What to serve with a shrimp cocktail can be a tough decision. You want a side dish that pairs well with shrimp’s salty, sweet flavor. However, a good side dish will also taste great with the tangy flavors of the cocktail sauce.
It can be hard to find just the right side dishes that perfectly match your shrimp cocktail recipe’s flavors!
You may also want a side dish that is finger food or an appetizer. Shrimp cocktail is often served as a starter dish or a passed hors d’oeuvres. An appetizer-style side may work well with a shrimp cocktail.
On the other hand, you might want a more filling side dish to make your shrimp cocktail into a complete meal. So many choices to make!
We have searched and searched for the perfect shrimp cocktail side dishes. We know that one (or more) of the tasty foods on this list will be exactly what you are looking for.
Take a look and see which side dishes for shrimp cocktail catch your eye. Then head to the kitchen, make your favorite shrimp cocktail recipe and pick a recipe from our list to make, too!
A perfect meal will be ready in no time.
Shrimp Cocktail with Cocktail Sauce
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Shrimp Cocktail Sides: Recipes You’ll Love
When searching for what to serve with shrimp cocktail, we tried to keep the origin of the dish in mind. Shrimp cocktail originated in the United States. The dish was invented in the early 1920s and just got more and more popular!
Look for sides that were also created in the US, and this can guide you toward the perfect shrimp cocktail side dish. Similar cuisines tend to go well together.
Shrimp cocktail is made with steamed, chilled shrimp. The tails are usually on the shrimp, making them easy to hold and dip.
The dipping sauce is what makes shrimp cocktail extra special. Everyone has their favorite premade sauce of shrimp cocktail sauce recipe they love.
The cocktail sauce’s tangy, slightly spicy flavors are important to keep in mind as you pick a shrimp cocktail side dish.
Let’s dive into our favorite shrimp cocktail sides and see which ones you love!
1. Skinny Mozzarella Sticks
Our skinny mozzarella sticks are a perfect appetizer to serve alongside shrimp cocktail. They are the ideal finger food. Our recipe will show you how to make a slimmed-down, healthier version of mozzarella sticks.
Rather than bread mozzarella cheese and deep fry it like most mozzarella stick recipes, we wrap the cheese in wonton wrappers and bake them.
Wonton wrapped are lower in carbs and calories. They are also very easy to use. Fold a wrapper around a cheese stick, and you are ready to bake!
Baking the mozzarella sticks enables you to use less oil. This means fewer fats and overall easier cooking.
Serve the mozzarella sticks warm out of the oven next to your chilled shrimp cocktail. They are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
2. Macaroni Salad
A tasty pasta salad is a great side dish for a shrimp cocktail. The macaroni salad’s creamy texture pairs perfectly with the tangy, spicy cocktail sauce.
Image Source: Sugar Spun Run
Give this recipe from Sugar Spun Run a try. It may be the most flavorful macaroni salad we have ever tried. It may just be the best macaroni salad ever!
The sour cream and mayonnaise dressing is made even better with the addition of pickle juice. Some tangy spices help the macaroni salad get even more flavor. The red wine vinegar taste will complement your homemade cocktail sauce as well.
Make the macaroni salad a day in advance. The longer the pasta sits in the dressing, the more tender and delicious it will be.
3. Au Gratin Potatoes
Au gratin potatoes are a cheesy potato favorite. They make a fantastic side dish and are surprisingly easy to make. This recipe from Spend With Pennies will help make your shrimp cocktail meal complete. A potato side dish is such a hearty option.
Image Source: Spend With Pennies
Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with a homemade cheese sauce. The casserole dish is baked until the sauce bubbles, and the potatoes start to look crispy on top.
Try adding some sliced tomatoes in between the potato layers. Tomato-laced fried potatoes will pair well with the cocktail sauce flavor. The bright red tomatoes also make these au gratin potatoes even prettier.
Think about making a simple Caesar salad or a Greek salad to serve with the shrimp cocktail and potatoes. A light vegetable side dish makes a complete, filling meal.
Adding an easy feta salad or steamed vegetables will round out your meal nicely!
4. Roasted Asparagus
Our simple roasted asparagus is exactly what to serve with shrimp cocktail. It is easy, flavorful, and will add a nice pop of color to your plate.
Toss fresh asparagus spears in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the asparagus on a baking sheet and roast until the asparagus is tender, but the tips are crispy. Add a little lime juice or lemon juice to the veggie, and it is ready to serve.
We love sprinkling some grated parmesan cheese over the roasted asparagus. The roasted asparagus and parmesan combination is irresistible.
Parmesan cheese and shrimp cocktail goes surprisingly well together, too. It must be that salty, tangy combination that we love!
We have tried roasting this asparagus with garlic sesame vinaigrette, and it is another super yummy way to make this side dish.
Play around with marinades and dressings to make the dish perfectly seasoned. You may even want to consider preparing some prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. Now that would be a very fancy side to serve with shrimp cocktail!
5. Zucchini Fries
Damn Delicious will show you how to make the perfect parmesan zucchini fries to serve with shrimp cocktail. You will never want regular French fries after you try this healthier, tastier version of fries!
Image Source: Damn Delicious
Fresh zucchini is cut into strips and then breaded. Bake the parmesan zucchini fries in the oven until they are crispy and golden brown.
Zucchini fries are delicious on their own but taste even better dipped in a spicy marinara sauce or even in cocktail sauce! Add a little chili sauce to make a spicy marinara sauce that is to die for.
Try squeezing an extra lemon wedge over the fries to a delicious appetizer dish that perfectly matches the shrimp cocktail’s flavors.
6. Roasted Broccoli Alfredo
Our amazing pan-roasted broccoli alfredo is the best way to complete your shrimp cocktail meal. Serve grilled shrimp cocktail as an appetizer and then follow it with this flavorful pasta dish.
The creamy alfredo sauce is yummy after a tangy cocktail sauce. The veggies in the dish make it a healthy option too!
Our recipe uses broccoli but feel free to add your favorite sauteed veggies to the mix. Some seasoned steamed eggplant, chopped bell pepper, or roasted Mediterranean vegetables would make a great addition.
Prepare broccoli or the veggie of your choice in advance to save on kitchen time. Side dishes that you can make in advance are always the best!
The spicy flavor of the sausage pairs well with spicy shrimp. Make steamed shrimp with a bit of chili sauce to get some nice heat into your shrimp cocktail.
7. Green Bean Salad
A fresh green bean salad can be the best side dish for shrimp cocktail. Crunchy green beans go so well with tender grilled shrimp.
Image Source: Dinner at the Zoo
The lemon juice flavor of the cocktail sauce is delicious with the savory green beans. It really is the perfect match!
Try making this fresh green bean salad recipe from Dinner at the Zoo. Steamed green beans are tossed with feta cheese, sliced olives, and a Greek-style dressing.
Use parmesan cheese in place of feta cheese for an Italian twist. A few chopped red bell peppers will give the green bean salad a little extra color. This salad and a nice big shrimp cocktail make for quite a delicious meal.
8. Orzo Salad with Spinach
A nice spinach orzo salad is a classy side dish to serve with shrimp cocktail. This recipe from Simply Recipes is one of our favorites. It does take a little time to prepare, so pull your frozen shrimp out to thaw, then start boiling water for the orzo salad.
Image Source: Simply Recipes
Fresh spinach and salty feta cheese add a lot of flavors. The balsamic vinegar matches the taste of the Worcestershire sauce in your shrimp cocktail. The lemony taste of the dressing is sure to make your meal complete.
We love the addition of crunchy pine nuts. They really make this rice dish restaurant-worthy. Try cooking the rice with chicken broth to make it even richer.
Healthy veggies, like spinach, are perfect for rounding out a shrimp cocktail meal. Add a hearty soup or creative corn fritter Caprese salad with balsamic vinaigrette to make your meal even more perfect!
9. Potato Salad
Potato salad is a classic side dish that goes with almost anything. It definitely tastes great with shrimp cocktail!
Image Source: Gimme Some Oven
Try this potato salad recipe from Gimme Some Oven. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, relish, celery salt, and mustard.
Try adding some hot sauce to the dressing to make the salad a little spicy. This will taste great with the flavors of the frozen shrimp cocktail. Make some spicy shrimp using chili sauce to create a super flavorful, hot meal. Grab some extra lemon wedges to combat the heat!
Feel free to make the potato salad ahead of time. Potato salad tastes better on the second or third day.
We like to eat potato salad cold, just like the cold shrimp cocktail. You really can’t go wrong with creamy potatoes and a delicious, refreshing side dish of shrimp cocktail.
10. Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Grilled portobello mushrooms are one of the best side dishes for shrimp cocktail. This is especially true if you plan on cooking grilled shrimp to make your shrimp cocktail. You already have the grill on. You might as well make some grilled mushrooms!
Image Source: Well Plated
This recipe from Well Plated is very easy to put together. The mushrooms are coated in a homemade marinade. The garlic in the marinade tastes great with garlic shrimp or garlic poached shrimp. Consider making these tasty types of shrimp to go with your grilled portobello mushrooms.
The lemon zest in the marinade will go well with your cocktail sauce. We love when side dishes for shrimp are cohesive and easy!
The mushroom caps are large enough to cook on the grill alone; however, you may want to make grilled kabobs instead. Make shrimp skewers and portobello mushroom skewers at the same time!
Grilled mushrooms are one of the best side dishes for shrimp and a side you will love for sure!
Incredible Sides to Go with Your Grilled Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
Any of our delicious appetizer recipes will taste incredible with your favorite shrimp cocktail. From a simple Caesar salad to a heartier alfredo pasta, these side dishes are great for any occasion!
Let us know which side you love and which are your favorites. Enjoy
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