Planning a seafood night and wondering what to serve with peel and eat shrimp? This ultimate guide covers the best side dishes, dipping sauces, and drinks to make your meal unforgettable. From classic cocktail sauce to cheesy grits and garlic bread, you will find everything you need to host the perfect shrimp boil or casual backyard dinner.
There is nothing quite like sitting down with a massive pile of steaming, perfectly seasoned seafood. If you are hosting a summer cookout, a game night, or a casual weekend dinner, you might be asking yourself what to serve with peel and eat shrimp. These delicious crustaceans are wonderfully interactive, incredibly flavorful, and surprisingly easy to prepare. However, because they are the star of the show, they need the right supporting cast to turn a simple bowl of shellfish into a complete and satisfying meal.
When you serve peel and eat shrimp, the goal is to complement their natural sweetness and savory Old Bay seasoning without overpowering them. You want a mix of rich carbohydrates, refreshing green salads, zesty dipping sauces, and ice-cold beverages. Whether you prefer classic Southern-style sides or modern culinary twists, this guide will walk you through the very best options to put on your dinner table.
Key Takeaways
- Balance the Flavors: Pair simple, buttery peel and eat shrimp with bold, tangy, or spicy side dishes to create a well-rounded meal.
- Classic Sauces Are Essential: Traditional cocktail sauce, drawn butter, and remoulade are absolute must-haves for dipping.
- Carbs
Complete the Plate: Hearty options like crusty French bread, buttery corn on the cob, and roasted potatoes turn appetizers into a full feast. - Add Freshness: Crisp salads, coleslaw, and cucumber salads cut through the rich, savory flavors of the seafood.
- Beverage Pairings Matter: Refreshing drinks like crisp white wine, cold beer, and iced tea enhance the overall dining experience.
- Keep It Interactive: Peel and eat shrimp are meant to be messy and fun, so keep your side dishes easy to eat with your hands or simple utensils.
The Best Dipping Sauces for Peel and Eat Shrimp
Before we talk about side dishes, we have to talk about sauces. When people think about what to serve with peel and eat shrimp, sauces are usually the first thing that comes to mind. After all, the fun of peeling your own shrimp is getting to dunk that warm, juicy meat into something flavorful.
Classic Cocktail Sauce and Melted Butter
You simply cannot go wrong with the traditional combination of cocktail sauce and drawn butter. Cocktail sauce brings a zesty kick of horseradish, tomato, and lemon juice that cuts right through the richness of the shrimp. Meanwhile, a small bowl of warm, melted butter seasoned with garlic and a dash of hot sauce offers pure, comforting luxury. Dip your shrimp in the butter first, then a touch of cocktail sauce for the ultimate bite.
Remoulade and Garlic Aioli
If you want something a bit creamier, a Cajun-style remoulade is a fantastic choice. Made with mayonnaise, mustard, capers, paprika, and pickle relish, it adds a wonderful depth of flavor. A simple garlic aioli or homemade tartar sauce also works wonderfully if you want a rich, savory dip that feels a bit more gourmet.
Classic Southern Comfort Sides
Shrimp and Southern cooking go hand in hand. If you want to lean into traditional coastal flavors when deciding what to serve with peel and eat shrimp, look toward classic comfort foods that soak up all the delicious juices and seasonings.
Corn on the Cob and Hushpuppies
Sweet corn on the cob is a natural partner for any seafood feast. You can boil the corn right in the same seasoned water as your shrimp for maximum flavor, or grill it with a little butter and herbs. Alongside the corn, a basket of golden, crispy hushpuppies adds a wonderful crunch and a touch of sweetness to the meal.
Cheesy Grits
While shrimp and grits usually features large, peeled shrimp sitting on top of a creamy bowl of stone-ground grits, you can certainly serve cheesy grits on the side. The rich, cheesy texture provides a hearty base that balances out the lighter, briny flavor of the shrimp.
Fresh and Crunchy Salads to Cut the Richness
Because seafood boils and seasoned shrimp dishes can be quite rich and heavy on the salt and butter, adding something fresh and crisp to the table is always a smart move. Salads provide a welcome contrast in both texture and temperature.
Classic Coleslaw
A cold, creamy, or vinegar-based coleslaw is one of the best things to serve with peel and eat shrimp. The crunch of fresh cabbage and carrots, combined with a tangy dressing, cleanses the palate between bites of warm seafood. A vinegar-based slaw works especially well if you want to keep things light and tangy.
Cucumber and Tomato Salad
For a completely mayo-free option, toss sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and fresh dill in a light vinaigrette. This crisp and refreshing salad brings bright acidity to the plate, making the entire meal feel balanced and vibrant.
Hearty Carbohydrates and Bread Options
You are definitely going to want something to mop up all the leftover melted butter and cocktail sauce. Having the right bread or potato dish on hand is crucial for a successful seafood night.
Garlic Bread and French Baguettes
A warm, crusty French baguette or buttery garlic bread is an absolute must. Tearing off a chunk of bread and using it to soak up seasoned butter is one of the greatest culinary pleasures in life. It requires zero effort in the kitchen and always pleases a crowd.
Roasted or Boiled Potatoes
Red potatoes boiled in your seafood seasoning pot absorb an incredible amount of flavor. Toss them with a little extra butter and fresh parsley before serving. Alternatively, crispy roasted baby potatoes with rosemary and sea salt make a fantastic, hearty side dish.
Refreshing Drinks to Complete the Meal
No discussion about what to serve with peel and eat shrimp is complete without mentioning beverages. The right drink can elevate your meal from good to extraordinary.
Cold Beer and Crisp White Wine
A crisp, ice-cold pilsner, lager, or light craft beer is the classic companion to spicy seafood. If you prefer wine, reach for a chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or a dry rosé. The high acidity and citrus notes in these wines cut right through the rich butter and complement the sweet shrimp meat.
Non-Alcoholic Refreshments
If you are looking for non-alcoholic options, freshly brewed iced tea with a heavy squeeze of lemon is a Southern staple that never fails. Lemonade, sparkling water with lime, or sweet tea also provide a refreshing, palate-cleansing sip between spicy bites.
Ultimately, deciding what to serve with peel and eat shrimp comes down to personal taste and the vibe of your gathering. Whether you go all-out with a traditional seafood boil spread featuring corn, potatoes, and sausage, or keep it simple with crusty bread, coleslaw, and cold drinks, your guests are sure to love it. Just remember to provide plenty of paper towels, a discard bowl for the shells, and lots of wet wipes, because eating peel and eat shrimp is wonderfully messy business!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pounds of shrimp should I buy per person?
A good rule of thumb is to plan for about half a pound to three-quarters of a pound of peel and eat shrimp per person if you are serving multiple side dishes. If shrimp is the absolute main event with very few sides, you may want to bump that up to one full pound per person.
Can I boil the side dishes in the same pot as the shrimp?
Yes, absolutely! Red potatoes, corn on the cob, and smoked sausage are traditionally boiled right in the seasoned water before the shrimp goes in. Just remember that shrimp cooks in mere minutes, so you should cook your denser side items first and add the shrimp near the very end.
What seasoning should I use for the shrimp?
Old Bay seasoning is the classic choice for boiling peel and eat shrimp. You can also use Creole seasoning, Zatarain’s crab boil, or a custom blend of garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
How do I keep the shrimp warm while serving?
Peel and eat shrimp are best served immediately while they are warm and juicy. If you need to keep them warm during a party, keep them in a covered bowl or chafing dish, but try not to let them sit too long or they can become tough.
Should I peel the shrimp before cooking them?
No, peel and eat shrimp are specifically meant to be cooked in their shells. Cooking the shrimp with the shells on keeps the meat tender, juicy, and much more flavorful as they absorb the spices from the boiling liquid.
What is the best way to reheat leftover shrimp?
Leftover cooked shrimp can easily become rubbery if overheated. To reheat them gently, toss them in a warm skillet with a splash of water and a pat of butter over low heat just until warmed through, or eat them cold in a salad or seafood wrap.
