What Goes with Shrimp and Grits: (15 Sides to Elevate Your Meal)

Did you know that shrimp and grits is originally a breakfast dish? (*)

We bet you didn’t! After all, this breakfast staple is now available for lunch and even dinner in various restaurants in the Southern area.

That’s not surprising considering it already give off a wide range of flavors and textures on its own. 

However, adding the right side dishes will transform it into a complete meal.

So what goes with shrimp and grits? Keep on reading to find out!

What Goes with Shrimp and Grits? Check Out These 15 Sides!

If you’re ready to transform your shrimp and grits into a complete meal, here are the best side dishes to serve with it:

Comforting Soups

Hey soup lovers, here are the side dishes for shrimp and grits that would satisfy your cravings. 

1. Creamed Pea Soup– Creamy, Healthy, and Easy

If you’re looking for a delicious way to warm up your meal, this creamed green pea soup is the way to go. This creamy soup will get your taste buds ready for the shrimp dish’s richness and sweetness.

What you’ll love about this soup is it’s super easy to make. That’s because it needs only a few ingredients which are already kitchen pantry staples. It also only takes around 40 minutes to make. 

2. Sweet Corn Soup– Sweet, Creamy, and Comforting

If you want to boost the shrimp and grit’s creaminess and richness, then sweet corn soup is the way to go. 

When you have a taste of this soup, you won’t believe that this is just made with healthy and simple ingredients because of its refreshing flavors. And since corn naturally gives off a creamy texture when made into soup, you don’t need to add any cream anymore just to achieve the desired creaminess. 

Filling Salads

For a healthier shrimp and grits experience, serve the dish with these filling and fiber-rich salads:

3. Vinegar Coleslaw Salad– Tangy and Crunchy

To enjoy coleslaw’s refreshing taste without mayo’s calories, this no-mayo coleslaw recipe is exactly just what you need. (*)

Instead of using mayonnaise, the coleslaw is vinegar-based, so it tastes a bit tangy and not as sweet as the traditional coleslaw recipes. 

That’s the only difference because it still has the same ingredients as the usual coleslaw like crisp cabbage, crunchy carrots, and delicious onions, so you get to enjoy the amazing textures that it’s known for. 

4. Green Bean Salad– Healthy Sides with a Tasty Twist

Whoever said that healthy dishes can’t be delicious is lying. Have a taste of this yummy green bean salad, and we assure you—your world’s going to turn upside down.

Do you know what’s the secret to its amazing flavor? Balsamic vinegar! With its bright and flavorful taste, this delicious condiment can turn any boring salad into the perfect summer side dish, and that’s exactly what it did to this green bean salad recipe. 

As if that’s not enough, the salad also contains other bright ingredients like tomatoes, feta cheese, and bacon bits.

5. Lettuce Wedge Salad– Restaurant-style Delight

If you’re looking for a healthy and aesthetically appealing side to serve with your shrimp and grits, try this lettuce wedge salad. 

Because of its amazing presentation, this salad is often a hit in many restaurants. But the good news is, you can easily make one at home!

To put it simply, this classic side dish is a cold iceberg lettuce wedge topped with bacon crumbles, diced chives, and tomatoes then drizzled with a creamy blue cheese dressing. 

Give this side dish a try and for sure, you won’t serve your lettuce salad the boring way ever again. 

Starchy Sides

What goes good with shrimp and grits that would allow you to eat every drop? Breads and starchy sides, of course! Here are some recipes you shouldn’t miss out on.

6. Buttermilk Biscuits– Buttery, Flaky, and Filling

Buttermilk biscuits are often paired with anything rich and saucy, so it’s also the perfect pairing for shrimp and grits.

Just think about using the flaky and buttery biscuits to scoop up the rich and creamy grits then topping it off with sweet and tender shrimp, how amazing does that sound?

7. Squash Puppies– Hush Puppies with a Summery Twist

If you love squash puppies, then you should try this squash puppies recipe with a summery and healthy twist. 

What makes this recipe different from other recipes is it’s loaded with cooked summer squash. 

This simple addition will make the squash puppies extra moist. Not only that, but it also gives the bread a nice flavor. 

8. Garlic Bread– The Most Versatile Side Dish

If there’s one bread that goes well with just about anything, it would be garlic bread. 

This classic bread is a great side dish to soups, casseroles, pastas, and even, salads. That’s why we’re pretty sure it will give justice to your shrimp and grits as well. 

Here’s some good news—you don’t have to buy garlic bread anymore because you can make one at home in just 15 minutes! 

9. Baked Sweet Potato Fries– Classic Made Low Calorie

French fries are another classic shrimp and grits side dish, but we highly suggest that you switch to sweet potato fries if you want to reduce your calorie consumption. (*)

The sweet potatoes perfectly complement the shrimp and corn’s natural sweetness. But since it’s cut into fries and baked to crispy perfection, it adds a crunchy element that the rich and creamy shrimp and grits dish needs.

10. Smashed Potatoes– Crispy and Fluffy 

But if you wanted to go for potatoes, we suggest that you try something new—like these Smashed Baby Potatoes. These are crispy and buttery on the outside yet soft and fluffy on the inside. 

The starch of the potatoes will give you a break from the already flavorful dish of shrimp and grits. But at the same time, it will tickle your taste buds with its contrasting textures.

Vegetable Options

What goes with shrimp & grits if you want something healthy? Here are some of the vegetable options that you have: 

11. Southern-style Collard Greens – Instant Pot Recipe

Since they are both Southern dishes, collard greens and shrimp and grits are the perfect match. You can find collard greens in just about any restaurant in that area, so this is the side dish to go if you want to have an authentic taste of Southern cooking.

However, collard greens are traditionally cooked low and slow, so it takes a bit of time. The good news is this recipe will teach you how to make this dish using an Instant Pot so you can get it done in just an hour. 

12. Crack Broccoli– Roasted Broccoli at Its Finest

Roasted broccoli might not seem like an exciting dish, but don’t judge this item until you’ve tried it. 

That’s because this recipe won’t just give you perfectly charred broccolis, but flavor-packed veggies as well.

After all, the broccolis are seasoned with bright and refreshing ingredients like ranch seasoning, lemon, and garlic. 

13. Southern Fried Okra– Simple yet Delectable 

Contrary to popular belief, okra is more than just a slimy vegetable. Depending on the cooking method, it can be made crispy and crunchy as well.

The key is to coat it in your choice of breading and deep fry it to crispy perfection.

14. Eggplant Rollatini– Low-Carb Lasagna

Despite being a delicious dish, shrimp and grit lack one essential flavor—tartness. That’s why it’s best served with something tomato-based like this eggplant rollatini. 

The rollatini won’t just give you a boost of fiber, it will also give you that tomato flavor that complements the richness of the dish pretty well. (*)

15. Creamed Spinach– Perfect for the Holidays 

If you want to pair shrimp and grits with the flavors of the holidays, check out this creamed spinach recipe. 

Creamed spinach is a creamier, lighter, and more flavorful alternative to green bean salad.  

But wait, there’s more. This side dish is quite easy to make and you can make one in just 25 minutes!

Up Next: What Goes With Coconut Shrimp? (16 Best Sides Revealed!)