What to Serve with Shrimp and Grits (23 Best Side Dishes)

Hearty dishes like casseroles, mac and cheese, potatoes, and biscuits make the best sides for shrimp and grits!

Shrimp and grits is a Southern classic full of tantalizing flavors. 

Between the savory shrimp and creamy grits, it’s a meal in itself. But sometimes, you need more to go with it.

That’s where these ideas come in handy. You’ll find everything from Southern favorites to simple recipes.

The key is to find flavors that complement the seasoning of the shrimp. You can also play up the creaminess of the grits. 

For family dinners, holidays, or weekend brunch, there’s an option here for every occasion. 

1. Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole

Are you making a big Southern-style dinner? Then you need a casserole to go with your shrimp and grits. And Campbell’s green bean casserole is perfect! 

The fried onions and creamy green bean filling are a family-friendly classic. It doesn’t matter if it’s not Thanksgiving. This dish only takes six ingredients and three easy steps. 

2. Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole

Another dish that’s impeccable with shrimp and grits is Paula Deen’s corn casserole. The sweet corn filling enhances the richness of the grits. It’s crispy, creamy, and cheesy.

It’s brimming with canned corn kernels, creamed corn, and corn muffin mix. It’s also packed with an entire block of cheddar cheese. Yummy!

3. Collard Greens with Bacon

Does it get any more Southern than collard greens with shrimp and grits?! These two iconic Southern dishes are a match made in heaven. 

The bacon in the collards amplifies the savoriness of the shrimp. And the wilted greens meet your veggie requirement. 

Then there’s the stock, apple cider vinegar, and alliums to make it even better. All you need now is some hot sauce like Crystal, Tabasco, or Louisiana. 

While you’re at it, put a few dashes on your shrimp and grits, too.

4. Bisquick Drop Biscuits

If you’re making shrimp and grits for brunch, don’t forget the biscuits! These Bisquick biscuits are the best. They’re so fluffy and flaky, nobody will care that they came from a box. 

Plus, they’re so much easier than making it from scratch. That means you can spend more time having mimosas with your friends. 

5. Squash Casserole

Need a summer casserole for your meal? This one goes great with shrimp and grits. It has a surprising amount of flavor and texture. 

The crumbly Ritz cracker topping adds a buttery crunch. Underneath, there’s a sweet and creamy yellow squash filling. 

All the rich and sweet flavors pair well with the grits. At the same time, they make the shrimp extra savory and succulent.

6. Jiffy Cornbread Muffins

Bust out that box of Jiffy and make muffins to go with your shrimp and grits. I keep Jiffy on hand just for moments like this. Those sweet, tender muffins taste great with creamy, savory flavors. 

If you put cheese in your grits, it’s even better!

7. Easy Oven-Roasted Carrots

Leave all the fuss to the shrimp and grits. Instead, make these simple oven-roasted carrots. The process is so easy. You toss the carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then, you roast them.

Roasting carrots causes them to caramelize. In turn, it enhances their natural sweetness. 

8. Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

These rustic roasted potatoes go with everything, including shrimp and grits. The seasoning makes them so universal. 

Garlic, salt, and pepper enhance their savoriness. Add a pinch of rosemary to make them elegant and aromatic. 

It’s a side dish the family will agree on. Lucky for you, it’s effortless, too.

9. Roasted Broccoli

The one thing shrimp and grits are missing is a green veggie. This dish is the perfect solution! Broccoli is a superfood that’s accessible, economical, and easy to prepare. 

You can steam, microwave, or even saute it. However, there’s something extra tasty about roasting it. Give it a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of red pepper chili flakes. It’s so simple and yet so great!

10. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air fryer Brussels sprouts are another excellent green veggie side for shrimp and grits. A simple seasoning accentuates their natural umami and sweet flavor. Cooking them in the air fryer makes them crispy and tender. 

You can dip them in the grits or eat them alongside. 

If you’re feeling fancy, add the sweet mayo dip to the meal. It makes these sprouts even more tantalizing. 

11. Ultra-Crispy Smashed Potatoes

I’m obsessed with these smashed potatoes and so is everyone else in my household. With their crispy outsides, soft insides, and buttery taste, they’re just to die for.

The trick is to boil the potatoes first. Then, smash and bake them.

For holidays or dinner parties, smashed potatoes make shrimp and grits extra special.

12. Homemade Garlic Bread

Homemade garlic bread is foolproof. It’s fast, easy to make, and everyone will want a slice. Or rather, two or three. It’s so hard to stop at just one. 

Luckily, that bowl of shrimp and grits is equally tempting. Together, all the savory, garlicky, creamy, earthy, and buttery flavors are heavenly.

13. Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries and shrimp and grits are a tantalizing combo. The shrimp and grits are savory, creamy, and comforting. And the fries add an irresistible sweet, savory, and crunchy bite. 

What’s even better is the oven does almost all the work. So you can spend your time stirring the grits to ensure the texture is just right.

14. Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese

Sometimes, you just want a big comforting meal. That’s why I make mac and cheese to go with shrimp and grits. 

But I don’t just make any old mac and cheese. I make my favorite Cracker Barrel copycat recipe. It’s rich, creamy, and oh-so-cheesy. It’s utter perfection!

For special occasions or simple cravings, these two dishes are a great match.

15. Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes let you get your baked potato fix in with a boost of nutrients. They’re a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and minerals.  

They don’t have much protein, though. Fortunately, those juicy shrimp take care of all that. 

Feel free to customize the toppings. Or dare I say, stuff the potatoes with the shrimp and grits!

16. Baked Parmesan Zucchini

For a quick and simple low-carb side, you can’t beat baked Parmesan zucchini. 

The sweetness of the zucchini accentuates the shrimp. Meanwhile, the sprinkle of Parmesan is the perfect complement to cheesy grits.

And it’s so easy! Simply slice the zucchini, season, and bake it. There’s nothing to it. 

17. Wedge Salad

Looking for something fresh and tasty? Try shrimp and grits with a wedge salad. The crisp lettuce and tomatoes add a burst of freshness in between bites.

But it’s the bacon and buttermilk dressing that will have you coming back bite after bite. 

All the flavors blend so well together. It also doesn’t hurt that the presentation is stunning. 

18. Fried Okra

For an extra little nibble, top shrimp and grits with fried okra. Okra is another iconic Southern favorite. And you better believe it tastes great!

Lightly battered in cornmeal and fried, it has the most exquisite texture. Go on and see for yourself. These poppable morsels will make an okra lover out of anybody.

19. Easy Succotash

What goes well with succotash? Shrimp and grits! This vibrant dish will add a fresh twist to your shrimp and grits. 

It’s a popping medley of lima beans, corn, tomatoes, and red pepper. Add seasoning, give it a quick saute, and it’s ready.

It’s a Southern classic that gets everyone to devour their veggies.

20. Air Fryer Hush Puppies

Does it get more comforting than hush puppies with shrimp and grits? These Southern staples are fantastic together. 

The hush puppies are so tender, crisp, sweet, and savory. They help intensify all the cozy flavors in the shrimp and grits.  

21. KFC Coleslaw

The Colonel makes the best creamy coleslaw. And this copycat recipe is spot-on! Creamy, tangy, zesty, and crunchy, it’s full of comforting goodness. 

It complements and contrasts the flavors of shrimp and grits well. 

I love it with Cajun-seasoned shrimp. The warming spices are perfect with the creamy ingredients.

22. Jiffy Cornbread Casserole

Are you making shrimp and grits for the family? Add this casserole to the menu. The sweet comforting flavors are unbelievably yummy, especially alongside savory shrimp and grits.

Part cornbread, part pudding, the texture is heavenly. Take a bite and see for yourself. This casserole alone is reason enough to have Jiffy on hand. 

23. Oven-Roasted Vegetables

You simply can’t go wrong with roasted vegetables. The recipe is as simple as chopping, tossing, and roasting. 

Use any assortment of veggies you like. Sweet potatoes, onions, broccoli, and bell peppers go great with shrimp and grits.

And be sure your seasonings complement whatever you use to season your shrimp. When in doubt, salt, pepper, and garlic do the trick.