Shrimp and grits is a classic Southern dish that has become increasingly popular over the years. It’s savory, creamy, and comforting – the perfect combination for any meal.
But what makes this dish even more special are the salads you can pair it with! Salads provide a light yet flavorful contrast to shrimp and grits‘ rich flavors, making them essential to creating a memorable meal.
From fresh garden greens to crunchy slaws, plenty of salads pair perfectly with shrimp and grits.
Let’s explore some of these delicious options so you can create your own unique culinary masterpiece!
Best Salads that pair well with shrimp and grits Must Try
1. Shrimp and Grits Salad
A classic Southern favorite, this salad combines juicy shrimp with a creamy grits base, topped off with hearty vegetables and a creamy dressing.
You know, my family’s first choice.
2. Mexican Street Corn Salad
This flavorful salad features charred corn, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, and a hint of mayonnaise for the perfect zesty mix that pairs with shrimp and grits.
3. Thai Papaya Salad
For a unique twist on the shrimp and grits combo, try this delicious salad made with ripe papaya, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, cashew nuts, and a sweet-savory Thai dressing.
4. Southern Caesar Salad
Add some crunch to your shrimp and grits meal with this classic Caesar salad topped with bacon bits and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an umami-packed experience.
5. Greek Village Salad
Fresh greens are elevated to new heights in this classic Greek village salad which features crisp cucumbers, red onions, feta cheese crumbles, and tangy olives as its main ingredients.
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6. Mediterranean Orzo Salad
A healthy take on the traditional pasta-based dish that’s loaded with vegetables like artichokes hearts, red onions, and bell peppers, as well as fresh herbs for an added boost of flavor that could easily stand out next to shrimp and grits.
7. Orange Ginger Kale Salad
Rich kale is coupled up beautifully with vibrant oranges in this zesty ginger-dressed salad, providing some excellent texture contrast to the creaminess of the grits below it.
8. Strawberry Spinach Salad
This tasty combination of spinach leaves dressed in a light balsamic vinaigrette and topped off with sweet strawberries will surely be an unexpected hit when served alongside shrimp and grits!
9. Roasted Beetroot & Feta Salad
Red beets offer an earthy sweetness while crumbled feta adds salty creaminess – combine these two ingredients in a simple olive oil dressing for a fantastic accompaniment to any seafood dish!
10 . Asian Noodle & Cabbage Slaw
This crunchy slaw is filled with fresh cabbage tossed in an Asian-inspired peanut dressing plus noodles for extra heartiness – pair it up nicely with some fried shrimp atop creamy grits for one delicious meal!
11. Taco Bowl Salad
Turn your usual taco bowl into a southern-style feast by adding cooked shrimp to your lettuce mix and crushed tortilla chips for added crunch – all topped off in your favorite ranch or spicy chipotle dressing!
12. Caprese Quinoa Bowl
Nutrient-dense quinoa makes an excellent base for this Italian-style Caprese bowl which features juicy tomatoes sprinkled generously over mozzarella cubes before being doused in basil pesto sauce – adding some plump grilled shrimp takes it right over the top!
13. Cucumber & Radish Salad:
This refreshingly light yet flavor-packed dish features thinly sliced cucumber accompanied by peppery radishes alongside dill crème fraiche – make it even more special by throwing some cooked shrimp into the mix!
14. Seafood Cobb Salad:
Up the protein content in your smoky flavored Cobb salad by pairing it up nicely next to some succulent grilled shrimps – perfect summertime lunch combo!
15. Fruit & Nut Quinoa Bowl:
Sweeten up your seafood feast by serving some fruity quinoa alongside – pomegranate seeds give it a nice tartness while crunchy pistachios add just enough nuttiness to perfectly balance out its flavors!
16. Roasted Sweet Potato & Butternut Squash Salad
One of the best salads that eat with shrimp and grits. It is a comforting and colorful roasted vegetable salad packed with sweet potatoes, butternut squash, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, feta cheese, and a maple-balsamic vinaigrette that adds a nice zing to the dish – top it off with some grilled shrimp for an extra layer of umami!
17. Couscous Corn Salad
Treat yourself to this light yet flavorful couscous-based salad, which features juicy corn kernels plus bright bell peppers for added sweetness – topping it off with some cooked shrimp makes this Mediterranean-inspired combo even more delicious!
18. Southwest Quinoa Bowl
Add a bit of southwestern flare to your shrimp and grits meal with a quinoa-based bowl – it’s filled with black beans, sweet corn, roasted red peppers, and a smoky chipotle sauce that balances out its flavors perfectly!
19. Grilled Peach & Arugula Salad
Take advantage of the season’s best peaches and grill them up before adding them to this arugula salad topped off in a creamy feta cheese dressing – serve it alongside your favorite seafood dish for an extra touch of sweetness!
20. Avocado & Tomato Salad
Classic Mediterranean flavors come together in this simple yet satisfying avocado tomato salad dressed in a light olive oil vinaigrette – add some cooked shrimp for even more protein power!
We hope you found these shrimp and grit accompaniment recipes inspiring and delicious!
The possibilities are endless, with many different ways to turn a simple dish like shrimp and grits into an elevated experience. Enjoy your culinary creations!
15 best salad dressings for shrimp and grits
Shrimp and grits are a classic Southern dish that pairs succulent, flavorful shrimp with creamy, cheesy grits.
You can eat it with one of these 15 best salad dressings for shrimp and grits to bring out even more flavor.
1. Buttermilk Ranch
This tangy and creamy dressing is the perfect topping for shrimp and grits. It’s made from buttermilk, mayonnaise, garlic, herbs, and spices.
2. Lemon Vinaigrette
A lemon vinaigrette is a light and refreshing way to dress up your shrimp and grits. Made with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, it adds a bright acidic note to the dish.
3. Greek Yogurt Dressing
This healthy salad dressing is made from plain Greek yogurt and herbs like parsley or dill. The tangy flavor complements the shrimp perfectly.
4. Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette
Sweet oranges combined with tart balsamic vinegar make a delicious and zesty vinaigrette perfect on shrimp and grits.
5. Creamy Caesar Dressing
For a creamy twist on classic Caesar dressing, choose this version made with mayonnaise instead of oil-based dressing. It adds just the right amount of richness to your shrimp and grits.
6. Honey Mustard Dressing
Sweet honey with a kick of mustard makes for a delicious salad dressing to top your shrimp and grits.
7. Champagne Vinaigrette
Add some sophistication to your dish with this elegant vinaigrette made with champagne vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and herbs.
8. Avocado Cream Sauce
Creamy avocados create a rich sauce perfect on shrimp and grits. It adds a subtle flavor and healthy fats and vitamins to the dish.
9. Sesame Ginger Dressing
For an Asian twist on your classic Southern dish, try this sesame ginger dressing made from rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ginger.
10. Basil Olive Oil Dressing
For a simple and classic Italian dressing that goes with shrimp, try this recipe which uses fresh basil, olive oil, and garlic.
11. Chipotle Lime Cream Sauce
This creamy sauce adds a bit of smoky heat to your shrimp and grits. It’s made from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce blended with mayonnaise and fresh lime juice.
12. Honey Lime Vinaigrette
Sweet honey is balanced out by the brightness of lime in this vinaigrette which is perfect for dressing up your shrimp and grits dish.
13. Blue Cheese Dressing
Creamy blue cheese gives shrimp and grits a piquant flavor. This dressing also contains Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and garlic for a deeper flavor.
14. BBQ Sauce
For a smoky zing on your dish, try topping it with homemade or store-bought barbecue sauce.
15. Mango Dressing
Sweet mangoes give this vinaigrette a tropical vibe that goes well with the flavors of shrimp and grits. It’s made with olive oil, mango puree, vinegar, honey, cilantro, and garlic.
Whatever dress you choose, your shrimp and grits will be even more flavorful and delicious. So don’t be afraid to try one of these 15 best salad dressings for shrimp and grits next time you make this classic Southern dish!
