15 Tasty Side Dishes to Complement Your Shrimp
Side dishes can enhance the flavors of shrimp, turning a simple meal into a culinary delight.
Consider pairing shrimp with a tangy mango salsa, a creamy risotto, or crisp garlic bread to create a harmonious plate.
The right accompaniments add depth and excitement, elevating your seafood to restaurant-quality fare.
Elote-Style Corn
Grilled corn on the cob brings joy to many.
Mexican-style elote stands out as a favorite, pairing perfectly with shrimp dishes.
This tasty treat features ingredients like mayonnaise, garlic, lime juice, and cotija cheese for a flavorful kick.
For those grilling shrimp, cooking corn alongside adds convenience and enhances the meal's taste.
Juicy lime wedges serve as an excellent garnish for extra zest on each bite.
Caesar Salad
Shrimp pairs wonderfully with a Caesar salad, which adds a touch of indulgence to any meal.
This classic dish features romaine lettuce and crunchy croutons, all coated in a rich dressing.
The dressing shines with flavors from Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, Dijon mustard, garlic, black pepper, egg yolk, lemon juice, olive oil and Parmesan cheese.
Originating from chef Caesar Cardini's kitchen long ago in Tijuana Mexico gives it an interesting history that enhances its appeal.
Greek Veggie Salad
A delicious Greek-inspired vegetable salad can elevate your shrimp dinner to a new level.
This dish combines fresh ingredients like English cucumber, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
Classic seasonings such as garlic and oregano enhance the flavor while Dijon mustard and fresh mint add an exciting twist.
For those wanting a heartier option, small cooked shrimp can be mixed in for added protein.
Serving this refreshing salad alongside rich pasta or heavy sauces creates a perfect balance on your plate.
Mango Guacamole
Fresh mango guacamole pairs beautifully with shrimp dishes like coconut shrimp or elegant shrimp scampi.
The combination of creamy avocado and sweet mango creates a lively flavor that enhances any meal.
Ripe mangos and avocados are essential for the best taste, while lime juice adds an unexpected twist instead of the usual lemon juice.
For added zest, consider including jalapeno pepper, but feel free to skip it for those who prefer milder flavors.
This cold dish tastes delightful alongside homemade tortilla chips or even good-quality store-bought ones.
Caprese Salad
A gorgeous Caprese salad comes alive with juicy, garden-fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, fragrant basil leaves, and rich extra virgin olive oil.
Adding a sweet and zesty balsamic reduction elevates the dish to something truly special.
This elegant salad is simple to prepare and stays fresh for lunch the next day.
For those wanting a hint of sweetness, mixing in a touch of honey works wonders.
Avocado slices or fruits like peaches and honeydew melon can also add exciting flavors to this delightful dish.
Pascagoula Potato Salad
On the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, seafood lovers enjoy a special twist on gumbo by pairing it with potato salad instead of rice.
This tangy cold salad adds a refreshing contrast to the warm, hearty flavors of shrimp gumbo.
Pascagoula potato salad stands out due to its generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese or tiny cheese cubes for added texture.
Chopped hard-boiled eggs enhance the creaminess and flavor as well.
Red new potatoes work best for this dish since they maintain their shape beautifully when mixed in.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw pairs wonderfully with shrimp, making it a popular choice at seafood restaurants.
Achieving the best coleslaw depends on how finely the cabbage is cut and how creamy the dressing is.
Homemade dressing offers a chance to customize flavors, and preparing it requires minimal effort.
For those looking to spice things up, adding ingredients like mangos, jicama, or carrots can enhance taste and texture.
A splash of lime juice introduces a refreshing kick that elevates this classic side dish even further.
Couscous Primavera
Couscous primavera takes inspiration from the classic pasta primavera, offering a healthy twist with its nutritious base.
A colorful mix of carrots, asparagus, shallots, cherry tomatoes, sweet peas, and bell peppers creates a delightful dish that pairs well with shrimp.
Although the ingredient list may seem long at first glance, preparing this side dish is quite straightforward.
Whipped ricotta adds creaminess and can be included if desired.
For an extra burst of flavor, fresh mint leaves and a hint of cayenne pepper elevate this recipe to new heights.
Baked Potato
Shrimp pairs wonderfully with a baked potato, which is often considered one of the best side dishes.
A well-prepared baked potato features a crispy skin and fluffy interior, making it an excellent complement to seafood.
The secret lies in using sea salt on the skin; this enhances flavor and helps create that desired texture by drawing out moisture.
Before baking, applying olive oil to the potatoes after poking holes allows for even better crispiness when sprinkled with salt.
Roasted Parmesan Asparagus
Asparagus reigns supreme among vegetables, offering a taste that far surpasses simple green beans.
When in season, this delightful veggie can be found at great prices.
Roasting brings out its best flavors; just trim the tough ends and toss it with sea salt, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
After about eight minutes in the oven, a delicious dish awaits you.
For easy cleanup afterward, lining your baking sheet with aluminum foil proves to be a smart choice.
Pesto Zoodles
Zoodles, or zucchini noodles, serve as a fantastic low-carb side dish for grilled shrimp.
These tasty strands mimic the texture of traditional pasta and pair well with various sauces.
Fresh basil enhances their flavor beautifully, especially when combined with olive oil-based sauces like pesto.
A recipe featuring basil and pumpkin seeds adds a delightful twist; using green pumpkin seeds (pepitas) will elevate the taste even more.
For an extra kick, red wine vinegar brings brightness to the dish; lemon juice can be swapped in if desired.
Grilled Kabobs
Grilled vegetable and fruit kabobs complement seafood wonderfully, especially shrimp.
Colorful ingredients like mushrooms, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion chunks, and mango shine in this dish.
Adding pineapple enhances the sweetness even more.
A drizzle of olive oil along with a sprinkle of dry seasoning rub elevates the flavors just before grilling.
Once the shrimp is ready on your hot grill, these kabobs make for a delicious side to enjoy alongside them.
Coconut Rice
Coconut milk adds a rich flavor to many South Asian and Thai dishes, making it an essential ingredient.
Keeping a couple of cans in your pantry can inspire delicious meals.
Jasmine or basmati rice cooked with coconut milk and chicken broth enhances any shrimp dish, especially when paired with grilled shrimp seasoned with cajun spices.
A hint of sugar creates a lovely sweetness, while cilantro and soy sauce introduce unique flavors that elevate the dish beyond regular fried rice.
For added texture and taste, consider mixing in chopped mango and pistachios for an exciting twist.
Macaroni Salad
A creamy mayo-based dressing adds richness to this macaroni salad, appealing to even the pickiest eaters.
Classic ingredients like red pepper, celery, and onion make it easy to prepare using what’s already in your kitchen.
Diced hard-boiled eggs or shredded cheddar cheese can enhance the dish further.
This salad pairs wonderfully with seafood and can be made up to two days ahead of time for convenience.
Leftovers taste great as lunch the following day too, making it a practical choice for any meal.
Au Gratin Potatoes
Potatoes serve as a hearty companion to shrimp dishes, making au gratin potatoes an excellent choice for side dishes.
Almost everyone enjoys this creamy delight, and it can feed many without breaking the bank.
Yukon gold potatoes shine in this recipe, especially when paired with generous amounts of cheese and cream.
A hint of garlic powder elevates the flavor even further.
Slicing the potatoes just right is essential; they should be thin enough to cook well while still maintaining some substance.
Arranging them upright in the cooking pan guarantees crispy edges that enhance each bite.