With the best side dishes for an easy shrimp boil party, you can enjoy a Lowcountry boil with a lot of people. The food will be delicious, and the party will be a lot of fun.
If you love seafood boils and want to have one at home, this post will help you plan a menu with lots of great side dish ideas.
A big low country boil is almost a full meal on its own, but you might want to serve some tasty sides to go with it.
Love the classic shrimp boil and need some ideas for what to serve with it? This post is for you.
I just had a Sheet Pan Lowcountry Boil at my house, and I wrote this post to show you how to do it too. I really like the idea of a shrimp boil, but not everyone can get to the big pot that can hold everything.
You can host one of my favorite meals in your own home at any time of the year with just an oven and a sheet pan. You can read the full instructions on how to host and a detailed plan for your event above.
Fresh Shrimp — choose jumbo shrimp that have been deveined. You can leave the shells on, but I’d rather have them taken off. You can leave the tails on, though. It makes it easier for everyone at the table.
Smoky Sausage — I like to do a combo of both andouille sausage and turkey kielbasa sausage.
Baby potatoes—red potatoes, yellow potatoes, or just plain potatoes cut up! Any kind works!
We got fresh corn just in time for summer. A shrimp boil is the best way to use it.
Onions — for the best results use a sweet onion like a yellow or Vidalia onion
Other options for a seafood boil are to include crawfish when they’re in season, clams, lobster, and shellfish!
A lot of people like to add Brussels sprouts and other vegetables to their boil, but I like it pretty plain.
Something to put on top, like hot sauce, bread, like sourdough bread, to soak up the sauce, and a simple green salad. It never hurts to put out some extra cajun seasoning and black pepper on the table, too!.
People will want to come to this dinner party over and over again!! To make things easier for you, send them this post with the side dish they should bring to the main event!
Tip for Entertaining: If your guests ask, “What can I bring?,” have an answer ready. This will make them feel like they are part of the party. It’s also a fantastic conversation starter! “Tell me about what you brought!”.
A cajun shrimp boil is a fun, flavorful meal that is perfect for sharing with family and friends. Shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and potatoes are boiled together in a spicy, garlic-seasoned broth. It makes for a hearty, hands-on dining experience.
While a shrimp boil can stand on its own as a main course, side dishes help round out the meal They provide additional flavors, textures, and nutrition Side dishes also give picky eaters more options.
So if you’re planning a shrimp boil party at home consider adding a few of these crowd-pleasing sides to your menu
Snacks and Dips
Start your cajun feast off right with some appetizers and dipping sauces on the side These will give your guests something to nibble on as they wait for the main event
Hushpuppies
No shrimp boil is complete without hushpuppies! These savory fried cornmeal dumplings are a southern classic. Their slightly sweet, fried exterior provides a delicious contrast to the spicy boil.
Make them extra fun by adding mix-ins like chopped onion, jalapeños, or cheese. Serve hushpuppies with a creamy dipping sauce like rémoulade or honey butter.
Onion Rings
Onion rings are a popular appetizer that pairs well with seafood. For best results, use a light beer batter coating. The carbonation helps give the onions an extra crispy exterior.
For a quick microwave version, simply coat onion slices in an egg wash and panko breadcrumbs. They won’t be quite as crispy, but still delicious!
Cajun Rémoulade
Rémoulade is a creamy, tangy sauce from Louisiana. It typically contains mayonnaise, mustard, capers, pickles, herbs, and cajun seasoning.
The sauce adds a cool, rich contrast to the heat of a shrimp boil. It’s especially good for dipping crab legs in!
Salads
A fresh salad helps balance out the heaviness of a shrimp feast. The crunchy greens, juicy fruits, and vegetables provide welcome nutrition. Salad also allows for more color variety on your table.
Creamy Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a refreshing, crunchy accompaniment to seafood. For best flavor, make the dressing with Greek yogurt instead of mayo. This gives it a tangy zip without adding too much richness.
To dress it up, add mixins like chopped apple, raisins, shredded carrot, or red onion. The options are endless!
Watermelon Salad
Juicy watermelon salad provides a sweet, hydrating balance next to spicy cajun flavors. Toss watermelon chunks with feta cheese, mint, and a lime vinaigrette for a simple summer side.
For a fun twist, skewer cubed watermelon and halloumi cheese onto frilly toothpicks. The salty, squeaky cheese plays well with sweet watermelon.
Peach Salsa
When peaches are in season, this fresh salsa is a crowd-pleasing accompaniment for shrimp. Dice peaches along with tomatoes, jalapeño, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice.
The sweet peaches help tame the heat of the boil. You can also use nectarines, plums, or mango for a tropical twist.
Hearty Sides
In addition to lighter sides, it’s nice to include some hearty, filling options in your shrimp boil spread. These will ensure everyone leaves full and satisfied.
Cheesy Potatoes
No one can resist creamy, cheesy potatoes! For an easy version, slice potatoes and bake with plenty of shredded cheddar, sour cream, and scallions.
Or simplify even further by boiling quartered baby potatoes until tender, then tossing them with butter, cheese, bacon, and chives.
Jalapeño Cornbread
Cornbread naturally complements the corn and southern flavors in a shrimp boil. For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños and cheese to the batter before baking.
The cornbread will help sop up all of the delicious juices and seasoning left at the bottom of the pot. Slather it with honey butter for even more richness.
Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a universally loved comfort food. The creaminess pairs perfectly next to tender shrimp and smoky sausage.
For fun, mix in cajun spices and sautéed shrimp to create a seafood mac and cheese dish. Just be sure to make extra, as this will go fast!
Easy Veggies
Don’t forget your veggies! Add nutrition and color to your spread by rounding it out with fresh vegetables.
Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Assemble colorful veggie skewers to grill alongside the shrimp. Try combinations like zucchini, bell pepper, onion, and pineapple. Brush with olive oil and cajun seasoning before cooking.
The charred veggies will provide nice texture contrast next to the tender boiled shrimp and sausage.
Roasted Green Beans
For an easy veggie side, toss green beans with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Roast them in a hot oven until browned and slightly shriveled.
The crisp-tender beans will balance out the soft textures of the corn, potatoes, and seafood.
Creamed Spinach
Sautéed spinach is a quick, healthy accompaniment for shrimp. Cook the spinach with olive oil and garlic, then finish it off with a drizzle of heavy cream.
The creamed spinach adds a pop of color to all the beige foods on your table. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese for even more richness.
Breads and Grains
Carbs like bread and rice help soak up all of the delicious juices and seasonings from your shrimp pot. They also provide a hearty base alongside seafood.
Skillet Cornbread
Warm, buttery cornbread is essential for sopping up pot likker (the flavorful juices left behind after boiling). Bake it in a cast iron skillet for the perfect golden crust.
Mix in corn, bell pepper, and scallions for a southwestern twist. Serve cornbread with honey butter for spreading.
Cheesy Biscuits
Flaky, cheesy biscuits are a natural pair for southern comfort foods. Mix shredded cheddar into your favorite easy biscuit recipe before baking.
The biscuits will sop up broth and provide a nice break between bites of rich seafood.
Cajun Rice
For a zesty side, cook white rice with classic cajun aromatics like onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, and spices. The “holy trinity” of cajun cooking adds tons of flavor.
Cajun rice soaks up juices beautifully while also filling up your guests. Top it with sliced scallions for a pop of color.
Beverages
Don’t forget drinks! Refreshing beverages help quench thirst and cleanse palates between bites.
Sweet Tea
A southern shrimp boil demands a good, syrupy-sweet glass of iced tea. Brew strong black tea, sweeten with simple syrup, then pour over ice.
For an adult version, add a splash of bourbon or vodka. Mint and fruit slices dress up plain tea.
Beer
Chilled beer is a great match for spicy seafood. Lagers, pale ales, and wheat beers work well. Avoid anything too bitter, which will clash with cajun spices.
Pro-tip: If you used beer in your batter for onion rings or hushpuppies, get the same kind for drinking!
Ginger Ale
Good old ginger ale provides a refreshing, peppery accompaniment for boil flavors. Look for craft versions made with real ginger for the best taste.
For added fun, serve ginger ale with a mini bottle of bourbon or rum on the side for DIY mule cocktails.
Desserts
End your cajun feast on a sweet note with classic southern desserts. Here are some crowd-pleasing options:
Peach Cobbler
When peaches are in season, peach cobbler is a natural choice after spicy cajun food. The juicy stone fruit filling gets blanketed in a crunchy, buttery biscuit topping.
Vanilla ice cream is the perfect complement to warm cobbler right out of the oven.
Banana Pudding
Cool, creamy banana pudding provides sweet relief from the heat of your shrimp boil. Layer sliced ripe bananas, vanilla wafers, and pudding for a classic treat.
Top it off with whipped cream and crumbled wafers just before serving for banana pudding perfection.
Pecan Pie Bars
Rich, gooey pecan pie bars offer the best flavors of pecan pie in easy bar form. The buttery crust topped with sticky pecan filling never disappoints after a hearty meal.
Pecans are a popular ingredient in southern desserts. Their crunchy texture and toasted flavor pairs wonderfully with caramel and chocolate.
In Summary
A cajun shrimp boil is a stellar entree for feeding a crowd.
The Best Side Dishes for a Shrimp Boil
Typical side dishes include hush puppies, sweet potato fries, and a simple potato salad.
Usually, with this easy seafood dish, I don’t include anything but a simple salad. However, if you’re wanting to serve a crowd, it’s nice for them to bring something. More than that, not everyone likes shrimp or crawfish that are soft and juicy. Having good side dishes will help the meal go well and give everyone something they like.
One way to help get a few more veggies on the menu is to make some vegetable skewers. Fill a skewer with bell pepper, onion, zucchini, and anything else you like. Grill it while your shrimp dish is cooking, and you’ll have one of the best sides!.
Garlic Butter Seafood Sauce — Buerre Blanc is THE perfect sauce to serve with your shrimp boil! And, if you’re adding crab legs to the boil, this sauce is a must-have! Fresh garlic, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice are all gently whisked into melted butter for the ultimate decadent dipping sauce for any seafood.
Seafood Boil Sauce — Butter, garlic, and plenty of seasoning! This sauce was made for dipping shrimp, corn, and everything in between!
When you have an outdoor event, like a crawfish boil (or any other kind of boil!), another fun tip is to line the tables with parchment paper first. Then, top with kraft paper. Newsprint is often used to line tables, but it’s very dirty! You eat this meal right off the table, without plates or silverware. So! Using a heavy-duty kraft paper is nice. But, the pre-lining of parchment paper helps keep your table safe, and clean up a breeze!.
Classic Macaroni Salad – Filled with surprising veggies and a creamy dressing, this pasta salad is a classic side dish that’s welcome on any dinner table!
Southern Cucumber and Tomato Salad — nothing screams summer entertaining more than a deliciously classic cucumber and tomato salad. It’s so refreshing to have summer’s fresh harvest on your table and enjoy the (literal!) fruits of your labor. People make theirs all different ways, but this recipe is a pure classic Southern recipe! Give it a try!
Spicy Coleslaw — It’s the classic creamy coleslaw recipe but with a bit of a spicy kick from some mild green Tabasco sauce. Love the idea of adding that kick to an ordinary side dish to make it extraordinary!
Fourth of July Fruit Salad — if you’re hosting your gathering during a patriotic holiday, this watermelon salad is a great addition! Plus, the festive star-shaped apples are a fun way to make the buffet look extra exciting!
Sauteed Spinach with Garlic — Sauteed spinach is a great side dish to add to your menu. It’s easy to prepare while your seafood is cooking, and it adds some extra veggie excitement to the meal. It’s super simple with olive oil, fresh garlic, and a little salt and pepper.
Cilantro Rice — everyone loves rice! And this is a flavor-packed side dish your people will love! White rice is combined with cilantro for a side dish everyone will love.
Air Fryer Cornbread — The crispy exterior of air-fried cornbread is incredible! It’s the classic southern dish, either homemade or using a Jiffy mix, but made in your air fryer. Saving your oven space, y’all!! Woo hoo!!
Jalapeno Cornbread — Alright, y’all, if you’d like a spicy cornbread for dipping in the flavorful broth, this is the recipe you’ve got to try!
Crock Pot Green Beans — Everything you love about Southern cooked green beans, but made in the slow cooker! And this accompanies the main dish so well. Green beans are plentiful during the summer months, and this is a great recipe to share your bounty with your people. Plus, by using your crock pot, the oven space is saved, and if you’re doing your boil outside, everything can stay outside. No heating up your house!
Cheesy Potatoes — This is a great option for a baked potato casserole. Filled with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and green onions, these creamy potatoes will be the classic dish everyone reaches in for.
Louisiana Shrimp Boil
What is a good side dish for a shrimp boil?
A classic shrimp boil is a meal in itself. Between the seafood, potatoes, and corn, it’s pretty darn hearty. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t serve some tasty sides too! And for me, the best side dishes for shrimp boil are hush puppies, cornbread, coleslaw, and mac & cheese. But that’s not all!
What side dish goes well with shrimp?
Potato Salad Potato salad is the perfect side dish for a shrimp boil. The creamy, rich taste of the potato salad pairs perfectly with the slightly spicy shrimp. Plus, the texture of the potato salad is the perfect contrast to the tenderness of the shrimp.
What to eat after a shrimp boil?
The best side dishes for shrimp boil are hush puppies, coleslaw, jalapeno cornbread, and mac and cheese. You can also serve baked sweet potato fries, sourdough dinner rolls, or garlic rice pilaf. For healthier options, consider serving watermelon salad, vegetable skewers, or peach salsa.
Can you make shrimp boil side dish ahead of time?
Slowly cooking corn and butter in a vacuum-sealed bag in a water bath results in tender, extra-juicy, and super-sweet kernels. It’s the best side dish for weeknights, barbecues, and Southern seafood boils! Many of these shrimp boil side dish recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer.