Shrimp cocktail is a timeless classic, often gracing tables at parties, holidays, and special occasions. Its simple elegance and refreshing taste make it a crowd-pleaser. But if you’re serving shrimp cocktail, you might be wondering, What To Serve With Shrimp Cocktail to create a complete and satisfying meal or appetizer spread?
You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re aiming for a light lunch, a sophisticated starter, or a full-blown seafood feast, this guide will walk you through the best side dishes and accompaniments to elevate your shrimp cocktail experience. From fresh salads to hearty vegetables and beyond, we’ve got delicious pairings to suit every palate and occasion.
Individual shrimp cocktail servings elegantly arranged for a catered event
Delightful Salads to Complement Shrimp Cocktail
A crisp, refreshing salad is a quintessential partner for shrimp cocktail. The lightness and acidity of a salad beautifully cut through the richness of the shrimp and cocktail sauce, creating a balanced and invigorating combination.
Consider these salad options to serve alongside your shrimp:
Classic and Creative Salad Choices
- Simple Green Salad: You can never go wrong with a simple green salad. A mix of fresh greens, a light vinaigrette, and perhaps some cucumber and tomato provides a clean and palate-cleansing contrast to the shrimp.
- Goat Cheese Apple Salad: For a touch of sweetness and creaminess, a Goat Cheese Apple Salad is an excellent choice. The tangy goat cheese and crisp apples offer delightful textures and flavors.
- Mango Arugula Salad: Bring a tropical twist with a vibrant Mango Arugula Salad. The peppery arugula and sweet mango create an exciting flavor profile that complements seafood beautifully.
- Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint: Especially perfect for summer, a Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint is incredibly refreshing and light. The salty feta and cool mint enhance the sweetness of the watermelon.
Heartier Salad Options
- Macaroni Salad: If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, macaroni salad is a flavorful and satisfying side. Its creamy dressing and pasta base offer a comforting contrast to the delicate shrimp. For a lighter twist, try a Weight Watchers Macaroni Salad with tropical flavors.
- Greek Salad: A Mediterranean Farro Salad or a classic Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and olives is another fantastic option. The bold, briny flavors of a Greek salad stand up well to the taste of shrimp.
- Tabouli Salad: For a healthy and herbaceous choice, Tabouli salad is ideal. Made with bulgur wheat, fresh herbs, and chopped vegetables, it’s a light yet flavorful salad that adds a nutritious boost to your meal.
- Potato Salad: Classic and comforting, potato salad is a wonderful side, especially for a casual gathering or BBQ. Try a Smashed Potato Salad for a textural twist, or an Instant Pot Potato Salad for ease of preparation.
Preparing potato salad with red onions and herbs
- Broccoli Salad: For a crunchy and creamy option, a Low Carb Broccoli Salad is an excellent choice. The combination of broccoli, bacon, cheese, and creamy dressing is always a hit.
- Cauliflower Salad: Looking for a healthier alternative? An Instant Pot Cauliflower Salad with roasted cauliflower, kale, and quinoa is both nutritious and delicious.
- Caesar Salad: A Chicken Caesar Salad provides a more substantial salad option. The creamy Caesar dressing, crisp romaine, and parmesan cheese offer a satisfying and flavorful counterpoint to the shrimp.
- Kale Apple Salad with Pomegranates: For a vibrant and healthy salad, a Kale Apple Salad With Pomegranates is a great choice. The slightly bitter kale is balanced by sweet apples and juicy pomegranate seeds.
- Dragon Fruit Salad: Impress your guests with a unique and beautiful Dragon Fruit Salad. The mild sweetness of dragon fruit paired with mango and avocado creates an elegant and refreshing side.
- Beetroot and Feta Salad: Earthy and tangy, a Roasted Beetroot And Feta Salad with walnuts and a tangy dressing provides a sophisticated and flavorful pairing.
Roasted beet salad with pomegranate molasses and feta cheese
Vegetable Sides for a Healthy and Flavorful Meal
Vegetables are a natural and healthy accompaniment to shrimp cocktail. Their freshness and variety of flavors and textures enhance the overall dining experience.
Fresh and Cooked Vegetable Options
- Green Vegetables: From Cabbage, Spinach And Potatoes to Air Fryer Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese, green vegetables offer a vibrant and nutritious side. Air Fryer Green Beans are another excellent and easy option.
- Crispy Veggies: For a delightful textural contrast, serve crispy vegetables like Crispy Air Fryer Beet Chips, Air Fryer Carrot Fries, Crispy Air Fryer Avocado Fries, or Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
- Roasted Vegetables: Balsamic Grilled Vegetables or simply roasted vegetables offer a hearty and flavorful side. A vegetable platter with a dipping sauce is also a great way to offer variety and appeal to different tastes.
- Roasted Asparagus: Simple yet elegant, roasted asparagus, especially when sprinkled with Parmesan or feta cheese, is a fantastic and quick side dish.
Unique and Creative Vegetable Pairings
- Bell Peppers and Nachos: For a fun and interactive appetizer or light meal, serve shrimp cocktail with nachos and bell peppers. The crunchy nachos and sweet bell peppers provide a delightful base for the shrimp and cocktail sauce.
- Au Gratin Potatoes: Indulge in a richer side with creamy Parmesan Au Gratin Potatoes. The cheesy, decadent potatoes create a luxurious pairing with the shrimp cocktail.
Creamy Parmesan Au Gratin Potatoes with golden crust
- Stuffed Tomatoes: For a healthy and elegant presentation, stuff tomatoes with shrimp cocktail. This creates a flavorful and visually appealing dish that can be served as an appetizer or light lunch.
- Sweet Potato Fries: Crispy and Sweet Potato Fries offer a sweet and savory contrast to the shrimp. The sweetness of the fries and the saltiness of the shrimp create a satisfying flavor combination.
Seafood Companions for a Seafood Feast
For seafood lovers, pairing shrimp cocktail with other seafood dishes is a fantastic way to create a truly indulgent meal.
Expanding the Seafood Platter
- Crab or Lobster: Elevate your shrimp cocktail with luxurious additions like crab legs or Lobster. Scallops or Fish Tacos are also excellent choices for a varied seafood platter. Arrange your seafood selection on ice to maintain freshness and chill.
Fruity Delights to Balance the Savory
Fruit might seem unexpected, but its sweetness and acidity can beautifully complement the savory flavors of shrimp cocktail.
Sweet and Refreshing Fruit Sides
- Watermelon: A Watermelon Salad With Feta And Mint is a particularly refreshing and summery choice.
- Cantaloupe: Add a touch of sweetness and color with cantaloupe. Cantaloupe Melon and Prosciutto Skewers offer a sophisticated and flavorful combination.
- Pineapple: Juicy and tangy pineapple is a classic pairing with seafood. Its sweetness cuts through the richness of the shrimp.
- Mango: For a tropical flair, serve mango. Mango and Pineapple Salsa or Mango Arugula Salad are both excellent options.
Fresh mango slices on a white plate
- Grapefruit: The unique slightly bitter and tangy flavor of grapefruit can be surprisingly delicious with shrimp. Consider a grapefruit and avocado salad.
Rice and Grain Sides for a Heartier Meal
Rice or grain-based side dishes can transform shrimp cocktail into a more substantial and satisfying meal.
Rice and Grain Pairings
- Mexican Rice: Mexican Rice or even a shrimp paella can be surprisingly delicious with shrimp cocktail, creating a flavorful and filling combination.
- Plain Rice: Even simple Long Grain White Rice can be a good base, allowing the shrimp cocktail to be the star.
Bread Sides for Sopping Up Flavor
Bread is a versatile and crowd-pleasing side that’s perfect for soaking up all the delicious flavors of your shrimp cocktail and its accompaniments.
Bread Options
- Saltine Crackers: A classic and simple pairing, saltine crackers are perfect for enjoying with shrimp cocktail.
- Garlic Bread: You can’t go wrong with savory and buttery garlic bread. It’s a crowd-pleaser and ideal for dipping into any extra cocktail sauce.
- Monkey Bread: For a fun and shareable option, try a savory monkey bread like Pizza Monkey Bread.
- Zucchini Bread: Add a touch of sweetness and vegetables with zucchini bread.
Explore Different Breads
Consider offering a variety of breads like Raw Vegan Bread, Homemade Bagels with Sesame Seeds, Sourdough Discard Focaccia, or Easy Oat Bread With Crunchy Seed Topping to create a bread basket that complements your shrimp cocktail.
Condiments and Sauces to Enhance the Flavor
While cocktail sauce is traditional, offering a variety of condiments and sauces allows guests to customize their shrimp cocktail experience.
Flavor Enhancers
- Lemon wedges and Lime wedges: Essential for adding a burst of acidity.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh Herbs like parsley, basil, mint, or cilantro add freshness and aroma.
- Spices: Old Bay seasoning or paprika can add a touch of warmth and spice.
- Horseradish: For those who like a kick, horseradish is a must-have.
Sauce Alternatives
- Sriracha Mayo: Creamy and spicy, sriracha mayo adds a modern twist.
- Chili Garlic Sauce: For a bolder, Asian-inspired flavor.
- Barbecue Sauce: Surprisingly delicious for those who enjoy sweet and smoky notes.
- Dipping Sauces: Offer a selection of dipping sauces like Herby Ranch Dressing, Honey Mustard, Caesar Dressing, or Thousand Island dressing.
Variety of dipping sauces and spices in small white bowls
What About Thousand Island Dressing?
Thousand Island dressing, a classic blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish, is a surprisingly good accompaniment to shrimp cocktail. For a healthier version, try using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
Drinks to Serve with Shrimp Cocktail
The right beverage can elevate your shrimp cocktail experience.
Drink Pairings
- White Wine: A light and crisp white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, pairs beautifully with the acidity of cocktail sauce.
- Sparkling Water: For a non-alcoholic option, sparkling water is refreshing and palate-cleansing.
- Mocktails: Consider serving refreshing mocktails like Passion Fruit Juice, Cranberry Lime Mocktail, or a Grapefruit Rosemary Mocktail.
Selection of gin and tonic drinks with different fruit garnishes
Serving Shrimp at its Best
For optimal flavor and freshness, serve shrimp cocktail within two hours of cooking. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze for longer storage.
Enjoy Creating Your Perfect Shrimp Cocktail Meal
With so many delicious options, deciding what to serve with shrimp cocktail is all about your personal preferences and the occasion. Don’t be afraid to get creative and mix and match different side dishes and accompaniments to create a memorable and enjoyable meal for yourself and your guests. Whether it’s a casual family dinner or an elegant party, shrimp cocktail is a versatile dish that’s sure to be a hit!
