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.
Garlic shrimp is a quick and easy dish that’s bursting with flavor. The combination of garlic, butter, and fresh shrimp makes for a mouthwatering meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. But just as important as the shrimp itself is choosing the right side dishes to serve alongside it
The key is to pick sides that complement the bold, savory flavors in the shrimp. You’ll want sides that don’t overpower the shrimp, but instead balance and enhance the flavors. Here are 27 of the best side dish options to serve with garlic shrimp.
Rice and Grains
Rice and grains make classic pairings with shrimp They soak up the garlicky butter sauce beautifully
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White Rice – Plain white rice is a simple starchy side that soaks up the sauce Brown rice also works well. Serve rice pilaf for a more seasoned version
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Cauliflower Rice – For a low-carb alternative, riced cauliflower is the perfect choice. It has a mild flavor that won’t compete with the shrimp.
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Quinoa – Nutty quinoa pairs nicely with shrimp. Toss the cooked quinoa with a bit of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and parsley.
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Polenta – Creamy, cheesy polenta is an Italian-inspired match for shrimp in garlic butter sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.
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Couscous – Fluffy couscous tossed with lemon zest, olive oil, and fresh herbs makes a quick and tasty side.
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Orzo Pasta – Buttery garlic orzo is easy to make and tastes fantastic with the shrimp.
Breads
Warm, crusty bread is ideal for sopping up the rich, garlicky sauce.
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French Bread – A freshly baked baguette is simple but perfect with the shrimp. Slice or tear into pieces for dipping in the sauce.
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Focaccia – Warm slices of focaccia go well with shrimp. Season it with rosemary, sea salt, and olive oil.
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Breadsticks – Skinny breadsticks are fun to dip into the butter sauce. Sprinkle them with garlic powder or parmesan before baking.
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Naan – Warm, soft naan bread can be torn up and used to soak up the garlic butter.
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Pita – For Mediterranean flair, serve garlic shrimp with warmed pita wedges or pita chips.
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Homemade Bread – Any type of homemade bread tastes great with shrimp, from rolls to sourdough.
Vegetables
Veggie sides provide color and nutrients, balancing the richness of the shrimp.
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Asparagus – Fresh asparagus spears crisp-tender are a sophisticated match for shrimp. Toss in olive oil and grill or roast.
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Broccoli – Broccoli florets roasted with olive oil, garlic, and lemon are phenomenal with shrimp.
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Green Beans – Saute green beans in olive oil with garlic and red pepper flakes for a quick veggie dish.
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Brussels Sprouts – Roast halved Brussels sprouts in the oven until caramelized for a sweet, nutty side.
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Carrots – Roasted rainbow carrots are both colorful and sweet. Toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting.
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Cauliflower – Cauliflower roasted until golden brown pairs nicely with shrimp. Toss florets in olive oil and seasonings.
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Zucchini – Saute zucchini in olive oil with sliced garlic and basil for an easy match with shrimp.
Salads
Bright, crisp salads complement the richness of the garlic shrimp.
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Garden Salad – A basic garden salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and your favorite dressing is always a good choice.
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Greek Salad – Feta, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions over romaine lettuce makes a Mediterranean-style salad.
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Spinach Salad – Baby spinach, strawberries, feta, and poppyseed dressing is a fantastic flavor pairing.
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Kale Salad – Massaged kale with avocado, cranberries, pecans, and a lemony dressing is delicious with shrimp.
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Wedge Salad – Make a tasty wedge with iceberg lettuce, blue cheese crumbles, bacon, and ranch dressing.
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Caesar Salad – Crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, parmesan, and creamy Caesar dressing is a classic.
Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
Potatoes pair incredibly well with garlicky shrimp. Roast, saute, or mash them for the perfect starchy side.
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Roasted Potatoes – Cubed red potatoes tossed in olive oil, garlic, and rosemary then roasted are full of flavor.
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Mashed Potatoes – Creamy mashed russet potatoes are hard to beat with shrimp. Mix in roasted garlic for added flavor.
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Fried Potatoes – Crispy cubes of pan-fried potatoes cooked in olive oil are easy and tasty.
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Sweet Potato Fries – Seasoned oven baked sweet potato fries make a healthier fry option.
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Hasselback Potatoes – Thinly sliced Hasselback potatoes baked with garlic, butter, and herbs are impressive.
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Garlic Parmesan Potatoes – Halved baby potatoes roasted with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan are crave-worthy.
Pasta
Buttery pasta makes the ultimate pairing with shrimp in garlic butter sauce. Toss the cooked pasta right in the sauce!
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Linguine – Long strands of linguine pasta grab all the delicious garlic butter sauce.
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Fettuccine – Wide ribbons of fettuccine pair perfectly with the shrimp.
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Farfalle – The fun bow tie shape of farfalle holds the sauce nicely.
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Penne – Small penne pasta dresses up the shrimp with its ridged edges.
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Spaghetti – A classic choice, spaghetti is easy to twirl around the juicy shrimp.
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Angel Hair – Thin strands of angel hair pasta cook quickly and match well with shrimp.
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Gnocchi – Soft, pillowy potato gnocchi soaks up the savory garlic sauce beautifully.
Alternative Starches
For lower carb or gluten-free sides, try these alternatives to grains and traditional pasta.
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Spaghetti Squash – Roasted spaghetti squash makes long noodle-like strands with a mild flavor.
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Zucchini Noodles – Spiralized or julienned zucchini noodles are a lighter pasta swap.
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Cauliflower Rice – Riced cauliflower stands in for regular rice as a low-carb option.
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Mashed Cauliflower – For a unique twist, mash steamed cauliflower as a potato substitute.
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Quinoa – Protein-rich quinoa brings a nutty crunch when used instead of grains.
With so many tasty options, it’s easy to find the perfect side dishes to complement garlic shrimp. Start with a base of rice, pasta, or bread to soak up the garlicky butter sauce. Add some bright vegetables like asparagus or a crisp salad for color. And round it out with roasted potatoes or alternative starches like zucchini noodles. With a well-balanced meal like this, the whole family is sure to devour dinner!
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!.
More Side Dish Recipes
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Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
What to serve with garlic butter shrimp?
Looking for a quick answer? The best side dishes to serve with garlic butter shrimp are risotto, steamed vegetables, ratatouille, deviled eggs, corn on the cob, zucchini noodles, broccoli poppers, garlic bread, cilantro lime rice, grilled asparagus, mashed potatoes, Caesar salad, and quinoa salad. Now, let’s get cooking!
What to serve with shrimp?
Some people find that shrimp is best served with a side of steamed vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, or green beans. These vegetables are best served with a light, creamy sauce, such as a garlic butter sauce. Pick any of these delicious sides to serve with your shrimp. Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe!
What side dishes go well with shrimp?
Another star side dish, caprese is always a crowd pleaser. Stick with a classic mozzarella, red tomato, and basil stack, or mix things up with honeydew melon, green tomatoes and burrata. Either way you get a bright, refreshing, and delectable salad that goes oh so well with hot-off-the-grill shrimp. 10. Elote-Style Corn
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.