This easy Southern shrimp and grits recipe can be used for brunch on a slow Sunday morning or as a quick dinner during the week. The down-home comfort food tastes great and only takes 30 minutes to make. For a tasty meal, pair the Cajun shrimp and cheese grits with a simple salad, collard greens, cornbread, or biscuits.
Shrimp and grits is a beloved Southern classic, combining tender shrimp with rich creamy grits. While this dish can certainly stand on its own the right side dishes can take it to the next level.
In this article I’ll share 13 of my favorite sides to serve with shrimp and grits. Whether you’re looking for something green, starchy or sweet, there’s an option for every palette. Many of these sides come together quickly or can be made ahead, making planning a shrimp and grits dinner easy.
Complementary Flavors for Shrimp and Grits
Before diving into the recipes, let’s look at what flavors pair well with shrimp and grits. The shrimp is often seasoned boldly with spices like cayenne, paprika, garlic, and lemon. The grits offer a comforting creaminess and rich cheesiness.
Some flavors that complement this dish include:
- Hearty greens like collard greens, kale, or spinach
- Savory, crispy, salty flavors like bacon or ham
- Sweet and tangy flavors like bell peppers, corn, or tomatoes
- Starchy sides like potatoes, rice, or beans
- Rich, creamy flavors like au gratin dishes or mac and cheese
When considering what goes well with shrimp and grits, keep these complementary flavors in mind. Now, let’s look at 13 amazing side dishes to try.
1. Southern-Style Collard Greens
Collard greens are a staple of Southern cooking. Slowly cooked with smoked ham hocks or bacon, the greens become meltingly tender and take on a rich, smoky flavor. The bold seasoning of the greens stands up well to spicy shrimp. Plus, they add nutrition and portions to your meal.
2. Creamed Corn
For a pop of sweetness, creamed corn is a classic. The combination of creamy grits and tender corn is delightful. I love using leftover creamed corn to top the completed shrimp and grits too. The sweet tang pairs perfectly with the savory shrimp seasoning.
3. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes are like a lighter, quicker version of au gratin potatoes. Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with a creamy cheese sauce then baked until bubbly and golden. The potatoes sop up the rich sauce, adding even more decadence to this meal.
4. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
You really can’t go wrong with mac and cheese, especially when serving shrimp and grits. The creamy, cheesy pasta is familiar comfort food. And the crunchy, buttery breadcrumb topping adds great texture. For variety, try different cheese blends or mix in crispy bacon.
5. Southern-Style Green Beans
Green beans cooked Southern-style with smoky pork and seasonings like onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes are amazing with shrimp and grits. The beans retain their snap but absorb tons of flavor. Sprinkle the beans with crispy fried onions for even more texture.
6. Sweet Potato Casserole
Looking for something sweet? Sweet potato casserole is a quintessential Southern side. Silky mashed sweet potatoes get combined with brown sugar, butter, and warm spices. Topped with a crunchy pecan streusel, this dish balances the spice and richness of shrimp and grits.
7. Skillet Fried Okra
For something crunchy and nostalgic, try fried okra. Dredged in seasoned cornmeal then fried until golden and crispy, okra takes on an addictive poppable texture. The subtle grassy flavor balances heavier dishes well. Dip the okra in spicy mayo for a fun twist.
8. Jalapeño Cheese Grits
While plain grits pair great with shrimp, switching up the flavors can be fun. Consider making jalapeño cheese grits, mixing spicy peppers and gooey cheese right into the grits. The combination of flavors is mouthwatering, adding even more excitement to this classic meal.
9. Cheesy Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes make a hearty, filling accompaniment for shrimp and grits. Load up the tender spuds with butter, sour cream, bacon, cheese, and scallions for a loaded side. The cool, creamy potatoes contrast nicely with piping hot shrimp and grits.
10. Broccoli with Lemon Butter Sauce
For balance, quickly sautéed or steamed broccoli sprinkled with a lemony butter sauce is fantastic. The bright, fresh broccoli and citrusy sauce provide nice contrast to the rich grits and spicy shrimp. Chopped parsley or chives add pretty color and flavor too.
11. Cornbread Muffins
Warm cornbread muffins may be simple, but they’re essential with shrimp and grits. The subtly sweet corn flavor pairs perfectly with the savory shrimp. Mix in cheese, jalapeños, or bacon for even more flavor. Serve the muffins with honey butter for spreading.
12. Cheesy Grits Balls
For an appetizer twist, make baked grits balls. Combining cooked grits with cheese, herbs, and vegetables, the grits gets formed into balls then breaded and baked. Served with fun dipping sauces, they’re a delicious way to enjoy grits in a new form.
13. Grilled Vegetable Skewers
If you want something fresh, make quick grilled veggie skewers. Cherry tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions are all great on skewers. Brush with a lemony olive oil then grill to get nice char marks. The medley of crisp-tender veggies balances this rich meal perfectly.
Tips for Serving Shrimp and Grits
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Adjust spice levels so sides don’t overwhelm the shrimp. Use milder seasonings or add spice after.
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Cook any bacon, ham or pork ahead of time so flavors have time to develop.
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Make grits and any casserole-style sides ahead. Reheat gently before serving.
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Blanch green veggies until crisp-tender so they don’t lose texture from overcooking.
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Bake or grill vegetables at a high temperature to get nice caramelization.
Satisfying and Balanced Meals
What goes with Shrimp and Grits?
This spicy, smoky, cheesy shrimp and grits recipe pairs nicely with so many different Southern sides. Here are some ideas to try:
If you want to drink wine with shrimp and grits, choose a dry, light white wine to round out the rich, buttery food. Try a Sauvignon Blanc (which is perfect with the garlicky shrimp) or a Pinot Grigio, for example.
How to Make Shrimp and Grits | 1-Minute Video
You just can’t beat the combination of creamy, buttery, cheesy grits topped with zesty, smoky shrimp and bacon. This shrimp and grits recipe from the South is a basic dish that can be changed to suit your family’s tastes. You can spice it up with Cajun hot sauce and other spices, add sausage and mushrooms, or finish it off with fresh herbs. With this one recipe in your pocket, a classic dish is just about 30 minutes away….
How to Make Shrimp and Grits | Southern style | That Savage Kitchen
What salad goes well with shrimp and grits?
Another salad that goes hand in hand with shrimp and grits is coleslaw. The mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, vinegar, and honey dressing covering the cabbage will bring a new heavenly flavor dimension to your meal. The best part is that you can have this salad ready in as little as 10 minutes.
Is it good to have grits?
Grits is typically a porridge made out of corn meal. As corn kernels are highly processed to turn into fine powder, simple carbohydrates are present dominantly in grits. Hence, its not recommended for individuals with insulin sensitivity, diabetes and obesity. Besides, grits can be consumed occasionally only, say 30 grams of serve per week.
What are the best sides for shrimp and grits?
Hearty dishes like casseroles, mac and cheese, potatoes, and biscuits make the best sides for shrimp and grits! Shrimp and grits is a Southern classic full of tantalizing flavors. WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE? Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Between the savory shrimp and creamy grits, it’s a meal in itself.
What vegetables go well with shrimp and grits?
The recipe is as simple as chopping, tossing, and roasting. Use any assortment of veggies you like. Sweet potatoes, onions, broccoli, and bell peppers go great with shrimp and grits. And be sure your seasonings complement whatever you use to season your shrimp. When in doubt, salt, pepper, and garlic do the trick.