What to Serve with Shrimp and Grits (25 Easy Side Dishes)

Wondering what to serve with shrimp and grits?

Well, look no further. I have a comprehensive list of the best sides to complete your meal. 

25 Best Side Dishes for Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and Grits is classic Southern comfort food. It’s buttery, creamy, flavorful, and seriously tantalizing. Plus, it has bacon, which makes everything better! 

As for sides… 

You can’t go wrong with Southern side dishes! So, this list has plenty of those. But there’s no harm in switching it up, either. 

So, I have a few delicious, not-so-Southern surprises in store.

Without further ado, here are 25 delicious dishes to serve with shrimp and grits. Enjoy!

1. Southern Collard Greens

You’ll find collard greens on many Southern families’ plates during the holidays. But they’re so delicious, you’ll want to eat them year-round. 

This recipe features collard greens cooked in a flavorful broth and braised ham hocks.

The broth is made by braising the ham hocks in chicken broth, with aromatics and seasonings.   

Southern-style collard greens take a bit of time to make, but it’s mostly passive time. Which means you can focus on other things while it cooks.

And it’s all done in one pot! #easycleanup

2. Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Here’s my hot take: sweet potato fries are superior to regular fries. You can disagree, but I stand by my words. 

And these baked sweet potato fries give you the same wonderful experience.

But without frying everything in heavy oils. So, they’re lighter and you can eat more without guilt.

Now baked fries won’t get as crispy as deep-fried ones. But that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.

However, you can use an air fryer if you’re not willing to make that sacrifice. 

3. Hush Puppies

If you’ve never had a hush puppy then, you’re missing out. They’re like corn dogs, without the dog. Only the breading.

The taste is slightly sweet, with a soft inside and a crusty outside. Yum.

The story of their name goes back to the Civil War times.

Confederate soldiers were eating around a fire, when they heard Union soldiers approaching. They doused their fires.

Then, Confederate soldiers threw cornmeal cakes to their dogs to get them to stop barking. And so the dish was born. 

4. Buttermilk Biscuits

It’s never a bad idea to have a good buttermilk biscuit recipe on hand.

Buttermilk biscuits work for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks! They are buttery and flaky and mouthwatering.

But these easy-to-make, tender biscuits are ideal for sopping up the last of your grits. 

5. Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? And this baked mac and cheese is top-notch! Obviously, it’s loaded with the ooey-gooey goodness of mac and cheese. 

But you also get a divine and wonderfully crunchy panko crust. Talk about delicious!  

6. Fried Okra

Fried okra is another iconic southern favorite. If you’ve never had okra before, this is the best way to try it! I mean… fried anything tastes fantastic. 

Okra tastes a bit like a green bean, but a little sweeter.

But its flavor develops in the frying process. And this recipe features a crusty, sweet cornmeal coating that is SO yummy! 

The result is a deliciously crispy bite, perfect for adding texture to any dish. 

7. Green Bean Casserole

I think green bean casserole goes with pretty much any meal. And this one is to die for! It’s made with fresh ingredients AND homemade cream of mushroom sauce. 

It’s an elevated green bean casserole, so as a side, it’ll elevate the entire meal.

8. Cornbread

You can’t go wrong with a good cornbread recipe. And this cornbread recipe is REALLY good. Maybe the best one. 

This is tender buttermilk cornbread. It’s not dry, nor crumbly. But the edges have a caramelized crisp that adds so much flavor and texture.

9. Eggplant Rollatini

Eggplant Rollatini is like a vegetarian, gluten-free lasagna. The eggplant functions as the pasta… tender, delicious pasta! 

Each slice of eggplant is stuffed with a delectable mix of mushrooms and ricotta. Everything is cooked in marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella. 

10. Garlic Bread

French bread, garlic, butter, salt, fresh herbs… need I say more? Sure, you could get frozen garlic bread from the store… 

But homemade garlic bread is so easy, so why would you? And it’s SO MUCH tastier!

11. Southern Coleslaw

Shrimp and grits are delicious, but it’s also pretty heavy. So, I like to balance it out with this southern coleslaw. 

The key to a good coleslaw is the dressing. And this one is classic. It features mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon, mustard, and sugar. 

It has a little bit of sweetness and a whole lot of tanginess. Celery salt, regular salt, and cracked pepper take the flavor over the top! 

12. Loaded Baked Potato

Save yourself some time by making your baked potatoes in the Instant Pot!

It cuts your cooking down significantly. But you still end up with super fluffy, delicious potatoes. 

Top them with butter, bacon, sauteed veggies, scallions, tons of cheese, and sour cream. 

13. Creamed Spinach

I’ve always considered creamed spinach to be a dish only grandparents would like. It was mushy and flavorless. Something you had to force down. 

Not anymore! 

This creamed spinach is spinach and artichoke dip sans the artichokes. And it’s F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S! It’s incredibly cheesy and loaded with garlic and onions. 

It’s a total flavor bomb. So don’t be surprised when your taste buds explode with satisfaction. 

14. Corn on the Cob

The best way to make corn on the cob is to grill it. Then douse it in butter and/or your favorite seasonings. Don’t believe me, try this recipe.

15. Southern Crab Cakes

Make your dinner a southern seafood feast by serving crab cakes with your grits.

Crab cakes are just as comforting as shrimp and grits. So, this whole meal will soothe your soul. 

Plus, crab cakes are very easy to make! 

Mix your crab meat, an egg, flour, salt, pepper, and paprika together.

Oh, and I can’t forget the Old Bay seasoning! Would it be a good seafood dish without Old Bay?

I think not. 

Form your mixture into patties, coat them with more flour, and fry them in butter. Easy and delicious!

16. Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto can transform any boring dish into something magnificent! The salty, nutty, and bright basil flavor adds so much to this pasta salad. 

It’s loaded with fusilloni pasta, chicken, tomatoes, fresh greens, and parmesan cheese. Italian dressing adds some zippy tang. 

Every forkful will transport your taste buds to the Italian countryside!  

17. Cheesy Breadsticks

I think you’d be hard-pressed to find something that cheesy breadsticks don’t go with.

And although the ones from Walmart are good, these homemade ones are great! 

They’re made with pizza dough, garlic, butter, Italian seasoning, and a boatload of cheese.

Every stick is soft and delicious, topped with gooey, stringy, cheesy goodness. 

18. Tomato Galette

This tomato galette is as beautiful as it is delicious. It looks like it belongs on the cover of Martha Stewart Living. 

And with flaky pastry, sweet tomatoes, gruyere, and creamy basil ricotta? It tastes AMAZING.

19. Creamed Peas

If peas are your veggie of choice, you’re gonna love these creamed peas! This recipe features peas in an easy bechamel sauce.

Season it how you like and enjoy! 

20. Cornbread Sausage Stuffing

I love stuffing of all types. But this cornbread, thyme, and Italian chicken sausage stuffing is definitely in my Top 5.

It’s the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and herbaceous.

Plus every element is made from scratch. So, it tastes like love.  

21. Succotash

Unlike Sylvester the cat, you won’t be sufferin’ with this succotash! Every bite is absolutely fantastic. 

Traditional succotash is a colorful mix of corn, beans, and squash. But since its genesis, people have been customizing it to their tastes.

However, it must always contain corn and beans. 

This recipe also uses onions, red pepper, and cherry tomatoes. Saute everything in butter and olive oil with a mix of savory seasonings.

It’s healthy and nutritious. 

22. Roasted Broccoli

Roasting broccoli is the best way to cook broccoli. The broccoli becomes soft and the flavors deepen. If they get a little char?

All the better. 

I’d add these right on top of the grits.

23. Fried Pickles

Of all the options on this list, this one is my favorite. Then again, I’m down for fried pickles any time, any meal. But I wouldn’t eat them for breakfast.

Probably.

Take dill pickles and dredge them through seasoned flour. Then dip them in an egg and buttermilk mixture before returning them to the flour. 

Deep fry them until they’re golden brown and crispy. Each bite should sound like you’re walking on autumn leaves. 

Dip them in ranch or spicy ranch and prepare to enter food nirvana. 

24. Wedge Salad

A wedge salad is exactly what it sounds like.

Instead of a fluffy bowl of lettuce, your salad base is a solid wedge of lettuce. It’s a much more fun way to enjoy the typical salad. 

Of course, solid greens work the best. So you can only do this with romaine, iceberg, or cabbage. Here, you’ll use fresh and crispy iceberg lettuce. 

Top each wedge with tangy, blue cheese dressing and crispy, salty, heavenly bacon. It is delicious! 

25. Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Smashed potatoes have taken the internet by storm. That’s because they’re so freaking yummy! They’re like the perfect combo of fries and roasted potatoes. 

And somehow better than both. 

Boil baby potatoes until they’re fork-tender. Then lay them out on a baking tray and smash them flat with a glass. Now, here’s where the magic happens. 

You’re gonna cover them in oil seasoned with garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, and onion powder. It also has salt and pepper.

Then, you’ll roast them in a super hot oven. 

When they’re golden and crispy, garnish them with parsley. And enjoy!