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What Goes with Shrimp and Rice? 15 Perfect Pairings & Recipe Ideas

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Hey there! As someone who’s cooked countless shrimp and rice dishes for my family, I’m excited to share some amazing pairing ideas that’ll take this classic combo to the next level Whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner or planning something special, I’ve got you covered with these tasty suggestions

The Classic One-Pan Shrimp and Rice Base

Before we dive into the pairings let’s talk about the basic shrimp and rice dish. Here’s my go-to recipe that takes just 35 minutes

Basic Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups jasmine rice
  • 1 pound large shrimp
  • 2¼ cups broth
  • Basic seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

15 Perfect Pairings for Shrimp and Rice

1. Veggie Mix-ins

  • Bell peppers
  • Mushrooms
  • Diced onions
  • Fresh corn
  • Snap peas

2. Sauce Options

  • Garlic butter sauce
  • Lemon butter
  • Cajun cream sauce
  • Thai coconut curry
  • Sweet chili sauce

3. Fresh Herbs and Garnishes

  • Cilantro
  • Green onions
  • Fresh parsley
  • Thai basil
  • Lime wedges

Best Side Dishes to Serve

Vegetable Sides

  1. Roasted Vegetables

    • Carrots
    • Broccoli
    • Asparagus
    • Brussels sprouts
  2. Fresh Salads

    • Mixed green salad
    • Cucumber tomato salad
    • Asian slaw

Bread Options

  • Garlic bread
  • Crusty French bread
  • Naan bread

Pro Tips for Perfect Pairings

  1. Temperature Balance

    • Serve hot sides with hot shrimp and rice
    • Cool salads provide nice contrast
  2. Texture Combinations

    • Mix crunchy elements with soft rice
    • Add creamy sauces for richness
  3. Flavor Profiles

    • Asian: soy sauce, ginger, sesame
    • Cajun: spicy, smoky seasonings
    • Mediterranean: lemon, herbs, olive oil

Quick and Easy Recipe Ideas

1. Asian-Style Shrimp and Rice Bowl

- Base: Jasmine rice and shrimp- Add: Stir-fried veggies- Sauce: Soy sauce + sesame oil- Garnish: Green onions + sesame seeds

2. Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet

- Base: Long grain rice and shrimp- Add: Bell peppers + onions- Seasoning: Cajun spice blend- Finish: Fresh parsley

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Don’t overcook the shrimp (they get rubbery!)
  2. Avoid mixing too many competing flavors
  3. Remember to season both rice AND shrimp
  4. Don’t forget about texture variety

Storage Tips

If ya got leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!), here’s how to store them:

  • Keep in airtight container
  • Good for up to 4 days in fridge
  • Reheat with a splash of water
  • Store sauces separately

Final Thoughts

Listen, shrimp and rice is like a blank canvas – you can take it in so many directions! My fave is definitely the Asian-style bowl with lots of veggies, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these combos.

Remember to keep it simple at first – maybe start with just one or two add-ins until you find your groove. And don’t be afraid to experiment! Sometimes the weirdest combinations turn out amazing.

Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article in more detail?

what goes with shrimp and rice

Tricks For Perfect Fried Rice

  • As mentioned, use chilled leftover rice! The dry refrigerator air helps dry the rice a bit, which is why cold leftover rice never tastes as good the next day if you eat it straight, but it’s perfect for frying.
  • Use high heat. You don’t need a blazing hot restaurant kitchen stove, just patience to let your pan get hot. A hot pan will help everything fry quickly and help keep ingredients from sticking.
  • Fry ingredients separately. To keep the ingredients and their flavors from mushing together, cook them separately, yet in the same pan. Start with the protein (in this case the shrimp), cook it until it’s almost done, then remove from the pan, and start cooking the other ingredients—the eggs next, then the rice. Add the protein and eggs back to the rice at the end.
  • Minimize stirring. If you want browning, don’t stir. Just spread the rice out in the pan and let the pan do the work.

what goes with shrimp and rice

How Our Readers Make This Recipe Their Own

  • Dr C.: “I made a creole version of this as we like our spices and seasonings. I added onion, bell pepper, garlic, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder and it is absolutely delicious.”
  • JM: “I added about 4 cloves of minced garlic, half of a small onion and to make it egg and wheat free (allergies in our family) we used “Just Egg” and San-J tamari.”
  • Val: “Made it tonight, my family loved it- added a little oyster sauce for added flavor.”
  • Shannon B.: “Sooooo good and so easy to follow. I added 1/2 chopped onion, 3 green onions along with minced garlic and butter before I added rice for more flavor.”
  • Cozette: “Easy peasy weeknight dinner that was absolutely delicious. Followed recipe except used jasmine rice and lobster tails instead of shrimp. I added chopped jalepeno peppers when sauteing the green onions.”

Better than takeout SHRIMP FRIED RICE

FAQ

What is a good side dish with shrimp?

Top 5 Side Dishes That Pair Perfectly 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 is a good dish with shrimp?

Try our one-pot shrimp primavera, our shrimp fettuccine Alfredo, or our creamy chipotle shrimp pasta. Love Asian food? Shrimp makes a great addition to all your faves, like in our shrimp kung pao noodles, our shrimp pad Thai, or our honey walnut shrimp.

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