13 Best Side Dishes For Shrimp - The Spruce Eats

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Cook Up a Full Seafood Dinner

By Cathy Jacobs

Cathy Jacobs A journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections. Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process Published on 08/20/20 Close

Grilled Corn Salad — The Spruce/Leah Maroney

Wondering what to serve with shrimp? Whether you like your shrimp grilled, breaded, sauteed, barely cooked in ceviche, or folded into creamy pastas, you'll find a perfect pairing here. We've collected our favorite side dishes recipes that you can serve with every kind of shrimp to round out a seafood lunch or dinner.

What Is Shrimp?

01 of 08
Parmesan-Ricotta Polenta

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Make a meal out of breaded butterfly shrimp by adding a side of creamy polenta. This version is luxuriously rich and cheesy, with a one-two punch of creamy ricotta and Parmesan. To avoid splattering your stovetop while whisking or stirring, use a pan with tall sides, or employ your Dutch oven.
02 of 08
Sautéed Asparagus With Lemon

The Spruce

When you're craving a lighter dinner, create an elegant meal for two or more by pairing garlicky shrimp scampi with fresh green asparagus. You'll go back again and again to this easy, classic technique for pan-sautéeing crisp-tender asparagus with lemon, butter, a little white wine, and your choice of herbs.
03 of 08
Spanish-Style Green Salad (Ensalada Verde)

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Singing with a simple red wine vinaigrette, this super-easy, tossed green salad is the perfect pairing for creamy shrimp pasta. Every refreshing bite will cleanse your palate, allowing you to enjoy your dinner even more. Use mild iceberg lettuce or crunchy romaine hearts for a salad that will balance, but not compete with a richer main.
04 of 08
Tostones (Fried Green Plantain Chips)

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Turn a shrimp ceviche appetizer into a satisfying lunch or light dinner when you serve it with twice-fried tostones. This recipe is great introduction to plantains for home cooks trying this ingredient for the first time. It makes a delicious alternative to store-bought tortilla chips as a dipping vehicle for ceviche.
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05 of 08
Butternut Squash Cornbread

The Spruce-Diana Rattray

Shrimp and cornbread together bring a taste of New Orleans to your kitchen. Baked with butternut squash, this tender cornbread is more nutritious than most, and makes a fabulous side dish for fried breaded shrimp. Serve them together at game day events, cookouts, and other casual gatherings when you host guests.
06 of 08
Pasta With Spinach Pesto Sauce

Diana Rattray

Whiz up this fresh, vibrant, green spinach pesto sauce in a food processor, and freeze it in ice cube trays, for an instant pasta sauce that's always at the ready. Store the frozen cubes in an airtight bag, and add one or more to freshly-cooked, al dente noodles, stirring well to combine. Top with quickly stir-fried shrimp for an elegant seafood pasta dinner you can get on the table in minutes.
07 of 08
Almond Rice Pilaf

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Take comfort food to the next level when you top a bowlful of nutty rice pilaf with crunchy, tender popcorn shrimp coated with flour and seasonings. You need just 20 minutes to make the toasty, savory rice with slivered almonds. The combo of rice and shrimp is easy enough to eat in front of the television, but tastes special enough for guests.
08 of 08
Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Diana Rattray

Tired of the same soup-and-sandwich lunch? Enjoy this loaded baked potato soup with a plate of breaded shrimp, for a delicious change from the everyday. If you can't resist the temptation to dip the shrimp into the creamy potato chowder, we promise to look the other way.