Shrimp and grits, a beloved Southern staple, is a dish known for its creamy, savory, and often spicy flavors. If you’re pondering, “What To Serve With Shrimp And Grits?” you’ve landed in the perfect spot! We’re diving deep into the world of complementary dishes to elevate your shrimp and grits experience.
At [rental-server.net], we appreciate a good pairing, and shrimp and grits is no exception. While we admire classic renditions like Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits and Blackened Shrimp and Grits, we also love to experiment with unique twists. From Pesto Shrimp and Grits to Greek Shrimp and Grits, and even a Surf & Turf Shrimp and Grits, we’ve explored the versatility of this dish extensively. We’ve even ventured into Italian flavors with Shrimp and Polenta.
With our passion for culinary exploration, we’ve curated a list of 30 exceptional side dishes that will perfectly complement your shrimp and grits, ensuring you never have to wonder what to serve alongside this Southern comfort food again.
Delicious Sides to Pair with Your Shrimp and Grits
1. Southern Squash Casserole
Imagine mildly sweet squash, baked in a rich, creamy, cheesy sauce, and crowned with a buttery cracker topping. This Southern Squash Casserole is a comforting and classic side that beautifully balances the savory notes of shrimp and grits. It was the first side dish I ever enjoyed with shrimp and grits, and it remains a timeless favorite.
Get the Recipe: Southern Squash Casserole
2. Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread
Cornbread is a quintessential side dish that pairs wonderfully with shrimp and grits. But this isn’t just any cornbread. This Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread is cornbread elevated to a whole new level. The smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and a hint of jalapeño heat create an unforgettable flavor explosion that complements the creamy grits and savory shrimp perfectly. This might just become your new favorite cornbread recipe!
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Cornbread
3. Fried Green Tomatoes
For a taste of the South, especially during summertime, Fried Green Tomatoes are an absolute must-try side dish. These tomatoes are seasoned to perfection and fried to a crisp golden brown exterior, while the inside remains tender and juicy. They make a fantastic appetizer or side, offering a tangy and crunchy contrast to the creamy shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes
4. Classic Caesar Salad
Elevate your salad game with this easy and timeless Caesar Salad recipe. Arguably the most famous salad in the world, the Caesar is beloved for its simplicity and incredible taste. All you need is crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, savory Parmesan cheese, and a rich, flavorful Caesar dressing. Its refreshing crispness cuts through the richness of shrimp and grits beautifully.
Get the Recipe: Caesar Salad
5. Elegant Green Beans Almondine
Green Beans Almondine is a sophisticated and vibrant side dish. French-style green beans are tossed in a nutty brown butter sauce with toasted almonds, aromatic shallots, garlic, and a touch of lemon juice. The bright, fresh flavors and crunchy texture of this dish provide a delightful counterpoint to the creamy shrimp and grits, making it a side you’ll want to make time and time again.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine
6. Refreshing Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad with Pesto
For a burst of freshness, especially during spring and summer, this Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad with Pesto is the perfect choice. We’ve taken the classic cucumber and tomato salad and elevated it with a flavor-packed basil pesto dressing. This light, colorful, and refreshing salad will quickly become a favorite side to serve alongside your shrimp and grits, adding a vibrant and herbaceous element to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad
7. Hearty Succotash
Succotash is a traditional side dish brimming with corn kernels and lima beans. Regional variations might include other vegetables and even meats like bacon. This dish offers a wonderful blend of sweet and savory flavors, creating a comforting and satisfying side. The combination of textures and tastes in succotash makes it a fantastic complement to creamy shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe: Succotash
8. Tangy Three Bean Salad
This easy Three Bean Salad recipe is a summertime potluck staple, but its tangy and refreshing flavors make it enjoyable year-round. Fresh green beans are combined with garbanzo beans and kidney beans, all tossed in a zesty dressing. This salad is not only delicious and budget-friendly but also a surprisingly great side for shrimp and grits, offering a bright and acidic contrast to the richness of the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Three Bean Salad
9. Creamy Comfort Creamed Spinach
Prepare to be amazed by this Creamed Spinach recipe – it’s destined to become the star of your side dish selection. This creamed spinach is incredibly creamy, cheesy, and utterly comforting. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can easily whip up this recipe, which is far superior to any store-bought version. The richness of the creamed spinach is beautifully balanced by the savory shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach
10. Healthy Sweet Potato Fries
Looking for a healthier and tastier alternative to traditional French fries? Sweet Potato Fries are taking restaurants by storm, and now you can easily make them at home with this simple recipe! Baked to crispy perfection, these sweet potato fries offer a touch of sweetness and a satisfying crunch that complements the savory shrimp and grits wonderfully.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries
11. Classic Wedge Salad
For a crisp and refreshing salad option, consider the timeless Wedge Salad. Fresh, crispy iceberg lettuce wedges are topped with creamy dressing, bacon, and tomatoes. This salad is a classic for a reason, and it pairs exceptionally well with a variety of main courses, including shrimp and grits. Its cool and crunchy texture provides a delightful contrast to the creamy grits.
Get the Recipe: Wedge Salad
12. Cozy Clam Chowder
Indulge in a bowl of creamy Clam Chowder – the ultimate cozy seafood experience. This New England Clam Chowder features a rich, perfectly seasoned broth loaded with tender clams and potatoes. It’s a classic side dish found in seafood restaurants for good reason. The creamy and briny flavors of clam chowder create a harmonious pairing with shrimp and grits, especially on a cooler evening.
Get the Recipe: Clam Chowder
13. Easy Sheet Pan Roasted Broccoli
Make this incredibly easy and addictive Sheet Pan Roasted Broccoli for a healthy and flavorful vegetable side. Roasting broccoli brings out its natural sweetness and creates delightfully crispy edges. This simple yet delicious side dish is a perfect way to add some greens to your shrimp and grits meal, offering a slightly bitter and nutty counterpoint.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Broccoli
14. Simple 5 Ingredient Corn Casserole
This Corn Casserole is not only incredibly delicious but also remarkably simple to make. With just 5 ingredients and 3 easy steps, it doesn’t get much better than this! This sweet and creamy corn casserole is a crowd-pleaser that complements the savory shrimp and grits beautifully. It’s a comforting and effortless side dish that’s sure to disappear quickly.
Get the Recipe: 5 Ingredient Corn Casserole
15. Southern Fried Okra (External Link)
Fried okra is a quintessential Southern summer side dish, and this recipe shows you how to achieve perfectly golden and crispy okra every time. Even if you think you’re not an okra fan, this recipe might just change your mind! The crunchy texture and slightly earthy flavor of fried okra make it a classic Southern pairing with shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe @ spicysouthernkitchen
16. Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits (External Link)
These buttermilk biscuits are incredibly fluffy and tender, and they require only four ingredients! You’ll be amazed at how easy they are to make. Warm, buttery biscuits are always a welcome addition to any Southern meal, and they are especially delightful for soaking up the flavorful sauce from your shrimp and grits.
17. Classic Southern Collard Greens (External Link)
Nothing embodies Southern cuisine quite like collard greens, and this recipe is truly exceptional. Slow-cooked to tender perfection and infused with smoky flavors, these collard greens are a must-try. The slightly bitter and earthy notes of collard greens provide a traditional and authentic Southern complement to shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe @ theseasonedmom
18. Creamy She-Crab Soup (External Link)
If you’ve ever visited the Carolina Lowcountry, you’ve likely encountered She-Crab Soup. This rich and creamy soup is bursting with crab flavor and takes only about 25 minutes to prepare, yet it tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant! The luxurious and savory flavors of she-crab soup create an indulgent side dish that pairs wonderfully with shrimp and grits, enhancing the seafood theme of the meal.
Get the Recipe @ biscuitsandburlap
19. Golden Fried Hush Puppies (External Link)
These deep-fried hush puppies are simply irresistible! Perfect for snacking or as a tasty side dish, these cornmeal fritters are a Southern classic. Skip the mix and make these homemade hushpuppies – they are well worth the effort! The slightly sweet and savory flavor of hush puppies, combined with their crispy exterior and soft interior, makes them a delightful accompaniment to shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe @ thecookierookie
20. Sweet and Spiced Fried Apples (External Link)
Indulge in the flavorful delight of Fried Apples! These tart, sweet, and perfectly spiced apples are a comforting and versatile dish. They can be served as a side dish or a tempting dessert, adding a touch of sweetness and warmth to your meal. The sweet and spiced flavors of fried apples offer a unique and delicious contrast to the savory shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe @ foodfolksandfun
21. Savory Southern Style Green Beans (External Link)
Experience the heavenly flavors of slow-cooked Southern Green Beans. These tender and melt-in-your-mouth string beans are simmered with savory onion, garlic, and bacon for a truly scrumptious experience. The smoky and savory flavors of these green beans, cooked until perfectly tender, make them a comforting and classic Southern side dish for shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe @ healthylittlepeach
22. Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits (External Link)
This Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe is the ultimate copycat of Red Lobster’s famous garlicky, cheesy biscuits, ready in under 20 minutes at home! If you love a warm, flavorful biscuit, you’re going to adore these copycat cheddar bay biscuits. These cheesy, garlicky biscuits are incredibly addictive and make a fantastic side for soaking up the creamy sauce of shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe @ allthingsmamma
23. Refreshing Southern Sweet Tea (External Link)
Nothing says “Southern” quite like a cold glass of sweet iced tea. While you might not need a recipe, this list wouldn’t be complete without it! Sweet tea is the quintessential Southern beverage, and its sweet and refreshing taste is a perfect complement to the rich and savory flavors of shrimp and grits.
24. Tangy Pickled Okra (External Link)
Pickled okra is a versatile ingredient to have on hand, whether as a component in various dishes or simply for snacking. This recipe utilizes the refrigerator method, eliminating the need for canning and making it quick and easy. The tangy and slightly spicy flavor of pickled okra provides a zesty and crunchy contrast to the creamy shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe @ biscuitsandburlap
25. Authentic Gumbo (External Link)
Bring the vibrant flavors of New Orleans to your kitchen with this authentic Gumbo recipe! Made with a dark roux, fresh vegetables including okra, and your choice of meat, every spoonful of this gumbo is incredibly delicious and comforting. A flavorful gumbo, especially one with seafood, can be served as a side or even a starter to a shrimp and grits meal, enhancing the Southern and Creole flavors.
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
26. Rich Oysters Rockefeller (External Link)
In this classic dish, Oysters Rockefeller, the “Rockefeller” name alludes to the dollar bill-green color of the sauce and its richness, as it’s loaded with butter, garlic, spinach, and herbs. Another New Orleans invention dating back to 1889, Oysters Rockefeller are a decadent and flavorful side dish. The rich and buttery flavors of Oysters Rockefeller offer a luxurious and sophisticated pairing with shrimp and grits, creating an elegant seafood-focused meal.
27. Hearty Strawberry Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken (External Link)
Everyone’s favorite summer salad gets a bit heartier with this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken. Juicy grilled chicken thighs are added to a classic strawberry spinach salad with a creamy poppy seed dressing, creating a tasty and satisfying meal any time of day. While traditionally a full meal, a smaller portion of this salad provides a refreshing and fruity contrast to shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
28. Sweet Candied Yams (External Link)
This classic candied yam recipe is simply irresistible! Sweet potatoes, cooked until tender and glazed in a buttery syrup, create a delightful and cherished side dish, especially for holiday and Sunday dinners. The sweet and comforting flavors of candied yams, a soul food classic, offer a delicious sweet counterpoint to the savory shrimp and grits.
Get the Recipe @ sweetteaandthyme
29. Creamy Lobster Bisque (External Link)
Don’t be intimidated by the idea of making bisque at home. This Lobster Bisque recipe offers an easier take on the classic, creating a creamy and luxurious soup with lobster tails, fresh herbs, and seafood stock. The rich and decadent flavors of lobster bisque create an indulgent and seafood-forward side dish that elevates shrimp and grits to a gourmet level.
30. Crispy Corn Fritters (External Link)
Anything fried is bound to be delicious, right? These Corn Fritters are bite-sized morsels of fried dough loaded with sweet corn kernels. Crispy and slightly sweet, corn fritters are a fun and tasty side dish that adds a touch of playful indulgence to a shrimp and grits meal.
With so many incredible sides for shrimp and grits to choose from, the only question is: which one will you try first?
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Enjoy exploring these delicious side dish pairings and creating memorable shrimp and grits meals!
