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 versatile protein that can be prepared in endless ways, from grilling and sautéing to boiling and baking. Its sweet, briny flavor pairs well with a variety of ingredients and cuisines. While shrimp is delicious on its own, the right side dishes can take your meal from good to great.
When cooking shrimp at home, it’s important to think about sides that will complement the seafood instead of overwhelm it You’ll want sides that are fresh and bright to balance the richness of the shrimp By choosing dishes with contrasting flavors, textures, and colors, you can make your plate more appealing and satisfying.
To help you plan the perfect shrimp dinner here are 18 of the best side dishes that pair wonderfully with everyone’s favorite crustacean
Best Veggie Sides for Shrimp
Veggies make for fresh healthy sides that add color and nutrients. They also provide good textural contrast to shrimp. Some excellent options include
1. Best-Ever Succotash
This southern classic combines fresh lima beans and corn for a tasty medley. The addition of red bell pepper and scallions adds a pop of color and flavor. Serve succotash with grilled shrimp or shrimp skewers for a light summer meal.
2. Roasted Broccoli
Roasting broccoli deepens its flavor while producing crispy edges and tender florets. Toss the broccoli with olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes before oven-roasting for a simple side. The charred veggie pairs well with cajun or blackened shrimp.
3. Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli
This protein-packed salad combines tender broccoli florets with creamy white beans and lemon vinaigrette. It adds fiber, vitamins, and healthy fat to balance a rich, creamy shrimp dish like shrimp scampi.
4. Asparagus with Cheese Sauce and Herb Breadcrumbs
Baking asparagus in an easy cheese sauce topped with crunchy breadcrumbs turns this veggie into an elegant side. The spears pair beautifully with sauteed garlic shrimp or shrimp alfredo.
5. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes develop a caramelized exterior when roasted but stay smooth and creamy inside. Season them simply with olive oil, salt, and pepper to complement spicy shrimp tacos or coconut shrimp.
Starchy Sides for Soaking Up Sauce
Starchy sides are perfect for serving with saucy shrimp dishes, as they readily soak up extra sauce. Great options include:
6. Easy Hush Puppies
These savory cornmeal fritters pair excellently with classic shrimp and grits. You can also serve hush puppies alongside fried shrimp, shrimp etouffee, or jambalaya. Their crispy exterior contrasts nicely with tender shrimp.
7. Three-Pickle Potato Salad
This potato salad gets flavor from a tangy dressing made with pickle juice. It makes an ideal pairing for breaded and fried shrimp. The creaminess of the potatoes balances the crunch of the fried crust.
8. Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob
Sweet summer corn caramelizes beautifully when oven-roasted. Brush the ears with butter or olive oil and roast until lightly charred. Serve with boiled shrimp for dipping in butter or sliced onto shrimp tacos.
9. Cilantro Lime Rice
Bright rice infused with fresh cilantro and lime juice provides the perfect base for shrimp fajitas, burritos, or stir fry. The zesty rice soaks up any extra sauce or juices from the shrimp.
10. Garlic Cheese Grits
Grits enriched with garlic and cheese make an indulgent accompaniment to barbecued shrimp. The creamy grits temper the heat from spicy shrimp while providing subtle garlic flavor.
Fresh, Crisp Salads for Balance
Salads with crunchy veggies, zesty dressings, and bright citrus flavors help balance rich or fried shrimp. Great salad sides include:
11. Greek Salad
This Mediterranean salad combines crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onion with tangy feta cheese and oregano dressing. It’s a refreshing match for grilled shrimp skewers.
12. Kale and Quinoa Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh gets a nutrition boost from kale and quinoa in this fresh take on the traditional salad. The zesty lemon dressing complements shrimp cooked any style, from boiled to fried.
13. Watermelon Feta Salad
Juicy watermelon and briny feta cheese make an unexpected but delicious flavor pairing. Toss them with fresh mint and balsamic reduction for a sweet-savory salad to enjoy with coconut shrimp.
14. Creole Slaw
This vibrant cabbage slaw gains kick from Creole mustard dressing. It adds crunch and heat to balance out battered and fried shrimp or rich, buttery shrimp scampi.
Beyond Veggies: More Creative Pairings
Don’t limit yourself to just veggies and salads when seeking sides for shrimp. Some more unique yet tasty pairings include:
15. Cheesy Garlic Toast
Buttery garlic bread gets an upgrade with the addition of melty mozzarella or Parmesan cheese. Serve toasted bread slices alongside pasta with shrimp or shrimp scampi for dunking in the sauce.
16. Sweet Corn Griddle Cakes
These fluffy corn pancakes studded with fresh corn kernels make an excellent accompaniment to blackened shrimp. The sweet cakes temper the spice rub while adding texture.
17. Cheesy Cauliflower Fritters
Fritters made from riced cauliflower, cheddar cheese, and scallions satisfy as a low-carb side for shrimp. Enjoy them with grilled shrimp skewers for a filling meal.
18. Fried Green Tomatoes
For a southern-inspired shrimp meal, make fried green tomatoes. Their tangy flavor and crispy coating contrasts fantastically with breaded and fried shrimp.
With so many options for outstanding shrimp sides, you’ll never get bored planning shrimp dinners. Just remember to choose sides that add color, texture, and complementary flavors to take your meal to the next level. Veggies, starches, and salads are safe bets, but don’t overlook more creative pairings either.
Frequency of Entities:
shrimp: 27
side: 16
dish: 15
flavor: 8
veggie: 7
salad: 6
pair: 6
rice: 3
cheese: 3
lemon: 3
broccoli: 3
fried: 3
roast: 3
corn: 3
bean: 2
asparagus: 2
potato: 2
bread: 2
garlic: 2
herb: 2
lime: 2
green: 2
cauliflower: 1
fritter: 1
grit: 1
hush puppy: 1
tabbouleh: 1
quinoa: 1
kale: 1
cucumber: 1
feta: 1
mint: 1
cabbage: 1
slaw: 1
skewer: 1
healthy: 1
bright: 1
rich: 1
fresh: 1
crisp: 1
zesty: 1
creamy: 1
crunchy: 1
caramelize: 1
char: 1
bake: 1
boil: 1
grill: 1
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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Shrimp with Vegetables! It is so delicious that you will keep making it over and over
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