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.
Popcorn shrimp is a fun and tasty appetizer or main course made from bite-sized shrimp coated in a light, crispy breading. The crisp exterior gives way to the sweet briny flavor of the shrimp inside. Popcorn shrimp is often served as an appetizer with cocktail or tartar sauce for dipping. But it also makes a great main dish when paired with the right side dishes.
Complementing the crispy crunch of popcorn shrimp with fresh, bright flavors and textures creates a well-rounded, satisfying meal. In this article, I’ll suggest 15 delicious side dish ideas to serve with popcorn shrimp. From classics like fries and coleslaw to lighter options like salads and grilled veggies, you’ll find plenty of tasty ways to round out your popcorn shrimp dinner.
The Classics: Fries, Rice, and Potatoes
Some classic starchy sides are natural pairings for crispy fried shrimp. Here are a few ways to serve these familiar favorites:
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French Fries – Thin, crispy french fries are a no-brainer pairing. For extra flavor, season them with cajun spices, parmesan, or garlic. Offer ketchup, honey mustard, or spicy mayo for dipping.
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Coleslaw – The crunch of shredded cabbage and carrots contrasts nicely with hot shrimp. Creamy tangy coleslaw also aids digestion.
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Dirty Rice – Studded with spicy sausage and liver, Southern dirty rice makes a hearty side The rice soaks up the delicious creole sauce from the shrimp
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Rice Pilaf – Fluffy rice pilaf scented with onion, garlic, and broth is a comforting companion for popcorn shrimp. I like to add peas and carrots for extra color.
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Baked Potatoes – A baked russet potato is satisfying side. Load it up with butter, bacon, cheese, and green onions for a fully-stuffed spud.
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Sweet Potato Fries – For a fun twist, make sweet potato fries dusted with cajun seasoning to complement the shrimp.
Fresh Salads and Veggies
Balance out the fried shrimp with some lighter, brighter side dishes like salads and vegetables:
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Wedge Salad – A crisp iceberg wedge dressed with chunky blue cheese dressing makes a nice contrast. I like to top mine with grilled shrimp.
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Caesar Salad – Cold, crunchy romaine lettuce tossed in creamy, garlicky caesar dressing is a delicious pairing. Add homemade croutons for extra crunch.
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Corn and Avocado Salad – The sweet corn, creamy avocado, tomato, and lime vinaigrette in this salad perfectly complements the shrimp.
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Air Fryer Green Beans – Crisp-tender green beans seasoned with garlic and spices are a healthy side. Air frying instead of sautéing cuts the calories.
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Grilled Vegetable Skewers – Alternate shrimp and colorful grilled veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, and red onions on skewers for a pretty presentation.
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Sauteed Zucchini – Saute zucchini coins in olive oil with minced garlic and red pepper flakes. The bright flavor balances the richness of fried shrimp beautifully.
Savory Breads and Starters
Round out the meal with some savory baked goods and starters:
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Garlic Bread – Warm, crusty garlic bread is delicious for dipping in any stray cocktail sauce. Use plenty of butter and garlic spread.
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Cheese Biscuits – Flaky cheddar-chive biscuits are the perfect Southern touch. Bake up a batch to serve warm from the oven.
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Bruschetta – Toast thick slices of crusty bread, then top with juicy chopped tomato, basil, olive oil, and balsamic glaze.
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Crab Cakes – For an indulgent pairing, pan sear some crab cakes and serve alongside the popcorn shrimp with lemon wedges.
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Hushpuppies – No Southern seafood dinner is complete without hushpuppies! Fry up fluffy cornmeal dumplings to soak up that cocktail sauce.
Global Flavor Pairings
Popcorn shrimp also pairs well with rice and veggie dishes from around the world. Try these globally-inspired sides:
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Jasmine Rice – Floral jasmine rice tossed with toasted sesame oil and soy sauce adds an Asian flair. Garnish with sliced scallions.
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Spanish Rice – Sauté white rice with tomato sauce, onions, garlic, and spices for a Mexican rice pairing.
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Coconut Rice – For tropical flavor, make coconut milk rice scented with lime zest and cilantro.
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Mujaddara – This Middle Eastern lentil and rice dish, flavored with toasted onions and spices, makes a protein-packed side.
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Risotto – Creamy parmesan risotto is a rich but refined pairing. Stir in lemon zest and red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Light Sides and Sauces
If you want something bright and fresh alongside the fried shrimp, go for lighter veggie sides and zesty sauces:
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Cucumber Salad – Quick pickled cucumbers in vinegar, sugar, and dill offer tangy crunch.
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Mango Salsa – Fresh, tropical mango salsa adds sweetness and vitamin C.
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Tartar Sauce – You can’t go wrong with homemade tartar sauce, the classic dip for breaded shrimp.
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Cocktail Sauce – Similarly, punchy horseradish cocktail sauce is essential for dunking popcorn shrimp.
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Lemon Wedges – At the bare minimum, always serve lemon wedges for squeezing over the shrimp.
Putting It All Together
From starchy sides to bright vegetable dishes and savory starters, you have tons of tasty options for rounding out a popcorn shrimp dinner. Here are some final tips for putting together the perfect meal:
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Pick just 2-3 side dishes so you don’t overwhelm the star – the popcorn shrimp!
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Aim for a mix of textures and flavors in your sides.
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Balance out rich or heavy sides with something bright and fresh.
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Make sure at least one side adds color to the plate.
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Don’t forget those essential sauces and lemon wedges for drizzling and squeezing!
With its crisp, golden exterior and sweet shrimp flavor, popcorn shrimp is delicious on its own but even better when paired thoughtfully with the right sides. So the next time you’re frying up a batch of this tasty appetizer or entree, try out some of these recommendations for completing the meal. Enjoy!
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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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What to serve with popcorn shrimp?
Creamy and garlicky, this shrimp sauce is delicious and so easy to make. Just mix together some mayo, garlic, and lemon juice and you’re done! I like to serve it with popcorn shrimp as an appetizer, but it would also be great on chicken or fish. You can also add in some hot sauce or diced peppers for a little extra flavor.
What is the best sauce for popcorn shrimp?
Here are 19 of the best sauces for popcorn shrimp: Creamy and garlicky, this shrimp sauce is delicious and so easy to make. Just mix together some mayo, garlic, and lemon juice and you’re done! I like to serve it with popcorn shrimp as an appetizer, but it would also be great on chicken or fish.
What is popcorn shrimp?
Popcorn shrimp combines fresh shrimp with a creamy seasoned mayo mixture and breadcrumbs. They’re baked until golden and ultra crispy – perfect as snacks or party appetizers with freshly chopped parsley, lemon wedges, and your favorite dip or sauce. Want to save this recipe? Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox!
Are popcorn shrimp healthy?
Popcorn shrimp are irresistibly crispy with a simple seasoned mayo coating and breadcrumbs – perfect as a snack, party appetizer, or as an addition to salads and wraps as tasty light meals. Baking these popcorn shrimp is much healthier than traditional deep-fried popcorn shrimp and keeps that fried stench out of your house.