What Veggie Goes with Shrimp? 20 Delicious Pairings for Seafood Success

Shrimp is a quick and easy protein that jazzes up any meal. Its versatility allows it to complement a wide range of flavors and ingredients. But the key to making shrimp shine is pairing it with the right veggie side dishes. The produce you select can accentuate shrimp’s natural sweetness or contrast its richness with bright, crisp textures.

So what veggie goes best with succulent shrimp? In this guide, we’ll explore ideal produce pairings that will have your tastebuds dancing. You’ll discover complementary flavors and textures that take shrimp recipes from boring to beautiful. We’ve got creative ideas spanning cooking methods, global cuisines, seasonal produce, and more. Read on to become a veggie and shrimp pairing pro!

Why Veggies Pair So Well with Shrimp

Before diving into specific veggie recommendations, let’s look at why produce makes such a great partner for shrimp.

Provides Nutrients

Veggies deliver valuable vitamins, minerals, and fiber They balance out shrimp’s lack of significant nutrients besides protein This makes for a more well-rounded, healthy meal.

Offers Vibrant Colors

The array of colorful produce options nicely contrasts shrimp’s neutral pink hue. Vivid reds, greens, oranges, and purples make for beautiful presentation.

Contributes Textures

The crisp crunch of many raw or lightly cooked vegetables balances out shrimp’s soft, succulent meat. These contrasting textures make each bite more intriguing.

Allows Global Flavor Fusion

Veggies open up possibilities for internationally inspired shrimp recipes. Latin flavors like peppers, onions, and corn complement shrimp tacos. Asian veggies like bok choy, snow peas, and water chestnuts create tasty stir fries. The options are endless!

Best Veggies to Pair with Shrimp

Now let’s explore some winning veggie choices to accompany everyone’s favorite seafood.

Asparagus

Slender, green asparagus spears pair elegantly with shrimp. The vegetal flavor accents shrimp nicely. Grill or roast together for easy dinner success.

Bell Peppers

The sweet crunch of bell peppers offsets shrimp’s briny flavor. Red, yellow and orange varieties provide gorgeous color contrast. Stir-fry or stuff peppers with shrimp mixture.

Broccoli

Broccoli florets mimic the shape and size of shrimp. The green color pops against pink shrimp. Lightly steam or sauté for a healthy, quick dinner duo.

Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts caramelize beautifully, complementing sautéed garlic shrimp. Toss sprouts and shrimp with pasta for a heartier meal.

Carrots

Shredded or julienned carrots offer a satisfying crunch in shrimp slaws or stir fries. The orange color brightens up any shrimp dish.

Cauliflower

White cauliflower florets pair nicely with pink shrimp in pastas and rice bowls. Or try roasting shrimp directly on whole cauliflower steaks.

Corn

The sweetness of corn balances out shrimp’s salty brininess. Grill shrimp kebabs with corn on the cob in summer.

Green Beans

Blanched, then quickly sautéed green beans retain their snap, contrasting tender shrimp. Make an easy shrimp and green beans sheet pan meal.

Peas

Sweet peas pop with color against plump, pink shrimp. Make shrimp fried rice with frozen peas for fast dinner success.

Potatoes

Mini roasted potatoes offer an irresistible crunchy texture for dipping in shrimp cocktail sauce. Or serve shrimp over creamy mashed potatoes.

Tomatoes

Cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half make a juicy, flavorful topping for shrimp tacos, pasta, or salad. The red beefsteak variety is also a classic.

Zucchini

Grilled zucchini’s mild flavor lets shrimp shine. Thinly slice zucchini into long ribbons to tangle with sauteed shrimp.

Creative Ways to Cook Veggies with Shrimp

Now that you’ve got shrimp-friendly veggies in mind, consider these tasty techniques for cooking them together:

• Make kebabs with shrimp and veggies like peppers, onions, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes. Grill or broil until charred.

• Toss raw veggie ribbons or spiralized strands like zucchini, carrots, and bell peppers with pesto shrimp pasta.

• Saute chopped veggies like peas, carrots, and asparagus, then add shrimp during last few minutes to quickly cook through.

• Load up tacos, burritos, or fajitas with sautéed bell pepper and onion plus grilled shrimp.

• Make sheet pan meals by roasting shrimp with Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, or other hardy veggies.

• Simmer shrimp in coconut curry sauce along with chopped carrots, peppers, green beans, and spinach. Serve over cauliflower rice.

• Stir-fry shrimp with snap peas, broccoli, shredded carrots, and other fast-cooking veggies. Serve with brown rice.

Best Ways to Season Veggies with Shrimp

Veggies plus shrimp offer endless seasoning possibilities. Consider these tasty flavor pairings:

• Old Bay, paprika, lemon – Asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts

• Cajun seasoning, bell peppers, onion – Corn, zucchini

• Coconut milk, red curry paste – Carrots, spinach, snap peas

• Pesto, Parmesan – Tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli

• Sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger – Snow peas, bok choy, bell peppers

• Cilantro, lime juice – Corn, black beans, bell peppers

• Dill, lemon zest – Peas, potatoes, carrots

5 Mouthwatering Shrimp and Veggie Recipes

Want to put these veggie pairing tips into delicious action? Whip up one of these easy, scrumptious shrimp and produce combo recipes:

Pesto Shrimp Pasta with Asparagus and Tomatoes – Thin asparagus spears and halved cherry tomatoes combine with pesto shrimp linguine for a fast, fresh feast.

Shrimp and Broccoli Sheet Pan Dinner – Roast shrimp with broccoli florets, lemon slices, and olive oil for a healthy one-pan meal with minimal cleanup.

Shrimp Kebabs with Zucchini and Bell Peppers – Alternate shrimp, zucchini, bell pepper chunks, and red onion on skewers for colorful grilled kebabs bursting with flavor.

Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice – Stir-fry shrimp with frozen cauliflower rice, shredded carrots, peas, and soy sauce for a fast weeknight dinner.

Shrimp Tacos with Avocado and Corn Salsa – Top corn tortillas with sautéed shrimp, fresh pico de gallo, and creamy avocado for Mexican-inspired tacos.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pairing Veggies with Shrimp

What are the best vegetables to bake with shrimp?

Potatoes, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli hold up well when baked alongside shrimp. Toss all in olive oil, seasonings, and roast on one sheet pan.

Which vegetables go well with Cajun shrimp?

Bell peppers, onions, and corn complement spicy Cajun shrimp. Sauté peppers and onions, grill corn, then add blackened shrimp just before serving.

What vegetables pair nicely with coconut shrimp?

Coconut shrimp pairs well with crisp, fresh vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, snow peas, and red cabbage. Toss together for a bright shrimp slaw.

What kind of salad greens work with shrimp salad?

Butter lettuce, mixed baby greens, arugula, radicchio, endive, and frisee all make nice beds for shrimp salads. Their delicate crunch offsets the shrimp.

Are raw vegetables safe to eat with cooked shrimp?

Yes, enjoying cooked shrimp with raw veggie sides or in wraps, tacos, etc. is perfectly safe. Only the shrimp needs thorough cooking to prevent foodborne illness.

Seafood and Veggies Living in Harmony

With all these tasty possibilities, why settle for lackluster shrimp paired with boring veggies? Use these creative veggie pairing ideas to take your shrimp recipes from bland to beautiful. Soon you’ll be an expert on cooking up succulent shrimp alongside the perfect veggie complements for memorable meals bursting with flavor, nutrition, and gorgeous colors. Get ready to fall in love with shrimp all over again!