These tender shrimp cakes are absolutely delicious. Making them takes only 10 minutes and is easy to do ahead of time. They are great as an appetizer or as a light, healthy dinner. An easy lemon aioli sauce takes them over the top!.
These little bites of pure joy are surprisingly easy to make and unbelievably tender and juicy. The flavor is spot on … not too much and not too little. Juuust right.
They are delicious eaten on their own, but even better after a dunk into some lemon aioli.
You can have these on the table in almost no time if you have ten minutes to prepare them and five minutes to cook them. This looks like a fancy recipe, but it could also be used as an emergency recipe for when you, your family, or your roommates are hungry and need dinner right away.
Shrimp cakes are a flavorful and versatile seafood dish that can be served as an appetizer or entrée. With their crispy exterior and tender, shrimp-filled interior, these patties make a delicious meal. However, the question remains: what should you serve alongside these scrumptious shrimp cakes to round out the meal?
I’ve made shrimp cakes many times for my family and friends Over the years, I’ve found that certain side dishes pair exceptionally well with the sweet and savory flavors of shrimp cakes Here are my top 15 recommendations for easy, delicious sides that complement shrimp cakes perfectly
1. Steamed Broccoli
Buttery vitamin-packed steamed broccoli is one of my favorite shrimp cake pairings. To make it simply steam broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender. Toss the broccoli with a pat of butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
The bright green color provides a nice contrast to golden shrimp cakes. And the slight crunch of the broccoli balances nicely with the soft texture of the cakes.
2. Coleslaw
Creamy coleslaw adds a refreshing, tangy crunch to balance out rich shrimp cakes. While store-bought coleslaw works fine, I prefer to make my own.
To do so, simply shred green and red cabbage and carrots, then toss with mayonnaise apple cider vinegar salt, pepper, and a touch of sugar. The sweet and sour flavors make coleslaw an exceptional pairing.
3. Corn on the Cob
Without a doubt, grilled corn on the cob is one of the best side dishes to serve with shrimp cakes during summer. The natural sweetness of corn complements shrimp perfectly.
I love to grill corn until lightly charred, then slather it with butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. The smoky flavors pair wonderfully with shrimp cakes.
4. Macaroni Salad
For a classic potluck pairing, prepare macaroni salad with shrimp cakes. Cook macaroni and chill, then toss with mayonnaise, chopped celery, red onion, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
The creamy pasta and crunchy vegetables pair nicely with hot shrimp cakes. It’s a classic, foolproof combination.
5. Baked Beans
Savory baked beans make a satisfying, hearty side to serve with shrimp cakes. I like to sauté onion and garlic, then simmer with navy beans, ketchup, brown sugar, and spices.
The sweet and tangy beans contrast the rich, briny flavor of shrimp. This is a great pairing for summertime barbecues.
6. Rice Pilaf
For a simple yet delicious pairing, rice pilaf is the way to go. I make mine by sautéing onion and garlic in butter or oil, then adding rice and broth.
The fluffy rice soaks up any extra sauce from the shrimp cakes, while adding color and texture contrast. Simple rice pilaf lets the shrimp be the star.
7. Squash Casserole
In the fall and winter, roasted squash makes an exceptional shrimp cake side dish. I love to roast acorn squash halves filled with brown sugar, butter and spices.
The sweetness of the tender squash balances the brininess of shrimp cakes. It’s a delightful seasonal pairing.
8. Cajun Fries
Crispy oven-baked Cajun fries are an easy, crowd-pleasing pairing with shrimp cakes. Simply toss potato wedges with Cajun seasoning, then bake until browned and crispy.
The spicy fries provide crunchy texture contrast and help cut through the richness of the shrimp cakes.
9. Garlic Bread
Warm, garlicky bread is a no-fail pairing for shrimp cakes. For easy garlic bread, spread baguette slices with garlic butter, then bake or broil until crisp.
The buttery garlic flavor complements shrimp perfectly. Mopping up any leftover sauce with garlic bread is an added bonus.
10. Potato Salad
Creamy, tangy potato salad is another classic shrimp cake accompaniment. Boil potatoes until tender, then gently fold with mayonnaise, mustard, chopped onion, celery, pickles, and fresh herbs.
The cool, creamy potato salad balances the crispy hot shrimp cakes wonderfully. The textures pair together so nicely.
11. Asparagus
For an elegant and healthy side dish, roasted asparagus is hard to beat. Toss asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at 400°F until lightly browned.
The crisp-tender roasted asparagus spears pair nicely with the rich shrimp cakes. The green vegetables add bright color as well.
12. Dinner Rolls
Fluffy, warm dinner rolls round out a shrimp cake meal perfectly. I like to brush mine with melted butter and bake until golden brown.
The soft, pillowy rolls are ideal for soaking up any delicious pan sauces or butter from the shrimp cakes. Simple, classic, and delicious.
13. Cucumber Salad
For a light and refreshing pairing, make a quick Thai cucumber salad. Simply combine sliced cucumbers, red onion, lime juice, fish sauce, cilantro, and toasted peanuts.
The cool crunch of the cucumber salad balances the crispy hot shrimp cakes wonderfully. It adds a tangy, bright flavor as well.
14. Cornbread
Buttery cornbread is a quintessential Southern side dish for shrimp cakes. Bake up a pan of moist, golden cornbread to serve alongside briny shrimp cakes.
The sweetness of the cornbread complements the rich shrimp flavor perfectly. Crumble leftover cornbread over shrimp tacos the next day.
15. Biscuits
Flaky, buttery biscuits are another excellent option for soaking up the delicious flavors of shrimp cakes. I love to serve homemade biscuits warm from the oven.
The biscuits provide a crunchy, buttery vehicle for savoring pan sauces and shoveling every last bite of shrimp. A Southern classic!
Match Side Dishes to Occasions
The possibilities are endless when it comes to pairing side dishes with shrimp cakes. Consider the season and occasion when deciding which option to serve.
For summer cookouts and potlucks, choices like corn, coleslaw and potato salad make excellent accompaniments. Hearty fall and winter sides like squash, baked beans and cornbread provide comfort and warmth.
Elegant choices like asparagus and cucumber salad work well for dinner parties. And simple sides like steamed broccoli and rice pilaf complement shrimp cakes nicely for casual family dinners.
Complementary Flavors
When selecting a side for shrimp cakes, keep complementary flavors in mind. Bright, fresh sides like crunchy vegetables, green salads and tangy slaws help cut through the richness of the shrimp cakes.
Starchy sides like potatoes, rice and bread provide texture contrast and help soak up any delicious sauces. And roasted veggies and cornbread offer comforting sweetness to balance the briny shrimp.
Finding the right balance of flavors and textures is key for shrimp cake pairings. Play around with different combinations to discover your favorite shrimp cake meals!
With so many excellent options, there’s no need to stress about what to serve with shrimp cakes again. Quick veggies, salads, starches and breads all make excellent accompaniments. Consider seasonality, occasion and complementary textures and flavors when deciding which side to pair.
Some of my favorite shrimp cake pairings include steamed broccoli, coleslaw, corn on the cob, macaroni salad, baked beans, rice pilaf and garlic bread. But don’t be afraid to get creative and try new side dish recipes too!
Pairing flavorful golden shrimp cakes with a complementary side dish results in a beautifully balanced, delicious meal. So fire up the stove and whip up a batch of scrumptious shrimp cakes and sides for your next dinner occasion! Your guests will be begging for the recipes.
How to make this shrimp cakes recipe
The first step in making this recipe is to chop the shrimp. First cut a shrimp in half lengthwise. Then, chop it into small pieces.
Once you have your chopped shrimp, combine them with the other ingredients and form them into 12 patties.
After a quick pan fry on each side, your shrimp cakes will be ready to eat!
Make shrimp cakes with lemon aioli ahead of time
Shrimp cakes are best made fresh, but they can be assembled ahead of time. Simply prepare the patties and place them on a baking sheet. Cover the sheet and keep it in your fridge for up to 8 hours.
When you are ready to serve them, remove them from the fridge, and quickly pan-fry them.
