What to Serve With Steamed Shrimp: 15 Best Side Dishes

Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I greatly appreciate your support!

📦 Amazon Daily Deals 2025 DEALS

The wait is over. Shop the official price drops on Tech, Home, Kitchen & Apple products right now.

👉 Shop Amazon Sale

⚡ LIMITED TIME OFFERS • PRIME DELIVERY ⚡

When serving steamed shrimp, pair it with side dishes that enhance its delicate flavor. Garlic butter asparagus offers a vibrant green hue and rich taste, making it a perfect match. Lemon herb quinoa provides a light and invigorating contrast, packed with nutritional benefits. For a tropical touch, try an avocado mango salad with a zesty citrus dressing. Roasted Brussels sprouts with caramelized edges and a balsamic glaze add a robust flavor. Crispy potato wedges with a golden exterior and fluffy interior complete the meal. Continue exploring for more delightful pairings that will make your steamed shrimp meal truly memorable.

Garlic Butter Asparagus

delicious roasted green spears

Garlic butter asparagus, with its vibrant green hue and rich flavor, is a fantastic accompaniment to steamed shrimp. This flavor pairing enhances the natural sweetness of shrimp with the savory richness of garlic butter.

For best results, sauté the asparagus until tender-crisp, ensuring it retains its bright color. A sprinkle of sea salt and a dash of lemon juice will elevate this dish.

Lemon Herb Quinoa

healthy protein packed grain dish

Complementing the savory notes of garlic butter asparagus, lemon herb quinoa offers a light and invigorating contrast with its zesty and aromatic profile. Packed with nutritional benefits like protein and fiber, this dish is both healthy and delicious.

For preparation tips, cook the quinoa in vegetable broth, then mix in fresh lemon juice, chopped herbs, and a pinch of salt for extra flavor.

Avocado Mango Salad

refreshing tropical fruit salad

The vibrant combination of creamy avocado and juicy mango creates an invigorating and colorful salad that perfectly balances the flavors of steamed shrimp.

Enhanced by a zesty citrus dressing, this dish offers a delightful tropical flavor that complements the shrimp's subtle taste.

The bright, fresh ingredients make it an appealing and nutritious side, adding a touch of the tropics to your meal.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

delicious vegetable side dish

Roasted Brussels sprouts, with their caramelized edges and robust flavor, offer a deliciously savory side dish that pairs wonderfully with steamed shrimp.

Drizzled with a balsamic glaze, these sprouts become even more irresistible.

Adding crispy bacon not only enhances the texture but also infuses a smoky richness that complements the shrimp perfectly.

This combination creates a balanced, flavorful dining experience.

Crispy Potato Wedges

golden brown potato perfection

Crispy potato wedges, with their golden exterior and fluffy interior, provide a satisfying contrast to the tender, succulent steamed shrimp. They can be seasoned with various options, from classic salt and pepper to zesty garlic and rosemary.

Pair them with dipping sauces like tangy ketchup or creamy aioli. This combination guarantees a delightful and balanced dining experience, enhancing every bite.

Corn on the Cob

delicious summertime bbq treat

Alongside the flavorful potato wedges, sweet and juicy corn on the cob enhances the meal with its natural sweetness and satisfying crunch.

Various corn varieties can be chosen to suit different tastes. Grilling techniques like butter basting or seasoning with herbs can elevate its flavor.

Whether charred for a smoky touch or boiled for simplicity, corn on the cob perfectly complements steamed shrimp.

Cucumber Dill Salad

refreshing summer side dish

A rejuvenating cucumber dill salad provides a crisp and tangy counterpoint to the richness of steamed shrimp. Its fresh flavor profile harmonizes the meal perfectly, while offering significant health benefits.

The combination of cool cucumbers and aromatic dill guarantees a revitalizing experience. This salad is not only delicious but also easy to prepare, making it an ideal companion for any seafood dish.

Garlic Parmesan Broccoli

tasty garlic parmesan broccoli

In addition to the invigorating cucumber dill salad, garlic parmesan broccoli introduces a savory and robust flavor profile to your steamed shrimp meal.

This side dish boasts both taste and health benefits, with broccoli rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Spinach Orzo Pasta

delicious vegetarian pasta dish

Spinach orzo pasta provides a delightful balance of flavors and textures, making it an excellent complement to steamed shrimp.

Infused with Mediterranean flavors, this dish combines the earthiness of spinach with the creamy texture of orzo, offering a comforting yet sophisticated taste experience.

The pasta absorbs the shrimp's juices, enhancing the overall flavor profile and creating a harmonious, satisfying meal.

Tomato Basil Salad

fresh flavorful summer dish

Tomato basil salad brings a invigorating and vibrant contrast to steamed shrimp, with its juicy tomatoes and fragrant basil leaves.

Heirloom tomatoes add vibrant colors and rich flavors, making the dish visually appealing and delicious.

Drizzling a balsamic glaze over the salad enhances its taste, providing a tangy sweetness that perfectly complements the fresh ingredients.

This combination creates a delightful, rejuvenating side.

Grilled Zucchini

delicious summer bbq dish

Grilled zucchini offers a smoky and tender companion to steamed shrimp, enhancing the meal with its subtle flavors and satisfying texture.

Utilizing simple grilling techniques, zucchini benefits from being lightly seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper before hitting the grill. This method preserves its nutrients while creating appealing grill marks, making it a delightful and healthy side dish option for your seafood feast.

Sweet Potato Mash

creamy and flavorful side

Sweet potato mash provides a rich, creamy counterpart to steamed shrimp, offering a delightful balance of sweetness and texture.

With numerous health benefits, such as vitamins A and C, it's a nutritious choice.

For serving suggestions, try adding a dash of cinnamon or a sprinkle of chives.

This dish pairs beautifully with shrimp, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and nutrients.

Coconut Rice

creamy coconut infused rice dish

Another excellent accompaniment to steamed shrimp is coconut rice, which infuses the dish with a subtle sweetness and a hint of tropical flavor.

The creamy texture of the rice pairs beautifully with the tender shrimp, creating a harmonious blend of tastes and sensations.

This side dish not only enhances the meal but also introduces a delightful, exotic twist that is sure to impress.

Caprese Salad

fresh tomatoes mozzarella basil

A Caprese salad offers a lively and invigorating counterpoint to the rich flavors of steamed shrimp. The creamy fresh mozzarella pairs beautifully with the juicy tomatoes, while the basil adds a fragrant touch.

Drizzled with a tangy balsamic glaze, this simple yet elegant dish enhances the overall dining experience, making it a delightful accompaniment.

Are the Best Side Dishes for Stuffed Clams also Suitable for Steamed Shrimp?

Looking for the best side dishes for stuffed clams? While classics like garlic bread and a crisp salad can complement these savory bites, they may not be the best options for steamed shrimp. Consider pairing steamed shrimp with lighter sides like grilled vegetables or a refreshing quinoa salad for a well-balanced meal.

Sautéed Green Beans

delicious green beans recipe

Complementing the Caprese salad, sautéed green beans offer a crisp and savory addition to the meal, providing a delightful contrast to the tender steamed shrimp.

Cook the green beans in olive oil until they are bright and slightly tender. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for an added nutty flavor and a touch of crunch.

This side dish is both simple and elegant, enhancing your dining experience.