Make one of these side dishes for a grilled shrimp dinner. These scrumptious salads and sides make for hearty companions.
What to serve with grilled shrimp
These grilled shrimp skewers are a tasty main dish for dinner or lunch. (Or breakfast, if you like shrimp and grits!)
My family enjoys them often in the summer for weeknight meals, or even weekend ones. Shrimp is an easy, quick-cooking protein with lots of nutrients, and you can dress it up or down depending on the occasion.
From tacos to pasta, there are so many ways to enjoy this treasure from the sea. One of my favorite ways is to marinate shrimp and then grill it — the hot grill pulls out so much flavor from both the shrimps and the marinade.
Dishes that go well with shrimp
Scroll down for a list of 20+ side dish recipes to enjoy with shrimp, but here are a few things about shrimp to keep in mind:
- Shrimp is a common protein in dishes of cuisines around the world, from African recipes, Asian food and European dishes to American (especially Southern) cuisine as well as Latin and South American dishes.
- It pairs well with fresh veggies, on salads or as a side dish. And fruits too, such as coconut and pineapple in tropical dishes.
- Grains are another great pairing for shrimp. Try rice, barley, quinoa, corn (grits), couscous, risotto and pasta.
- Shrimp also works well with breads, like tortillas or wraps. It works well in tacos, burritos and sandwiches like po-boys.
Once you figure out what to serve with grilled shrimp, you will have tons of recipe ideas to come back to every time you make it.
Sauces for grilled shrimp
Shrimp pairs well with all kinds of sauces and dressings. These would be perfect for all kinds of salads, pasta or grain bowls, tacos and wraps.
- Tomato-based cocktail sauce is a classic dipper for shrimp, and works with main dishes as well as appetizers.
- Apricot sweet & sour sauce is perfect for Asian-inspired dishes.
- A creamy tartar sauce is another must-have for all kinds of seafood dishes.
- Try a cilantro sauce for Tex-Mex meals like burritos tacos and wraps.
- In New Orleans, remoulade sauce is commonly used on po-boys. This one is often served on crabcakes or shrimpcakes.
- A homemade enchilada sauce will work well if you want to make shrimp enchiladas.
- Mix shrimp with pasta and homemade basil pesto (or kale pesto) for a tasty Italian dish.
- This Yum Yum Sauce is just like a restaurant's and ready in only 3 minutes! It is a perfect side accompaniment for grilled shrimp.
And now, let's get into some ideas for what to serve with grilled shrimp! I carefully curated these side dishes for shrimp from my own website and others on the web to bring you a variety of different veggies, cuisines and cooking methods.
Side Dishes for Grilled Shrimp
We love to make this veggie side dish, especially in the summer. You can make it in a grill basket while you grill the shrimp.
This easy, wrapped asparagus has tons of flavor and texture. It works well as an appetizer or side dish.
Homemade Caesar salad is fantastic with shrimp on top. Crisp romaine lettuce, croutons and fresh Parmesan cheese are all topped with a creamy homemade dressing that comes together in minutes!
Polenta is a scrumptious dish made from ground cornmeal that works well as a base for shrimp.
This easy Tomato and Zucchini Risotto is the perfect summer dish. Serve it on the side or as a meal.
Wrapping grilled shrimp with lettuce, rice and veggies is a yummy appetizer or meal. Serve them with rice and stir fry veggies on the side.
This Easy Pasta Salad recipe is a perfect summer side dish! The pasta salad is made with a mayo-free dressing and packed with vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, corn and topped with feta cheese.
Garlic brown butter green beans are the perfect vegetable staple for your dinner menu. These green beans go with so many entrees and they are so easy to make, whether it's with fresh or frozen green beans.
This refreshing Green Goddess salad is full of vibrant green veggies and it's the perfect side for shrimp. Crunchy and flavorful, you can't go wrong with this healthy recipe.
With grilled shrimp on top, there's a lot of texture in this salad of spinach, walnuts, goat cheese, fresh strawberries, diced apples and a homemade strawberry vinaigrette dressing.
This easy bakes in the oven, which locks in the flavor and moisture that makes this recipe so delicious. Serve with grilled shrimp on top, or use them in dishes like burrito bowls and tacos.
This panzanella toscana is a light and refreshing side salad, perfect to accompany any grilled shrimp!
This summery pasta dish would work well with crispy shrimp. Serve the shrimp on the side or on top.
These are the best Brussels sprouts! They are so crispy and then they’re tossed in sweet & spicy sauce you’re going to want to pour on everything!
This Mexican street corn salad without mayo is such a delicious side dish that has been lightened up a little. It goes perfectly with grilled shrimp.
This Simple Fruit Salad recipe is a classic for summer meals. It's a vibrant side dish for breakfast, brunch, showers, parties, or even dessert! Feel free to customize with whatever fruit you have on hand.
Summer slaw is a delicious side dish for grilled shrimp. With tomatoes, corn, peaches, and a tangy dressing, it's big on fresh summer flavors you'll love.
Aromatic lemon drill rice is a simple side dish that will enhance flavors so any grilled shrimp recipe. This rice is mad with pantry ingredients!
Five Minute Blender Salsa is the easiest way to enjoy fresh, delicious restaurant style salsa at home! One batch makes enough for a crowd and can be made in minutes with a blender or food processor. It's perfect for topping burrito bowls and tacos, or for using as a dipper for shrimp.
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