23 Best Side Dishes For Shrimp - Give It Some Thyme

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Shrimp is such a versatile seafood dish that’s enjoyed in so many ways. And here are 23 delicious side dishes for shrimp whether they’re getting grilled, fried, sauteed, boiled or roasted!

Plump shrimp twirled with pasta in a cast iron skillet with serving spoon and plates on the side.

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What can I do with a bag of shrimp?
Side Dishes for Shrimp
Pasta
Green Salad
Potato Salad
Pesto Zoodles
Greek Salad
Macaroni Salad
French Fries
Au Gratin Potatoes
Sweet Potato Fries
Tortilla Chips
Roasted Asparagus
Mashed Potatoes
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Red Cabbage Slaw
Caesar Salad
Risotto
Jasmine Rice
Veggie Kabobs
Brussels Sprouts
Couscous Primavera
Cornbread
Garlic Bread
Sides for Shrimp FAQs
Related Posts
More Shrimp Recipes!
💬 Comments

What can I do with a bag of shrimp?

I find buying frozen shrimp that’s peeled and deveined the best way to make quick weeknight meals that are fancy enough for a dinner party. Here are some different ways to serve shrimp as the main dish!

Shrimp Scampi
Cajun Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
Lemony Shrimp Risotto with Asparagus

No matter the shrimp recipe you’re preparing as the main course, here you’ll find a wide range of sides. From crisp salads to fresh veggies and healthy, seasonal options to more indulgent creamy and crispy carbs.

You don’t want to miss this collection of the best sides for shrimp to create a delicious meal. And, there’s something for everyone!

Side Dishes for Shrimp

Pasta

Nothing like garlicky shrimp scampi twirled with tender linguine in a buttery white wine sauce, wilted arugula and plenty of parmesan cheese. Got to love delicious comfort food on the table in 20 minutes!

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Green Salad

Top crisp romaine lettuce and refreshing cucumber with grilled shrimp and sweet corn for the ultimate summer salad. It’s coated in a sesame lime vinaigrette made with olive oil, fresh lime juice, sesame oil, soy sauce and honey.

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Potato Salad

Gluten-free and mayo-free potato salad with green beans, cherry tomatoes, shallots, feta cheese and green onion. The red potatoes and fresh vegetables are coated in a Dijon vinaigrette with fresh lemon juice and zest. A perfect side dish to make ahead!

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Pesto Zoodles

Photo Credit: diethood.com

Zucchini noodles are a perfect pairing with sauteed shrimp and then tossed in a bright basil pesto sauce. The shrimp and zoodles cook up in minutes, stir in the pesto and top with parmesan cheese. Such a simple recipe!

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Greek Salad

Photo Credit: cafedelites.com

Another great way to enjoy shrimp is with a Greek salad loaded with bell peppers, red onion, creamy feta and avocado. It’s dressed in a tangy red wine vinaigrette with plenty of dried oregano and freshly cracked black pepper. One delicious and healthy side dish!

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Macaroni Salad

Photo Credit: thesuburbansoapbox.com

One of the best sides to bring to a potluck or BBQ is a classic macaroni salad! Full of hardboiled eggs, diced onion, celery and red bell pepper in a creamy dressing that will pair perfectly with grilled shrimp.

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French Fries

Photo Credit: www.fifteenspatulas.com

Perfectly crisp yet tender French fries belong on the side of any kind of shrimp or seafood dish in my book. And they’re especially appropriate with a fried shrimp feast! You can always balance a fried meal with a light salad on the side.

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Au Gratin Potatoes

A great side dish for any occasion are these gratin potatoes layered with gruyere and parmesan cheese. Sliced leeks and fennel add flavor to the scalloped potatoes that are baked until melt-in-your-mouth tender and perfectly golden brown on top.

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Sweet Potato Fries

Nothing like sweet potatoes grilled to perfection then topped with a fresh cherry and corn salsa! You can use an outdoor grill or grill pan to get that tasty char. Put them over the top with queso fresco or cotija cheese. Always one of our favorite side dishes for shrimp!

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Tortilla Chips

Photo Credit: www.theconsciousplantkitchen.com

These homemade tortilla chips made in the air fryer are a healthy and delicious party snack made with just three ingredients! You’ll want to make large batches of this easy recipe which will fit in with your shrimp dinner and just about anything you’re serving!

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Roasted Asparagus

Photo Credit: cookieandkate.com

Simply roasted fresh asparagus is a great option when it comes to putting together a light and healthy meal centered around shrimp. You can vary the seasoning of the asparagus to complement the shrimp with lemon zest, fresh herbs, red pepper flakes or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

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Mashed Potatoes

Photo Credit: www.gimmesomeoven.com

A blend of starchy Russets and buttery Yukon golds result in the ultimate mashed potatoes! And you can easily change up the flavors with everything from bacon, cheese and roasted garlic to Cajun, Old Bay and Italian seasonings. Go with whatever will complement your shrimp best!

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Tortellini Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is loaded with fresh roasted vegetables and coated in a bright and flavorful basil pesto. It's a crowd-pleasing side for potlucks and picnics and can be made ahead. It’s a perfect choice when looking for a heartier side dish to go with shrimp.

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Mexican Street Corn Salad

Grilled elote-style corn is irresistible! Corn cobs go to the next level with a bit of char. The kernels are then mixed with a generous amount of cotija cheese, lime juice, red onion, poblano and jalapeno peppers. A great side dish for some spicy shrimp!

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Red Cabbage Slaw

A quick and easy, crisp and crunchy coleslaw coated in a tangy, Asian-inspired sesame-ginger dressing. A healthy and delicious year-round side dish with unique flavors perfect for garlic shrimp!

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Caesar Salad

Photo Credit: www.feastingathome.com

Nothing like the fresh, crisp crunch of chopped romaine in a classic Caesar salad with that notable creamy dressing. Blacken or grill shrimp to put your delicious salad over the top and remember those toasty croutons and parmesan cheese.

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Risotto

Add plump poached shrimp and your favorite veggies to a rich, creamy risotto and you have a complete meal that’s totally irresistible. Risotto does require a little patience so the rice can get tender from absorbing the chicken broth, but the wait is definitely worth it!

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Jasmine Rice

Photo Credit: www.onceuponachef.com

Enjoy this fragrant long-grain rice with coconut shrimp and you’ll have one delicious meal. This simple recipe is just water, the rice and salt. You can jazz it up with a little coconut milk for a creamier rice dish or leave it as is. You can’t go wrong!

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Veggie Kabobs

Photo Credit: theforkedspoon.com

Grilled kabobs of your favorite vegetables is a delicious side dish when enjoying the outdoors. Plus, you can customize them based on how you’re preparing the shrimp. These are drizzled with balsamic vinegar and brushed with a garlic herb sauce for extra flavor!

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Brussels Sprouts

Photo Credit: krollskorner.com

These honey balsamic brussels sprouts are perfectly caramelized with crispy edges outside and deliciously tender inside. They’re easy to prep then a hot oven does the rest. One of our favorite side dishes for just about anything!

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Couscous Primavera

Photo Credit: www.pineappleandcoconut.com

Israeli couscous is combined with grilled zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers and generously seasoned with parsley, oregano and garlic. Sounds like another perfect dish to top with some grilled shrimp!

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Cornbread

Photo Credit: grandbaby-cakes.com

This cornbread has a delicious, fluffy texture that’s not too sweet with perfectly crisp edges from baking in a cast iron skillet. A big slice will fit right in at your next shrimp dinner.

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Garlic Bread

Photo Credit: www.jocooks.com

When looking for what bread to serve with shrimp, you can’t go wrong with buttery, cheesy garlic bread! Slathered in seasoned garlic butter, topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and baked until gooey and crisp. Yum!

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Sides for Shrimp FAQs

What meat goes with shrimp?

Shrimp is so versatile and mild in taste, it can be deliciously combined with chicken like in this grilled skewers recipe. Create your own surf n’ turf with this slow roasted beef tenderloin or mix shrimp with sausage like in this stew with chorizo and andouille.

What wine goes with shrimp?

An oaky Chardonnay is a great choice to pair with shrimp for a range of preparations. A crisp, refreshing white wine like Prosecco, Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc is best for shrimp cocktail. A balanced pinot noir or cabernet sauvignon works well when the shrimp is cooked in deeply flavored sauces.

Can I combine shrimp with other seafood in a recipe?

Absolutely! Seafood and fish go very well together in recipes. You can combine shrimp with crab, scallops, mussels, clams, a variety of fish, and lobster for a special treat like this lobster and shrimp mac n’ cheese!

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Collage of four images showing side dishes for shrimp: tortellini pasta salad, risotto, red cabbage slaw and pasta.

More Shrimp Recipes!

Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Grits Recipe
Yum Yum Shrimp Wonton Cups
Spicy Adobo Shrimp Skewers with Mango Avocado Salsa
Orange and Honey Glazed Shrimp

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Reader Interactions

Comments

I definitely don't need any side to enjoy shrimp, but of course pasta and salads always are a great option. So many wonderful ideas, and they all look tasty!
Reply
- Thanks Ben! Totally agree, I could easy just enjoy a pile of shrimp!
  Reply
I've always loved shrimp, but it really can be tricky knowing what to serve with it. These ideas are all fantastic... and I'm loving the looks of those sweet potato fries!
Reply
- Thanks so much! They're soooo good!
  Reply

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Kim | Creator and Author of Give it Some Thyme

Welcome! I'm Kim - author, recipe developer, and food photographer behind Give it Some Thyme. Here you'll find wholesome, classic and contemporary recipes that make memorable meals every home chef can prepare. Pull up a chair!

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