Hey there, seafood lovers! I’ve been experimenting with shrimp burgers lately, and let me tell you – finding the perfect side dish can really make or break your meal. After countless taste tests and family dinners, I’ve put together this ultimate guide of what to serve with your shrimp burgers.
Quick Answer
The best sides for shrimp burgers include fresh mango slaw, crispy hush puppies grilled sweet potatoes and zesty Mexican salads. For something lighter, try smashed cucumber salad or grilled pineapple skewers.
Classic Sides That Never Fail
1. Southern-Style Hush Puppies
Y’all, these little golden nuggets of cornmeal goodness are a match made in heaven with shrimp burgers! They’re:
- Crispy on the outside
- Soft and fluffy inside
- Perfect for dipping
- Kid-friendly
- Traditional seafood companion
2. Fresh Mango Slaw
I’m telling you this ain’t your ordinary coleslaw! Here’s what makes it special
- Sweet mango chunks
- Crunchy cabbage
- Tangy dressing
- Ready in 15 minutes
- Can be used as topping or side
Potato-Based Sides
1. Air Fryer Crinkle Fries
These are my go-to when I’m short on time
- Perfectly crispy exterior
- Soft inside
- Quick cooking time
- Less oil than deep frying
2. Sweet Potato Options
- Deep-fried sweet potato fries
- Grilled sweet potato slices
- Loaded sweet potatoes with herbs
Fresh and Healthy Options
1. Chopped Mexican Salad
This colorful mix includes:
- Fresh corn
- Ripe avocado
- Cherry tomatoes
- Crisp cucumber
- Zesty cilantro dressing
2. Asian-Inspired Sides
- Smashed cucumber salad with garlic
- Asian avocado peanut coleslaw
- Simple sesame green beans
Grilled Sides (Perfect for Summer BBQs)
- Grilled Pineapple Skewers
- Sweet and caramelized
- Option to add cinnamon sugar
- Can use chili-lime seasoning
- Great summer vibes
- Grilled Peach & Goat Cheese Salad
- Sweet grilled peaches
- Creamy avocado
- Tangy goat cheese
- Peppery arugula
Sauces and Toppings to Level Up Your Burger
Essential Sauces:
- Homemade tartar sauce
- Lemon aioli
- Spicy mayo
- Guacamole
Must-Try Toppings:
- Pickled onions
- Fresh avocado slices
- Crispy bacon
- Caramelized onions
Tips for Serving Success
- Temperature Contrasts
- Serve hot sides with hot burgers
- Keep cold slaws and salads chilled
- Consider timing when preparing multiple sides
- Texture Balance
- Mix crispy sides with creamy elements
- Include fresh, crunchy vegetables
- Add smooth sauces or dips
My Personal Favorites Combo
When I’m hosting friends, here’s my winning combination:
- Shrimp burger on a toasted brioche bun
- Side of mango slaw
- Few hush puppies
- Smashed cucumber salad
- Grilled pineapple skewer for that wow factor
Healthier Alternatives
If you’re watching your calories, try these options:
- Air-fried vegetables
- Roasted cherry tomatoes
- Mixed green salad
- Grilled zucchini
Make-Ahead Options
Some sides you can prep in advance:
- Coleslaw (gets better overnight!)
- Cucumber salad
- Potato salad
- Pickled vegetables
Budget-Friendly Sides
When you’re cooking on a budget:
- Simple garden salad
- Homemade french fries
- Rice pilaf
- Corn on the cob
Final Thoughts
The best part about shrimp burgers is how versatile they are! Don’t be afraid to mix and match these sides based on your mood or what’s in season. I always say, the key is balancing flavors and textures while keeping it simple enough to enjoy without stress.
Remember, these are just suggestions – feel free to get creative and make these combinations your own! Trust me, once you find your perfect pairing, you’ll be making shrimp burgers way more often than you’d expect.
Have you tried any of these combinations? What’s your favorite side to serve with shrimp burgers? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!
Pro tip: Whatever sides you choose, don’t forget to have some fresh lemon wedges on hand – they’re perfect for adding that final zing to both your burger and sides!
Ways to serve shrimp burgers
- Classic burgers: My favorite way to serve this is as a classic burger. Usually, I reach for a whole wheat burger bun or English muffin and add lettuce, tomato, red onion, and avocado. If I am craving something spicy, I also add some pickled jalapenos or a spicy spread like harissa or Sriracha. My family also likes it with a thin layer of mayo or tartar sauce.
- Lettuce Wraps: For a healthier option, these are fantastic wrapped up in some butter lettuce leaves. You could also use a portobello mushroom bun.
- Salads: I love anything crunchy on my salads so these crispy shrimp options are a great option. I love them with a coleslaw-style salad like this Asian Kale and Apple Slaw.
- Tacos: If you end up with some leftover shrimp burgers, they make an excellent taco. Just chop them up and add some avocado, cabbage slaw, and salsa. Its a yummy take on a fish taco.
- Side dishes for shrimp patties: Looking for side dish inspiration? We love serving these burgers with spicy cabbage coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, baked fries, potato salad, or a nice green salad.
How to Make Shrimp Burgers
Here are the step-by-step instructions to make homemade shrimp burgers.
- Pulse the shrimp: This is the most important step! Start by adding half of the shrimp to the food processor and coarsely chop it. Leave some bigger chunks so that the burgers have some nice, meaty pieces of shrimp. Set that aside. Then add the remaining shrimp with the garlic and cilantro. Pulse that longer to make a chunky paste. It should look like a binder. Add this to the coarsely chopped shrimp.
- Make the shrimp burger mixture: Add the whisked egg, breadcrumbs, and spices to the shrimp mixture. Mix it gently, making sure not to overmix. Overmixing makes the burgers tough.
- Cook the shrimp patties: Divide the shrimp mixture into patties ad cook them in a hot skillet. They should get nicely browned and crisp on the outside and be fully cooked inside. This takes about 6-8 minutes total. Make sure not to overcook the shrimp since it can get tough.
How to Cook a Perfectly Juicy Shrimp Burger with @DaymDrops
FAQ
What’s a good side for shrimp burgers?
Whether you want a salad, fries, vegetables, desserts, or a cocktail. These sides are great for backyard barbecues, cookouts at the beach, park, tailgate parties, or weeknight dinner. Eat with Trader Joe’s Shrimp Burgers, prawn fritters, or seafood patties, enjoy sauce and topping ideas too.
What is a good side dish to serve with shrimp?
Classic sides for grilled shrimp are grilled veggies, wedge and French fries, potato salad, rice dishes, pasta side dishes, casseroles, lemon, tartar sauce and other sauces. Grilled fresh shrimp are also stellar on top of spinach, green and Caesar salad. And don’t forget a great cocktail.
What sides do you serve with burgers?
A rich, savory burger might pair well with a tangy or acidic side like pickles or coleslaw to cut through the richness, while a spicy burger might benefit …
Are shrimp burgers healthy?
Shrimp burgers can be a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional beef burgers, especially when prepared with lean ingredients. Shrimp is naturally low in calories and fat, and provides a good source of protein and other nutrients.
What goes well with shrimp burgers?
All of these go well with shrimp burgers. Onion rings are a classic fried treat that is so easy to make homemade. This beer-battered recipe for onion rings is the perfect side dish, snack, or appetizer. Creamy macaroni and cheese with caramelized onions are made even more amazing with crispy bacon.
What to do with leftover shrimp burgers?
Asian Shrimp Burgers. Omit the seafood seasoning and add fresh ginger to the patties. Take a note from my Teriyaki Burgers and top with grilled pineapple. Rewarm your leftover shrimp burgers and serve them as lettuce wraps, over a green salad like this Arugula Salad, or open face on toast with smashed avocado. Fries.
What to serve with a seafood Burger?
There are desserts too. Whether you want a salad, fruits, vegetables, or potatoes, we have you covered with so many choices on what to enjoy with your next seafood burger or patties. These sides are great for backyard barbecues, cookouts at the beach, park, or tailgate parties, or even for a weeknight dinner.
What do you put in a shrimp burger?
Paprika, seafood seasoning, and a pinch of cayenne give a nod to the classic shrimp po’boy. Because it’s not a burger without the fixin’s! Sliced avocado. Forever and ever amen. Plain Greek yogurt. A creamy, tangy, healthy alternative to mayo (I love to mix it with the Dijon for my own burger sauce). Lettuce + tomato. The classics.
What can be served with grilled shrimp?
Grilled shrimp can be served with big salads or spicy zucchini noodles. I usually make this dish by sautéing shrimp, but grilled shrimp is also delicious. To serve grilled shrimp, heat your grill to medium-hot and use a grill-safe pan or skewer the shrimp first.
What to serve with burgers?
They’re seasoned with bold spices like garlic (yes, please!), paprika, and red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Garnish with fresh parsley from the garden, and serve them up with your juicy burgers! Make this grilling season one to remember with these easy and delicious sides for burgers. Check out my personal favorite: Dill Pickle Pasta Salad.