried cranberries for blueberries or pomegranate seeds.
This recipe has a lot of flavor and lots of healthy vegetables, like broccoli, corn, onions, beans, and water chestnuts. You can leave it as a vegetarian dish or add a protein like fried shrimp to the mix.
Some fried shrimp served atop a bed of Spanish rice is an easy and fulfilling meal. If you dont like it spicy, just remove the green chile peppers.
Complete the look with a little lime crema drizzled on top. Chefs kiss.
This tasty pasta recipe features a light pesto sauce and sundried tomatoes. The addition of the shrimp will transport your tastebuds to the Mediterranean.
Use your favorite pasta or make your own with this simple pasta recipe. You can make pasta without a machine if you have a rolling pin and some hard work.
Corn on the cob and fried shrimp just sounds like some straight-up American comfort food. Add salt, butter, minced garlic, thyme and parmesan cheese and get the perfect side dish.
This Thanksgiving Corn-on-the-cob recipe even pays homage to a great American holiday steeped in comfort food classics.
Simple side dish you can make using your Instant Pot or any other way. All you need is potatoes, salt and pepper.
To make a traditional scalloped potato dish, you layer sliced potatoes in a casserole dish and bake them with lots of heavy cream and herbs. To make a traditional au gratin dish, you put cheese between the potatoes. This recipe is a combination of two delicious sides that go well with tempura shrimp. It’s rich, creamy, and full of cheese.
You can serve this vegetarian option with or without fried shrimp, chicken, or beef.
Wedge salads are typically quite hearty on their own. With the addition of some fried shrimp, you can turn this salad into a satisfying and healthy meal. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the mix. If you dont have blue cheese, you can use feta cheese instead.
This Creole classic already has pork sausage in it. But one thing I know about Southern food is that more meat is always better, so go ahead and add some fried shrimp.
This might be too much meat for you? Just leave out the sausage and put the shrimp on top of the dirty rice instead.
I can’t write about a shrimp recipe without also writing about a great cocktail sauce recipe. That would be anarchy. Check out this easy recipe for a quick and fresh sauce that you can whip up at home.
Like a big pile of fettuccini alfredo but don’t like how you feel after eating it? Me neither. Thats why I started making my alfredo with zucchini noodles aka zoodles instead. Its a healthy and low-carb alternative to pasta and its super easy to make!.
The alfredo sauce is still creamy and tasty, but the noodles are very healthy and won’t make you feel full. Top this dish off with some fried shrimp for a new take on shrimp alfredo.
Breaded shrimp makes for a quick, easy, and delicious main course. The crispy coating and tender shrimp inside is a combination that’s hard to beat. But figuring out what sides to serve alongside breaded shrimp can be tricky. You want something that complements the flavors and textures, without much extra fuss.
So what should you serve with everybody’s favorite breaded seafood? Here are 7 savory side dishes that pair perfectly with breaded fried shrimp
1. Fried Rice
Fried rice is a classic companion for breaded shrimp. The lightly seasoned rice combines well with the crispy fried coating on the shrimp. Eggs, vegetables, and even small shrimp can be stirred into the rice for extra flavor and nutrition. And leftovers make amazing fried rice, so it’s a budget-friendly option too.
For variety, try different styles of fried rice like Chinese takeout-style, kimchi fried rice or pineapple fried rice. The carbs and texture from the rice balances out the richness of the fried shrimp.
2. Coleslaw
Cool, crisp coleslaw is an ideal match for hot crispy shrimp The crunch of the vegetables cuts through the heat and grease, cleansing your palate Consider tangy vinegar-based coleslaw or creamy mayo coleslaw.
For bonus points, mix diced apples or raisins into the slaw. Their subtle sweetness nicely complements the briny shrimp. Make your own homemade coleslaw or pick up a tub from the grocery store to keep things easy.
3. Baked Beans
Warm, saucy baked beans make a satisfying partner for breaded shrimp. Their sweet and smoky flavors work nicely with the seafood. Navy beans or pork and beans both pair well. Or go for Southern-style baked beans cooked low and slow with bacon or ham hocks.
Beans add fiber, protein, and antioxidants to balance out the fried food. Serve them straight from the pot or warm in a crockpot throughout dinner.
4. Cold Potato Salad
Much like coleslaw, cold potato salad provides contrast against piping hot shrimp. Choose a mayo-based potato salad with hard-boiled eggs and a dash of mustard. Or go for a German-style warm bacon potato salad. Either version teams up great with the seafood.
The starch and texture from the potato cubes or slices provides your mouth with a break from the greasy crunch of the shrimp coating. Dill, onions, celery, or bell peppers add extra flavor accents to the potato salad.
5. Tartar Sauce
What better to dip your shrimp in than homemade tartar sauce? Mix mayo with sweet relish, lemon juice, capers, and a dash of dill. Spoon it into little ramekins and let guests customize their own dipping sauce.
Tartar sauce combines fabulously with breaded shrimp. The creaminess helps cut through the crisp exterior to the plump shrimp inside. Serve it chilled alongside the hot shrimp for a dynamic duo.
6. Greek Salad
A light Greek salad provides plenty of bright, fresh flavors next to fried shrimp. Mix cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives, and feta cheese over chilled romaine lettuce. Toss everything with a lemony vinaigrette dressing.
The cool crispness and briny olives are perfect for cleansing your mouth after the shrimp’s hot crunch. A side salad also adds some lighter fare to your plate, balancing out the heavy fried food.
7. Grilled Vegetable Kabobs
For a colorful side, make simple grilled vegetable kabobs. Cherry tomatoes, sliced zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions all pair wonderfully when threaded onto skewers and grilled. Drizzle them with Italian dressing before cooking for extra zing.
The char-grilled veggies offer tastes and textures that contrast the breaded shrimp. Their natural sweetness complements the seafood beautifully. Serve them hot off the grill alongside the finished shrimp.
Complement Your Shrimp
Breaded shrimp is so quick to make and satisfying to eat when you have the right sides chosen. These 7 options all balance beautifully with the flavors and textures of everyone’s beloved shrimp.
Next time you’re frying up a batch of golden seafood, consider pairing it with fried rice, coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, tartar sauce, Greek salad, or vegetable kabobs. Your meal will come together easily for shrimp lover satisfaction.
Best Side Dishes For Fried Shrimp
- Jambalaya
- Tartar Sauce
- Mushroom Tacos
- Mango Avocado Salad
- Chow Mein
- Spanish Rice
- Pesto Pasta
- Corn on the Cob
- French Fries
- Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Chickpea Curry
- Chopped Wedge Salad
- Dirty Rice
- Cocktail Sauce
- Zucchini Alfredo
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