Bang Bang Shrimp is a dish that will undoubtedly go out with a bang in your mouth.
But what exactly is it? It's basically a shrimp fried to crispy and golden brown perfection, which is then coated in a spicy and sweet bang bang sauce.
Hence, the name. This is a snack that's entirely enjoyed by many.
It's like a seafood version of crispy buffalo wings.
But pair it with the right side dish, and you get the most wholesome main course-worthy meal.
However, you can't just pair it with any side.
So, here are 10 excellent side dishes to consider serving with bang bang shrimp.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Bang Bang Shrimps?
You might think Bang Bang Shrimp as a snack is sufficient, and you're right.
But there's nothing wrong with enhancing the snack by transforming it into a hearty meal.
This is where side dishes come in.
Many consider them as an add-on, but side dishes are pretty essential in bringing together the dish.
After all, you wouldn't want to eat fries without ketchup.
It's a way of complementing the dish.
So, if you're looking to create more exciting meals in the kitchen, it's best to consider serving bang bang shrimp with a touch of delicious sides.
What to Serve with Bang Bang Shrimp? 10 BEST Side Dishes
1 - Pasta
If you're looking to make a hearty meal out of bang-bang shrimp, pasta is the right way to go.
And the best part is pasta is highly versatile, meaning you can go with any type or shape.
Whichever pasta you may choose, make sure it's a creamy and spicy one.
This will help balance out the crispness of the shrimp.
You can even chop the shrimp into medium-sized chunks and sprinkle them on top.
It's easy to make, it pairs well, and the pasta flavors will still be subtle enough to make the shrimp the star item.
If you have some leftover pasta and bang bang shrimp, give this combo a try.
2 - Baked Cornbread
Cornbread is a team player.
It goes with just about anything, and this applies to bang bang shrimp as well.
Cornbread and shrimp together bring a sense of New Orleans nostalgia to the table.
But there's a twist to it. If you want more oomph flavorwise, bake the cornbread with butternut squash.
The result will be a tender cornbread that's not only delicious but also nutritious.
Pair that with a crispy breaded shrimp, and you're set for the day.
Shrimp itself is a pretty hard item to beat in terms of taste.
But when paired with a side such as cornbread, it helps compile a more potent taste.
3 - Nutty Rice Pilaf
This one is for comfort food lovers.
There's nothing more calm and relaxing than having a plate of rice.
Hence, it makes sense why it's worth pairing with an equally relaxing food such as fried shrimp.
You can simply top off your nutty rice pilaf bowl with a handful of bang bang shrimp.
The spicy, creamy sauciness and meatiness of the shrimp paired with the nutty rice will give reinvent your interest in food.
Plus, the best part is it doesn't take much time to make.
It takes 20-30 mins tops to create this unique and homely meal combo.
Serve it to yourself or your family or guests - it'll work on so many levels.
4 - Chopped Asian Salad
Salad may seem quite overrated as a side dish.
But this particular salad paired with fried shrimp is an eye-opener (or mouth-opener).
Chopped Asian salad fits well with the theme of an Asian-inspired dish, much like the bang bang shrimp.
Plus, it's loaded with tons of nutrients, such as cucumber, sugar snap peas, and chopped romaine.
It's a relatively light side dish worth combining with the flavorsome punch of bang bang shrimp.
If you're looking for veg infused dish with seafood as the star, chopped Asian salad is worth pairing with fried shrimp.
Give it a try and you'll know.
5 - Fried Rice
This is here is the easiest and the most familiar way to incorporate a dish with bang bang salad.
Many options are available to style the fried rice - be it heavy garnishing or simple ingredients.
But the tastiest part is how well it complements the complex and wholesome flavor of bang bang shrimp.
This works particularly well if you have any leftover rice to experiment with.
Fried rice itself may seem like a big dish, but when seasoned the right way, it allows the flavors of the fried shrimp to bind the entire dish together.
Just keep it simple, fry it well and mix it with the bang bang shrimp.
6 - Grilled Corn Salad
Looking for something that screams summer? The grilled corn salad is the side you're looking for.
After all, you wouldn't want to say no to a crunchy and light salad.
Grilled corn salad combines several fresh and juicy ingredients, such as cherry tomatoes and diced zucchini.
This matches up perfectly with the creaminess of bang bang shrimp.
What makes this a great companion for bang bang shrimp is the fact that it uplifts the taste of the shrimp with its bold flavors of lemon juice, olive oil, and more.
7 - Crab Cakes
The crab cake sides are the ultimate seafood pairing for bang bang shrimp.
It's equally crispy and tasty but doesn't take away the potent flavors of bang bang shrimp.
Crab cakes may appear a bit time-consuming.
But they're pretty simple and easy to make.
All you have to do is break down the crab meat, incorporate some seasoning like old bay, dijon, etc.
, and fry it to perfection once coated in breadcrumbs.
This may seem like a snack that's quite similar to bang bang shrimp due to crab cake being another fried dish.
However, you'll be surprised to know just how flavorful bang bang shrimp becomes with this as a side.
8 - Mango Guacamole
You might be thinking, seafood and fruits? Yes.
Why not? It's fresh, creamy, and delicious.
Let's just say you may have to go for a second serving of this.
It'll be like a tropical fused bowl of shrimp heaven.
For one, the crunchy shrimp will blend right in with the creamy texture and depth produced by the guacamole.
Combine that with the freshness of chopped mangoes, and you've found the perfect match.
If you're looking for a combination of flavors fused into bang bang shrimp, you can't say no to this.
It's tangy, sweet, spicy, crunchy, and creamy - all without the ingredients overpowering the other.
9 - Nuts
Most popular sides consist of some sauces or potatoes, but nuts rarely make it on the list.
However, it's definitely worth adding alongside a plate of bang bang shrimp.
Now, of course, nuts alone may seem a little bland.
Hence, try whipping up some roasted nuts salad with some light seasoning.
This will add more flavor to the shrimp without overpowering the sauce of the shrimp.
If you want, you can also add some veggies, but those are entirely optional.
Just make sure you're not clogging up the bowl with all kinds of nuts.
Just one or two variety mixtures will be enough.
10 - Refried Beans
Beans and shrimp? Yes. They bring the best of two most well-loved snacks.
Particularly, mashed pinto beans with bang bang shrimp are to die for.
This is easy to make side, and you can even create it using canned beans.
To level things up, you can make tacos with this beans and shrimp combo.
Of course, depending on the seasoning, the shrimp must remain the star.
But, considering the crispiness of the shrimp, it's unlikely to get drowned in other flavors.
You can also use any type of beans to whip up this delicious side for bang bang shrimp.
Conclusion
When it comes to bang bang shrimp, you won't have to worry much.
The options are endless, and with the dish being as flavorful as it is, it can go with anything that's light and easy to make.
From sweet and crunchy to tangy and creamy, there are tons of side dishes that complement the compact flavor of bang bang shrimp.
If you're new to this, you can consider some of the options we've mentioned.
