The southern side of the United States is known for its comforting and heartwarming dishes, including shrimp and grits. This creamy, smooth, and savory porridge consists of white cornmeal, shrimp, bacon, sausages, and other tasty ingredients. It’s a favorite breakfast in the region.
Thus, you must make this shrimp and grits meal more satisfying and filling as a breakfast treat. To do that, you’d have to pair your grits with an incredible southern-style side dish. Read on to find some inspiration for what to serve with shrimp and grits!
1. Drop Biscuits
Biscuits are a quintessential southern treat known for their incredible flakiness and wonderful golden color. But these biscuits are unlike the ones you’ve had, as they have no distinct form. That’s because the dough is dropped into the pan, so you won’t expend effort shaping or rolling them. It’s great for those who want quick and easy biscuits, as it takes only 15 minutes to make.
2. Cheddar Scallion Biscuits
If you want more traditional-looking biscuits, follow this recipe for cheddar scallion biscuits! It has all the best biscuit qualities pat-down: golden, tender, buttery, flaky, and savory. Also, it stands out from other biscuits for its intense cheesy flavors. They take a bit longer to make than drop biscuits – specifically 25 minutes – but that extra time is worth the wait and effort.
3. Southern Style Creamed Corn
Shrimp and grits are packed with corn flavors as the grits are made from white corn. But if you want to accentuate the corn’s taste, the best you can do is try this southern-style creamed corn recipe. It’s rich, sweet, and buttery, like your main breakfast dish. The key to achieving the best of these flavors is by using fresh corn ears.
4. Southern Fried Okra
Southern fried okra is a classic in the region, and when served with shrimp and grits, it contributes a beautiful crunch and freshness. The okra slices are lightly coated with breading, so the okra’s natural flavors have nowhere to hide. This dish is easy and quick to make; however, you must oversee it as it cooks, as you don’t want burnt okra.
5. The Best Homemade Cornbread
If you need something to sop up the creaminess of your shrimp and grits, then why not go for a side that best matches its flavors? This cornbread has intense corn flavors – albeit yellow corn – and its textures are impeccable: light, fluffy, and moist. It’s perfect for breakfast shrimp and grits as it provides the energy you need to get through the rest of the day.
6. Southern Collard Greens with Bacon
Collard greens with bacon is a southern go-to side dish, especially for those who like leafy veggies and nutrient-packed foods. The greens are incredibly tender, soaking up the flavors from the other ingredients: onion, bacon, garlic, and more. Also, you can add red pepper flakes if you want spice on your side. However, they take some time to cook and prepare, around 50 minutes to an hour.
7. Wilted Baby Spinach with Garlic and Oil
If you lean towards leafy vegetable side dishes, but collard greens are a rarity in your area, cook some spinach instead. This recipe lightly sautees the baby spinach in garlic cloves and oil to achieve a tender-crisp texture while absorbing savory flavors. Baby spinach is highly nutritious, providing iron and protein while keeping the carbs, calories, and fats low.
8. Creamed Spinach
Another classic way to prepare the spinach, besides sauteing in oil and garlic, is to combine them with a creamy, cheesy sauce. Creamed spinach is a hit in steakhouses, but its tandem with shrimp and grits is underrated. Their flavors blend well together, with the creamed spinach providing hints of nuttiness and cheesiness. The vibrant colors, valuable nutrients, and freshness this side brings are highly appreciated.
9. Southern-Style Green Beans
Southern-style green beans are so savory and tender that they melt on your tongue. The flavors are also rich, as the beans absorb the flavors from bacon, chicken stock, garlic, and other tasty ingredients. This one-of-a-kind side dish is also an excellent way to incorporate delicious nutrients into one’s meal, as these beans are packed with protein, vitamins, fiber, and more.
10. Southern Squash Casserole
Get a lot of sunshine in your morning meal by serving shrimp and grits with a southern squash casserole. This golden yellow delicacy is the color and feel of daylight – creamy, delicious, and soft – punctuated by crunchy Ritz crackers. The flavors are rich and complex, as besides the squash, you also have butter, onion, bell pepper, eggs, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and mayo!
11. Cajun Corn Maque Choux
There’s no such thing as too much corn, so don’t be scared to pair up your shrimp and grits with cajun corn maque choux. It is a flavorful corn dish that combines golden kernels with onions, bell peppers, heavy cream, jalapenos, butter, Creole seasoning, and salt. The aroma is fantastic and bold; you might even smell it before seeing it.
12. Okra and Tomatoes
Okra and tomatoes is a stewed southern dish that’s heartwarming and delicious, like shrimp and grits. It’s also amazingly balanced: crunchy okra with soft tomatoes, acidity with savory flavors, and a medley of ingredients that come together. You won’t have to worry about the okra’s sliminess because that’s well hidden amidst the richness of this stew.
13. Southern Coleslaw
Shrimp and grits can be served with salad, such as this southern-style coleslaw. It’s fresh, creamy, and crispy, and the balance between the sweet and tangy flavors is impeccable. Preparation time is also quick – just 15 minutes – so it’s suited for those who need a side dish served fast. Ingredients are also common: cabbage, mayo, sugar, sweet pickle relish, mustard, and celery salt.
