Whoever came up with the idea for coconut shrimp is a genius, and I’d like to thank them from the bottom of my heart. These little bites of heaven are golden, sweet, and perfectly crispy. To make this tropical dish, you’ll simply coat the shrimp in a batter of coconut flakes and breadcrumbs, which is then deep-fried until golden brown. But the flavor combination works like magic. With this dish, you’ll get a bite of crisp and mildly sweet coating followed by plump, juicy, and flavorful shrimp. Together, the elements form a beautiful symphony of flavors and textures.
8 Best Side Dishes For Coconut Shrimp
But while coconut shrimp tastes oh so delectable, it’s hardly a complete meal. Pair it with a few complementary sides for a true seafood feast. Crispy fries, coleslaw, and fried rice are some of my personal favorites. But I’ll let you choose your own adventure. Here are the top 8 side dishes for coconut shrimp!
1. Pasta
Pasta dishes work well for this dish because they are filling. Plus, you can top it off with a mild sauce that complements the flavors of the coconut shrimp. My personal favorite is fettuccine alfredo. I know, it sounds a little strange, but it works! The creamy sauce, garlicky shrimp, and sweet coconut make for a heavenly combo. Another fantastic option is to make orzo, a type of rice-shaped pasta. Cook it in chicken broth and flavor with onion and garlic. Top it with mushrooms and voila! You’ll have a perfect pasta dish with subtle flavors. If you don’t have orzo on hand, couscous work as a good alternative. If you’re not a fan of rice-shaped pasta, go for macaroni pasta instead! It’s very easy to make. Just combine the elbow macaroni noodles with mayonnaise and chopped celery. Add some chopped pimiento, bacon, green onions, and cheese for more flavor.
2. Rice
Coconut shrimp is a protein-loaded dish, which is always great with rice. While a cup of plain white rice is great with this dish, I like to kick things up a notch by making fried rice instead. Mix your fried rice with your choice of protein, veggies, seeds, and nuts to suit your preference. Or you can give your rice an Italian flair by making risotto instead. Risotto has a nice creamy texture that pairs fabulously with coconut shrimp. Finally, if you want a tropical twist to your meal, add some pineapple bits to your rice. Take it one step further by serving the rice in a hollowed-out pineapple! You’ll feel like you’re on a Hawaiian vacation.
3. Coleslaw
Coleslaw has a nice tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with coconut shrimp. Plus, if you use red and green cabbage to make it, you’ll get a vibrant and colorful slaw that will look so good on the dinner table. Opt for a vinegar-based instead of mayo dressing so that the flavors aren’t so heavy, though.
4. Veggie Spring Rolls
Picture this: crispy vegetables and rich avocados embraced by a thin and gelatinous rice paper wrapper and then dipped in a sweet Thai mango sauce. Now that sounds like a lip-smackingly good side dish! Its light and refreshing flavors balance out the richness of the deep-fried shrimp too, so they’re perfect together.
5. French Fries
You can never go wrong with a classic side dish. Think about it – deep-fried coconut shrimp plus French fries? They’re a match made in heaven. Both are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Plus, it’ll remind you of being at a seafood restaurant overlooking the ocean and watching the waves roll in. Paradise. Oh, and here’s a great alternative: sweet potato fries! The potato’s sweet cousin also pairs well with coconut shrimp because both have a combination of sweet and savory flavors.
6. Dip
Okay, we know dips technically aren’t side dishes, but a deep-fried dish is so much better with a dipping sauce! Keep it simple or get as creative as you like. You can’t go wrong with the classics, such as tartar sauce and mango sauce, but here are some suggestions I also highly recommend. Orange-chili dip is sweet, tangy, and refreshing. It’s a great way to balance out the heaviness of the battered and deep-fried shrimp. Pineapple-cilantro dip is a great combination. Pineapple is sweet and tangy, cilantro is herby, and together, they are perfect.
7. Drinks
Sticking with the tropical theme here, no seafood feast is complete without a fruity drink. I’m partial to frozen daiquiris, especially when you make them with mangoes. Some other excellent combos include piña colada’s, mojitos, and the Bahama Mama! And of course, you can never go wrong with a Long Island iced tea. Put a paper umbrella on top, and you’ll soon be swimming in paradise.
8. Desserts
No seafood feast is complete without a little something sweet to finish it off. Chocolate is my personal guilty pleasure. You can never go wrong with chocolate, whether it’s chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, or a classic brownie with ice cream on top. This decadent delight makes the perfect ending to almost any meal. If you’re looking for something tart and refreshing, key lime pie will certainly satisfy your taste buds. Or you can keep it super simple with some fresh mango and a little mango sauce poured on top. Yum. Looking for something sweet but light? Cheesecake or creme brulee fit the bill perfectly. You can even share a piece with the entire table. That way, you’ll get a little something sweet without getting overly full. Click on a star to rate it!
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