Coconut shrimp is the union of pleasant tropical flavors: a taste of the sea, the sweetness of the coconut, and savoriness intertwined in all those. Every bite is such a crunchy and tasty delight, and it doesn’t seem like it could get any better. But it does – when you pair it with suitable side dishes!
So what to serve with coconut shrimp? This article offers you 12 of the most delicious dips and sides. The various dips allow you to incorporate unique and complimentary flavors. Meanwhile, the side dishes, like noodles and appetizers, are great for transforming this simple recipe into a complete meal.
1. Sweet Chili Sauce
Nearly every coconut shrimp recipe includes instructions for making sweet chili sauce, or at the least, recommends it as a condiment. Because the sauce enhances the sweet flavors of coconut shrimp, brings out those tropical feels, and contributes an irresistible heat. Many bottled sweet chili sauces are available; still, you won’t regret making it at home, as you can customize the level of heat and sweetness.
2. Orange Dipping Sauce with Sriracha
This orange dipping sauce makes a great party appetizer sauce because you can dip everything in it! It is similar to sweet chili sauce because it’s also sweet, spicy, and savory. But there’s another flavor dimension to this dip, which is the citrusy notes from the sweet orange marmalade. It makes all the difference, as the tanginess further draws out the tropical taste that makes coconut shrimp unique.
3. Japanese Spicy Mayo
Coconut shrimp would benefit much from a bit of creaminess and tanginess. One great way to incorporate those qualities is by serving your shrimp with a Japanese spicy mayo. This condiment is mainly associated with sushi, but the blend of creamy, spicy, sweet, tangy, and umami tastes is spectacular with many other dishes like coconut shrimp. Also, make sure you use Japanese kewpie mayo to achieve your target flavors.
4. Yum Yum Sauce
Yum yum sauce is like Japanese spicy mayo but taken to the next level. Thus, while the latter only consists of mayo, sriracha, rice vinegar, tamari, and cane sugar, yum yum sauce’s list of ingredients extends further. For instance, there’s ketchup, butter, mirin, peppers, garlic, and onions. While those extra elements seem frivolous, they make the sauce more deliciously complex and savory.
5. Thai Peanut Dressing
Peanuts aren’t a conventional dipping sauce material, but once you’ve tasted coconut shrimp dipped in Thai peanut dressing, your mind will be blown. The taste profile is unlike any other because the nuttiness of the creamy peanut butter supersedes the other flavors. But it’s not just the nuttiness that you taste because, beneath that, there are hints of spiciness, umami, tanginess, and sweetness.
6. Red Pepper Jelly
As the name implies, red pepper jelly is a mix of sweet and spicy flavors but with a slight tang. It is used more as a spread than a sauce, but if you like your dips thick, this is what you need! Also, if you’re having an appetizer tray, the jelly is a sensible choice as it would go great with foods like bread or crackers.
7. Garlic Yogurt Sauce
Japanese spicy mayo and yum yum sauce are fantastic ways to bring tangy and creamy flavors to the table. However, if you prefer something less dense and fatty, consider this garlic yogurt sauce. It’s a classic in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, and you’ve probably had it with gyros or shawarma. However, the sauce still pairs well with dishes outside those flavors, like coconut shrimp.
8. Aioli
Aioli shares three main elements with mayonnaise: eggs, oil, and acid; thus, the two share the same creaminess. But what makes aioli distinct is garlic; indeed, it was named after it, as aioli means “garlic and oil”. Garlic provides sharp, unique flavors that make aioli a special condiment. But if that’s not enough, the recipe also suggests how to incorporate tarragon, jalapeno, and chipotle into the blend.
9. Asian Garlic Noodles
Dips are practically essential with coconut shrimp, but they aren’t enough to make the meal more satisfying. Thus, if you have coconut shrimp as an entree, pair it with filling dishes like these Asian garlic noodles. As the above dips demonstrate, coconut shrimp is impeccable with garlic flavors, which makes this pair thrilling, especially with the garlic and umami flavors penetrating deep into the dish.
10. Cold Sesame Noodles
Cold sesame noodles are named so because the noodles are doused in cold water right after cooking. Then, it is combined with a rich sesame sauce made from Asian ingredients like sesame oil, soy sauce, Chinese sesame paste, and rice wine vinegar. Other notable ingredients are peanut butter, canola oil, garlic, and fresh orange juice. There are also fresh veggies, like bean sprouts and carrots, for added crunch and flavor.
11. Baked Cream Cheese Wontons
Take out your appetizer tray and fill it with coconut shrimp and these baked cream cheese wontons (also known as crab rangoons). Like the shrimps, these wontons are wonderfully crunchy. With every bite, the exterior’s crispiness makes the creamy and tasty center an even more delightful surprise. Also, these crab rangoons taste fabulous with sweet chili sauce, so you won’t have to make a lot of dips!
12. Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
In contrast to wontons, these sausage-stuffed mushrooms are tender appetizers. Indeed, if you don’t cook them right, they can be soggy, so be sure to follow instructions. They also don’t need a dip or sauce because the stuffing is rich by itself – a mixture of meat, spices, cheese, breadcrumbs, and other flavorings. Moreover, you can make the taste profile sweeter or spicier by choosing your preferred sausage.
