What Do You Eat with Barbecue Shrimp? Delicious Side Dish Ideas!
Are you wondering what to eat with barbecue shrimp? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Barbecue shrimp is a tasty and easy-to-enjoy dish, and as such, it pairs well with many sides, making it a perfect meal for any time. In this article, we’ll look at some great options to round out your barbecue shrimp meal.
Barbecue shrimp is, in fact, a fantastic main course that is full of flavor. The juicy shrimp, covered in a rich, smoky sauce, makes for a great food experience. For example, the tangy spice mixed with sweet smokiness makes it good with many things. Therefore, the best side dishes make the flavors even better without being too strong. So, finding the right things to go with it is key to a good meal. Furthermore, knowing which sides to pick makes the meal even better.
Moreover, side dishes can, indeed, change a simple barbecue shrimp plate into a great meal to remember. The best sides, for sure, make the shrimp’s natural sweetness and smoky flavor shine. For instance, creamy grits, cornbread, or even a cool salad can make your meal better. Therefore, we’ve made a list of choices that will not let you down. Check out this helpful article on the good things about seafood from the National Institutes of Health: NIH Seafood Health Benefits. In addition, explore special side dishes that bring out the best in barbecue shrimp. Also, for more ideas on how to barbecue, see what the pros at Weber have to say: Weber Grilling Tips. As a result, your barbecue shrimp dinner will be a success.
Best Sides for Barbecue Shrimp: Delicious Complementary Dishes
Picking the right side dishes can make your barbecue shrimp better than ever. Here are some great side dishes to think about:
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Creamy Grits: A Southern favorite that balances the spiciness of the shrimp.
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Cornbread: Its sweetness goes well with the savory shrimp.
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Coleslaw: A cool and crunchy change from the richness of the barbecue sauce.
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Roasted Vegetables: Adds a healthy and flavorful part.
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Rice Pilaf: A simple and easy choice to soak up the tasty sauce.
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Garlic Bread: Great for getting every last bit of sauce.
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Mac and Cheese: A comforting and liked by all choice.
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Quinoa Salad: A healthy and good for you side.
Therefore, carefully picked side dishes can change your barbecue shrimp experience. Consequently, you’ll enjoy a tasty and well-rounded meal.
Perfect Pairings: Finding What Goes with Barbecue Shrimp
Wondering what to serve with barbecue shrimp to make a full meal? Let’s look at some pairings that will wow your guests.
Creamy Grits: A Classic Barbecue Shrimp Side
Creamy grits offer a smooth, nice change from the strong flavor of barbecue shrimp. Their mild taste, surprisingly, acts like a blank page. Therefore, the shrimp’s rich flavors can shine. They are also easy to make. In addition, they are a classic side for Southern food.
Think about serving with butter or cheese for more flavor. Because of their easy to change nature, grits can be made to fit different tastes.
Cornbread: What to Serve with Barbecue Shrimp for Sweetness
Cornbread, with its sweet and crumbly feel, is another great pick. For sure, it offers a fun change from the savory, spicy tastes of the barbecue shrimp. For example, you can pick between regular or jalapeño cornbread for a kick.
Furthermore, the cornbread soaks up the sauce well. Therefore, every bite is full of flavor. As such, cornbread is a great way to enjoy all of that tasty barbecue sauce.
Coleslaw: Refreshing Side Dishes for Barbecue Shrimp
Coleslaw provides a crisp, cool change from the richness of the barbecue shrimp. The crunchy veggies and tangy dressing, for sure, clean the taste buds. Therefore, it keeps the meal from being too much.
Also, think about a vinegar coleslaw for even more flavor. In addition, this is a great light side dish! For instance, a slaw with a tangy dressing cuts through the rich shrimp well.
Roasted Vegetables: Healthy Accompaniments for Shrimp
Roasted vegetables, like bell peppers, zucchini, and onions, add a healthy and tasty part. Roasting, in general, makes their natural sweetness come out. Therefore, they go well with the smoky barbecue flavor of the shrimp.
Toss the veggies with olive oil, herbs, and spices before roasting. Then, roast them until they are soft and a bit browned. Indeed, roasted veggies offer a good and tasty change from the rich shrimp.
Rice Pilaf: A Versatile Side
Rice pilaf is a simple and easy pick that pairs well with almost anything. It’s also great for soaking up the tasty barbecue sauce. In addition, this dish is liked by all!
Flavored with herbs, spices, or broth, rice pilaf adds more to the meal. As a result, rice pilaf becomes a tasty way to enjoy the barbecue shrimp sauce.
Garlic Bread: Irresistible Goodness
Garlic bread is always liked by all. Its buttery, garlic taste is great for getting every last bit of barbecue sauce. Therefore, no flavor is wasted!
For more flavor, try adding parmesan cheese or fresh herbs. Without a doubt, garlic bread is a loved side dish.
Mac and Cheese: Comfort Food Classic
Mac and cheese offers a nice and comforting change from the barbecue shrimp. The creamy, cheesy flavor, surprisingly, goes well with the spicy, smoky flavors of the shrimp. What do you eat with barbecue shrimp? Mac and Cheese!
Think about adding bacon or jalapeños for a kick. Furthermore, mac and cheese can be made your way.
Quinoa Salad: Nutritious and Delicious
Quinoa salad is a healthy and good for you pick that adds texture and flavor to the meal. It’s also full of protein and fiber, making it filling.
Mix quinoa with veggies, herbs, and a light dressing. This will make a cool and balanced side dish. This dish is also a way to get more veggies. Therefore, quinoa salad is a smart and tasty choice.
Barbecue Shrimp Accompaniments: More Creative Ideas
Looking for more special barbecue shrimp accompaniments? Here are some ideas to wow your guests:
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Watermelon Salad: A cool and new mix.
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Grilled Pineapple: Adds a tropical sweetness that goes well with the smoky shrimp.
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Avocado Salad: Creamy and tasty, with good fats.
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Sweet Potato Fries: A sweet and savory change from regular fries.
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Grilled Corn on the Cob: A barbecue side dish that is always a hit.
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Cucumber Salad: Light and cool, great for a summer meal.
Watermelon Salad: A Refreshing Twist
Watermelon salad mixes the sweetness of watermelon with the salt of feta cheese and the cool of mint. This makes for a cool and new mix. It is great for a hot day.
The flavors and feels go well together. Therefore, it makes a fun change from the rich barbecue shrimp. Surely, this salad is a summer favorite.
Grilled Pineapple: Tropical Delight
Grilled pineapple adds a tropical sweetness that goes well with the smoky flavor of the shrimp. The grilling makes the sugars sweet. Consequently, it makes the pineapple sweeter. Also, it adds a smoky taste.
Serve grilled pineapple slices with the barbecue shrimp for a meal to remember. Indeed, the mix of smoky and sweet is too good.
Avocado Salad: Creamy and Healthy
Avocado salad is creamy, tasty, and full of good fats. Mix diced avocado with tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. This will make a cool and filling side dish.
The cream of the avocado, for sure, balances the spice of the barbecue shrimp. Furthermore, it adds good stuff. Consequently, avocado salad is good and good for you.
Sweet Potato Fries: A Sweet and Savory Treat
Sweet potato fries offer a sweet and savory change from regular fries. Their sweet flavor pairs well with the smoky, spicy barbecue shrimp. This internal link can take you to our recipe for the Best Healthy Shrimp Taco Recipe.
Bake or air-fry them to be healthy. Also, add sea salt and smoked paprika for flavor. As such, sweet potato fries are a filling and better change from regular fries.
Grilled Corn on the Cob: A Barbecue Classic
Grilled corn on the cob is a barbecue side dish that is always a hit. The smoky grill taste makes the corn sweet. Consequently, it makes for a great side to barbecue shrimp. Check out our shrimp and grits recipe.
Brush the corn with butter and add salt and pepper before grilling. Indeed, grilled corn is needed at any barbecue.
Cucumber Salad: Light and Refreshing
Cucumber salad is a light and cool pick. Therefore, it is great for a summer meal. Mix thinly sliced cucumbers with red onion, dill, and a vinegar dressing. This will make a crisp and tangy salad.
The coolness of the cucumber, for sure, balances the spice of the barbecue shrimp. Also, it cleans the taste buds between bites. Therefore, cucumber salad is a great way to cool off on a hot day.
Considerations When Deciding What eat with Barbecue Shrimp
When picking what goes with barbecue shrimp, think about some things. These are balancing flavors, thinking about what people can eat, and planning your meal.
Balancing Flavors
The key to a good meal is balancing the flavors. Pick side dishes that go well with the flavors of the barbecue shrimp without being too much. Think about the spice, sweetness, and richness of the shrimp. Therefore, pick sides that offer flavors that are different or the same. Also, think about how the dishes feel in the mouth.
Considering Dietary Needs
Think about what people can and cannot eat. Offer gluten-free, veggie, or vegan choices as needed. This will make sure everyone can enjoy the meal.
For example, quinoa salad is a great gluten-free and vegan pick. Also, roasted veggies are a safe and healthy choice for most. Remember to mark dishes that fit needs.
Planning Your Menu
Think about what kind of meal you want. Are you having a casual barbecue or a fancy dinner? Also, pick sides that fit.
Get as much ready as you can. Therefore, you can relax and have fun with your guests. As a result, you’ll have time to have fun.
Perfect Pairings: Deciding What Sides Go eat with Barbecue Shrimp
At the end, picking what sides go with barbecue shrimp is what you like best. However, these ideas are a great place to start. Here are some loved and tasty pairings that will please.
Classic Combos
For a classic barbecue, pair barbecue shrimp with creamy grits, cornbread, and coleslaw. This group, for sure, offers a great balance of flavors and feels. It is also sure to please. Consequently, this classic is a sure thing.
Healthy Options
If you want healthy choices, think about roasted veggies, quinoa salad, and grilled corn on the cob. These side dishes are full of good stuff. Furthermore, they go well with the barbecue shrimp without too many bad things. Therefore, these are tasty and healthy.
Crowd-Pleasing Choices
To please all, serve barbecue shrimp with mac and cheese, garlic bread, and sweet potato fries. These are always a hit. Also, they will please all eaters. Without a doubt, these sides are great comfort food.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a table that shows the good stuff. These numbers are close and can change based on recipes.
Nutrient | Amount per Serving (Close) |
Calories | 350-500 |
Protein | 25-35g |
Fat | 20-30g |
Carbohydrates | 15-25g |
Fiber | 2-5g |
Vitamin D | 15% DV |
Vitamin B12 | 30% DV |
Iron | 10% DV |
Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 500-800mg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some questions about side dishes with barbecue shrimp:
What is a good side dish to serve with shrimp?
A good side dish for shrimp depends on how it is made. For barbecue shrimp, creamy grits, cornbread, coleslaw, or roasted veggies are great. These go well with the flavors of the shrimp without being too much.
What side dish goes with shrimp scampi?
Shrimp scampi pairs well with pasta, rice pilaf, garlic bread, or a green salad. These are light to go with the rich scampi sauce. For example, salad can cut the rich scampi.
What goes good with grilled shrimp?
Grilled shrimp pairs well with grilled veggies, rice pilaf, quinoa salad, or watermelon salad. The smoky flavors go well. Therefore, grilling makes the flavors shine.
What goes with peel and eat shrimp?
Peel and eat shrimp is often served with sauce, lemon, and maybe coleslaw or potato salad for fun. Think about this crockpot shrimp. Furthermore, peel and eat shrimp is great for a party.
Conclusion
In the end, knowing what do you eat with barbecue shrimp is key to a good meal. From creamy grits and cornbread to salads and roasted veggies, there are many choices. Think about the flavors, feels, and what people can eat when picking sides. With the right sides, you can make your barbecue shrimp better. Therefore, it makes it one to remember. Remember to balance flavors. Also, think about needs and plan. With this, you will wow your guests. Enjoy your barbecue shrimp! This article tells you what to eat with barbecue shrimp. At last, the right sides will make your barbecue shrimp shine.