Grilled Shrimp Side Dishes
Grilled Shrimp Side Dishes are exactly what you need for the perfect pairing to a night filled with grilling!
The best side dishes are easy, make-ahead, and can be a great choice for any protein!
Whenever I talk about shrimp, I feel like I’m Bubba Gump waxing on poetically about his love of shrimp. For me, these are the kind of shrimp I love eating in the summer!
- Coconut Shrimp
- Fried Shrimp
- Shrimp Kabobs
My favorite one? GRILLED SHRIMP!
First, let’s chat about grilled shrimp.
If you’re hosting the next shrimp dinner – the shrimp will be the main event. There are lots of delicious versions of grilled shrimp, and I’ll show you my favorite way!
I like buying frozen shrimp, then thawing in a bowl of cold water for 20-30 minutes, depending on how many I’m making. It’s great to grill up a bunch of shrimp, then use them for the next few days in different ways for easy meal prep!
When I grill up shrimp, I keep to a simple recipe of sea salt, lemon zest, black pepper, and a little garlic powder. This is a great way to get some flavor but let the shrimp dish shine.
Be sure to make up a pot of plain white rice! A steaming bowl of jasmine rice with a squeeze of lime juice or even coconut milk is a great option for the right side dish that isn’t too heavy!
An Easy Shrimp Recipe has simple ingredients and makes a quick meal.
In a bowl, add your thawed, deveined, and peeled shrimp. Drizzle with olive oil and some seasoning over top. If you’re wanting a smoky flavor, my favorite seasoning blend is Smokehouse Maple. You can see how I made these shrimp with grits using that seasoning on a stovetop.
Fire up your outdoor grill (or your stovetop grill pan!) and get grilling! When planning your meal, choose a tasty side dish that you can grill the entire meal and keep your home cool without heating it up! Woo hoo!!
Let’s chat about Grilled Shrimp Side Dishes
There are so many delicious side dishes it’s hard to choose just a few! The best-grilled shrimp sides go well with your main dish, including tasty veggies and maybe one indulgent option!
First, you could make a Deviled Potato Salad. Not only can you make this the night before, but everyone loves it! It’s my favorite recipe for potato salad because it’s the best of egg salad and the best of potato salad. Super zippy and tangy with a vinegar bite. The sweetness from the pickle relish helps balance the entire easy side dish!
This Red Skin Potato Salad is a creamy blend of red-skinned potatoes, mayonnaise, sour cream, dijon mustard, crunchy celery, and bold spices. It’s a traditional side dish served at an outdoor picnic, barbecue, or summer cookout!
Another perfect side dish is Grandma Dorothea’s Corn Salad. This corn salad uses fresh produce, right from the garden! Talk about a summertime meal! It’s a healthy side dish that is filled with flavor.
This easy Cucumber Salad recipe combines thinly sliced cucumbers and onion with a tangy vinegar dressing. It’s a refreshing side dish that goes with absolutely EVERYTHING – perfect for any picnic, potluck, or backyard gathering!
Now, we can’t forget about making the perfect dish! Easy shrimp tacos and creating an all-in-one main course. Put out corn tortillas, a tangy coleslaw, and any other fresh taco toppings you like! Put these all out onto a big board, and let your people help themselves. Tortilla chips and salsa would go well with this recipe idea too! Pro Tip: if all of your people don’t like shrimp, or someone has an allergy, make a board with grilled meat on it, and serve with a side dish of rice or quinoa! People can make their own quinoa bowls and top them however they like.
Grilled Shrimp can be a versatile great appetizer!
Just the other night we grilled up some shrimp, served it alongside some homemade cocktail sauce before our filets were finished cooking! The perfect balance of surf and turf!
A big bowl of chopped romaine lettuce, some chopped bell pepper, grilled corn, and some feta cheese dressing! You’ve got the perfect shrimp salad for a hot summer evening when you don’t want to cook inside! I love a delicious salad in the summer months! The best thing is when you grow your own Little Gem Lettuce and make a Shrimp Louie Salad! Oh my…!
You can make garlic butter to toss your shrimp with, and create a grilled shrimp scampi! Add some fresh garlic to a stick of butter and melt it down. Add in some lemon juice, white wine, a few red pepper flakes, then toss with the grilled shrimp! To take this to the next level, add in some goat cheese crumbles for a creamy richness! YUM!
Give these Grilled Lemon Shrimp with Avocado Basil Dipping Sauce a try!
When you’re craving fresh asparagus, give this Parmesan Cheese Roasted Asparagus with Panko Breadcrumbs is just what you need! The asparagus comes out tender-crisp, and it’s packed with amazing flavor. Plus, it only takes about 20 minutes to make. It’s the perfect side dish for any occasion, or just for a simple dinner at home.
If you like a Tangy Carrot Slaw give this Morrocan Carrot Salad a try! This Spicy Moroccan Carrot Salad is filled with a medley of warm spices and vibrant flavors. It is a hearty and unique side dish that goes with just about anything.
Now, if you want an all-in-one meal idea, add your grilled shrimp directly to this Creamed Spinach with Caramelized Onions. Easy Creamed Spinach with Caramelized Onions is a delicious side dish recipe is that’s perfect for holiday dinners or special occasions.
Rudy’s BBQ Creamed Corn – Skip the canned creamed corn and make this delicious copycat Rudy’s BBQ creamed corn instead! This creamed corn is so easy to make in your crockpot or slow cooker.
A few more Grilled Shrimp Side Dishes
Marinated Vegetable Salad – A simple and refreshing, this marinated vegetable salad is a terrific side dish for any meal. Once all the veggies are chopped, it only takes a few minutes to finish it off!
Air Fryer Okra – For a quick and delicious snack or side dish, try this Air Fryer Okra! You only need 5 ingredients, and these okra fries take just 15 minutes to get browned and crispy in the air fryer.
I love having a big bowl of mashed sweet potatoes on the table with grilled shrimp. These Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Cumin Sage Butter are AMAZING!
Another round of delicious sides would be this Mediterranean Feta Mac and Cheese! This 5-ingredient Mediterranean feta mac and cheese is the perfect solution for when you crave a fresh twist on the old classic. It’s simple, light, delicious, and satisfying on its own, but it is also excellent served with chicken, pork, or steak for a meal your whole family will love!
A few tips for Outdoor Grilling
The best way to grill shrimp is to use high heat and grill the fresh shrimp very quickly.
I like to use skewers so it’s easy to grill a bunch at a time. As with any protein, when you go to flip the shrimps, if they’re sticking, just leave them be. They’ll tell you when they’re ready! If they pull off easily, they’re ready to flip!
Finally, invest in good grilling tools.
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