✔ Updated · 36 sides, dips and easy dinner combos
Crispy coconut shrimp deserves better than a lonely bowl of sauce. Here are my 36 favorite sides, from coconut rice and slaw to fruity salsas and dips.
The best sides for coconut shrimp are coconut rice, cilantro lime rice, coleslaw, mango salsa, grilled pineapple, cucumber salad and sweet potato fries, plus a sweet chili or orange marmalade dipping sauce. Aim for one cool, crunchy or fruity side to balance the rich fried shrimp, and one starch like rice or noodles to make it a meal.
- Easy weeknight: coconut rice + garlic broccoli + sweet chili sauce.
- Tropical party: mango salsa, pineapple slaw and grilled pineapple.
- Seafood basket: sweet potato fries, coleslaw and cocktail sauce.
How to Choose a Side for Coconut Shrimp
Coconut shrimp is sweet, rich and crunchy, so the best plates add contrast. My rule: one starch, one fresh or tangy side, and one great dip. It is a riff on the old rule from my mum for pork chops, and it works for almost everything fried.
- Starch: coconut rice, noodles or fries make it filling.
- Fresh and tangy: slaw, cucumber salad or salsa cut through the richness.
- Dip: sweet chili, orange marmalade or a spicy aioli.
- Skip: heavy, creamy sides with creamy dips and fries all at once; the plate gets heavy fast.
Dipping Sauces
Coconut shrimp is basically a dipping vehicle, so start here. I always make two: one sweet and one with a kick.
1. Sweet Chili Sauce
The classic pairing: sticky, sweet and gently spicy. Store-bought is fine, or simmer sugar, vinegar, garlic and chili flakes.
2. Orange Marmalade Dipping Sauce
Whisk orange marmalade with a little horseradish or Dijon and a squeeze of lime. Sweet, sharp and ready in 2 minutes.
3. Piña Colada Dip
Cream cheese or yogurt whipped with crushed pineapple and coconut cream. Tastes like a beach vacation in a bowl.
4. Mango Habanero Aioli
Mayo blended with ripe mango, lime and a sliver of habanero. Creamy, fruity and properly spicy.
5. Yum Yum Sauce
The creamy, tangy hibachi-style pink sauce. It loves anything fried and crunchy.
Get the recipe →6. Classic Cocktail Sauce
Ketchup, horseradish and lemon. Not traditional with coconut shrimp, but the zingy bite is great against the sweet coating.
Rice and Grains
Rice turns a plate of shrimp into dinner. Coconut and lime flavors are the natural match.
7. Coconut Rice
Jasmine rice simmered in coconut milk with a pinch of salt. Creamy, fragrant and made for coconut shrimp.
8. Cilantro Lime Rice
Fluffy rice tossed with lime juice and fresh cilantro. Bright and fresh against the rich, crispy shrimp.
Get the recipe →9. Jasmine Rice
Plain steamed jasmine rice with its soft floral aroma. Simple, and it lets the shrimp and dip shine.
10. Pineapple Fried Rice
Fried rice with juicy pineapple chunks, peas, egg and a splash of soy. Sweet, salty and tropical.
11. Fried Rice
Classic takeout-style fried rice with egg, peas and carrots. Use day-old rice for the best texture.
Get the recipe →
12. Hibachi Fried Rice
Buttery, garlicky hibachi-style rice that pairs beautifully with crispy shrimp and yum yum sauce.
Get the recipe →Noodles and Pasta
Noodles are my pick when I want a bigger, cozier meal out of a batch of shrimp.
13. Sesame Noodles
Cold or warm noodles in a soy, sesame and garlic dressing with scallions. Make them ahead and serve at room temperature.
14. Garlic Butter Noodles
Spaghetti or egg noodles tossed in garlic butter and parmesan. Comforting, quick and kid-approved.
15. Fettuccine Alfredo
Creamy, cheesy Alfredo makes coconut shrimp feel like a restaurant plate. See my tips for a silky, thick sauce.
Get the recipe →
Salads and Slaws
Something cool and crunchy is the best friend of anything fried. Dress slaws just before serving so they stay crisp.
16. Creamy Coleslaw
Classic creamy, tangy slaw. The cool crunch is the perfect contrast to hot, crispy shrimp.
Get the recipe →17. Asian Pineapple Slaw
Cabbage, carrots and pineapple in a ginger, soy and lime dressing with sesame seeds.
18. Mango Cucumber Salad
Crisp cucumber and ripe mango with lime, chili and mint. Light, juicy and very tropical.
19. Cucumber Salad
Thin cucumbers in a quick rice vinegar dressing. Cool, crunchy and ready in 10 minutes.
20. Watermelon Feta Salad
Sweet watermelon, salty feta, mint and lime. Salty, sweet and refreshing next to the shrimp.
21. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Creamy, mild mac salad, the plate-lunch classic. It cools things down if your dip is spicy.
22. Potato Salad
Creamy picnic-style potato salad. Make it the night before so the flavors settle.
Get the recipe →23. Tropical Fruit Salad
Pineapple, mango, kiwi and berries with a squeeze of lime. Fresh and bright for summer plates.
24. Ambrosia Salad
The retro creamy fruit salad with coconut and marshmallows. Sweet, nostalgic and fun next to coconut shrimp.
Get the recipe →Fruit and Salsas
Fruit is the shortcut to a tropical plate. A sweet, juicy side makes the coconut coating taste even better.
25. Mango Salsa
Diced mango, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro and lime. Spoon it right over the shrimp.
26. Pineapple Salsa
Like mango salsa but tangier, with juicy pineapple, red pepper and cilantro.
27. Grilled Pineapple
Pineapple rings grilled until caramelized and smoky at the edges. A sprinkle of chili and lime is the move.
28. Watermelon Wedges
Ice-cold watermelon is the simplest summer side there is, and it loves salty fried food.
Vegetables
One green thing on the plate balances all that crunch. Keep the seasoning simple.
29. Roasted Asparagus
Roasted at 425°F with olive oil, salt and lemon until tender and slightly charred. Ready in 12 minutes.
30. Garlic Broccoli
Steamed or stir-fried broccoli with garlic and a splash of soy. Quick, green and crunchy.
31. Corn on the Cob
Sweet, buttery corn on the cob. Brush with lime butter for a tropical twist.
Get the recipe →
32. Green Beans
Tender, savory green beans with a little bacon or onion. Easy to make while the shrimp fry.
Get the recipe →33. Grilled Zucchini
Zucchini planks grilled with olive oil, salt and a squeeze of lime. Light and summery.
Fries and Potatoes
Going full seafood-shack? Add fries. Bake or air fry them if you are already deep frying the shrimp.
34. Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy outside, soft and sweet inside. Their natural sweetness is a great match for coconut.
35. French Fries
Crispy, golden fries for a seafood-basket dinner with plenty of dip on the side.
Get the recipe →36. Fried Plantains
Sweet ripe plantains pan-fried until caramelized. Very Caribbean and very good with coconut shrimp.
Easy Coconut Shrimp Dinner Combos
- Weeknight: coconut rice, garlic broccoli and sweet chili sauce.
- Tropical night: cilantro lime rice, mango salsa and grilled pineapple.
- Seafood shack: sweet potato fries, creamy coleslaw and cocktail sauce.
- Party platter: shrimp with three dips, Asian pineapple slaw and watermelon wedges.
- Cozy dinner: fettuccine Alfredo with a crisp cucumber salad.
My Coconut Shrimp Notes
Shrimp is done when it turns pink and opaque, about 145°F inside, which takes only 2 to 3 minutes in 350°F oil. I make the slaw and dips first, so everything is ready the moment the shrimp come out crunchy.
Want more shrimp dinners? Browse my shrimp recipes or try copycat Red Lobster shrimp scampi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sides go with coconut shrimp?
The best sides are coconut rice, cilantro lime rice, coleslaw, mango salsa, grilled pineapple, cucumber salad and sweet potato fries. Pair one starch with one fresh or tangy side, and serve a sweet chili or orange marmalade sauce for dipping.
What sauce goes with coconut shrimp?
Sweet chili sauce is the classic. Orange marmalade sauce, pina colada dip, mango habanero aioli, yum yum sauce and cocktail sauce are all great too. I like serving one sweet dip and one spicy or tangy one.
What vegetables go well with coconut shrimp?
Roasted asparagus, garlic broccoli, corn on the cob, green beans and grilled zucchini all work. Keep the seasoning simple, with a little garlic, lime or soy, so the vegetables balance the sweet, crunchy shrimp.
Is rice good with coconut shrimp?
Yes, rice is one of the best pairings. Coconut rice doubles down on the tropical flavor, cilantro lime rice adds brightness, and pineapple fried rice turns it into a full meal. Plain jasmine rice is the simple option.
What can I serve with coconut shrimp for a party?
Set out the shrimp with two or three dips, a crunchy Asian pineapple slaw, mango salsa, watermelon wedges and a big bowl of coconut rice. Everything except the shrimp can be made ahead.
