What Sides to Serve with Shrimp Po’ Boy: 15 Mouthwatering Options

Crispy fried shrimp with just the right amount of seasoning are piled high on French bread with fresh vegetables and tangy remoulade sauce.

In restaurants all over the Big Easy, you can find this famous New Orleans sandwich. Now you can make it in your own kitchen…

There’s just something special about the Cajun and Creole cuisines of Louisiana. They serve everything from simple dishes like Red Beans and Rice to more complicated ones like Grillades and Grits. All of their food is extra tasty.

There were a lot of great foods we tried in New Orleans last year. Many of them have since been added to GypsyPlate.

But the one thing our eyes drifted to the most on menus was the famous shrimp po’ boy.

The shrimp po’ boy is a classic Southern sandwich bursting with flavor Crispy fried shrimp, lettuce, tomato and remoulade or cocktail sauce sandwiched between two pieces of bread creates a heavenly combination But what sides to serve with this delightful sandwich can take the meal to even greater heights?

Complementing your po’ boy with the right sides adds more flavors textures and components to tantalize your tastebuds. From Southern favorites to fresh, vibrant choices, the possibilities are endless. In this article, we’ll explore 15 sensational sides to serve with shrimp po’ boys for a magnificent dining experience.

Crunchy, Savory Fries

French fries are a no-brainer pairing with shrimp po’ boys. Their crispy exterior and fluffy interior provide a satisfying crunch and starchy complement to the juicy shrimp and tangy sauces. To take ordinary fries up a notch, season them with Cajun spices for a little kick or top them with garlic Parmesan for rich flavor. Dip them in spicy remoulade or ketchup for extra appeal. Waffle fries or sweet potato fries also add fun new textures.

Southern Classics: Hushpuppies and Cole Slaw

For a taste of true Southern cuisine, hushpuppies and coleslaw are natural additions to shrimp po’ boys. Golden, deep fried hushpuppy balls offer a crispy exterior with a sweet, cornmeal interior that perfectly balances the sandwich’s flavors. Tangy coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast with its cool crunch and zesty dressing. These traditional sides are shrimp po’ boy staples.

Creamy Potato and Macaroni Salads

Potato salad and macaroni salad are classic picnic options that pair nicely with po’ boys. The creamy, cool textures of these salad variations complement the crispy shrimp. Bacon, cheddar and ranch add tasty twists to potato salad. For macaroni salad, opt for Italian or honey mustard dressings and mix in shredded carrots or bell peppers for extra flavor.

Crunchy Vegetable Sides: Fried Okra, Fried Pickles

For more crunch, fried okra and fried pickles are sensational choices. Sliced okra coated in seasoned cornmeal and fried to golden perfection offers a delightful new flavor and texture. Bread and butter pickle chips fried in the same manner provide tangy bursts of flavor. The crispy exteriors and vivid flavors of these veggie sides balance nicely with the po’ boy.

Oven-Baked Wedges: Sweet or Savory

Potato and sweet potato wedges baked in the oven get crispy exteriors with fluffy insides. Season them with spices like garlic, paprika and onion powder before baking. Sweet potato wedges have an inherently sweeter flavor. Dip these wedges in cool ranch, bleu cheese or remoulade sauce for extra appeal. Their heartiness stands up well to the shrimp.

Fresh, Light Sides: Salads and Slaws

For lighter accompaniments, fresh salads and slaws hit the spot. Leafy green salads with vinaigrette supply crunchy texture and vitamins. Broccoli slaw combines shredded broccoli stems and leaves for palate-cleansing qualities. Tangy apple coleslaw with shredded apples and cabbage makes a fruity slaw variation. Top any slaw with toasted almonds or pecans for a nutty crunch.

Pickles: Dill, Bread and Butter, Spicy

Pickles work wonders alongside shrimp po’ boys! Dill pickle chips offer piquant, sour flavor. For sweeter options, try bread and butter or sweet gherkin pickles. Spicy pickles bring the heat while jalapeño slices supply fresh bite. Pickles cut through the richness with tangy crunch. Mix and match varieties for a pickle flight!

Smoky, Spicy: Cajun Corn and Grilled Veggies

For bolder, smoky flavors, try Cajun corn or grilled veggies. Grilled corn on the cob slathered in buttery, zesty Cajun seasoning makes a fantastic pairing. For another take, sauté corn kernels in Cajun spices. Grilled mushrooms, zucchini and eggplant seasoned with Creole spices also excel. Charred and tender veggies align perfectly with shrimp.

Warm Breads: Cornbread, Biscuits, Yeast Rolls

Few dishes say “Southern” more than warm cornbread, biscuits or yeast rolls. Bake up a pan of cornbread, sweet or jalapeño-spiced, to serve alongside po’ boys. Flaky, buttery biscuits also hit the spot. For lighter fare, soft yeast rolls or pretzel rolls with melted butter complement the sandwich. Enjoy dipping buttery breads into any leftover sauce or dressing.

Protein-Packed: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

For heartier sides, bacon roasted Brussels sprouts add flair. Fresh Brussels sprouts halves tossed in oil and bacon bits then roasted to caramelized perfection offer a sweet, crunchy bite. The bacon adds a smoky edge that interplays tastefully with the briny shrimp. Other vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower work too.

Classy and Comforting: Risotto Cakes

For special occasions, risotto cakes elevate the meal. To make them, cook risotto per usual, spread it out on a sheet, let it set, then cut out rounds. Coat risotto rounds in breadcrumbs then pan fry in oil until crispy. Top with Parmesan cheese and lemon zest. The crispy outside surrounding creamy risotto is a textural treat and fancy upgrade.

Tastes of the Sea: Fried Oysters or Calamari

Since shrimp come from the sea, fried oysters or calamari continue the ocean theme. Breaded, fried oysters offer briny flavor and tender interior. Fried calamari rings or tentacles deliver mild sweetness and delicate crunch. Pair these fried seafood sides with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce for dipping.

Worldly Flavors: Mediterranean Salad, Thai Cucumber Salad

Branch out with Mediterranean or Thai noodle salads. A Greek salad with feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onions and Mediterranean dressing supplies fresh flavor. For Asian flair, Thai cucumber salad featuring sliced cucumbers in a sweet, slightly spicy sauce awakens the palate. These global sides inject thrilling new notes into your spread.

Satisfying Starches: Rice, Beans, Quinoa, Couscous

Simple starches like rice, beans or grains make hearty accompaniments. Coconut rice transports you to the tropics. Red beans and rice simmered with Andouille sausage offers Louisiana flair. Toasted quinoa salad or lemony couscous supply Mediterranean zest. Pick a starch that complements the shrimp’s brininess.

Dipping Sauces: Remoulade, Cocktail, Ranch, Ketchup

Don’t forget sauces and condiments! Having a variety of dipping sauces allows you to experiment with different flavor combinations. Whip up zesty remoulade, creamy cocktail or ranch and set out ketchup and hot sauce too. Let guests assemble their own sauce flights to try with fries, pickles, hushpuppies and more for interactive fun.

With so many wonderful sides to choose from, the hardest part is narrowing it down! Try offering a sampler with hushpuppies, fries or wedges, slaw, and pickles for timeless pairings. Or, go bold with charred veggies, Thai noodle salad and risotto cakes for an adventurous lineup. No matter what sides you select, your shrimp po’ boy meal will be unforgettable. Squeeze a lemon wedge over the po’ boy, take a bite, dip in remoulade sauce and get ready for shrimp sandwich nirvana!