What to Serve with Coconut Shrimp: 15 Oh SO Good Sides

Coconut shrimp is a beloved tropical-style dish. You’ve probably fallen in love with it as either an appetizer or an entrée at your favorite restaurant.

When you want to recreate it at home, the question of what to serve with coconut shrimp surely arises.

Thankfully, coconut shrimp sides are easier than you think.

You can round out your meal of coconut shrimp with impressive side dishes that will fill up your family or dinner guests and create an epicurean experience that rivals that of your favorite restaurants.

Coconut Shrimp Sides: Bring on the List

Coconut shrimp is a fun twist on fried shrimp with the sweetness of coconut complementing the sweetness of the shrimp without being too much.

With each bite, it whisks you away to an island paradise where the waves lap up onto the sandy, palm tree-lined shore.

That being said though, it can be challenging to pair it appropriately with some good sides.

While you could go with something creamy when eating grilled shrimp, creamy-based sides will only overpower your coconut shrimp. Luckily, we have you covered with these coconut shrimp sides that won’t upstage your main event!

1. Grilled Summer Squash With Feta

We’re kicking off this list of coconut shrimp sides with one of many that can be done on the grill.

We wholeheartedly believe that tropical flavors and summertime really shine when a grill is used in the cooking process.

If you’re planning on having a backyard gathering, this is one of the best coconut shrimp side dishes…a delicious salad of grilled zucchini and yellow squash paired with fresh mint and basil, topped off with feta cheese.

What’s Gaby Cooking gives you the full recipe for this outstanding side dish that’s sure to be one of your new summer favorites!

2. Creamy Confetti Slaw

We know we said to veer away from creamy things when it comes to coconut shrimp sides, but this one is a completely vegan offering that comes out light and breezy rather than rich and heavy.

It’s crispy and crunchy with both green and red cabbage and a dressing that works for vegan and gluten-free folks too. If you’re not keen on mayonnaise, this one is going to be your new go-to side!

Flora and Vino presents this bright and flavorful side dish that will disappear fast.

3. Roasted Tomato Basil Salad

In just 20 minutes, you could have this incredible roasted tomato and basil salad on the table next to your coconut shrimp!

Of course, if you can’t take the oven heating up your kitchen, you can roast your cherry tomatoes in a foil packet out on your grill and bring that glorious outdoorsy flavor to this elegant side.

Julie’s Eats and Treats shows you just how to get this deliciously nutritious side ready for tonight’s dinner.

4. Pineapple Fried Rice

One way to never go wrong with coconut shrimp sides is to serve pineapple fried rice!

Plus, it looks so beautiful served up in your hollowed-out pineapple half.

You should go out and grab a pineapple while they’re ripe and ready this summer and then watch this video by Marion’s Kitchen to see how easy it is to make this restaurant favorite in your own kitchen.

5. Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad

Add an Asian twist to your coconut shrimp dinner with this fantastic recipe.

This is a great technique for releasing the refreshing flavors of this vegetable, plus with the zingy taste of the dressing, it’s a recipe you’ll turn to time and time again.

Crafted by a family of cooks that focus on Chinese cuisine over at The Woks of Life, this simple yet delicious salad involves smashing cucumbers.

6. The Ultimate Gazpacho

This fantastic recipe involves her unique technique for getting the texture just right with fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and pepper so that it’s part smooth and part chunky.

It’s served chilled, making it a wonderfully refreshing option for what to serve with coconut shrimp.

Even if you’ve never been a fan of gazpacho before, Cookie + Kate will make you a believer.

7. Peach And Habanero Guacamole

One of the best coconut shrimp sides is one that can round out a table of appetizers with complete summertime flair.

That’s what this sweet-with-heat peach and habanero guacamole recipe does.

In just minutes, you’ll have this paradise-inspired guacamole on your table. And just minutes later, it will most certainly disappear!

If you love peaches and avocados, it won’t take much to twist your arm into trying this amazing recipe from Ev’s Eats.

8. Sweet Corn & Quinoa With Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

In summer, sweet corn is like a treat in and of itself.

We love eating it any way that we can get it. Quinoa is a little less loved than corn, but don’t knock it before you try it.

It eats like rice but is a protein, ideal for those of you watching your waistline. It’s very filling and makes a great companion in any recipe.

Like this one here by Iowa Girl Eats. It’s bright in appearance and just a bit sweet with a little tartness from the lemons to make it a dazzling side for your coconut shrimp.

9. Vegetable Kabobs

They say if you put anything on a stick, people will eat it. We completely agree! If you want everyone to eat their vegetables, make them into kabobs.

You can use whatever veggies you have on-hand too.

Fire them up on the grill or follow the recipe to roast them in your oven.

This recipe by Damn Delicious uses summer squash, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers to make one of the tastiest coconut shrimp sides ever.

10. Grilled Pineapple Salad With Avocado And Mojito Dressing

We had you at ‘mojito,’ didn’t we?

Pineapples are amazing as-is, but on the grill, they become the stuff of luau fantasy, an escape from ordinary dining.

The unique dressing uses mint and lime juice to give it a mojito-infused vacation-like vibe.

Pamela Salzman’s unique recipe takes advantage of grill time by firing up pineapple and serving it on a bed of romaine and watercress alongside avocado.

11. Summer Panzanella

A vibrant rainbow of colors, nothing could be better than the refreshing tastes of a good summer Panzanella. It’s beautiful as far as presentations go and is even more so once it’s snuggly inside your belly.

This will brim with fresh cherry tomatoes, red onions, basil, chickpeas, and home-toasted sourdough croutons all dressed with a homemade Italian vinaigrette.

Gimme Some Oven truly has mastered the art of making this sensational summertime salad!

12. Coconut Lime Cauliflower Rice

Ok, so we gave you fried rice a little earlier on. But what if you’re doing a low-carb diet?

Enter coconut lime cauliflower rice!

Cauliflower rice is cooked up in coconut milk and touched with fresh lime juice.

It gives you the bold tropical flavors you love from cilantro lime rice but with cauliflower instead for a healthier side.

Diethood presents an amazingly simple and delicious recipe for the stuff.

13. 20-Minute Thai Chicken Curry Soup

It might seem counterproductive, but drinking a hot and spicy soup in summer can be utterly refreshing.

Like this Thai chicken curry soup that brings the exotic flavors of the East into your kitchen in just 20 minutes, making it one of the best sides for coconut shrimp we’ve ever heard of.

You can find the full recipe over at Salt & Lavender, which incorporates cooked rotisserie chicken to make throwing it together even easier!

14. Burrata And Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad

It relies on the simple freshness of the ingredients, each of which complement each other in the most divine way.

For a farm-to-table feel that will go so well with your coconut shrimp, you should definitely serve this.

One thing to note though: use a high-quality, slightly fruity olive oil to really enhance the flavors.

This recipe by Foodie Crush could not even be any easier to make.

15. Avocado Veggie Spring Rolls With Sweet Thai Mango Sauce

Rice paper wrappers might seem tricky to work with, but once you roll your own spring rolls, you’ll want to roll everything up.

Fresh and delicious, the rolls contain crispy veggies and heavenly avocado along with a Thai mango sauce that you’ll develop cravings for.

Get your practice and turn out some amazing avocado veggie spring rolls using this recipe by Half Baked Harvest.

What to Serve with Coconut Shrimp: A Bonus Side Dish

And just for fun, here’s one last side that will go beautifully with your coconut shrimp! Skinny Hawaiian Slaw

If you don’t have time for crafting cutesy shapes though, it will still taste just as divine.

It incorporates a slaw mix to save time and tropical pineapples that all pair perfectly together.

This skinny Hawaiian slaw by The Skinny Fork features adorable heart-shaped carrots which make for a gorgeous presentation.

Tips for Your Best Coconut Shrimp

As popular as coconut shrimp is, no one is really sure where it came from. Some say it was the Caribbean. Others say it was a creation of the South Pacific.

Whoever brought it to life though, we owe a debt of gratitude.

While it’s basically fried shrimp with coconut worked into the batter or coating, it’s still a combination that works so well that it flies off menus of restaurants everywhere.

Making it at home is easy enough though, so you can enjoy it any time your taste buds need a little tropical escape.

There are countless recipes for this cooking style.

And now that you have some side dishes for coconut shrimp the following tips will help you make your entire meal flawless.

Use jumbo shrimp

To keep your shrimp tasting nice and juicy, you’ve got to splurge for the big ones. Jumbo or even extra jumbo shrimp will ensure a delicious dish.

Mix in panko breadcrumbs

Give your coconut shrimp an extra crispy touch by using panko breadcrumbs along with the coconut.

Nothing makes coconut shrimp more heavenly than that perfectly crisp exterior that gives way to tender, juicy shrimp.

Leave the tails on

When you look at what goes with coconut shrimp, remember that the tails should always be included!

Tails give you and your dining companions something to grab a hold of. Be sure you clean those tails off first though!

Butterfly your shrimp

Give your coconut shrimp more surface area and better plating appeal by butterflying them first.

As an added bonus, they’ll cook more evenly. Simply slice them open along the backs with a sharp knife. With jumbo shrimp, it’s very easy to do.

Bake or fry

Coconut shrimp is really best when you fry it. You can do it in a traditional fryer, in a pan on your stovetop, or an air fryer.

Or you can choose to bake them instead for a healthier rendition. Whichever method you choose, they will turn out sensationally if you ensure to crisp them up.

Have fun with dipping sauces

People often ask, what sauce goes with coconut shrimp?

The truth is, there is your go-to answer; and of course with most anything food it’s whatever you find works best for you and your tongue!

Of course, if you want a list of our faves check out our best sauces for breaded shrimp.

In most restaurants, you’ll find coconut shrimp served with a sweet chili sauce.

This is easy enough to find in your local supermarket, though you can also experiment with the use of other sauces to find your favorite.

There’s nothing wrong with creating a selection of homemade dipping sauces for everyone to choose their favorite from either. Having fun with your food is key!

And speaking of fun, we know when you make coconut shrimp, you’re going to have a blast sharing it with those you love.

Now that you know what to serve with coconut shrimp, it’s in the bag!