As a former prawn and shrimp fisherman, I know that nothing says summer like shrimp on the grill. I also love a good shrimp dinner more than anyone else. I’m pretty good at figuring out what to serve with BBQ shrimp. I’ve done it for casual nights, birthday parties, and even my wedding. Pick a few of these great BBQ shrimp side dishes for your own fabulous feast!.
See the table of contents to quickly find what you want. It has everything from bread and salad to vegetables, casseroles, potatoes, rice, pasta, and salads made with all of those things.
I like to bring a salad, a vegetable (like corn on the cob), buns or bread, a starch (like potatoes, rice, etc.), and maybe one more recipe to cook on the grill for a big party. Skewers or more BBQ seafood always pairs well. Choose a few recipes that can be prepared ahead like cornbread and potato or pasta salad.
For a smaller dinner, Ill just choose 2 side dishes. If its just family, its the perfect time to try out a new recipe. (That broccoli cheese casserole or the skewered and grilled potato salad skewers. yum!) [feast_advanced_jump_to].
Barbecue shrimp is a classic Southern dish that is full of flavor The shrimp are coated in a spicy, buttery, garlic sauce that is finger-licking good. While the shrimp definitely shine as the star of the show, you’ll need some sides to complete the meal The right sides can enhance the flavors of the barbecue shrimp and make it an unforgettable dining experience.
When deciding what to serve with barbecue shrimp you’ll want sides that complement rather than compete with the flavors. The sauce for the shrimp has a hot garlicky, buttery taste. Sides that are fresh and bright can balance out the richness. Grilled or roasted veggies are a perfect pairing. Starchier sides like potatoes, rice or bread can soak up the irresistible sauce.
Here are 10 sensational side dishes to serve along with juicy barbecue shrimp:
Grilled Vegetables
Grilling vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and adds great charred flavors. The smokiness pairs perfectly with the barbecue shrimp. Some great grilled veggie options include:
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Cheesy Grilled Parmesan Broccoli – Broccoli florets grilled until tender and then topped with melty Parmesan cheese. The char on the broccoli matches the shrimp while the cheese adds a creamy element.
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Garlicky Marinated Grilled Mushrooms – Meaty mushrooms like portobello are marinated in garlic, olive oil and balsamic before hitting the grill. The garlic marinade complements the seasonings on the barbecue shrimp.
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Easy Grilled Sweet Potatoes – Slices of sweet potato are brushed with oil and grilled until caramelized and tender. A sprinkle of chili powder adds heat that pairs nicely with the spicy shrimp.
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Grilled Brussels Sprouts – Brussels sprouts are halved and then charred on the grill. The smoky, roasted flavor balances the rich shrimp sauce.
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Balsamic Glazed Veggie Kebabs – Cherry tomatoes, zucchini, red onions and mushrooms are threaded onto skewers and grilled until tender. Brushing the kebabs with a balsamic glaze caramelizes the veggies and gives them a tangy sweetness.
Hot Buttered Corn
Grilled corn on the cob slathered in butter, salt and pepper is a classic compliment to barbecue shrimp. The sweet corn paired with the spicy shrimp is a match made in heaven. Some fun ways to jazz up basic grilled corn include:
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Mixing herb butter instead of plain melted butter to coat the hot corn. Great flavor combos are basil butter, rosemary butter or cilantro lime butter.
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Smoking the corn over the grill vs direct grilling it to get enhanced charred flavors.
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Slathering spicy mayo made with chipotle peppers on the corn instead of plain butter to give it a kick.
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Sprinkling cotija cheese and lime juice on the grilled corn for more texture and acidity.
Comforting Potatoes
Hearty potato dishes are natural pairings for barbecue shrimp. They can soak up all of the delicious buttery sauce and provide satiety. Go for potatoes with seasoning that won’t compete too much with the shrimp. Recommended recipes include:
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Garlic Roasted Potatoes – Crispy roasted potatoes flavored with garlic, rosemary and lemon juice.
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Loaded Smashed Potatoes – Fried smashed baby potatoes topped with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, scallions and sour cream.
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Cajun Potato Wedges – Seasoned potato wedges roasted until caramelized and crispy.
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Parmesan Herb Roasted Potatoes – Red potatoes roasted with olive oil, Parmesan, oregano and parsley.
Fresh, Bright Sides
The richness of the shrimp and the sauce needs some bright, fresh sides to balance it out. Salads and slaws with acidic dressings are ideal. They add color and lightness. Some easy options are:
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Tangy Coleslaw – Shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a cider vinegar dressing. Works as a topping for shrimp tacos too.
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Watermelon Feta Salad – Cubes of watermelon combined with feta cheese, mint and a lime vinaigrette.
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Caprese Salad – Slices of tomato and mozzarella drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
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Cucumber Tomato Salad – Diced cucumbers and tomatoes tossed in a red wine vinegar dressing.
Starchier Favorites
In addition to potatoes, other delicious starchier sides to consider are:
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Skillet Cornbread – Cast iron cooked cornbread with creamed corn baked into it pairs perfectly with barbecue shrimp. The cornbread can soak up all of the delicious sauce.
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Cheesy Grits – Creamy grits with cheddar cheese and scallions. The grits work nicely with the shrimp sauce.
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Garlic Bread – Toasted bread spread with garlicky, buttery goodness is never a bad idea. Make it yourself or cheat with a ready-made loaf.
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Mac and Cheese – A baked macaroni and cheese with a crispy topping helps balance the richness of the shrimp.
Simple Roasted Vegetables
Quick roasted veggies are an easy side that work well. They take basic veggies up a notch:
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Balsamic Roasted Carrots – Carrot coins roasted with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and garlic.
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Honey Glazed Carrots – Carrots roasted until caramelized with a honey butter glaze.
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Roasted Cauliflower – Cauliflower florets roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper develop a nutty sweetness.
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Roasted Broccoli – Broccoli roasted with olive oil, lemon juice and red pepper flakes.
Putting It All Together
When serving up juicy barbecue shrimp, try picking 2-3 complementary sides to offer a delicious, well-rounded meal. Opt for a mix of vegetable dishes, a salad, a starch and/or some bread. Favor sides with some acidic brightness, charred smokiness and/or richness like the shrimp sauce. With the right combination of sides, your barbecue shrimp dinner will be incredible!
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How To Choose The Right Side Dish
Match your flavors. If you have plain shrimp, you can choose any of these delicious sides. But if you have an heavily flavored recipe, pair up matching flavors. Mediterranean shrimp go great with the grilled zucchini or eggplant. Southern Old Bay seasoned shrimp love cornbread and collard greens.
If you have a BBQ shrimp recipe with Asian flavors, try the Asian quick pickles, the Japanese goma avocado salad, and the coconut basmati rice.
When you add BBQ shrimp, don’t forget to add a dip or sauce. These sauces, like chili crisp, fresh mango salsa, kimchi mayo, and a tasty scallion oil, will really make the shrimp taste great.
Warm, soft bread goes great with fresh shrimp. If you’re not making shrimp scampi, bake one of these breads or biscuits to go with the smoky flavor and sweet juices of barbecue shrimp.
Tart and crisp, a great pickle cuts through rich barbecue sauce flavored shrimp and makes a great garnish. These easy pickles take only 5 minutes so theyre perfect for a quick dinner.
BBQ shrimp and salad is ALWAYS good option. A great way to get your daily veggies in. There is a salad here for every shrimp recipe, whether you want a light side salad or a hearty salad to finish off the meal.
Here are some of the best side dishes to go with barbecue shrimp. They range from sweet bell peppers on a stick to fresh asparagus and broccoli baked with cheddar cheese.
Southern grilled shrimp love collard greens for a complete meal. For a kid friendly bbq shrimp dinner, make and bake this awesome broccoli cheese casserole. If you like crunchy veggies, make the bbq skewers or Traeger asparagus. Which ever veggie side dish you choose, I promise, these are delicious and flavor packed!.
Fire up the outdoor grill and barbecue some corn to go with your favorite shrimp dish. Cooking New Orleans barbecue shrimp, coconut shrimp on the grill, or shrimp tacos? Grilled corn is one of the best side dishes you can make. Eat it in a salad, salsa or corn on the cob for a sweet and salty side dish.
Serve up a flavorful sauce with your barbecue shrimp. You can go super simple with bottled hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce. or go big with one of these fresh and tasty homemade salsas and sauces. These sauces add unique flavor and will make your dinner unforgettable.
Make your BBQ shrimp dinner into a full on seafood feast. Toss some oysters on the barbecue or BBQ up some salmon for an impressive party.
Potatoes + Potato Salad
White potatoes or sweet potatoes are delicious side dishes that everyone loves. Potatoes are a great, versatile side. For a great shrimp cookout, you can roast, fry, top with cheese, or make them into a salad. You can season them with Dijon mustard or make French fries with them.
With BBQ shrimp, rice is a classic side dish. But why make plain white rice when one of these great rice recipes will make it even better? Coconut basmati or jasmine rice are great with Asian grilled shrimp.
Got a spicy shrimp recipe? Jamaican rice and peas is made to pair with spicy seafood. For shrimp recipes with an Indian flavor, curried rice adds a big, bold flavor that goes well with the shrimp. Dig in!.
Beans are a classic side for BBQ shrimp in Italy and in many Spanish countries. Baked brown beans are great as are these creamy, garlicky white beans. A blank canvas for your favorite spiced shrimp.
