Ever been to a Low Country Boil? We're talking a feast: corn, potatoes, sausage, and seafood all thrown into one big pot. It's the stuff of legends down South.
What about the sides? Sure, the main event is a crowd-pleaser, but sides bring it all together. We've been there: trying to figure out what complements such a distinctive main dish. No sweat. We've got you covered.
Our kitchens have seen it all. From trial and error, we've nailed down 10 killer sides. They're not just fillers; think of them as the support squad that elevates the whole meal.
No more blank stares at the grocery store. Get ready for a lineup that'll make your next boil unforgettable.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with a Low Country Boil?
The dish is popular at various social gatherings, and everyone loves it.
Over the years, several variants have appeared, but the main ingredients remain the same.
These are shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage.
As mentioned earlier, Low Country Boil is an entire meal on its own.
But it can be pretty dull to eat only one dish.
At the same time, consuming only one dish can be overwhelming.
You need some side dishes that can refresh your palate.
Well, if you stay a little while with us, you'll know about at least ten side dishes that you can serve with a Low Country Boil.
What to Serve with a Low Country Boil? 10 BEST Side Dishes
1 - Crunchy Okras
We will start the list with a crispy dish that will appeal to everyone.
Crunchy okras are compatible with Lowcountry boil, and they're incredibly tasty.
Many people don't like to cook with okra because of its slimy nature.
But it's tasty and nutritious.
It's also useful as a thickener for broths and soups and the main ingredient in Southern US gumbos.
You can make the dish in two ways; on the stove-top or in the oven, but the latter may be more convenient.
Two steps turn the slippery okras into crunchy snacks, tossing them with raw eggs before breading and the coating made with cornmeal, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese.
2 - Chargrilled Oysters
Two seafood dishes on the same menu? Why not? They're compatible, and both tastes delicious.
You can undoubtedly serve oysters with Lowcountry boil.
However, oysters aren't cheap, so this dish can be more appropriate only for a few people unless you don't mind the expenses.
But chargrilled oysters are unique, and everyone will have a blast when they eat the two dishes.
It takes just ten minutes to prep and ten minutes to cook the dish, so you'll have buttery, creamy, and slightly spicy grilled oysters in a matter of minutes.
The mollusks contain plenty of nutrients and are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Hence, the more seafood you have, the more benefits you'll have.
3 - Jalapeno Hush Puppies
Do you like snacks that have a crispy exterior and soft-tender insides?
We do too, and that's precisely how hush puppies are.
They're popular as a side dish with many items, including seafood.
So, you can certainly serve hushpuppies with a Low Country boil.
If you have never enjoyed golden fritters made from a thick cornmeal-based batter, now would be a perfect time.
Add jalapenos and some smoked paprika to the ingredients, and you'll have slightly spicy snacks with a smokiness that pair up perfectly with the seafood.
4 - Crab Pasta Salad
It's yet one more dish with seafood, but they all taste fantastic and are compatible.
So, you can serve crab pasta salad alongside Lowcountry boil.
The salad is fresh and juicy, and you can whip it up quickly.
You can also create a large batch at once because all the ingredients are readily available.
You can use real crabmeat, or if not available, use imitation crab, a mock version of crab meat.
The latter has fish meat, so the taste may slightly differ, but the texture and appearance are similar to real crab meat.
The salad tastes great when served immediately, but its flavor enhances even more when kept in the fridge overnight.
Hence, you can make it in the evening, put it in the fridge and serve it the next day during the occasion.
5 - Low Country Boil Slaw
It's also a dish that regularly features alongside Lowcountry boil.
Hence, it's something you can surely add to the menu.
Lowcountry boil slaw is fresh, juicy, sour, and slightly spicy and complements the seafood dish nicely.
This slaw adds shrimp crackers, boiled shrimp, or grilled shrimp to a traditional slaw that contains fresh, shredded cabbage, carrots, onion, and broccoli.
When you eat the two items together, the fresh veggies cleanse your palate and bring a balance to the entire meal.
6 - Mushroom Gravy
If you want a hearty stew to go with Lowcountry boil, mushroom gravy is the ideal choice.
Why? Because it's yummy and makes a great combo with seafood.
What's more, you can also add meat to this dish if you want a heavier and richer dish.
Pork medallions made with tenderloin are the usual choice for meat.
Another ingredient for making the dish even better is beef bouillon, cube, or granulated.
Beef broth adds richness to the dish, and in no case should you use chicken or veggie broth.
Or you won't get the desired flavors.
Cremini mushrooms are the first preference for the dish as they're earthier and more flavorful.
However, you can also use button mushrooms if the other variety isn't available.
7 - Minty Watermelon Salsa
A fruit salsa can also be an excellent accompaniment to Lowcountry boil.
It will add a touch of freshness and enable you to enjoy the seafood without feeling engulfed.
Watermelon salsa with mint is also an easy dish to make, and you can make a considerable quantity depending on how many guests you have.
You can make this bright and colorful salsa using just six ingredients.
You need watermelon (seedless and cubed), chopped red onion, chopped cilantro and mint, jalapeno, lime zest, and juice.
Put all in a bowl, pour the lime juice and zest, and little olive oil, and toss.
You can serve it immediately or keep it in the fridge for a while before serving.
8 - Sauteed Potatoes with Garlic
You can create numerous dishes with potatoes, and each one will taste delicious.
Garlic sauteed potatoes are yummy and a popular accompaniment to Lowcountry boil.
The dish is also easy to make, and you only need oil, salt, pepper, and garlic besides the potatoes.
But once done and served alongside the seafood, you won't want to stop eating the combo.
For the dish, you can use potatoes like Idaho or Russet, as they're high in starch and low in moisture.
When fried, they become tender inside but with a crispy outer.
9 - Black Bean Rice
A rice dish and seafood also make a lovely combo, and everyone can satisfy their hunger with these two items.
Make and serve black bean rice alongside Lowcountry boil and watch everybody digging into it.
It's a simple dish to make.
All you have to do is cook the rice (Jasmine) with salt and minced garlic.
When the rice is cooked, you just have to add the canned black beans (rinsed and drained), fresh chopped cilantro, and a little lime and mix them all.
10 - Cucumber Mango Salad
We will end the list with another fresh and crunchy dish; cucumber mango salad.
The combo is yummy, and it goes nicely with Lowcountry Boil.
It's simple to make but guarantees a burst of multiple flavors.
One bite can get a sweet, sour, and spicy taste.
You also don't need to go near an oven or stove when making the salad because there's no need to cook any item.
Simply dice the mango and cucumber, make a dressing with sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, cilantro, and chili oil (optional if you want a kick), and toss.
Place the bowl in the fridge twenty minutes before serving.
For best results, make the dressing one or two days in advance and keep it in the fridge in an air-tight container.
