What to Serve with Coconut Shrimp (15 Delicious Sides)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

If you’re looking for a fun and interesting meal to make, coconut shrimp is a great option! Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or a casual family gathering, you can’t go wrong with this tasty dish, you just need to know what to serve with coconut shrimp to make a complete meal.

We are sharing our very favorite side dishes that enhance the flavor of coconut shrimp to make your meal complete. Get ready to wow your guests with all of the delicious accompaniments for this classic seafood dish.

What to Serve With Coconut Shrimp

Crispy coconut shrimp is a personal favorite of mine. It’s a main dish, or can even be an appetizer, made of fried shrimp that has been encased in a sweet and crunchy coating made from shredded coconut.

The shrimp is typically dipped in egg and then dredged in a blend of coconut flakes and seasoned breadcrumbs before being fried until golden brown and then served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce like Thai sweet chili sauce, or a creamy sauce.

Try one of these sides with your easy coconut shrimp to complete the meal:

1. Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salad is a refreshing and flavorful salad made with cucumber, vinegar, and often other ingredients like diced red onion, garlic, fresh herbs, salt, pepper, and sometimes some sweet or sour elements such as honey or sugar. 

2. Green Beans

If you’re looking for healthier options, add some veggies to the meal. Fresh, crisp green beans are a perfect side dish for a coconut shrimp recipe. Coat them in your favorite spices like garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and then roast them to perfection in the oven or toss them in the air fryer. 

3. White Rice

White rice is a perfect accompaniment to coconut shrimp. The plain, slightly sweet, and neutral taste of white rice will not overpower the flavor of the shrimp, and will actually help to emphasize the delicious coconutty, savory notes.

4. Baked Potato

Baked potatoes are an easy and delicious side dish to pair with coconut shrimp. The creamy, buttery texture of the potato complements the crunchy crust of the shrimp perfectly. You can also make it a loaded baked potato to dress it up a little.

5. Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries are crispy and lightly seasoned on the outside, and warm and fluffy on the inside. They’re a popular side dish for coconut shrimp for a full finger food meal. 

6. Pasta

A spicy linguine with a creamy coconut-based sauce would make a great side with coconut shrimp. You could even add some of the shrimp to the sauce to make it extra flavorful.

7. French Fries

French fries are the perfect side to pair with seafood in general, especially crunchy coconut shrimp. The golden crispy fries add a savory and salty flavor that complements the sweet and tangy coconut coating on the shrimp. 

8. Corn on the Cob

Enjoy the sweet flavor of grilled or boiled corn on the cob with your shrimp. Corn is a classic seafood side and a common side for this popular dish.

9. Grits

Southern-style grits with garlic and onion have a creamy texture and a naturally savory flavor, making them a great compliment to coconut shrimp.

10. Broccoli Slaw

Slightly crunchy and lightly dressed, broccoli slaw is perfect for adding a bit of texture to the plate. Slaw is one of the best side dishes for seafood, and this broccoli slaw adds a little twist to the traditional coleslaw.

11. Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a simple recipe that basically goes well with everything. It’s a great way to add more bulk to the meal to make it more filling at satisfying.

12. Couscous

Add a boost of earthy grain flavor to your plate with a warm side dish of fluffy couscous. Couscous is a blank slate that can be seasoned any way you want for the perfect meal with coconut shrimp. 

13. Twice Baked Potatoes

The potatoes are cooked in the oven twice: once as a whole potato, and then a second time after being hollowed out and stuffed with a delicious filling of cream, cheese, and spices before having a light layer of butter, paprika, and parsley added on top.

14. Roast Vegetables

Lightly caramelized roasted vegetables like butternut squash, carrots, yellow squash, red bell pepper or other bell peppers, or parsnips are a vibrant and healthy side dish. A mix of roasted vegetables is the best way to add a healthy aspect to your meal.

15. Dessert

The tropical flavors don’t have to stop with your coconut flavor shrimp. Desserts like key lime pie and lemon mirage pie can carry on the tropical vibes. (Or try this key lime pie dip for a fun variation!) They’re great to finish off your coconut shrimp meal!

A tropical-style dish like sweet coconut shrimp doesn’t need any extra flavor to make it a hit, but a tropical theme dessert just adds to the decadence of the meal.