Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’ve been experimenting with shrimp kabobs lately, and lemme tell you – finding the perfect side dish can really take your meal from good to absolutely amazing. After trying tons of different combinations, I’m super excited to share my favorite pairings that’ll make your shrimp kabobs shine!
Why You Need Great Side Dishes for Shrimp Kabobs
Before we dive into the specifics here’s why picking the right sides matters
- They balance out the meal’s flavors and textures
- Add extra nutrients to your plate
- Help satisfy bigger appetites
- Make your presentation more appealing
- Can complement or contrast with the shrimp’s seasoning
Best Side Dishes for Shrimp Kabobs
1. Veggie-Based Sides
Grilled VegetablesListen up y’all – grilled veggies are my absolute fave with shrimp kabobs! Here’s what I love throwing on the grill
- Colorful bell peppers
- Zucchini slices
- Red onions
- Mushrooms
- Cherry tomatoes
Fresh SaladsThese light and refreshing options are perfect for summer BBQs
- Caesar salad with homemade croutons
- Greek salad with feta cheese
- Quinoa salad loaded with fresh veggies
- Avocado salad with lime dressing
- Mango salsa (trust me on this one!)
2. Starchy Sides
Rice Dishes
- Garlic butter rice (my personal favorite!)
- Lemon herb orzo
- Coconut rice
- Rice pilaf
- Wild rice blend
Potato Options
- Roasted baby potatoes with herbs
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Sweet potato wedges
- Crispy potato wedges
- Potato salad
3. Grains and Pasta
I’ve found these work amazingly well:
- Couscous with Mediterranean herbs
- Quinoa pilaf
- Pesto pasta salad
- Mediterranean orzo
- Pearl couscous
Quick and Easy Side Dish Recipes
Garlic Butter Rice Recipe
This is my go-to side dish!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups white rice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley
Instructions:
- Cook rice according to package directions
- Melt butter in a pan
- Add minced garlic, sauté until fragrant
- Mix with cooked rice
- Season and garnish with parsley
Simple Grilled Veggie Marinade
Mix together:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Italian herbs
Pro Tips for Pairing Success
- Consider your shrimp seasoning – if you’re doing spicy kabobs, maybe go with cooling sides like cucumber salad
- Think about cooking methods – if you’re already grilling shrimp, might as well throw some veggies on there too!
- Color matters – try to get different colors on the plate for eye appeal
- Temperature contrast – warm kabobs + cool salad = perfect combo
Special Dietary Considerations
Low-Carb Options:
- Cauliflower rice
- Zucchini noodles
- Greek salad
- Grilled vegetables
Gluten-Free Choices:
- Rice dishes
- Roasted potatoes
- Quinoa salads
- All vegetable sides
Seasonal Pairings
Summer Sides
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Watermelon feta salad
- Cucumber tomato salad
- Grilled peach salad
Winter Sides
- Roasted root vegetables
- Warm quinoa pilaf
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
FAQs About Shrimp Kabob Side Dishes
Q: How many sides should I serve?
A: For casual dining, I usually go with 2-3 sides. For parties, I like offering 4-5 options.
Q: Can I prep sides ahead?
A: Many sides like salads and rice can be prepped ahead. Just save the final seasoning or dressing until serving time.
My Final Thoughts
After trying countless combinations, I’ve found that the best sides for shrimp kabobs are ones that complement without overwhelming. Whether you’re going for a light summer meal or a hearty dinner, there’s something in this list for everyone!
Remember, cooking should be fun and these are just suggestions – feel free to mix and match based on your taste. I’d love to hear what sides you end up trying with your shrimp kabobs!
Want more recipe ideas? Drop a comment below or check out our other seafood pairing guides. Happy cooking, friends!
Note: All these recommendations come from my personal kitchen experiments and feedback from family and friends who’ve been my willing taste-testers!
Let’s chat about Grilled Shrimp Side Dishes
There are so many delicious side dishes it’s hard to choose just a few! The best-grilled shrimp sides go well with your main dish, including tasty veggies and maybe one indulgent option!
First, you could make a Deviled Potato Salad. Not only can you make this the night before, but everyone loves it! It’s my favorite recipe for potato salad because it’s the best of egg salad and the best of potato salad. Super zippy and tangy with a vinegar bite. The sweetness from the pickle relish helps balance the entire easy side dish!
This Red Skin Potato Salad is a creamy blend of red-skinned potatoes, mayonnaise, sour cream, dijon mustard, crunchy celery, and bold spices. It’s a traditional side dish served at an outdoor picnic, barbecue, or summer cookout!
Another perfect side dish is Grandma Dorothea’s Corn Salad. This corn salad uses fresh produce, right from the garden! Talk about a summertime meal! It’s a healthy side dish that is filled with flavor.
This easy Cucumber Salad recipe combines thinly sliced cucumbers and onion with a tangy vinegar dressing. It’s a refreshing side dish that goes with absolutely EVERYTHING – perfect for any picnic, potluck, or backyard gathering!
Now, we can’t forget about making the perfect dish! Easy shrimp tacos and creating an all-in-one main course. Put out corn tortillas, a tangy coleslaw, and any other fresh taco toppings you like! Put these all out onto a big board, and let your people help themselves. Tortilla chips and salsa would go well with this recipe idea too! Pro Tip: if all of your people don’t like shrimp, or someone has an allergy, make a board with grilled meat on it, and serve with a side dish of rice or quinoa! People can make their own quinoa bowls and top them however they like.
Grilled Shrimp can be a versatile great appetizer!
Just the other night we grilled up some shrimp, served it alongside some homemade cocktail sauce before our filets were finished cooking! The perfect balance of surf and turf!
A big bowl of chopped romaine lettuce, some chopped bell pepper, grilled corn, and some feta cheese dressing! You’ve got the perfect shrimp salad for a hot summer evening when you don’t want to cook inside! I love a delicious salad in the summer months! The best thing is when you grow your own Little Gem Lettuce and make a Shrimp Louie Salad! Oh my…!
You can make garlic butter to toss your shrimp with, and create a grilled shrimp scampi! Add some fresh garlic to a stick of butter and melt it down. Add in some lemon juice, white wine, a few red pepper flakes, then toss with the grilled shrimp! To take this to the next level, add in some goat cheese crumbles for a creamy richness! YUM!
Give these Grilled Lemon Shrimp with Avocado Basil Dipping Sauce a try!
When you’re craving fresh asparagus, give this Parmesan Cheese Roasted Asparagus with Panko Breadcrumbs is just what you need! The asparagus comes out tender-crisp, and it’s packed with amazing flavor. Plus, it only takes about 20 minutes to make. It’s the perfect side dish for any occasion, or just for a simple dinner at home.
If you like a Tangy Carrot Slaw give this Morrocan Carrot Salad a try! This Spicy Moroccan Carrot Salad is filled with a medley of warm spices and vibrant flavors. It is a hearty and unique side dish that goes with just about anything.
Now, if you want an all-in-one meal idea, add your grilled shrimp directly to this Creamed Spinach with Caramelized Onions. Easy Creamed Spinach with Caramelized Onions is a delicious side dish recipe is that’s perfect for holiday dinners or special occasions.
Rudy’s BBQ Creamed Corn – Skip the canned creamed corn and make this delicious copycat Rudy’s BBQ creamed corn instead! This creamed corn is so easy to make in your crockpot or slow cooker.