Skip to Content

18 Best Side Dishes for Shrimp (What to Serve with Shrimp)

Shrimp is an all-time favorite that can be enjoyed all year round. It’s such an extremely versatile delicacy. You will be spoiled for choice on how to prepare it!

Side Dishes for Shrimp

Perfect stir-fried, boiled, or grilled shrimp is tasty but can also be accompanied by mouth-watering side dishes.

If you have been wondering what goes with shrimp, read on. We have selected a thorough list of some of the best side dishes for shrimp so you can plan the perfect meal for your next party or family dinner.

1 Steamed Broccoli

What’s better than a wholesome, delicious meal? A delicious meal that’s also healthy! Packed with vitamins C and K, iron, and fiber, broccoli definitely makes a great side dish for shrimp.

And not just that! Broccoli is among the vegetables with the highest protein content.

Easy to steam in a quick 7 minutes (you don’t want to steam it for longer as it will lose some of its amazing properties and taste), this superfood vegetable is best steamed over a steaming basket.

Just throw the broccoli into the basket when the water is on the verge of boiling and set the timer for 6 minutes. Bon appetite!

2 Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan

Who doesn’t love cheese? This easy-peasy roasted asparagus recipe is a sophisticated combo of salty, crunchy, and sweet.

So if you were asking yourself what vegetables are good with shrimp, you might want to try this simple recipe.

Just preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, butter or oil up a 9×13 casserole dish before laying the asparagus there (making sure it’s nice and spread in cooking oil or “sprinkled” with butter).

Add a few pinches of parmesan cheese, salt, and garlic powder to taste. Roast for about 12 minutes.

Tip: Asparagus is often bought in bunches. If you worry you won’t be able to consume all of it right away, just cut off the non-edible stems and keep it in a glass with a little water like you would a bouquet.

This will help your asparagus keep for a long time in the fridge.

3 Macaroni Salad

If you wonder what to serve as a shrimp side dish everyone will adore, what best option than going with a classic? Macaroni salad has long been a favorite at parties, potlucks, and family dinners and is successful among adults and children alike.

The preparation is so easy! Just throw elbow macaroni together with vegetables such as red pepper, onion, and celery. Add hard-boiled eggs or diced cheddar cheese for protein. Top it up with your favorite mayonnaise.

Tip: while this is ou go-to recipe, feel free to be creative. You can add virtually any raw vegetable you like and use a different protein such as tuna.

4 Greek Salad

So you are planning the perfect menu for your BBQ and wondering what to serve with grilled shrimp? Nothing like the minty fresh Greek salad to enhance the taste of summer.            

The traditional ingredients of this Mediterranean culinary gem consist of tomatoes, cucumber, green bell peppers, olives, red onion, and feta cheese.

The modern version allows for a handful of aromatic mint leaves for added taste.

Tip: The right choice of olive can make or break your Greek salad! Go for black, Kalamata olives, and a sample of Greek cuisine. These will bless your side dish with slightly sour, salty notes and a definite flavor.

5 Apple Salad

If you are looking for a gluten-free side that goes well with shrimp and is also packed with vitamins and minerals, this 15-minute apple salad recipe is the perfect choice for you!

Simply dice up a few apples and sprinkle them in lemon juice. Add chopped-up celery and mayo. Store in the fridge and once you are ready to serve, add pecans, macadamia, or your choice of nut.

Secret ingredient: Feel free to add marshmallows to taste. Kids and grown-ups will love it!

6 Broccoli Salad

An all-time staple just like this easy broccoli salad is just what goes perfectly with your fried shrimp. Ideal for parties, potlucks, and BBQs, this is a nutritious and well-balanced side meal that beautifully complements seafood.

This recipe features sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese, and dried cranberries for a sweet touch, along with chopped raw broccoli.

Just mix ingredients together with finely chopped onion, salt, and vinegar to taste, and your choice of dressing (we like mayo).

7 Mango Guacamole

In for a delicious vegan, paleo, and gluten-free option for guests with dietary restrictions?

Perfect as a stand-alone dish/appetizer for your friends and family who might not be into shrimp, this lovely mango salad also complements seafood spectacularly – meaning everybody wins!

Much like the original guac, this recipe is super fast and delicious, with the added benefit of fresh, delicious mango.

Mix the avocados with red onions, salt, jalapenos, lime, mango, and tomato, and sprinkle with fresh coriander leaves.

8 Potato Salad

Another classic loved by all; potato salad perfectly complements your serving of shrimp.

Hearty and nutritious yet unpretentious, this culinary staple is filing and guaranteed to be a success.

This classic American recipe features readily available ingredients such as Yukon gold potatoes, white vinegar, hard-boiled eggs, celery, green onion, yellow mustard, and, of course, Miracle Whip.

The potatoes can be boiled or steamed for about 30 minutes.

9 Homemade Mash Potatoes

When we think about easy yet beloved recipes, we can’t fail to mention mash potatoes! A staple of North American cuisine, this amazing side will complement any of your favorite protein-based dishes.

These, of course, include your favorite shrimp recipe.

Not unlike many simple recipes, the key to the perfect homemade mash potatoes lies in detail.

It is best to use a blend of potatoes rather than picking only one type, and you want to invest in a good blender for smooth and rich results.

Tip: do not overboil the potatoes. Check the consistency with a knife or a fork and drain once it encounters little to no resistance.

10 Sauteed Vegetables

Protein-rich second courses such as shrimp are sometimes best served with hearty vegetable sides packed with vitamins, fiber, and healthy minerals.

And the best part is, you can make them tasty, too!

The colorful presentation of this side dish itself will make your family or guests want to try it. Just dice up your veggies and sautee them.

Add some extra flavor with your favorite mix of herbs, extra-virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of lemon, and optional parmesan cheese.

11 Roasted Garlic Parmesan Brussel Sprouts

A delicious variation of the previous recipe is the one for roasted garlic Parmesan Brussel sprouts.

Pretty self-explanatory, but this alternative preparation method consists of adding parmesan and aromatic garlic for extra deliciousness.

This added touch will complement the shrimp’s strong flavor and create an interesting contrast. A dense and nutritious side dish can also act as a second course for guests who might not be into seafood.

12 Caesar Salad

So you are in the mood to fancy it up and impress your guests with the perfect complement to your serving of shrimp? Look no further!

Caesar salad is an ever-green of North American cuisine. And reasonably so. The intriguing combination of crunchy bread croutons and smooth leaves and the lovely contrast of salty and sweet gets people hooked.

This particular recipe is enriched with garlic croutons and parmesan cheese. It only takes a short time to prepare and is guaranteed to be a success.

13 Fried Rice

Still, wondering what to serve with shrimp? How about a classic? Fried rice and shrimp are a match made in heaven!

Traditionally a beloved Chinese recipe, fried rice has become increasingly popular on a global scale. This version is our favorite, thanks to the richness of the ingredients and fragrant spices.

14 Buttered Boiled Potatoes

In for another mouth-watering potato recipe? These buttered boiled potatoes are going the be a hit!

Quick and easy to prepare, these beauties combined the buttery creaminess of the potatoes with the fresh aroma of herbs, peppercorn, and garlic.

No matter your choice of presentation for the shrimp, this buttered potatoes recipe is bound to enhance that highly distinctive seafood flavor.

15 Homemade Coleslaw

Your heavier shrimp-based dishes, such as fried shrimp, can benefit from being paired with something light and fresh like this lovely homemade coleslaw salad!

This yummy recipe is best made with a combination of red and green cabbage and creamy mayo-based dressing!

Tip: Want to give your side dish of coleslaw salad a unique touch? Add one tablespoon of maple syrup to your recipe, and be prepared for people to ask you about your secret ingredient.

16 Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes

You guessed it! We love potatoes! And what better side to eat with shrimp? This easy creamy au gratin potatoes recipe adds that sophisticated French touch to your favorite shrimp dish.

No matter the occasion, this delicatessen will make some heads turn.

This is a simple recipe yet, much like most baked meals. It will take roughly a couple of hours to cook to perfection. For this reason, you might want to get ahead with your prep.

Tip: The flavor of this milky and creamy recipe can be enhanced to perfection with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

17 Homemade French Fries

There’s nothing like a good observation of French fries to bring everyone on the same page.

This staple of Western cuisine has a long tradition of complementing all-time favorite dishes, including shrimp. Served with your choice of dip, your homemade French fries will be a success among your guests.

Taking the time to make your French fries is an easy and rewarding experience. Try the double-fry method for best (and crispiest!) results.“

18 Zucchini Noodles

So maybe you are in the mood for something different or have guests with special dietary requirements such as gluten-free or vegetarian?

This zucchini noodle recipe might be perfect for you. Also known as “zoodles”, this easy recipe will only require accessible tools such as a julienne peeler.

A light yet flavorful dish, zoodles complement your shrimp dish as they pair up nicely with the strong seafood taste and zucchini’s minty freshness.

Cooking to perfection is paramount in this recipe, so watch out not to overcook by following all the steps thoroughly.

Side Dishes for Shrimp

18 Best Side Dishes for Shrimp (What to Serve with Shrimp)

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 lbs fresh broccoli
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 c olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • Pinch cayenne pepper
  • 8 ounces linguine or thin spaghetti
  • Grated Romano or Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Dice up the broccoli’s florets and the edible (softer) bits of stems into mid-sized pieces.
  2. In a large cast-iron throw and mix the broccoli with garlic, oil, and spices, and sautee stirring frequently for about 10 minutes.
  3. Rince the cooked past and put it in a mixing bowl, mix in with the broccoli. Add cheese to taste.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Skip to Recipe