Unlock the full potential of your appetizer by pairing it with these delectable fried shrimp sides. Whether you’re in the mood for something light and refreshing or rich and indulgent, there’s a vast array of options to choose from. For comfort food enthusiasts, consider combining cheesy scallops with a creamy macaroni salad or a hearty, crunchy coleslaw. If you’re planning a party or special occasion, why not grill some vegetables and serve them with a tangy cocktail sauce?
The beauty of these sides lies in their versatility – they’re just as delicious when paired with other proteins as they are with fried shrimp. With such an extensive selection, you’ll be able to cater to any crowd size or personal preference, making it easy to feed everyone from a small gathering to a large event.
Popeye’s French Fries
Allow us to take a moment to appreciate the simplicity and perfection of Popeye’s fries. The combination of crispy texture and tender interior is elevated by the subtle kick of Cajun seasoning, making them truly unforgettable. Fortunately, they’re baked in-house, not fried, so you can indulge in this guilty pleasure without too much guilt.
Best Tartar Sauce
Creating the perfect condiment is as simple as combining a few basic ingredients. This classic tartar sauce recipe requires just 10 minutes of preparation time, making it ideal for last-minute gatherings or everyday snacking. Begin by mixing mayonnaise with capers, lemon juice, chopped fresh dill, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard to form the base of your tartar sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Once prepared, store this tangy condiment in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Creamy Garlic Shells
Creating an indulgent experience with every bite, this creamy pasta dish is the ultimate comfort food. Combining succulent fried shrimp with a rich and velvety sauce, it’s like being enveloped in a warm hug by grandma – cozy, comforting, and utterly satisfying. One of its standout features is how each shell perfectly traps the cheesy garlicky goodness within, making every mouthful a delight to savor.
Additionally, this recipe’s practicality lies in its use of ingredients that are likely already stocked in your pantry, making it an accessible treat for anyone craving a comforting meal.
Elote Mexican Corn
Hosting a fiesta in your kitchen is just as easy as pairing your meal with elote! This popular Mexican street food has captured my heart and taste buds alike, and for good reason – its combination of flavors and textures makes it an ideal accompaniment to any dish. To prepare this delicious corn, you simply need to slather an ear of corn with a mixture of mayo and Mexican crema, then top it with the perfect blend of cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
While grilling is always the preferred method when the weather cooperates, boiling or roasting can be just as effective if you’re looking for an alternative.
Benihana Fried Rice
Veering away from Benihana’s restaurants is not necessary to savor their signature fried rice. You can easily recreate the dish at home using this simplified copycat recipe. This adaptation is perfect for repurposing leftover rice and cooked chicken, making it a practical solution for meal prep.
Buttered Noodles
Beyond the simplicity of its preparation, this egg noodle dish is a crowd-pleaser that kids will devour in no time! All you need are egg noodles and butter, which blend together seamlessly. For an even more satisfying experience, consider adding some vegetables or topping it off with crispy fried shrimp to transform it into a complete meal.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Zest up your mealtime with this mouth-watering potato dish that’s perfect as a side to fried shrimp. Every thinly sliced potato is smothered in a rich and creamy cheddar cheese sauce, making it an instant hit with family members of all ages. The best part? The ingredients are incredibly easy to source, and the preparation process can be simplified by using a mandolin to slice the potatoes perfectly. However, if you don’t have one, don’t worry – a little patience and skill will get the job done.
Avocado Mango Salad
Reenergize your mealtime routine with this vibrant fruit salad, an unbeatable pairing that combines the best of tropical flavors. Not only does it tantalize your taste buds with its zesty and fresh notes, but it’s also packed with nutritious goodness, making you feel a little more virtuous when indulging in fried shrimp. Even without the presence of seafood, this light and revitalizing salad makes for an excellent option as a mid-day pick-me-up.
Grilled Vegetables
Delicious grilled veggies are an essential side dish that pairs perfectly with many summer meals, including fried shrimp on a warm sunny day. Ditch the traditional oven method and fire up the grill instead, which not only adds smokiness but also brings out the natural sweetness of various vegetables. The beauty of grilling veggies lies in their tender and slightly charred texture, making them an ideal accompaniment to any dish.
Moreover, you can experiment with a wide range of vegetables, from bell peppers to zucchini, and they will cook quickly, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
Fresh Corn Salad
Make the most of your summer gatherings with this delicious corn salad. Whether you’re hosting a pool party, barbecue, or simply enjoying a meal on the front porch, this side dish is sure to impress. Its fresh medley of flavors includes corn, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet red onions, all perfectly balanced by a hint of parsley and a zesty touch from apple cider vinegar. The best part?
It’s incredibly easy to make, requiring only three simple steps: chop the ingredients, combine them in a bowl, and season with your favorite flavors. You can also repurpose leftover grilled corn or use boiled or raw corn for added convenience.
Pesto Pasta
Delighting in simple yet satisfying dishes is one of my favorite things about cooking! A pesto pasta side dish is a great option, as it’s incredibly easy to make and requires minimal expertise or ingredients. All you need is high-quality pesto sauce, some store-bought pasta, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Combine these ingredients with a bit of effort, and you’ll have a delicious and well-rounded meal in no time. Plus, the best part?
You can easily scale up or down the recipe depending on your guest list.
Amish Potato Salad
Veering away from the ordinary potato salads, Amish potato salad takes creamy to a whole new level. Imagine taking the creamiest potato salad you’ve ever had and multiplying its richness by 10 – that’s what Amish potato salad is all about. Whether it’s a potluck or cookout, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, with everyone raving about its exceptional flavor. The combination of creamy goodness with the crispy fried shrimp makes for an unbeatable match.
Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer
Making the switch from regular fries to a healthier alternative can be a game-changer for your diet. Sweet potato fries are an excellent option as they provide a good amount of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium in every serving. When prepared using an air fryer, you not only reduce the cooking oil required but also preserve more nutrients than deep-frying methods. The true appeal of sweet potato fries lies in their irresistible flavor and satisfying texture that will keep you coming back for more.
Grandma’s Macaroni Salad
Keeping family traditions alive is one of life’s greatest joys, and what better way to do so than by sharing a treasured recipe passed down through generations? In this case, I’m thrilled to share my grandmother’s iconic macaroni salad recipe with you.
To make it just like grandma used to make, you’ll need some essential ingredients, including elbow macaroni, crunchy bell peppers, and fresh celery, not to mention a dollop of creamy mayo and some carefully selected flavor enhancers from the pantry. The key to truly bringing out the flavors is allowing the salad to chill in the refrigerator for a while, giving all the ingredients time to meld together harmoniously.
KFC Coleslaw
Zest up your fried shrimp game with a secret ingredient that’s been perfected by the Colonel himself – KFC Coleslaw! It’s no surprise why this coleslaw is a fan favorite; its unique blend of crunchy and creamy textures, combined with the perfect amount of tanginess, makes it a match made in heaven. But what if I told you that you can recreate this mouth-watering masterpiece at home? The best part? It only takes 10 minutes to whip up!
I’ve cracked the code, and now I’m sharing my secret recipe with you.
Spanish Rice
Creating a flavorful accompaniment to fried shrimp requires a bit more effort than plain rice. While plain rice may be suitable for certain dishes, its simplicity falls short when paired with the rich flavors of fried seafood. This is where Spanish rice comes in – a side dish that elevates the entire meal with its bold and savory taste profile. The addition of garlic, tomato sauce, cumin, and bouillon creates a depth of flavor that plain rice simply cannot match.
Chopped cilantro adds a fresh and herbaceous note to balance out the richness of the other ingredients, making it a perfect complement to fried shrimp.
Chopped Salad
Elevate your mealtime experience with a delicious combination of flavors and textures! Imagine sinking your teeth into crispy fried shrimp perched atop a fresh and crunchy mix of two types of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and parmesan cheese. The homemade Italian dressing brings everything together perfectly. But it’s not just the taste that makes this dish stand out – it’s also incredibly quick to prepare!
Shrimp cooks rapidly, and the salad itself can be tossed together in about 15 minutes. This means you can enjoy a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Fried Yellow Squash
Often, when indulging in fried seafood like shrimp, it’s hard not to crave other crispy treats. And why not? I’ve discovered a delightful solution that satisfies both your cravings and your conscience: fried yellow squash! This guilty pleasure has a sweet flavor and an irresistible texture that will leave you hooked. The key to its success lies in the batter – using cornmeal gives it a unique twist. And, as with any frying endeavor, precision is essential.
To avoid burnt or soggy results, invest in a cooking thermometer to monitor your oil’s temperature.
Ina Garten Pasta Salad
Just what you need for a gathering or picnic – a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. This copycat Ina Garten pasta salad recipe is incredibly simple, yet packed with flavor. To give it a Mediterranean twist, combine cooked pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, pungent olives, and crumbled feta cheese. The real magic happens when you drizzle the entire dish with a zesty sun-dried tomato dressing, bringing all the flavors together in perfect harmony.
Whether you’re hosting a party or simply want a tasty accompaniment to your favorite meals, this pasta salad is sure to become a staple.
Greek Salad
Bursting with flavor and freshness, this versatile salad isn’t limited to just fried shrimp as its protein pairing. In fact, lamb, chicken, and fish all work beautifully alongside it. The possibilities are endless when you consider that it’s perfect for tossing any grilled meat or seafood on top of the vibrant mix.
What makes this summery delight truly shine is its medley of refreshing ingredients, including crisp cucumbers, generous chunks of salty feta cheese, plump cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and a sprinkle of fresh mint leaves.
Mushroom Tacos
Taking the concept of fusion cuisine to a new level, these mushroom tacos are an exciting combination of Mexican and Asian flavors. With their savory, umami, and spicy characteristics, they seamlessly blend two distinct culinary traditions. While you can experiment with various mushroom varieties, I have a special fondness for oyster mushrooms when paired with succulent shrimp.
Whether you decide to serve them as a side dish or use the mushrooms as a base topped with shrimp, this innovative food pairing is sure to delight your taste buds.
Heinz Chili Sauce
Not surprisingly, Heinz chili sauce shares many similarities with ketchup – it’s like the grown-up version of the condiment we all loved as kids. Many people still have a strong affinity for smothering their food in it, just like they did with ketchup when they were younger. The flavor profile is characterized by its sweetness and tanginess, but what sets it apart from ketchup is its complete lack of heat.
If you’re looking to add an extra kick, you can try adding cayenne pepper while the sauce is simmering.
Air Fryer Asparagus
Generally speaking, air fryer asparagus is one of my top picks when it comes to side dishes for seafood dinners – including fried shrimp. One reason I love using the air fryer for this particular recipe is that it’s incredibly easy to prepare, and you can achieve perfectly cooked results without having to use a lot of oil. In contrast, when I try to cook asparagus in other ways, I often end up with soggy spears due to over-oiliness – which I blame on the trusty old olive oil bottle!
Thankfully, the air fryer is here to save the day, and I highly recommend using it for this recipe. To give your asparagus that extra oomph, be sure to sprinkle some garlic, parsley salt, and parmesan cheese over the top – it makes all the difference.
Chow Mein
Taking hunger pangs into consideration, let’s say you’re famished on a scale of 1 to 10. If your craving is an insatiable 11, then the perfect pairing for your succulent shrimp would undoubtedly be chow mein. These are indeed some of the most slurp-worthy noodles I’ve had the pleasure of savoring. Furthermore, you won’t need to spend hours cooking away in the kitchen; a swift 5-minute cook time is all that’s required once you have gathered your necessary ingredients.
Afterward, simply place those plump and luscious shrimp on top, and you’re ready to indulge.
25 Best Fried Shrimp Sides (+ Easy Recipes)
Just as the vote reflects the diversity of the menu’s offerings, these side dishes showcase the variety of flavors and textures that can complement the star of the show – the fried shrimp. From classic comfort foods like fries and noodles to lighter options such as salad and steamed veggies, there’s something for every palate on this list.
Instructions
Delving into the culinary world, it’s essential to streamline the process of preparing a meal. To do this, start by choosing a recipe that you’re familiar with and enjoy cooking. Next, gather all the necessary ingredients to avoid last-minute trips to the store. Finally, allocate 30 minutes or less to prep a side dish, such as one that complements your fried shrimp.
