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What To Serve with Boiled Shrimp

felice kaufman author bio
By Felice Kaufman · Updated:

Whether you serve boiled shrimp hot or cold, the right side dishes turn a plate of shrimp into a complete meal. From potatoes and vegetables to salads and fresh fruit, these easy sides pair perfectly with boiled shrimp.

boiling shrimp with lemon and old bay
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Best Side Dishes for Boiled Shrimp

The best dishes are made with simple, fresh ingredients. Fresh vegetables, potatoes, rice, and crisp salads all complement the sweet flavor of boiled shrimp without overpowering it.

Visit your local farmer's market for the season's freshest picks.

  1. Corn on the Cob
  2. Steamed Asparagus
  3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  4. Garlic bread or crusty sourdough
  5. Summer is the time to pull out fresh fruit. Mango, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, and watermelon are perfect sides for shrimp.

Our Favorite Sides for Boiled Shrimp

1
Crispy roasted red potatoes in a bowl.
Tiny roasted red potatoes are an easy oven side dish made with small red potatoes, olive oil, garlic, and fresh parsley. Roast them at 400°F until golden on the outside and tender in the middle, then serve with chicken, beef, or fish.
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2
steamed red potatoes
Potatoes and shrimp go together like cream cheese and jelly! Steamed Red Potatoes with Butter and Parsley is a simple and delicious side dish. They're steamed in a steamer basket an easy healthy side dish for your meals.
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3
Crispy roasted baby potatoes seasoned with herbs on a white serving plate
These crispy roasted baby potatoes are golden and crisp on the outside with a fluffy, tender center. Seasoned with garlic, onion, paprika, and oregano, they're an easy side dish that pairs well with everything from chicken and steak to fish and pork.
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4
Bowl of garlic green beans with parmesan cheese and lemon zest
Sautéed Parmesan Green Beans are a tasty side dish that goes great with shrimp. The green beans are cooked in a skillet with garlic until tender but still a little crisp. Then they're topped with Parmesan cheese and lemon zest for extra flavor.
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5
roasted asparagus with salt pepper and lemon
Sheet pan asparagus is a quick side dish with crisp-tender stalks and lightly browned tips. Roast it at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, depending on thickness, then finish with fresh lemon.
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6
Mixed garden salad with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion as lemon Dijon dressing is poured over fresh greens
Learn how to make a mixed garden salad with fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion tossed in a light lemon Dijon dressing. It's ready in minutes and works as a side or a light meal.
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7
Asparagus mixed with Jasmine rice on a plate with a spoon.
Lemon Asparagus Rice is a light side dish with fresh asparagus, fluffy rice, and lemon zest.
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8
Spanish rice with peas, green bell pepper, and onion served on a white plate with a lime wedge.
Easy Spanish Rice Recipe made with converted rice, tomato sauce, onion, green pepper, garlic, ketchup, and peas. This one-pot side dish cooks in 20 minutes and goes with chicken, beef, pork, fish, or shrimp.
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Sauces

Boiled shrimp are even better with a good sauce on the side. Cocktail sauce is the classic choice, but Bang Bang sauce, spicy mayo, and garlic lemon butter, all work well too. Serve one or two so everyone can choose their favorite.

9
Do it yourself homemade cocktail sauce
This easy homemade cocktail sauce combines ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Ready in just 5 minutes, it's the perfect tangy dip for shrimp cocktail, crab, oysters, and seafood platters.
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10
A golden fillet of fish topped with rich lemon garlic butter sauce and fresh herbs.
Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce is rich, smooth, and full of flavor. Made with butter, garlic, and lemon juice, this simple sauce adds the perfect finishing touch to any fish dinner. Ready in 10 minutes.
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11
Crispy fried fish pieces with bang bang sauce, lemon, and parsley on a black slate plate
This easy Bang Bang Sauce is creamy, sweet, and spicy. Made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and hot sauce, it comes together in 5 minutes and is perfect for shrimp, chicken, fries, tacos, and sandwiches.
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12
Shrimp tempura sushi roll dipped in spicy mayo with chopsticks over a wooden board
Japanese spicy mayo is a simple sauce used on sushi rolls and seafood dishes. It's creamy, a little spicy, and takes about a minute to make at home. Use it as a dipping sauce or spoon it over rice bowls.
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Cold Salads

Fresh cold salads are perfect for summer entertaining. They're light, colorful, and easy to prep ahead.

13
sweet creamy coleslaw with cabbage, carrots, peppers, and creamy dressing
This sweet coleslaw is easy to make and full of flavor. It's made with crunchy cabbage, a little carrot, and creamy dressing. Great with shrimp, burgers, or any summer barbecue.
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14
Bowl of deli-style macaroni salad with mayonnaise.
Macaroni Salad is a sweet, creamy pasta salad made with elbow macaroni, mayo, vinegar, sugar, and finely chopped vegetables.
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15
caesar salad with roasted broccoli and chicken croutons
Enjoy a classic Caesar salad without the carbs! This low-carb version skips the croutons and adds extra Parmesan, crispy bacon, or toasted nuts, all tossed with Romaine and creamy anchovy dressing.
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16
Cold chickpea cucumber feta salad in a bowl with red gingham napkin.
Chickpea Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad is a fresh and simple Mediterranean-style dish that goes great with shrimp. Just mix juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, parsley, olives, and feta for a healthy and tasty salad.
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More Seafood!

Try these fish and crab dishes with your boiled shrimp and have a fiesta!

17
key west stone crabs with mustard sauce and mallet.
Enjoy the sweet taste of Stone Crab Claws with mustard sauce alongside your shrimp. You might have to come to Florida to get them, but it's worth the trip. Nothing beats fresh claws cracked open and dipped in that creamy, tangy sauce.
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18
crab cakes with creamy cocktails sauce
Use Maryland lump crab, claw meat, or Florida stone crab claws for irresistible crispy crab cakes packed with flavor.
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19
pan seared yellowtail fillet with butter lemon sauce
Let's keep it healthy with Pan-Seared White Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce. Season white fish fillets with you favorite spices and finish with a simple lemon butter sauce.
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20
blackened swordfish with sauteed tomatoes and shallots.
This blackened swordfish is ready in 30 minutes. It's seared in a hot cast-iron skillet for big flavor. Add a few shrimp on the side and you've got the perfect seafood dinner.
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Beverages

For drinks, keep it simple and refreshing.

A cold white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc goes great with shrimp.

Chilled champagne or prosecco is always a special touch.

Fresh lemonade or iced tea are great nonalcoholic options for summer meals.

If you want something without alcohol, make a big pitcher of infused water with lemon, cucumber, and mint. It's nice and cold and an unexpected touch for serving water.

Garnish

Make the shrimp look as good as they taste.

When peeling the shrimp, leave the tails on so they are easier to pick up and look better on the platter.

Arrange the shrimp in a large bowl or on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley, lemon wedges, a light sprinkle of Old Bay, or a little chopped fresh dill.

Serve with cocktail sauce and melted butter on the side.

Key lime pie with whipped cream.

Dessert

In Key West Florida, we eat Key Lime Pie with everything!

Key Lime Pie is the classic Florida dessert, but fresh berries, watermelon, lemon sorbet, or vanilla ice cream also make light desserts after a shrimp dinner.

Shrimp Recipes

We boil a lot of shrimp. Our locally caught Key West pink shrimp are an excellent source of protein, and we can't get enough! Check out more Shrimp Dinner Recipes.

Shrimp tacos with seasoned shrimp, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, creamy taco sauce, and lime in warm tortillas.

Key West Shrimp Tacos

Blackened shrimp cooking in a hot cast iron skillet with garlic and oil.

Cajun Blackened Shrimp

searing shrimp with garlic and butter in cast iron skillet

Pan Seared Shrimp

boiled shrimp with coktail sauce and lemons

Boiled Shrimp with Old Bay

FAQ

How to defrost shrimp

Place frozen shrimp in a bowl of cold water for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you're not in a rush, you can also thaw them overnight in the fridge.

Can I boil shrimp ahead of time?

Yes, you can boil shrimp a few hours ahead. Chill them quickly in an ice bath, then store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Do you season the water when boiling shrimp?

Yes, add salt and lemon to the water for extra flavor. Add Old Bay seafood seasoning for extra flavor.

What to serve with cold shrimp?

Cold shrimp goes well with cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, cold salads such as coleslaw. Add crackers or sliced sourdough bread to make it more filling.

Should I leave the shells on when boiling shrimp?

Leaving the shells on adds flavor and helps keep the shrimp tender. You can peel them before serving or let guests peel their own.

What bread goes best with boiled shrimp?

Sourdough, French bread, or garlic bread are all great choices. They're perfect for soaking up the flavorful juices.

What vegetables go with boiled shrimp?

Corn on the cob, asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and mixed green salads are all excellent choices because they complement shrimp without overpowering its delicate flavor.

Can I serve boiled shrimp cold?

Yes. Chill the shrimp in an ice bath immediately after cooking, then refrigerate until cold. Serve with cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, and your favorite salads

Seafood Recipes

Make your seafood feast even better by adding fresh-caught fish, lobster and other local seafood. Down here in the Keys, a typical dinner can include many different types of seafood.

Air-Fryer Snapper: A quick and healthy way to cook snapper fillets. Just season, spray, and let the air fryer do the work--ready in 20 minutes.

Snapper Tacos: A fun way to enjoy yellowtail, red snapper, or any thin white fish fillet. Load them up with slaw, avocado, and a squeeze of lime.

Green Mussels: Sold frozen, New Zealand green mussels are sweet and delicious. They're simmered with garlic, shallots, butter, and white wine for a dish that's hard to beat.

Boiled Spiny Lobsters: Key West Lobsters have great flavor and no claws like their cousins from Maine. Catch them and boil in salted water for one of the finest delicacies of the Keys.

More Florida Seafood Recipes

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