Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’ve been grilling shrimp kabobs for years, and lemme tell you – finding the perfect sides to go with them can really take your meal from good to absolutely amazing. Today, I’m gonna share my favorite side dishes that’ll make your shrimp kabobs shine!
Why These Sides Work Great with Shrimp Kabobs
Before diving into the specific dishes, here’s why these pairings work so well:
- They complement the light, fresh taste of grilled shrimp
- Most can be made ahead, giving you more time to focus on grilling
- They offer different textures and flavors that balance the meal
- Many can be grilled alongside your kabobs (bonus: keeps your kitchen cool!)
Must-Try Side Dishes for Shrimp Kabobs
1. Classic Potato Salads
Two amazing options here
- Deviled Potato Salad: This zippy, tangy version combines the best of egg salad and potato salad. Make it the night before – it gets even better!
- Red Skin Potato Salad: A creamy dream with mayo, sour cream, dijon mustard, and crunchy celery. Perfect for summer cookouts!
2. Fresh Summer Salads
- Grandma Dorothea’s Corn Salad: Uses fresh garden produce for that true summer feeling
- Cucumber Salad: Thin-sliced cucumbers and onions in tangy vinegar dressing – super refreshing!
- Marinated Vegetable Salad: Quick, easy, and perfect for make-ahead prep
3. Grilled Veggies
- Parmesan Roasted Asparagus: Topped with panko breadcrumbs – ready in 20 mins!
- Grilled Corn on the Cob: Brush with garlic butter for extra yum
- Colorful Bell Peppers: Slice and grill ’em right alongside your kabobs
4. Grain-Based Sides
- Coconut Rice: Made with jasmine rice and coconut milk – heavenly!
- Mediterranean Feta Mac and Cheese: A light, fresh twist on the classic
- Quinoa Bowls: Great for customizing with different toppings
5. Unique Veggie Dishes
- Moroccan Carrot Salad: Spicy and warm-spiced – unexpected but delicious!
- Creamed Spinach with Caramelized Onions: Rich and indulgent
- Air Fryer Okra: Crispy and ready in just 15 minutes
- Rudy’s BBQ Creamed Corn: Skip the can, make this slow cooker version instead
Pro Tips for Serving
Here’s what I’ve learned from countless shrimp kabob dinners:
- Temperature Balance: Serve at least one room-temp dish – not everything needs to be hot!
- Prep Ahead: Many of these sides can be made earlier in the day
- Family Style: Set up a big board with sides and let people build their own plates
- Sauce it Up: Keep some extra lemon wedges and maybe a garlic butter sauce nearby
Make It a Complete Meal
To really round out your shrimp kabob dinner, try this combo:
- 1-2 cold salads
- 1 warm veggie side
- 1 starch (rice, potatoes, or mac and cheese)
- Fresh bread or grilled pita
- Cold beverages (may I suggest a crisp white wine or sparkling water with citrus?)
My Personal Fave Combo
When I’m hosting. here’s my go-to lineup
- Coconut rice (the coconut really vibes with grilled shrimp)
- Cucumber salad (for that fresh crunch)
- Grilled asparagus (cuz why not use the grill while it’s hot?)
- Fresh bread for soaking up any yummy juices
Common Questions I Get Asked
Q: Can I make everything ahead?
A: Most sides can be prepped ahead! Just save the grilled items for last.
Q: What if I’m serving a crowd?
A: Pick 2-3 make-ahead sides and one grilled option. Potato salads and marinated veggie salads are great for crowds!
Final Thoughts
Remember, these are just suggestions – feel free to mix and match based on what your crew likes! The key is having a nice variety of flavors and textures to complement those amazing shrimp kabobs you’re gonna grill up.
Now, I’d love to hear from you – what’s your favorite side to serve with shrimp kabobs? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it!
Happy grilling, y’all!
#grilling #shrimpkabobs #sidedishes #summerrecipes #cookout
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article further?
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.