Best Side Dishes For Shrimp: 18 Tasty Side Dishes

Make your next seafood night one to remember with these delicious side dishes for shrimp.

Whether it’s barbecued, boiled, fried, fresh or frozen shrimp, this delicate protein is an all-time favorite. Shrimp has a way of elevating any dish, from creamy pastas to a simple stir fry!

There are so many ways you can enjoy shrimp, so the side dish options are endless. Flavors like garlic and lemon go especially well with shrimp and are featured in many of these delicious recipes!

You can enjoy barbecued shrimp with a pasta salad for a summer meal. Meanwhile, sautéed shrimp is delicious with a side like herb roasted vegetables.

If you’re bringing home fresh seafood, check out this amazing collection of shrimp side dishes. You’re bound to find the perfect pairing for dinner tonight!

01. Caesar Salad

This rich and creamy salad makes the perfect companion for grilled shrimp.

It’s hard to find someone that doesn’t like Caesar salad! This healthy side dish is strong on the umami, with a garlic anchovy dressing and grated parmesan cheese.

Add in some garlic bread and this caesar salad is just what you need to complete dinner. Toss the shrimp right in, or serve it on the side—your choice!

02. Macaroni Salad

A cold creamy macaroni salad is the perfect companion for any summer meal!

Crunchy celery, bell peppers and onion give this salad some juiciness and bite. The creamy dressing is a mix of sweet and savory thanks to mayonnaise and a hint of onion powder!

Have fun with this delicious salad by changing the pasta shape. I like pasta shells because they scoop up all that delicious dressing!

03. Grilled Corn Salad

All your favorite summer vegetables in one delicious side dish!

Grilled corn is peak summer food. It’s a little sweet, a little nutty, and has that perfect satisfying chew!

I like to keep the dressing simple to let the vegetables shine. All you need is olive oil, and a touch of apple cider vinegar to tie all the ingredients together.

04. Greek Salad

Try this grainy side when you need something heartier than a green salad!

This vegetarian barley greek salad is a great way to add fiber and nutrients to a meal! Ingredients like cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and vinegar give this recipe that classic greek salad tanginess.

You can serve this salad warm or cold, either way, it is delicious.

05. Au Gratin Potatoes

Create the ultimate comfort meal with tender shrimp and these decadent gratin potatoes!

The key to any gratin baked dish is the irresistible crispy layer on top! With this recipe, you’ll find soft creamy potatoes underneath a layer of crispy golden brown cheese.

These potatoes are super rich, but the flavors are a bit one note. Spicy grilled shrimp would provide a delicious contrast!

06. Zucchini Noodles

A low-carb way to enjoy your favorite pasta!

Not only are these zucchini noodles low carb, they’re also gluten-free and taste amazing! Like wheat pasta, these noodles soak up all your favorite oil, cream, or tomato based sauces.

This is a delicious and healthy way to serve up shrimp alfredo! Use a spiralizer or julienne peeler to get the perfect noodle shape.

07. Mashed Potatoes

Easy, but undeniably delicious! This is everyone’s favorite side dish, made better.

For the best mashed potatoes, use a creamy potato like Yukon Gold. Real butter and whole milk will give your mashed potato that decadent rich flavor.

This is an inexpensive side that you can’t go wrong with. Additions like sour cream, chives, and garlic powder can boost the flavor of these potatoes even more.

08. Grilled Veggies

Give leftover vegetables new life by grilling them!

Grilling caramelizes the sugars in vegetables and gives them a great smoky charred flavor. Add grilled vegetables like bell pepper to pasta, or simply enjoy as is with grilled shrimp.

Adding dried herbs like parsley and oregano will infuse flavor into your healthy veggies! I like to finish them off with a squirt of lemon juice to bring back that moisture.

09. Sweet Potatoes Fries

Serve up a Cajun feast with spicy fried shrimp and these Southern-inspired sweet potato fries.

Cayenne pepper provides the perfect amount of spiciness and smokiness for these fries. They soak up oil easily, so make them in the oven or air fryer to avoid an overly greasy dish.

Serve with shrimp and tartar or remoulade sauce for dipping. The creamy sauce will help cool down the spice!

10. Roasted Asparagus

When spring comes around, I find every reason possible to cook this appetizing vegetable!

It’s so simple to make fresh asparagus delicious, the trick is just to roast it! Add olive oil and garlic for flavor and the outside becomes wonderfully crisp, while the inside stays tender.

This roasted asparagus is delicious alongside creamy seafood pasta. Try adding grated parmesan while the asparagus bakes to make it cheesy!

11. Orzo

Change up your regular pasta dish by using orzo instead! This rice shaped pasta is absolutely delicious in creamy sides or cold salads.

To give your orzo extra flavor, cook it in chicken broth instead of water. It cooks in half the time as rice, so it’s perfect for quick meals.

I like to use orzo in place of rice in risotto! Cheesy orzo risotto with shrimp scampi is the perfect luxurious yet simple dinner.

12. Potato Salad

When you’re in a pinch, potato salad can rescue any meal.

This barbecue favorite travels well, is universally loved, and is also super simple to make! Savory additions like bacon, shredded cheese, and onion turn this ordinary salad into a decadent treat.

The trick is to let your potato salad marinate overnight. This allows the potatoes to absorb the creamy greek yogurt and dijon mustard dressing.

13. Coconut Rice

This aromatic rice will go with any Asian or tropical-inspired shrimp dish!

Creamy coconut milk gives this rice dish an infusion of tropical flavor. Slices of ginger provide a hint of sweet spiciness as well.

Use this rice with your favorite Thai shrimp curry, or as a side for coconut crusted shrimp! If you want a nuttier flavor, try making it with brown rice instead of white.

14. Garlic Bread

There’s nothing as simple and delicious as warm, crispy bread topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. When you’re serving a saucy shrimp dish, garlic bread is a must to sop it up!

Finely minced garlic and parsley give this buttery bread a burst of savory flavor. I like to add freshly grated parmesan cheese for a cheesy topping.

Crusty French bread makes the best garlic bread. If you want to impress your dinner guests, make your bread from scratch!

15. Elote

Elote will change how you serve grilled corn forever!

This roasted corn is sprinkled with Mexican spices and brushed with a creamy mayonnaise sour cream dressing. When you bite in, every kernel is bursting with flavor-infused juices.

Top off your corn with a sprinkle of tangy crumbled cheese and fresh cilantro. Serve this side with any spicy Mexican seafood dish for a real treat!

16. Classic Wedge Salad

Ditch all the cutting and chopping and opt for this simple and quick wedge salad.

It’s nice to have a refreshing salad with dinner, especially with spicy shrimp. This wedge salad won’t wilt like romaine lettuce, and every bite is filled with savory bacon and cheddar!

This classic wedge salad makes a great starter, or accompaniment to a barbecue dinner. And it’s mess-free, since there are no bowls or forks needed!

17. Sautéed Green Beans

Keep dinner simple and fresh with a side of these quick sautéed beans!

Green beans are my go-to side because they cook quickly and require so little to taste amazing. These buttery beans have the perfect tangy twist with the addition of a dijon mustard dressing.

In a hurry? Frozen green beans taste just as good as fresh, and will knock off some of the prep time!

18. Mango Salad

This sweet and savory salad will add a Mediterranean twist to your seafood dinner!

This colorful salad mixes tangy pomegranate, zesty lime juice, and super sweet mangos. This sweetness is balanced by savory elements like Aleppo hot pepper and sliced shallots.

This bountiful salad is full of nutrients and makes an eye-catching addition to the dinner table. Serve with garlic shrimp for a simple but elegant meal.