Hey y’all! If you’re like me, you probably love a good bowl of shrimp and grits. It’s that perfect Southern comfort food that just warms your soul. But sometimes, I find myself wondering what else I can serve alongside this creamy, dreamy dish to make it even more special. Well, I’ve done the research and testing for you, and I’m excited to share these amazing side dish ideas!
Quick Answer
The most popular sides for shrimp and grits include collard greens, cornbread, biscuits, roasted vegetables, mac and cheese, and various potato dishes. You can go light with fresh vegetables or make it super indulgent with cheesy sides – it’s totally up to you!
Best Vegetable Sides
1. Southern-Style Collard Greens
- Classic Southern pairing
- Slow-cooked with smoky ham hocks or bacon
- Adds nutritional value
- Balances the rich, creamy grits perfectly
2. Roasted Green Beans
- Quick and easy (ready in under 30 minutes)
- Can be prepared in different styles:
- Parmesan roasted
- With almonds
- Wrapped in bacon
- Southern style with garlic
3. Fried Okra
- Crispy exterior, tender interior
- Traditional Southern favorite
- Great for adding texture contrast
- Kid-friendly option
Comfort Food Sides
1. Mac and Cheese
- Can be made in slow cooker or baked
- Add bacon for extra flavor
- Perfect for special occasions
- Super creamy and indulgent
2. Sweet Potato Options
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Sweet potato fries
- Sweet potato casserole
- Slow cooker sweet potatoes with bacon
3. Various Potato Dishes
- Parmesan roasted potatoes
- Crispy smashed potatoes
- Cheesy scalloped potatoes
- Classic baked potatoes
Bread Options
1. Cornbread Variations
- Traditional cornbread
- Mexican cornbread (with a spicy kick)
- Cornbread muffins
- Jalapeño cornbread
2. Biscuits and More
- Drop biscuits
- Garlic bread
- Rosemary bread
- Cheesy breadsticks
Fresh and Light Options
1. Salads
- Wedge salad
- Coleslaw
- Cucumber tomato salad
- Pesto potato salad with green beans
2. Roasted Vegetables
- Mixed vegetable medley
- Balsamic roasted vegetables
- Maple roasted carrots
- Grilled vegetable skewers
Pro Tips for Serving
-
Temperature Balance
- Serve hot sides hot
- Keep cold sides chilled
- Time everything to finish together
-
Portion Control
- Remember shrimp and grits is pretty filling
- Keep side portions smaller
- Offer variety instead of quantity
-
Make-Ahead Options
- Many sides can be prepped in advance
- Reheat just before serving
- Some sides taste better the next day
My Personal Recommendations
I gotta tell ya, after trying countless combinations, here are my top 3 favorite ways to serve shrimp and grits:
-
Weeknight Dinner:
- Parmesan roasted green beans
- Drop biscuits
- Simple wedge salad
-
Sunday Brunch:
- Crispy bacon
- Fresh fruit
- Buttermilk biscuits
-
Special Occasion:
- Collard greens
- Mac and cheese
- Sweet potato casserole
- Cornbread
Final Thoughts
Remember, y’all, there’s no strict rule about what goes with shrimp and grits! It’s all about what you and your family enjoy. You can keep it light with some roasted veggies or go all out with multiple comfort food sides – it’s totally up to you!
I love experimenting with different combinations, and honestly, it’s hard to go wrong. Just remember to balance out the flavors and textures, and you’ll have a meal that’ll make everyone at your table happy!
What’s your favorite side dish to serve with shrimp and grits? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your ideas and maybe try them myself!
Would you like me to explain or break down any of these suggestions in more detail?
What Goes with Shrimp and Grits?
Shrimp and Grits make a meal on their own, but sometimes I like to serve a big salad with it. Any vegetable side dish will work great. In keeping with New Orleans flare try some mint juleps for the drink or beignets for dessert. Here are a few more ideas:
Saute the shrimp and sausage
Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a separate large fry pan or skillet. Add garlic, paprika, chili powder, sliced sausage, shrimp and corn. Cook over medium heat until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
Spoon a cup of grits into 4 bowls, making a shallow well in the middle of the grits. Divide the sauce and pour it into the middle of the grits in each bowl. Top each bowl with shrimp and sausage. For garnish, sprinkle on some chopped parsley or green onions.
Easy Shrimp and Grits Recipe
FAQ
What is a good side dish with shrimp and grits?
A great side dish for shrimp and grits balances the richness of the grits and shrimp with some brightness and acidity. Good options include collard greens, a simple salad, roasted vegetables, or cornbread.
What is traditionally served with grits?
Grits are eaten with a wide variety of foods, such as eggs and bacon, fried catfish, shrimp, salmon croquettes, or country ham.
What is a good side dish with shrimp?
- Coleslaw. Creamy and cool, coleslaw is a perfect for any time of year. …
- Grits. This Southern staple is quick and easy to prepare. …
- French Fries. …
- Fresh Vegetables. …
- Rice Pilaf. …
- Build Your Menu Around Gulf Shrimp.
What to put in shrimp and grits?
- Grits. Skip quick-cooking grits — they have less flavor — and instead buy stone-ground corn grits. …
- Cheese. Shredded cheddar cheese flavors the grits, but you could try grated Parmesan instead.
- Butter. …
- Heavy cream. …
- Bacon. …
- Aromatics. …
- Tomatoes. …
- Seasoning.