Coconut shrimp is a family favorite for many and a delicacy for others. It is often served as an appetizer but can also be the main dish. Instead of serving it by itself, consider these side dishes.
Keep reading to find out what to eat with coconut shrimp! You will fall in love with all these recipes.
What Is Coconut Shrimp
Coconut shrimp is a shrimp that comes with a coat of coconut and flour or coconut milk. Often, you will see coconut shrimp fried or baked. In other cases, you can sauté it in coconut milk along with other ingredients.
When coconut shrimp is fried or baked, you can prepare it using flour, an egg mixture, and then coating it with coconut flour and breadcrumbs. After you coat the shrimp, you can deep-fry it. You can serve the shrimp on a plate or a skewer.
This same version could also be prepared by baking, grilling, or pan-frying. In some cases, baking is the method of choice because it requires no use of oil, making it healthier. You can also serve it on its own with a dipping sauce or rice or noodles.
In other recipes, you sauté the shrimp in a mixture of coconut milk and spices. Coconut shrimp is traditionally from the Caribbean and Florida but can also be part of Thai food.
Nutrition Facts
One serving of coconut shrimp (113 g) has the following nutritional content (*):
- 340 calories
- 12 g protein
- 22 g fat
- 24 g carbohydrate
- 2.03 g fiber
- 7 g sugar
- 20.3 mg calcium
- 0.599 mg iron
- 220 mg potassium
- 450 mg sodium
- 84.8 mg cholesterol
Coconut shrimp can be high in fat and calories when you prepare it by frying. To make it more nutritious, try preparing by baking or sauteing. Use less salt to reduce the sodium content too.
What Goes With Coconut Shrimp
Below are some side dishes for coconut shrimp that you can serve at any time!
#1. Peanut Noodles
Nothing goes better with coconut shrimp than some sort of noodle dish. Peanut noodles are just the right kind!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice noodles
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon chili sauce
- Salt to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your peanut noodles:
- Wash, clean, and chop your green onions.
- Add the chicken broth, peanut butter, chili sauce, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, and salt to a small saucepan.
- Mix well over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Separately, cook the noodles according to the box instructions.
- Drain the noodles and pass cold water over them for 5 seconds.
- Add the noodles to the saucepan with the sauce and mix well.
- Stir in the green onions. Mix once more.
- Serve your peanut noodles warm or cold, whichever you like more.
#2. Asian Slaw
This Asian slaw is exceptional in flavor. Not only does it add crunch, but it also gives your meal a bit of sweetness and sour.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups coleslaw mixture, or shredded cabbage and carrots
- ½ teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sesame seed oil
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your Asian slaw:
- Wash and clean your coleslaw mix or cabbage and carrots, and place them in a large bowl.
- Separately, mix the ginger, lemon juice, sesame seed oil, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, salt, and pepper in another bowl.
- Once everything is well-mixed, stir in the dressing over your coleslaw mix.
- Toss well for a few minutes.
- Cover your Asian slaw and place it in the fridge. Allow for it to get cold for about 1 hour.
- Serve your Asian slaw cold, or keep it refrigerated for a couple of days.
#3. Baked Potato Wedges
Who does not like a good side dish of freshly baked fries? These baked potato wedges are even better and crunchier!
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 3 large russet potatoes
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your baked potato wedges:
- Preheat your oven to 375 °F.
- Wash and clean your potatoes. Slice them into wedges and set them aside.
- Add the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to a bowl.
- Place the potatoes in the bowl and toss well.
- Line a baking sheet with tin foil. Spread the potatoes over it.
- Bake the potatoes for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Serve your baked potato wedges hot next to your coconut shrimp.
#4. Mango Salad
This mango salad is just what you needed to give your meal a touch of sweetness. You can also add more ingredients to make your side dish even more filling.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe mangoes, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, diced
- 1 lime, juiced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your mango salad:
- Wash and clean your vegetables and mangoes.
- Peel the mangoes and chop them. Place them in a large bowl.
- Dice the bell pepper and onion, and add them to the bowl.
- Mix the lime juice, garlic powder, olive oil, red pepper flakes, cilantro, sugar, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl.
- Slowly pour the vinaigrette over the mangoes and vegetables. Toss well.
- Cover the bowl and store it in the fridge for about one hour or more.
- Serve your mango salad cold or store it in the fridge for a couple of days.
#5. Coconut Rice
Coconut rice is always a good idea when it comes to coconut shrimp. This rice recipe is subtle yet delicious.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cup basmati rice
- 2 yellow onions, diced
- 2 cans coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your coconut rice:
- Clean and chop your yellow onions. Set them aside.
- Add the oil and garlic to a large saucepan, then add the onions. Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the rice and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Add the coconut milk and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil and then lower the heat to a simmer.
- Season with cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Cover the saucepan and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff the rice with a fork.
- Serve your coconut rice hot with parsley on top.
#6. Garlic Sautéed Spinach
Spinach is a healthy and tasty side dish no matter what you are cooking. In this case, you can add some delicate aroma and flavor to your coconut shrimp.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your garlic sautéed spinach:
- Wash and clean your vegetables. Chop the onions and set them aside.
- Heat the oil in a skillet and add the garlic. Once hot, stir in the onions and cook them for about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach, working in batches, until it softens and shrinks.
- Season with cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Continue mixing.
- Serve your garlic sautéed spinach warm next to your coconut shrimp.
#7. Sweet and Sour Sauce
Since coconut shrimp tends to be a Thai delicacy, a good sweet and sour sauce is good for it. This recipe is easy to make and very satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch or guar gum
- 1 teaspoon sweet chili
- Salt to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your sweet and sour sauce:
- Add the pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, sweet chili, and salt to a saucepan.
- Bring your liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, mix the water and cornstarch in a bowl. Add it to the sauce and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Remove from the heat and serve it hot with your coconut shrimp.
- Store the sweet and sour sauce in the refrigerator if you are not using it immediately.
Tip: You can save your sweet and sour sauce and use it for two weeks when you store it properly in the refrigerator.
How Can I Pick The Perfect Sides for Coconut Shrimp?
Coconut shrimp is a delicious dish that many of us eat often. However, it can be difficult to choose what to serve with it. You can choose one of these recipes and make your meal more complete.
When you want to serve coconut shrimp Thai or Asian style, go with something that complements these flavors too. Try the peanut noodles that are decadent and have some umami as well. You can also go with the sweet and sour sauce for dipping every piece of shrimp.
To add crunch to your coconut shrimp, go with something that adds texture. Go with the Asian slaw that is acidic and filling. The baked potato wedges are also very decadent and tasty.
To satisfy any other cravings or complement your coconut shrimp, you can go with something more traditional. Try a recipe like coconut rice and the garlic sautéed spinach together. The mango salad is also a nice change of flavors.
Conclusion
Coconut shrimp is a delicious meal that many of us like to make. Next time you want to prepare it, try some of these recipes. Go with one, two, or three of these side dishes.
See more: What to eat with shrimp
*image by Jookiko/depositphotos
