Shrimp Creole's on the menu tonight! Now, we're facing the big question: what sides will make this dish truly sing? No stress.
We've got your back with killer side dishes that'll elevate your meal from great to unforgettable.
Forget about the usual suspects; it's time to mix things up.
Rice might be the go-to, but what about jazzing it up with some garlic bread? Or maybe a zesty coleslaw to add a crunch?
Trust us, pairing the right side with Shrimp Creole isn't just about filling the plate-it's about crafting a feast for the senses.
We've scoured kitchens and cookbooks to bring you sides that perfectly complement those bold Creole flavors. Ready to dig in?
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Shrimp Creole?
Shrimp Creole is obviously a fantastic dish on its own, and the whole family should enjoy it since it is on the heavier side.
You may think that a side dish is not necessary for shrimp creole, but that cannot be further from the truth.
Since the dish contains a lot of heavy flavors and aromatic spices, it is best to have a mild and refreshing side dish that can round out the bold flavor of the shrimp creole.
Another reason why we think serving sides with shrimp creole is essential is that it makes the meal more filling.
You can have it for lunch or dinner and won't have to go for extra snacks later on.
What to Serve with Shrimp Creole? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Here are 7 of the best side dishes, in our opinion, that pair really well with shrimp creole.
You can try them out and test them the next time you are serving shrimp creole on the menu.
1 - Corn On The Cob lathered in Butter
If that doesn't already make your mouth water, wait till you pair it with a shrimp creole.
The savory goodness from the shrimp creole mixed with the texture of the corn is the best, and the butter will add the perfect taste and fragrance to your shrimp creole.
It's not difficult to make corn on the cob, and half the job is done by just having the corn with you.
You can choose to bake, roast or barbeque your corn and then drizzle butter on top.
We found it is best to use salted butter with this recipe.
2 - Steamed Green Beans with Garlic
Green beans are excellent with a variety of dishes.
Since they are both crunchy and can absorb a lot of the taste of the garlic, green beans are the best fresh vegetable for pairing with Shrimp Creole.
If you want to enhance this already tasty side dish, you can stir fry or sautée the green beans in a tiny splash of olive oil and one garlic clove.
Make sure that you don't overlook the beans.
Don't forget to add a sprinkle of salt and pepper for taste.
3 - Steamy Hot Risotto
As strange as it may sound, we love the idea of risotto with a shrimp creole.
Of course, it is not a side dish per se, but a small bowl of risotto to go with your shrimp creole is a great combination.
Both dishes are very flavourful.
While the creole is more on the savory side, the mild-tasting risotto balanced out the flavor.
Risotto is also a fairly easy dish to make.
You can even get creative and add a lot of different vegetables of your choice.
It tastes best when served a bit hot since the shrimp creole is also going to be served hot; you can wait for the risotto to cook down before serving.
4 - Green Salad with Mayo Dressing
Nothing beats a good salad paired with almost anything savory.
The combination of textures and flavors is enough to make you want to try almost anything with a salad.
They are also very versatile.
If you are not a fan of mayo, you can replace the mayo dressing with a drizzle of olive oil or some chili oil if you want some kick to your meal.
It is also a very healthy side dish so that you can kill two birds with one stone.
Who said being healthy can't be tasty?
5 - Cornbread
Shrimp creole is most popularly eaten with cornbread.
Nowadays, you can make a variety of cornbreads flavored to your preference and paired with your favorite shrimp creole.
Cornbread is both tasty and very filling, so your meal with the shrimp creole will be enough to call it dinner.
It's also a much healthier alternative to regular white bread, which has more calories comparatively.
Since the shrimp creole has a lot of gravy, you can use the cornbread to soak up all the flavors and enjoy it with the cornbread.
6 - Seasoned Rice
If you are looking for a side dish that will fill you, you can go for rice.
You don't have to season your rice if you like it plain, but we recommend seasoning it with any spice you want, or you can even mix the cooked rice in butter for a delicious taste.
To take it more to the savory side, you can boil your rice in stock instead of plain water, and this will give your rice a unique taste and aroma.
You can also add some vegetables like chopped carrots, beans and peas and season with some salt.
7 - Fried Okra
Fried okra is a crunchy, flavourful side dish that is best suited with a shrimp creole.
You can deep fry the okra soaked in batter and season them or choose the healthier alternative of air frying it.
You can season the batter as you like and even sprinkle some after the frying is done.
The crunch and crispy layer over the soft okra is an excellent combination with the shrimp creole.
