35+ Shrimp Boil Sides (Easy Seafood Boil Side Dishes)

Wondering what the best side dishes for a seafood boil are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide of 35+ delicious shrimp boil sides.

These simple side dishes served with your favorite seafood boil recipe will guarantee an amazing, meal!

What to Serve with a Shrimp Boil

Easy Seafood Boil Sauce

Learn how to make Seafood Boil Sauce from scratch! It’s a rich and layered butter sauce that’s perfect for Southern seafood boils and for sprucing up your usual weeknight dinner. Easy to make in 20 minutes!

Seafood Boil Sauce

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

This is the BEST Instant Pot Mac and Cheese! Made extra creamy with evaporated milk, plus delicious cheddar & parmesan cheese. It can be made in just 4 minutes with your electric pressure cooker.

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Red Cabbage Coleslaw (No Mayo)

Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy. 

Red Cabbage Slaw

Traeger Grilled Asparagus

Learn how to smoke asparagus on a Traeger or pellet grill/smoker! This Traeger Asparagus recipe is foolproof and yields tender-crisp, delightfully smoky asparagus every time.

Traeger Asparagus

Hawaiian Coleslaw

Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.

Hawaiian Coleslaw

Sous Vide Asparagus

How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.

Sous Vide Asparagus

Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber Salad

This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!

Tomato Cucumber Salad

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon. 

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad

Vegetarian Kale Caesar Salad

This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.

Kale Caesar Salad

Shaved Fennel Salad

This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.  

Fennel Celery Salad

Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

This copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is bursting with flavor. Beautifully marinated cucumbers drizzled in chili oil is an outstanding vegetarian appetizer you can enjoy for any special occasion!

Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

Zucchini Pasta Salad

This Zucchini Pasta Salad recipe may be the best I've tried to date! Packed with sauteed zucchini, loads of parmesan cheese, fresh dill and crunchy walnuts.

Zucchini Pasta Salad

Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons

This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons. 

Cherry Tomato Salad

Fennel and Chickpea Salad

This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.

Fennel and Chickpea Salad

Sauteed Spinach with Garlic Recipe

Add a healthy boost of nutrients to your dinner with this easy Sauteed Spinach. Baby spinach is added to a skillet along with garlic and olive oil, then sauteed gently to create a simple side dish that pairs with any meal!

Sauteed Spinach

Avocado Chickpea Salad

This Chickpeas and Avocado Salad has all the traditional elements of a great guacamole and makes a healthy, protein and fiber-filled dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Plus, it comes together easily in just 10 minutes!

Chickpeas and Avocado Salad

Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts

Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and covered in a sweet and spicy kung pao sauce. Toss with roasted peanuts and red chilis for a crazy delicious spin on a classic roasted vegetable.

Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts

Italian Radicchio Salad

This delicious Italian Radicchio Salad is dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with buttery calvestrano olives, tasty breadcrumbs and nutty parmesan cheese. And, a special tip ensures that your radicchio won't be bitter!

Radicchio Salad

Miso Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Miso Cauliflower is a buttery, umami-filled delicious and healthy side dish. Cauliflower is tossed in a glaze of miso, soy and red pepper flakes and roasted until perfectly browned and crisp. {Vegan + Gluten Free}

Roasted Miso Cauliflower

Simple Arugula Salad Dressing

This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.

Arugula Salad

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Learn how to make the BEST Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. This pressure cooker corn on the cob recipe uses a simple, secret ingredient to guarantee that your corn is sweet, tender and delicious! 

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Blistered Shishito Peppers Recipe

These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you. 

Blistered Shishito Peppers

Thai Cucumber Salad with Peanuts

This Thai Cucumber Salad with Peanuts is crunchy, sweet & tangy. It's a refreshing salad that can be made ahead of time and is perfect for the warm summer months.

Thai Cucumber Salad

Apple Celery Root Slaw

Apple Celery Root Slaw is an exciting twist on your basic coleslaw. Crisp apples and celery root combine with jalapeno, cilantro & pickled onions. It's sure to be a stand out side dish!

Apple Celery Root Slaw

Instant Pot Artichokes

Instant Pot Artichokes are quick and easy to make with the help of your electric pressure cooker. Plus, this recipe gives them SO much flavor!

Instant Pot Artichokes

Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad

This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing.

Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad

Air Fryer Shoestring Fries

These Air Fryer Shoestring Fries come out exactly like your favorite fast food fries! They’re crispy, golden on the outside and perfectly fluffy inside. SO much better than deep frying or baking! Plus, you can cook different types of fries – waffle fries, steak fries and more!

Air Fryer Fries

Fried Green Beans with Dipping Sauce

Crispy Fried Green Beans are baked in the oven for a healthy, delicious treat. Served up with three dipping sauces – green goddess, honey mustard & creamy sriracha. A secret ingredient makes them extra delicious! Air Fryer directions included. 

Recipe

Grilled Potato Salad

Say bye bye to basic potato salad. This Grilled Potato Salad combines smoky grilled potatoes with a delicious tangy mustard dressing that’s loaded with fresh herbs and salty capers. It’s delicious! 

Grilled Potato Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad

This Couscous Corn Salad puts a salad twist on Mexican Street Corn. Smoky grilled corn, a creamy cumin-lime dressing, and pearl couscous combine to create this delicious salad.

Street Corn Salad

Italian Chopped Salad

This simple Italian Chopped Salad dresses fresh veggies, salami, mozzarella & chickpeas in a delicious homemade Italian dressing.

Italian Salad

Arroz Verde (Green Rice)

This easy Arroz Verde (Green Rice) recipe is inspired by the classic Mexican side dish. Fluffy white rice is mixed with green veggies and lime juice, lending a vibrant green hue and delicious, zesty flavors! Pair it with chicken, beef, or seafood, or use it as the tasty base for a grain bowl.

Arroz Verde

Cocktail Sauce Recipe

This easy Cocktail Sauce recipe is a zesty and tangy dipping sauce that’s perfect for prawn cocktails, po’ boys, and crab cakes. 

Cocktail Sauce

Sous Vide Corn on the Cob

Upgrade your summer dinners with Buttery Sous Vide Corn on the Cob! Slowly cooking corn and butter in a vacuum-sealed bag in a water bath results in tender, extra-juicy, and super-sweet kernels. It’s the best side dish for weeknights, barbecues, and Southern seafood boils!

Sous Vide Corn on the Cob

How to make ahead & store

Many of these shrimp boil side dish recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

Wine pairings for a seafood boil

• Balance the heat in the seasonings with a crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or a lightly oaked Chardonnay.
• If you prefer beer, a crisp lager or a hoppy pale ale is also an excellent match for the rich and flavorful seafood boil.

More seafood side dish recipes

• Sides for Ceviche
• Sides for Salmon
• Sides for Crab Cakes
• Sides for Clam Chowder
• Sides for Sushi
• Sides for Tuna Steaks

Did you make any of these shrimp boil sides?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of sides for a shrimp boil. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Full Recipe

Easy Shrimp Boil

Wondering what the best side dishes for a seafood boil are? I've got you covered with this handy guide of 35+ delicious shrimp boil sides. Pair them with this delicious seafood boil recipe.

No ratings yet

Print Pin

Serves 8 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

0 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Equipment

• Extra Large Stockpot (You’ll need an extra large, 16-quart stockpot. Or, you can split the recipe in two and use two large stockpots.)

1x2x3x

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 pounds mixed seafood (crab legs, shrimp, clams, mussels, lobster tails, etc.)
• ▢ 1/3 cup Old Bay seasoning
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic
• ▢ 1 lemon (halved (plus additional lemon wedges for serving))
• ▢ 1 pound smoked sausage ( cut into 1 inch rounds, kielbasa, andouille, etc.)
• ▢ 2 pounds red potatoes
• ▢ 4 ears corn (shucked and halved)
• ▢ 1 large onion (chopped)
• ▢ Seafood Boil Sauce (for serving)

Instructions

• Add 12 cups (3 quarts) water to an extra large stockpot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Add the old bay seasoning, garlic, lemon, potatoes, sausage and onion. Return to a boil and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
• Add the seafood & corn. Cook for 5-7, until the shrimp is pink and the seafood is cooked through.
• Drain the food through a colander & discard the liquid. Serve on newspapers, a baking sheet, or a large platter. Serve with lemon wedges and seafood boil sauce, if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

The boiling times can vary for every type of seafood. This is why it’s a good idea to stagger the various kinds in the pot so everything finishes cooking simultaneously. 

Here’s a general timing guideline:

• Lobster tails: 8 to 12 minutes
• Crab legs:  5 to 7 minutes
• Crawfish: 5 to 7 minutes
• Clams: 5 to 7 minutes 
• Mussels: 4 to 6 minutes
• Scallops: 2 to 5 minutes
• Shrimp: 2 to 4 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 1524mg | Potassium: 696mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!