Shrimps are versatile seafood that can be cooked and eaten in multiple ways. You can fry, boil, grill, sautee, or cook shrimp in other ways to enjoy them. Among these many cooking styles, grilled shrimps are everybody’s favorite and one of the summer staples.
But what to serve with grilled shrimp? Grilled shrimp is easy to prepare and can be served with an infinite number of dishes. You can serve it as an appetizer and main dish in your feast.
So, if you have grilled shrimp on your menu and are looking for some exciting side dish ideas for dinner, here you go!
Note: To see the recipes, click the title of the side dishes.
15 Amazing Grilled Shrimp Side Dishes
1. Broccoli and Kale Caesar Salad
Caesar dressing makes everything taste better. So, if you doubt which salad should be on your menu for a light meal with grilled shrimp, make this traditional and easy salad because Caesar salad is a perfect grilled shrimp side.
All you need is some romaine lettuce, crispy croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing. Even thinking of it can make your mouth water. This salad will be equally flavorful, fresh, and crunchy. And by adding kale and roasted broccoli kale, you can add a punch to your salad. Be sure that everybody is going to love how amazing they taste together.
2. Greek Veggie Salad
If you want to add a special touch to your grilled shrimp meal which is a heavy meal, low-fat veggie salad can do the trick for you.
And especially when you are planning to serve your shrimp in cheesy pasta, with a creamy sauce, or with an equally hearty side dish, the greek veggie mix can bring a balance if you are looking for something light.
Feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and onions are must-have ingredients for the greek veggie salad. These items make the salad a refreshing side dish for any heavy meal.
However, if you want to add some more twists, try adding mint and Dijon mustard.
3. Macaroni Salad
Have you ever tried macaroni salad with any seafood? This delectable and quick macaroni salad is a great side dish to serve with your main shrimp dish.
Add boiled eggs, celery, and some colorful bell pepper to a creamy mayo-based dressing and mix them all. In the end, you will get a perfect side dish that is filling, flavorsome, and enhances the taste of your grilled shrimp.
Even picky eaters will love this combo!
4. Spinach Orzo Salad
Orzo salad with shrimp on the job can be your show-stopper entree. This terrific pasta salad substitute has the battery, bright taste of lemon and artichoke hearts, the beautiful green color of spinach and Parmesan, and fontina cheeses’ creamy textures.
Your guests will fall in love with everything about this side dish.
5. Caprese Salad
Caprese salad is a popular crowd-pleasing side dish. You can either follow the traditional recipe with red tomato, basil stack, and classic mozzarella to make this salad or mix everything with green tomatoes, honeydew melon, and burrata.
Both recipes will get you a refreshing, bright, and delectable salad that pairs perfectly with fresh grilled shrimp.
6. Pascagoula Potato Salad
To me, Pascagoula potato salad tops the potato salad kinds. For this potato salad, you will mainly need potatoes, bell peppers, cheddar cheese, and celery. Mix them with a tangy honey mustard dressing and prepare your Southern-inspired side dish.
7. Roasted Parmesan Asparagus
The healthy yet delicious asparagus is an excellent side dish to almost every main course. It is the perfect companion for grilled shrimp. This light side dish only takes 20 minutes of your time, and its recipe is too simple to follow.
Just get some fresh asparagus, slice them into small pieces if you want, put them in a mixing bowl, add garlic, olive oil, sea salt, and Parmesan and mix all of them. When the mixing is done, roast them in your oven.
Isn’t it very simple? But you will fall in love with the taste of those roasted asparagus.
8. Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
Coleslaw, a go-to summer dish, pairs incredibly well with any seafood, including grilled shrimp. It is easy to prepare and adds a vibrant and fresh vibe to your dinner table; no salad can beat it.
Traditional coleslaw recipes include vinegar, carrot, cabbage, and mayo dressing.
But this time, let’s make your coleslaw a bit more special. Add lime and cilantro, and lime juice to upgrade the flavor.
This terrific coleslaw will surely be the kind of side dish that you want to keep around your main dish.
9. Grilled Veggie & Fruit Kabobs
Grilled fruits and veggies are the perfect side dishes for having a barbecue party on a hot summer night. If you already use your grill for shrimp, why not grill something more? Because grilled fruits have their sugar caramelized and turn into healthy yet divine-tasting desserts.
You can use zucchini, cherry tomatoes, squash, onions, and peppers for your veggie kabobs.
For grilling fruits go for pineapples, strawberries, bananas, peaches, and melons of any kind. They will provide the best taste and complement the flavor of your grilled shrimp.
10. Pesto Zoodles
If you are confused, zoodles are simply zucchini noodles that are nutritious yet delicious. This side dish is perfect for you if you are counting your carb intake.
Just by adding pesto, chickpeas, and white cheddar cheese to your zucchini noodles, you can make them irresistible.
The subtle flavors of pesto zucchini will complement every shrimp recipe. Just serve them any sauce you can think of and find yourself appreciating the flavor.
11. Coconut Rice
Seafood pairs great with some steamy white rice. But when you serve seafood with crowd-pleasing coconut rice, be sure you have turned your meal into something interesting.
When you cook jasmine or basmati rice in a mix of coconut milk and chicken broth and toss them in pistachios, mangoes, and pistachios, you are creating the magic of flavor. This side dish will beautifully complement your main dish of shrimp.
12. Mango Guacamole
Are you craving some tropical vibe? In that case, go for mouth-watering mango guacamole for a side dish with your grilled coconut shrimp. Your tropical cravings will be more than satisfied.
Mango guacamole comes with all the essence of summer: a little spicy, tangy, sweet, and bursting with flavor.
Take a bite of bliss by dripping your shrimp or some tortilla chips into this full of flavors mango side dish.
13. Elote-Style Corn
Doesn’t everybody love steaming corn on the cob dripping in butter, a summer barbeque classic?
And you can make your everyday corn on the cob taste even better by preparing it following the Mexican Style Elote. Both you and your guests will be equally pleased with this delicious dish.
And the best part is that it’s quite simple. First, grill up your corn, then top it with lime juice, mayo, cheese, cotija, chili powder, and chopped cilantro. That’s it! Your finger-licking side dish is ready to be enjoyed.
14. Au Gratin Potatoes
If you are feeding a large group, a filling and tasty au gratin potato side can be your ideal side dish.
To make this hearty dish, you only need some Yukon gold potatoes, a lot of cheese and cream, garlic, and other spices. Serve this tasty dish next to your grilled shrimp and win hearts.
15. Almond Rice Pilaf
Serve your delicate, crispy, and dusted with flour popcorn shrimp on nutty rice pilaf. If you enjoy rice dishes as a side, this is a great alternative.
This tasty and toasted dish takes only about 20 minutes to be prepared. But everybody will feel full and pleased. Also, this flavorful rice pilaf will be perfect as a side dish for the main course. So, without any doubt, serve rice pilaf with grilled shrimp.
Best Grilled Shrimp Recipe for You
If you want to grill your shrimp more perfectly, this easy recipe is for you. Follow it all the way and enjoy your super delicious grilled shrimps.
Ingredients
- 2-pound large shrimp. ( Peel and devein properly)
- 1 large clove of garlic
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 wedges lemon
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the grill to medium.
Step 2: Crush the garlic with a pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix paprika and cayenne pepper to make a paste, and then add lemon juice and olive oil. In a large bowl, coat the shrimp with the garlic paste evenly.
Step 3: Place the shrimp on the grill and cook on each side for 2 to 3 minutes until they are opaque. Brush the grill grate lightly with oil. Then, serve immediately in a serving dish garnished with lemon wedges.
You can also use 1 teaspoon table salt instead of coarse kosher salt.
Note : You can also use 1 teaspoon table salt instead of coarse kosher salt.
Tip : Use aluminum foil for cooking shrimps evenly, retaining food moist. It will also make clean-up easier.
Wrap Up
Happy shrimp meal! Shrimp is mouth-watering seafood and even better when grilled. So, when you have a grilled shrimp for lunch or dinner, pair it with a couple of hearty side dishes I have mentioned above. Let me know which one you like the most.
Monica Nash is the seniormost writer at www.limitlesscooking.com. She is excellent at designing the content, and she understands how the audience will receive each piece of work. And yes, she cooks very well! Her 3-year of experience and dedication make the whole team energized.