Are you preparing a scrumptious shrimp cocktail appetizer for your upcoming gathering but uncertain about what to serve with shrimp cocktail? This article will help.
Shrimp cocktail can be served with salads like Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad, Avocado Salad, Green Bean Salad,..or crackers such as Zesty Ritz Crackers, Ranch Oyster Crackers, Prawn Cracker, Saltine Crackers. Vegetables like Celery, Avocado add freshness, while savory options like Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan provide depth. Bread like Olive Garden Copycat Breadsticks and Garlic Butter Ciabatta also a good combination.
What To Serve With Shrimp Cocktail? Salad Suggestions
Potato Salad
Potato salad is a classic crowd-pleaser, perfect for casual gatherings or family meals.
But pairing it with a shrimp cocktail takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness.
The creamy potatoes in the salad are light and flavorful, adding a tasty twist to the shrimp without overpowering it. Plus, the beauty of this combo lies in its versatility. You can jazz up your potato salad with all sorts of ingredients, like eggs or relish, giving it your own unique touch.
Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is a cold pasta dish with a creamy mayo-based dressing, often mixed with diced veggies and served chilled. Serving Macaroni salad with shrimp cocktail offers a delightful culinary experience.
The creamy and tangy flavors of the macaroni salad complement the succulent shrimp in a harmonious blend of tastes and textures.
The softness of the macaroni contrasts nicely with the firmness of the shrimp, providing a satisfying mouthfeel. This is one of the best salads to serve with shrimp cocktail or other shrimp dishes.
Read more: What To Serve With Coconut Shrimp? 21+ Best Side Dishes [With Pictures]
Avocado Salad
Serving Avocado Salad with Shrimp Cocktail offers a perfect balance of flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits.
The avocado’s smooth texture complements the firmness of the shrimp, while the salad’s fresh ingredients like crisp lettuce or cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and tangy lime dressing enhance the overall dish.
Additionally, avocados are packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, while shrimp provides a lean source of protein. This combination makes Avocado Salad with Shrimp Cocktail not only delicious but also a nutritious and satisfying choice for any meal.
Spinach Salad
I recommend pairing the spinach salad with sliced strawberries, toasted pecans, and tangy feta cheese to add sweetness, crunch, and savory notes that perfectly complement the succulent shrimp.
Typically, you can enjoy the shrimp cocktail as an appetizer, savoring the succulent shrimp dipped in cocktail sauce. Afterward, the Spinach Salad can serve as a refreshing side dish or accompaniment to the main course.
Watermelon and Feta Salad
Watermelon and feta complement each other perfectly, both boasting a refreshing sweetness and tanginess. These vibrant flavors can stand up to the bold spiciness of the shrimp, providing a delightful contrast and balancing out the dish with their natural sweetness.
To prepare, simply cut the watermelon into cubes or slices, top it with crumbled feta cheese and fresh mint leaves, and finish with a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. This dish is incredibly quick and easy to prepare.
Green Bean Salad
Green Bean Salad is quick and easy to make. It involves blanching the green beans, preparing a simple dressing, and tossing everything together. It can be ready to serve in just a few minutes, making it a convenient option for Shrimp Cocktail.
Green Bean Salad compliments Shrimp Cocktail perfectly. Its fresh, crunchy texture contrasts with the succulent shrimp, balancing the meal. The citrus dressing, feta cheese, almonds, and basil in this dish add layers of flavor.
Sweet & Spicy Plantain Salad
Combining Sweet & Spicy Plantain Salad with Shrimp Cocktail creates a flavorful blend of sweet and savory. The caramelized plantains complement the succulent shrimp, while the spicy seasoning adds depth. Together, these dishes create a harmonious balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors that tantalize the taste buds.
The vibrant colors and bold flavors of the plantain salad enhance the overall dining experience, making it a perfect accompaniment to the shrimp cocktail.
Best Crackers To Serve With Shrimp Cocktails?
Zesty Ritz Crackers
You can serve Zesty Ritz Crackers with Shrimp Cocktail.
The crispy texture of the crackers provides a satisfying crunch alongside the succulent shrimp. Additionally, the crackers can serve as a convenient vehicle for enjoying the shrimp cocktail, allowing guests to scoop up the shrimp and cocktail sauce for a delicious and convenient appetizer or snack.
Consider arranging the crackers in a decorative pattern or alternating directions for visual appeal. If desired, you can add a small bowl of additional crackers nearby to replenish the supply as needed throughout the event. The goal is to present the crackers in an inviting and appetizing manner, inviting guests to pair them with the shrimp cocktail.
Air Fryer Ranch Oyster Crackers
Air Fryer Ranch Oyster Crackers are seasoned oyster crackers cooked in an air fryer until crispy and flavored with ranch seasoning mix. They can be served as a tasty accompaniment to shrimp cocktails.
We can enjoy the shrimp cocktail by dipping the shrimp into the cocktail sauce and complementing each bite with a handful of Air Fryer Ranch Oyster Crackers for a satisfying crunch and extra flavor.
Prawn Cracker
Prawn crackers, also known as shrimp chips or shrimp crackers, are a popular Asian snack made from starch and ground prawns or shrimp. They are typically deep-fried or sometimes baked until they puff up, resulting in a light and crispy texture.
Prawn crackers typically have a mild seafood flavor infused with the taste of prawns or shrimp. When paired with shrimp cocktail, they can enhance the overall seafood experience, adding another layer of depth to the dish.
Serving prawn crackers alongside shrimp cocktails allows for an interactive dining experience. Guests can customize their bites by combining shrimp, cocktail sauce, and prawn crackers according to their preference.
Saltine Crackers
There’s an undeniable harmony between the texture and taste of saltine crackers and the myriad flavors of shrimp cocktail. It’s a pairing that just works, believe me!
To serve, you delicately spoon or dip your shrimp cocktail onto a plain, perfectly salted cracker, and then savor the explosion of flavors as you pop it into your mouth.
If you’re seeking a gluten-free option, consider trying Schar table crackers. While I haven’t had the chance to taste them personally, glowing reviews on Amazon suggest they’re a pretty close match to traditional saltine crackers.
What Vegetables Go With Shrimp Cocktail?
Celery
The sturdy stalks of celery, with their fibrous texture and mild, slightly peppery taste, provide a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the succulent shrimp. Each bite of celery offers a refreshing burst of moisture, cleansing the palate and enhancing the overall dining experience.
Avocado
Indulge in the luscious creaminess of ripe avocado slices, their velvety texture melting seamlessly with the tender shrimp. Rich in healthy fats, avocado adds a luxurious touch to the dish, imparting a subtle nutty flavor that complements the seafood’s delicate sweetness.
Lettuce or Salad Greens
Imagine a bed of tender lettuce leaves cradling the shrimp cocktail, their crisp texture providing a refreshing contrast to the savory seafood. With each bite, the mild flavor of lettuce leaves or mixed greens serves as a canvas upon which the vibrant flavors of the shrimp cocktail can shine.
Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
Roasted asparagus with Parmesan is a delicious dish featuring tender asparagus spears that have been seasoned, roasted until they’re perfectly crisp yet tender, and then topped with grated or shredded Parmesan cheese.
When served with shrimp cocktail, roasted asparagus with Parmesan can add an extra layer of flavor and sophistication to the meal. Get ready to wow your guests with an unexpected side dish that’ll have them asking for the recipe.
Grilled Mushrooms
Grilled mushrooms are a delicious dish featuring tender mushrooms that have been seasoned and cooked on a grill until they’re smoky, juicy, and bursting with flavor. This preparation method brings out the natural earthiness of the mushrooms while adding a delightful charred aroma and caramelized sweetness.
Whether skewered or grilled whole, mushrooms cook quickly and can be seasoned with salt and pepper for an effortless yet delicious addition to the meal.
Even those who aren’t typically fans of mushrooms may find themselves won over by the irresistible flavor and texture of grilled mushrooms when combining with shrimp cocktail.
Zucchini Fries in Parmesan
Zucchini fries in Parmesan are a delicious twist on traditional French fries, featuring slices of fresh zucchini coated in a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. This combination creates a crispy, golden-brown exterior with a savory, cheesy flavor that pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of the zucchini.
Zucchini fries are simple to prepare and bake in just about 15 minutes, making them a convenient option for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. They can be seasoned with salt and pepper for a classic flavor profile or spiced up with a fiery dipping sauce for added excitement.
They provide a crunchy, savory complement to shrimp cocktail, adding texture and flavor variety. Serve them alongside shrimp cocktail for a delicious and satisfying appetizer or snack option.
Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables
Roasted Mediterranean vegetables are a flavorful dish consisting of assorted vegetables such as peppers, zucchini, red onions, cherry tomatoes, and optionally broccoli, coated in olive oil and Mediterranean herbs or seasoning blend, then roasted until tender and slightly charred.
You can personalize the roasted Mediterranean vegetable dish by choosing your favorite vegetables and seasoning blend. Whether you prefer a classic combination of peppers and zucchini or want to experiment with additional veggies like broccoli, the possibilities are endless.
The vibrant colors of the roasted vegetables add visual appeal to the shrimp cocktail platter, creating an inviting and aesthetically pleasing presentation. This dish is also a nutritious addition to the meal.
Top Breads To Eat With Shrimp Cocktail?
Olive Garden Copycat Breadsticks
You can make or purchase Olive Garden Copycat Breadsticks. These breadsticks are known for their soft, fluffy texture and garlicky, buttery flavor, which pairs wonderfully with the briny sweetness of shrimp cocktail.
To enjoy, tear off a piece of breadstick, dip it into the sauce of their choice, and then take a bite of shrimp cocktail. The contrast of warm, garlicky breadsticks with chilled, succulent shrimp creates a delightful explosion of flavors and textures that is sure to please your palate.
Garlic Butter Ciabatta Bread
Garlic butter ciabatta bread is a delicious variation of the classic Italian bread, ciabatta, infused with the rich flavors of garlic and butter. Typically, ciabatta bread is known for its airy interior and crisp crust, making it perfect for absorbing flavors and serving as a versatile accompaniment to various dishes.
When garlic butter is spread over slices of ciabatta and then baked until golden and fragrant, it creates a decadent and aromatic bread that’s irresistible to many.
It’s also an excellent addition to soak up any extra sauce from the shrimp cocktail.
Monkey Bread
Adding a garlic and Parmesan cheese monkey bread recipe as a side dish to accompany shrimp cocktail is a fantastic idea.
Monkey bread’s pull-apart nature encourages guests to interact and share as they tear off pieces to enjoy alongside the shrimp cocktail. This communal aspect adds to the convivial atmosphere of the gathering, fostering conversation and camaraderie.
Similar to garlic butter ciabatta bread, monkey bread is excellent for soaking up any extra sauce from the shrimp cocktail. Its soft, doughy texture eagerly absorbs the flavorful juices, ensuring that every last drop is savored and enjoyed.
What Else To Serve With Shrimp Cocktail?
If you haven’t found the ideal side dish for your shrimp cocktail from the list I provided above, perhaps you could consider one of the following options. These delicious food pairings are fantastic accompaniments to your seafood cocktail dish.
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Sweet corn
- Mashed potatoes
- Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Herbed Rice Pilaf
- Mango Avocado Salsa
- Sautéed Green Beans
FAQs
What cheese goes with Shrimp cocktail?
While cheese isn’t typically served directly with shrimp cocktail due to its strong flavors that might overpower the delicate taste of shrimp and cocktail sauce, if you’re looking for a cheese to complement shrimp cocktail indirectly, consider a mild and creamy option like goat cheese or feta. These cheeses can be crumbled and added sparingly to a salad or salsa that accompanies the shrimp cocktail, providing a subtle tanginess that enhances the overall dish without overwhelming it. Alternatively, a mild, soft cheese like mozzarella could work well in small amounts, adding a creamy texture without overshadowing the shrimp.
Can you eat Shrimp cocktail for dinner?
Yes, shrimp cocktails can certainly be enjoyed as part of a dinner meal. While it’s often served as an appetizer or starter, there’s no reason why it can’t be the main course for dinner, especially if it’s accompanied by a variety of side dishes to make it more substantial.
What can I serve with shrimp besides cocktail sauce?
Besides cocktail sauce, you can serve shrimp with options like garlic butter, lemon butter sauce, aioli, tartar sauce, chimichurri sauce, cilantro lime sauce, sweet chili sauce, mango salsa, pesto, or remoulade sauce.
References:
- Shrimp Cocktail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prawn_cocktail
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