The best sides for Grilled Shrimp Skewers are Fried Cauliflower Rice, Broccoli and Cannellini Beans, Sautéed Spinach and Tomatoes, Tangy Coleslaw, and Grilled Corn on the Cob.
Fried cauliflower rice, sweet potato fries and roasted mushrooms and veggies are some items you can serve with shrimp.
For a lighter option, try Grilled Corn on the Cob. Grilled Corn on the Cob -
When serving grilled shrimp, it would be unfair to leave out the corn.
Shrimp is wonderfully delicious no matter how you cook them.
Grilling is one of the methods that bring out shrimp flavors very nicely.
The dish also becomes convenient when making kabobs as you can eat them directly from the skewers.
Hence, the seafood dish is a frequent feature in many events.
They also pair nicely with different foods.
Hence, you don't have to worry much about what to serve with grilled shrimp skewers.
Tangy coleslaw, fried cauliflower rice, sweet potato fries and roasted mushrooms and veggies are some items you can serve with shrimp.
10 Side Dish Ideas for Grilled Shrimp Skewers
You can serve and enjoy the following items with grilled shrimp skewers - or consider salad main dish ideas for hearty meals.
1 - Fried Cauliflower Rice
We'll begin the list with a filling dish.
Rice makes a lovely combo with grilled shrimp, but why not use something else for a change - explore chicken fried rice side suggestions for pairings for more rice-style options.
It's fresh, different, and also a healthier option for rice.
Besides, making cauliflower rice is easy.
You can take the dish one step further by making a fried version and we guarantee it will be even tastier.
Cauliflower is also versatile and pairs well with other veggies.
To make the dish look and feel exactly like rice, add peas.
They taste good and the combo is great.
2 - Broccoli and Cannellini Beans
Shrimp tastes good with almost all the veggies; hence you have plenty of options - see beef and broccoli side ideas for hearty pairings for inspiration that highlights broccoli.
You can make a dish with broccoli because it's yummy and makes a great pairing with grilled shrimp.
But instead of using only broccoli, you can add a legume like cannellini beans to add more taste and intensity.
You'll have a more filling and flavorful dish that will taste amazing.
While you can use dried beans for the dish, canned cooked beans can be more convenient.
It's also a good idea to avoid purchasing broccoli with yellow flowers for the dish.
These would be good for stews and soups.
3 - Sautéed Spinach and Tomatoes
It's one more veggie dish, but it clicks perfectly with grilled shrimp skewers, so we promise you won't be disappointed.
Spinach is a tasty leafy green, and relatively healthy.
It's also a versatile veggie and sautéing is one of the methods to cook spinach - for other spinach-centric sides, consider spinach dip side ideas for dipping menus.
Sautéed spinach tastes good but adding some tomatoes can boost its flavor even more.
Besides the two vegetables, you'll only need salt, pepper, garlic and olive oil.
Spinach shares a similar taste profile with beets and chard.
More matured leaves can be slightly bitter, so make the dish with baby spinach leaves for a milder flavor.
4 - Tangy Coleslaw
A cabbage salad can also make a suitable pairing with grilled shrimp.
Coleslaw is one of the most versatile items frequently served on various occasions.
It's flavorful and adds a fresh aspect to your meal.
Coleslaw is a typical dish worldwide but has different names in different places.
A mayo-based and vinaigrette dressing are two popular condiments for coleslaw.
But you can have a creamy and tangy dressing by adding apple cider vinegar to the mayonnaise dressing.
Fresh cabbage makes the best coleslaw.
So, choose heads that are firm and heavy for their size.
They should also have crispy leaves with a lovely luster.
Reject any head with spots or holes.
5 - Grilled Corn on the Cob
When serving grilled shrimp, it would be unfair to leave out the corn - similar grilled swordfish side ideas for seafood menus also feature corn-forward options.
But not just any corn cooked in any style; grilled corn on the cob is the perfect dish to go with shrimp.
Everybody loves corn, so you'll have a hit combo when you serve the two dishes together.
It's also an easy dish to make because you only have to add salt, pepper and butter and grill each ear of corn to perfection.
While frozen corn is tasty to a certain extent, there's nothing like in-season corn.
Hence, when buying, don't shuck the corn because the husk will make the corn stay sweet and fresh longer.
6 - Sweet Potato Fries
Fries are always a welcome sight at any food table - for more side ideas that balance sweet and savory, view sweet and sour meatball side dishes for balance.
Kids and grownups all love fries and they go well with grilled shrimp.
But since we're going to list another potato dish, we'll switch spuds with sweet potatoes.
They make yummy fries and taste equally great with shrimp.
So, you won't miss a thing using sweet potatoes instead of spuds.
But you have to use the best veggies, or they won't be crispy as expected.
Soft sweet potatoes can turn mushy; instead of fries, you're likely to have soup.
So, choose healthy veggies with flawless skin.
7 - Oven Roasted Asparagus
Since grilled shrimp taste good with anything, nothing can go wrong.
Asparagus doesn't always get the attention it deserves, but it's delicious, versatile, healthy and make a good side dish with shrimp - see roasted carrot side ideas for vegetable pairings for another roasted-veg option.
As with other veggies, asparagus doesn't need many ingredients for it to shine.
A little olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper is enough.
You can add some lemon juice and Parmesan cheese to make them more flavorful.
While asparagus past its prime is delicious, it can get smelly.
So, you should use only the freshest veggies.
Examine each stalk carefully and avoid limp spears.
They should be firm and break when bent.
8 - Pesto Zoodles
How about some noodles to go with grilled shrimp? They make a great pair.
But instead of using regular pasta noodles, you could go for a different version made of veggies.
Zoodles or zucchini noodles are yummy and they also add a fresh element to your food.
So, you'll feel refreshed and ready to make room for more food.
When you combine the zoodles with a fresh pesto sauce, you'll have the most delicious noodles dish ever - try pesto gnocchi side ideas for basil-rich dishes for a different pesto-forward accompaniment.
Serve it alongside shrimp; you won't want to stop eating the dishes.
9 - Roasted Mushrooms and Veggies
The list has so much variety so let's add more fun by adding a different ingredient.
Mushrooms also make a good pairing with grilled shrimp.
The fungi taste delicious and have a meaty flavor but are light, so you won't feel overloaded.
While mushrooms taste good, you can include veggies like cauliflower and tomatoes with parsley and garlic.
The combo tastes fantastic and the dish will be incredible with a bit of Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and olive oil.
You can use the button, portobello or cremini mushrooms for the dish as they're readily available.
If you want a more intense flavor, go for the last two varieties as they're more flavorful.
10 - Creamy Potato Salad
We'll finish the list with one of the most popular side dishes ever; the yummy creamy potato salad.
It's one of the most versatile dishes and goes nicely with grilled shrimp skewers.
Potato salad gets its fabulous flavor from the ingredients used.
They include spuds, eggs, sour cream, onion, apple cider vinegar and mayonnaise.
Salt, pepper, parsley, dill and mustard are enough for seasoning.
Waxy varieties like fingerling, red and new potatoes are best for salad.
You can make the dish with Yukon Gold if these three aren't available.
Frequently Asked Questions
fried cauliflower rice, sweet potato fries and roasted mushrooms and veggies are some items you can serve with shrimp. You can make a dish with broccoli because it's yummy and makes a great pairing with grilled shrimp.
Grain dishes and roasted vegetables are the best candidates. This side dish holds well in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Store the components separately and combine just before serving to keep textures intact.
A good side dish either contrasts or goes with the dominant flavor. If the main is rich and savory, something with acidity or crunch balances the plate without competing.
Can side dishes be swapped based on dietary needs?
Yes.
Most classic pairings have easy swaps - substitute roasted vegetables for grain sides, or use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for a lower-carb option.
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