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 dish that is perfect for parties, game day, or a weeknight dinner. These bite-sized fried shrimp are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. While popcorn shrimp is delicious on its own, it’s even better when paired with a variety of flavorful side dishes.
When choosing side dishes for popcorn shrimp you’ll want options that complement the crispy fried flavor without overpowering it. Bright fresh flavors like lemon, herbs, and vegetables are ideal. You’ll also want a mix of hot sides and cool, refreshing sides to balance out the meal. Here are 12 delicious side dish ideas to consider serving with popcorn shrimp.
Best Vegetable Side Dishes
Succotash
Succotash is a classic Southern side dish made from lima beans, corn, red bell pepper, and onion sauteed in butter. The combination of crisp vegetables with the buttery lima beans is the perfect complement to crispy popcorn shrimp. The succotash can be made ahead of time and reheated just before serving. Garnish it with chopped parsley for a pop of color.
Hushpuppies
No Southern-style meal is complete without hushpuppies! These savory cornmeal dumplings fried up golden brown pair perfectly with popcorn shrimp The hushpuppies can soak up any extra cocktail sauce from the shrimp Keep the recipe easy by using a boxed cornbread mix and adding minced onion, corn, and parsley. Fry up golf-ball sized spoonfuls to serve alongside the shrimp.
Roasted Broccoli
For a lighter side, oven-roasted broccoli florets are a great option. Toss the broccoli with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper and roast at 400°F until tender and caramelized on the edges. The charred flavor complements the fried shrimp. Sprinkle with lemon juice and parmesan cheese before serving.
Okra and Rice Casserole
Okra has a unique texture that stands up well to creamy, cheesy rice casseroles. This side combines okra, rice, cream of mushroom soup, cheese and roasted poblano peppers for a rich, comforting accompaniment to popcorn shrimp. The spicy kick from the peppers and crispy okra pods balance the fried flavor of the shrimp.
Best Starch and Grain Side Dishes
Three-Pickle Potato Salad
For a fun twist on traditional potato salad, try a three-pickle version made with dill pickle, sweet pickle, and bread and butter pickle relishes. Diced boiled potatoes, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and the assorted pickles make this flavorful salad the perfect match for popcorn shrimp. The tangy, sweet and salty flavors complement the crispy shrimp.
Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob
Buttery oven roasted corn on the cob is a delicious and easy side dish for popcorn shrimp. Leave the corn in husks and soak in water before roasting to steam it perfectly tender. Slather with butter and sprinkle with paprika once roasted. The natural sweetness of the corn balances the shrimp’s saltiness.
Lemony White Bean Salad
White beans, broccoli, red onion, and cherry tomatoes tossed in a lemony vinaigrette makes for a refreshing salad pairing. The crisp broccoli, onion and tomatoes add lots of flavor and crunch while the beans make it satisfying. The bright, acidic dressing cuts through the fried richness of the shrimp.
Mac and Cheese
For kids and adults alike, macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food side. Use an easy stove-top or baked mac and cheese recipe and top with crispy panko breadcrumbs for the perfect texture contrast to the popcorn shrimp. The creamy, cheesy pasta soaks up cocktail sauce nicely.
Best Bread Side Dishes
Cornbread Muffins
Warm cornbread muffins are a staple alongside Southern seafood like popcorn shrimp. Bake up a batch of your favorite cornbread recipe in muffin tins so they’re the ideal size for dunking in cocktail sauce. Sweet honey butter on top takes them over the top.
Herb Breadsticks
For an easy baked breadstick, stir Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and parsley into refrigerated breadstick dough. Bake until golden brown. These flavorful breadsticks pair nicely with shrimp cocktail sauce for dipping.
Hushpuppy Cornbread
Why choose between hushpuppies and cornbread when you can have the best of both? This fun cornbread hushpuppy hybrid adds creamed corn and minced jalapeno to cornbread batter before deep frying spoonfuls into hushpuppy shapes. The corn-studded, spicy cornbread fritters are delicious dunked in cocktail sauce.
Garlic Bread
Warm, buttery garlic bread is a crowd-pleasing accompaniment for any meal. For an easy version, spread thawed Texas toast with softened butter mixed with minced garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. Bake until crispy and golden. The buttery garlic flavor complements fried foods like popcorn shrimp perfectly.
Best Dip, Sauce and Salad Dressing Side Dishes
Lemon Aioli
Lemon aioli is easy to make at home and tastes delicious with popcorn shrimp. Simply combine mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic and parsley. The bright, acidic lemon cuts through the fried flavor of the shrimp while the garlic and herbs add flavor.
Ranch Dressing
Classic creamy ranch dressing is ideal for dipping popcorn shrimp or drizzling on salads served alongside. Homemade ranch with Greek yogurt, buttermilk, onion, garlic, herbs, lemon, and pepper is even better. The creamy, tangy flavor is hard to resist with crispy fried shrimp.
Honey-Mustard Sauce
For a quick and easy dipping sauce, stir together 1⁄4 cup honey, 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper. The sweet honey and tangy mustard pair perfectly with popcorn shrimp. Or use the sauce as a salad dressing drizzle.
Cocktail Sauce
No shrimp meal is complete without classic cocktail sauce for dipping! Mix chili sauce or ketchup with horseradish, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Garnish with minced green onions. The punchy, tomatoey sauce is ideal for dunking crispy popcorn shrimp.
Tips for Serving Popcorn Shrimp and Sides
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Offer a variety of side dishes so everyone can customize their meal. Aim for 2-3 vegetables, 1-2 starches, and 1 bread.
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Keep sides simple, focusing on bright flavors like lemon, herbs, garlic and vinegar to complement the fried shrimp.
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Mix hot sides and cool sides for contrasting temperatures.
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Make dips and sauces ahead of time so they’re ready when the shrimp comes out hot.
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Keep shrimp crispy by frying just before serving and draining on paper towels. Place on a paper-lined platter.
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Serve shrimp with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top. Tart lemon juice cuts through the crispy coating.
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Offer cocktail sauce and other dipping options in small bowls for dunking shrimp.
With this variety of fresh and delicious side dish options, your popcorn shrimp dinner will be a hit! The crispy shrimp is even better when served with flavorful complements like succotash, hushpuppies, roasted vegetables, salads, breads, and dipping sauces. Mix and match different sides to find your favorite pairings.
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More Recipes
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