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Home - Recipes - Side Dishes

Latest Updated: Feb 28, 2026 by Andrew Gray

What to Serve with Shrimp Skewers? 7 Tasty Side Dishes

Serve Shrimp Skewers alongside Sautéed Tomatoes with Garlic, Macaroni Pasta Salad, Creamy Potato Salad, Coconut Rice, and Quinoa with Eggs and Avocado.

Sautéed Tomatoes with Garlic

To keep your shrimp skewers juicy and tasty, try adding sautéed tomatoes with garlic as your side dish.

For a lighter option, try Quinoa with Eggs and Avocado. Quinoa with Eggs and Avocado

If you're into fitness, this side dish is perfect for you.

Shrimp skewers scream summer and good vibes.

They're easy to whip up, fun to eat, and can light up any barbecue or dinner party.

Every bite packs a punch of flavor, and when you find the right side dish to go alongside, you improve the entire meal.

From fresh salads that bring a crisp contrast to hearty grains that offer a satisfying chew, the perfect side can take your shrimp skewers from great to unforgettable.

Here are seven side dishes that go well with shrimp skewers, making sure your meal is a hit every time.

Table of Contents

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  • 7 Complementary Sides for Shrimp Skewers
    • 1. Sautéed Tomatoes with Garlic
    • 2. Macaroni Pasta Salad
    • 3. Creamy Potato Salad
    • 4. Coconut Rice
    • 5. Quinoa with Eggs and Avocado
    • 6. Roasted Potatoes with Lime and Butter
    • 7. Vinaigrette Based Coleslaw
  • Frequently Asked Questions

7 Complementary Sides for Shrimp Skewers

1. Sautéed Tomatoes with Garlic

sauted tomatoes with garlic Save for Later!

To keep your shrimp skewers juicy and tasty, try adding sautéed tomatoes with garlic as your side dish (macaroni and tomatoes side ideas).

This makes the flavor of the shrimp even more elevated than it usually is.

To taste, you can add a few cloves of garlic and some salt and pepper.

Make sure that you let the juices of the tomato flow into the oil and the garlic and infuse all the flavors together.

You'll end up with an aromatic and appetizing sauce that is great for dipping your shrimp skewers in.

If you want to add more vegetable varieties, you can add spinach.

Let it sit in the tomato juice for a few minutes until it wilts.

Aside from this, a bite of the skewered shrimp will take your palate on an experience.

2. Macaroni Pasta Salad

macaroni pasta salad Save for Later!

A healthy twist on the famous macaroni and cheese, you can swap the milk and cheese for vegetables and a salad dressing.

Make sure that you drain out the water from the macaroni well before you toss it with the vegetables.

You can use vegetables of your choice and add vinaigrette dressing to bring the flavors together.

You can crumble a bit of feta cheese on top if you'd like.

This crunchy, slightly acidic macaroni pasta salad is an excellent contrast to the soft and chewy shrimp skewers, giving it a good flavor balance.

As a picnic classic, this salad will be great with some skewered shrimp - see macaroni salad side pairings for picnics for more complementary options.

You can prepare it the night before and take it on your picnic for everyone to enjoy.

3. Creamy Potato Salad

creamy potato salad Save for Later!

Who doesn't love potatoes as side dishes? You can make a classic potato with your twists to fit the flavor of your shrimp skewers.

Add vegetables as you like, and add some cheese to make it creamy.

Honey mustard dressing is also a good combination with a creamy potato salad.

If you're not a fan of dairy, you can add some seasonings to the salad instead of the cheese or butter.

For a similar creamy base that swaps potatoes for cornmeal, creamy polenta side suggestions and pairings offer matching textures and flavors.

4. Coconut Rice

coconut rice Save for Later!

You can serve up a bowl of this excellent coconut rice with your shrimp skewers for a new take on sides.

Throw out your plain, bland rice and replace it with coconut rice for a fresh take on sides for shrimps.

The best price for this side dish is to use basmati rice, or you can go for jasmine rice which is just as fragrant.

Add your coconut milk and chicken brother to the rice when it cooks - flavors echo those in coconut chicken side suggestions.

You can also add some nuts and dry fruits like raisins.

Or, to follow the tropical trends, you can throw in some mango slices.

Your friends will surely be impressed with this side dish so try it out for your next cookout.

5. Quinoa with Eggs and Avocado

quinoa with eggs and avocado Save for Later!

If you're into fitness, this side dish is perfect for you.

Quinoa is dry and tasteless on its own but throws in a ripe and creamy avocado along with a sunny side up or a poached egg, and you have yourself a surprisingly tasty meal that pairs well with shrimp skewers.

Quinoa with eggs and avocado is the best alternative to rice-based sides if you watch your carb intake but still want to have a filling and tasty meal (quinoa salad side ideas and pairings).

6. Roasted Potatoes with Lime and Butter

roasted potatoes with lime and butter Save for Later!

Roasted potatoes are great healthy, and tasty but have you tried them with some butter and lime? It is the best-tasting version of roasted potatoes.

Throw in some chopped garlic for aroma and taste, and you won't be able to keep your hand off this side dish.

Butter and lime-infused Roasted potatoes are a side dish with a twist on the regular roasted potatoes.

The unexpected zing from the lime juice makes this dish so irresistible.

For another roasted-vegetable option that brings sweet and savory notes, roasted carrots pairing ideas and methods complement shrimp skewers well.

7. Vinaigrette Based Coleslaw

vinaigrette based coleslaw Save for Later!

A traditional side dish with a new take on the dressing is this Vinaigrette-based Coleslaw.

Instead of mayo, this dressing packs a punch and gives you a strong aftertaste that can nicely balance the taste of the shrimp skewers.

It is crunchy, fresh, and a little acidic, so it acts like a good palate cleanser, getting your palate ready for the next bite of tasty shrimps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best side dish for Shrimp Skewers?

To taste, you can add a few cloves of garlic and some salt and pepper. Make sure that you drain out the water from the macaroni well before you toss it with the vegetables.

Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.

What side adds the most nutritional balance?

A leafy green or fiber-rich vegetable balances the meal best. To taste, you can is a good pick for adding color and nutrients.

Pairing a protein-heavy main with a lighter vegetable side keeps the meal from feeling too heavy.

Is a starchy side necessary?

Not always. A vegetable-only pairing works when the main course already includes starch.

Add rice, bread, or potatoes only if the meal needs more substance.

What is the best side when short on time?

Roasted frozen vegetables, pre-cooked grains, or a quick pan sauté all come together in under 15 minutes with minimal prep and no special equipment needed.

Garlic butter shrimp pairs nicely with many simple sides like vegetables and starches - garlic butter shrimp side recommendations. Tempura shrimp calls for lighter, crisp accompaniments - tempura shrimp side pairings fits that role.

Explore more: This post is part of our Side Dish Pairing Guide.
Andrew Gray

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