What Vegetable Goes with Shrimp? Delicious Pairing Ideas!

Are you looking for the perfect vegetable to pair with your shrimp dish? Look no further! There are many options to choose from that will complement the flavor and texture of your shrimp, and even provide some added nutritional benefits.

fried shrimp french fries — Shrimp with steamed broccoli and fries. Source: canva

Key Takeaways

Cauliflower, asparagus, green beans, and roasted carrots are great vegetables to pair with shrimp.
Steamed broccoli and zucchini are healthy vegetable and shrimp pairings.
Classic shrimp side dishes include rice pilaf, garlic bread, Caesar salad, and cold pasta salad.

Best Vegetables to Pair with Shrimp

Grilled shrimp in a fine herb butter and sauteed vegetables. (Source: Bruno Netto / Canva)

Shrimp is a delicious and healthy protein that can be enjoyed in many different ways. But what vegetables should you pair with it?

Grilled Vegetables

If you’re looking for a tasty and healthy side dish to go with your favorite seafood, grilled vegetables are a great option.

Here are some best options:

Zucchini: Grill-sliced zucchini until tender and lightly charred. Season with salt and pepper.
Bell peppers: Grill sliced bell peppers until tender and lightly charred. Season with salt and pepper.
Asparagus: Grill asparagus spears until tender and lightly charred. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasting is a cooking method that brings out the natural sweetness and nuttiness of vegetables, while also giving them a crispy and caramelized texture. Plus, it’s a super easy way to cook veggies – just toss them in some oil and seasoning, and pop them in the oven!

Some of the best options are:

Broccoli: Roast broccoli florets until tender and lightly charred. Season with salt and pepper.
Carrots: Roast sliced carrots until tender and lightly caramelized. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with salt.
Tomatoes: Roast cherry tomatoes until they burst and release their juices. Season with salt and pepper.

Steamed Vegetables

If you’re looking for a light and healthy side dish to go with your favorite seafood, steamed vegetables are a great option. Not only are they packed with nutrients, but steaming is also one of the easiest and quickest ways to cook vegetables.

Plus, it’s a gentle cooking method that helps to preserve the veggies’ natural flavors and textures. Some options:

Green beans: Steam green beans until tender and bright green. Season with salt and pepper.
Peas: Steam peas until tender and bright green. Season with salt and pepper.
Broccoli: Steam broccoli florets until tender and bright green. Season with salt and pepper.

Sauteed Vegetables

Sauteed vegetables are a great option! Sauteing vegetables is a versatile cooking method that works well with a variety of veggies.

Garlic: Saute minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add shrimp and saute until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.
Onions: Saute sliced onions in olive oil until caramelized. Add shrimp and saute until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.
Spinach: Saute spinach in olive oil until wilted. Add shrimp and saute until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.

Healthy Vegetables and Shrimp Pairings

Asparagus and shrimp salad (Source: Floortje/Canva)

Check out our Healthy Vegetable and Shrimp Pairings section for some tasty and nutritious ideas!

Zucchini and Shrimp Stir-Fry

Zucchini is a low-carb vegetable that is perfect for stir-fries. When paired with shrimp, it creates a delicious and healthy meal. Here’s how to make it:

Cut zucchini into thin strips using a spiralizer or a sharp knife.
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
Add chopped garlic and sliced onions and cook until fragrant.
Add the shrimp and cook until pink, then remove from the pan.
Add the zucchini and cook until tender.
Return the shrimp to the pan and add a squeeze of lime juice and black pepper.
Serve hot and garnish with chopped parsley.

Asparagus and Shrimp Salad

If you’re looking for a light and refreshing seafood salad, Asparagus and Shrimp Salad is a great option. This dish combines tender and juicy shrimp with crisp and fresh asparagus, all tossed in a zesty lemon and herb dressing.

Here’s how to make it:

Blanch asparagus in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a bowl of ice water.
Cut the asparagus into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
Add cooked shrimp, sliced cucumbers, and chopped bell peppers.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, and minced garlic to make the dressing.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Serve chilled and garnish with chopped parsley.

Broccoli and Shrimp Skewers

Broccoli and Shrimp Skewers are a great combination! Broccoli and Shrimp Skewers are also a healthy and nutritious option, as both shrimp and broccoli are low in calories and high in protein and vitamins.

Here’s how to make it:

Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
Cut broccoli into florets and blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes.
Thread shrimp and broccoli onto skewers.
Brush with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
Grill the skewers for 2-3 minutes on each side, until the shrimp is cooked through.
Serve hot and garnish with chopped parsley.

Classic Shrimp Side Dishes

If you’re looking for classic shrimp side dishes that never fail to impress, look no further than these three options: Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice, Fried Shrimp, and Fries, and Shrimp Scampi with Linguine.

Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice

Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines tender shrimp, fragrant garlic, and fluffy rice, all cooked in a rich buttery sauce. The dish typically starts with sauteing onions and garlic in olive oil, then adding rice, stock, and other ingredients like tomatoes and peas.

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon oregano
2 cups cooked rice
Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add shrimp, black pepper, and oregano, and cook until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
Serve over cooked rice and garnish with fresh parsley.

Fried Shrimp and Fries

This dish is a simple yet delicious recipe that’s perfect for a casual dinner or a weekend lunch. It’s a versatile dish that you can customize to your liking – add some tartar sauce or ketchup for dipping, or season your fries with your favorite spices.

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
Vegetable oil for frying
French fries

Instructions:

In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
In another bowl, whisk together egg and milk.
Dip each shrimp in the egg mixture, then coat in the flour mixture.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Fry shrimp until golden brown and cooked through.
Serve with French fries.

Shrimp Scampi with Linguine

This dish is a combination of tender shrimp, garlic, lemon, and white wine, all served over a bed of linguine pasta.

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces linguine

Instructions:

Cook linguine according to package instructions.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add shrimp and black pepper, and cook until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
Add white wine and cook until reduced by half.
Toss cooked linguine with shrimp mixture.
Serve with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

Vegetarian and Vegan Shrimp Pairings

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you can still enjoy the flavors and textures of shrimp by using plant-based alternatives.

Shrimp-Less Ceviche with Chickpeas

For a protein-packed twist on classic ceviche, try making it without shrimp and adding chickpeas instead. Here’s how to make it:

In a large bowl, combine diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onions.
Add cooked chickpeas and a handful of chopped herbs, such as cilantro and parsley.
In a separate bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, and garlic.
Pour the dressing over the vegetables and chickpeas and toss to combine.
Let the ceviche marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.