35 Easy Salads and Sides to Serve with Grilled Shrimp

updated May 6, 2021

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Closeup of pesto pasta salad — Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell
Pesto Pasta Salad

Grilled shrimp is a summer staple in my household — it’s fast, easy, and infinitely adaptable. While it makes for a great appetizer, I think the best way to enjoy grilled shrimp is to put it front and center as the main event. Pair it with a simple salad or side and you’ve got a fuss-free dinner that’s ready in no time, which is exactly how meals should be this time of year.

Since grilled shrimp is such a versatile main dish (these three different versions are in my current rotation), what you serve it with is equally as flexible. From tangy carrot slaw to a colorful Israeli couscous salad, we’ve rounded up 35 of the best grilled shrimp sides for a satisfying dinner.

Crisp and Crunchy Coleslaws

Coleslaw is such a standby this time of year. Not only is it crisp and refreshing, but it also can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge to be reached for whenever you need it.

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Cilantro Lime Coleslaw

This classic tricolor slaw is updated with fresh cilantro and a punchy lime-mayonnaise dressing.

2 / 8

Crunchy Peanut Slaw

This refreshing, light slaw is made fragrant and crunchy with roasted peanuts.

3 / 8

Broccoli and Cauliflower "Coleslaw"

This riff on classic coleslaw swaps cabbage for crisp, chopped broccoli and cauliflower florets, finished off with crunchy almonds and a tangy dressing.

4 / 8

Tangy Cabbage and Jalapeño Slaw

Thanks to the crunchy textures and bold tangy and spicy flavors, no one will ever be the wiser that you pulled this together in just five minutes.

5 / 8

Apple-Bacon Slaw

This easy slaw is packed with flavor and texture thanks to crispy bacon, crunchy cabbage, and sweet apples.

6 / 8

Tangy Carrot Slaw

This easy, French-inspired carrot slaw is tossed with a tangy Dijon mustard dressing.

7 / 8

Sesame Ginger Slaw

If you want a side dish that's a total crowd-pleaser, there is no better choice than this sesame ginger slaw.

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This simple recipe uses shredded cruciferous vegetables, which is combined with almonds, dried cherries, and a honey-mustard dressing.

Vegetable-Packed Salads

If you’re in the mood to keep things light, a salad filled with seasonal vegetables is an easy way to turn grilled shrimp into dinner.

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Vegetarian Italian Chopped Salad

This make-ahead friendly salad is packed with crunchy veggies and tossed in a garlicky oregano vinaigrette.

2 / 9

The Ultimate Summer Salad

A bright and fresh mix of sweet summer peaches and juicy cherry tomatoes, tossed in a tangy cilantro-lime vinaigrette.

3 / 9

Simple Arugula Salad

This quick and easy, unfussy arugula salad is tossed in a lemon vinaigrette and finished with shaved Parmesan.

4 / 9

Sour Cream and Dill Cucumber Salad

This cucumber dill salad tossed in a tangy sour cream dressing is a summertime classic.

5 / 9

Chilled Zucchini Noodle Salad

This light and fresh recipe for zucchini noodle salad is tossed in a spicy honey jalapeño lime vinaigrette and garnished with pistachios and cilantro.

6 / 9

Broccoli and Kale Caesar Salad

This hearty broccoli and kale salad is topped with golden croutons and a velvety Caesar dressing made with roasted garlic and cashews.

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Cucumber Caprese Salad

This simple twist on classic Italian Caprese salad adds cool, crisp cucumbers to the equation.

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Chopped Chickpea Salad

This salad puts toothsome chickpeas in the center of your bowl to build a truly satisfying side salad.

9 / 9

Japanese-Inspired Cucumber Salad

This summery cucumber salad, inspired by sunomono, is crunchy, refreshing, and swimming in delicate umami notes.

Pasta and Grain Salads

For the evenings when you need a little something more, toss together a salad that’s a touch heartier. These pasta and grain salads will round out the plate and satisfy everyone at the table.

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Mayo-Free Pasta Salad

This easy-to-make pasta salad has a creamy flavor, but ditches the mayo in favor of a rich vinaigrette and soft cheese.

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Corn and Avocado Pasta Salad with Cilantro and Lime

Every forkful of this colorful pasta salad is packed with fresh corn, creamy avocado, and plenty of cilantro and lime.

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Pesto Pasta Salad

Nothing says summer like tendrils of pasta, fresh mozzarella pearls, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy cucumber dressed in a basil pesto sauce.

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Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Green Beans

This light and fresh pasta salad is packed with fresh herbs, snappy green beans, and a sunny lemon vinaigrette.

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Greek Pasta Salad

This Greek-inspired pasta salad is filled with tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, and feta and dressed in a tangy oregano vinaigrette.

6 / 10

Sesame Ginger Pasta Salad

Colorful bell peppers, tender pasta, and ribbons of radicchio are tossed in a sesame-ginger dressing.

7 / 10

The Easiest Pasta Salad

This goes-anywhere, has-everything pasta salad is one we think you should know by heart.

8 / 10

Antipasto Grain Salad

This vibrant, no-wilt farro salad, which is packed with buttery olives, peppadew peppers, fresh mozzarella, and more, gets even better as it sits.

9 / 10

Summer Vegetable Grain Salad

This light, wholesome quinoa salad is filled with summer vegetables and tossed in a pesto vinaigrette.

10 / 10

Israeli Couscous Salad with Feta, Chickpeas, and Herbs

This colorful salad features toothsome Israeli couscous, plus chickpeas, tomatoes, feta cheese, and lots of fresh herbs.

Sides from the Grill

Since the grill is already on, you might as well cook the entire dinner right on the grates. Toss some corn on the cob or veggie kebabs on the grill and you’ve got a tasty side for your shrimp.

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Cheesy Grilled Parmesan Broccoli

Marinated broccoli gets tossed with Parmesan and grilled to tender, smoky perfection.

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Garlicky Marinated Grilled Mushrooms

Cremini mushrooms are glazed in a garlicky, buttery marinade, then tossed on the grill until golden and caramelized.

3 / 8

Easy Grilled Sweet Potatoes

These simple grilled sweet potatoes pair deliciously with a spicy honey-lime vinaigrette.

4 / 8

Grilled Brussels Sprouts

When tossed with a simple honey and whole-grain mustard dressing, threaded onto skewers, and seared over the hot flames of the grill, Brussels sprouts become wonderfully tender with a caramelized coating of crispy outer leaves.

5 / 8

Balsamic Glazed Veggie Kebabs

These mixed vegetable kebabs get upgraded thanks to a balsamic and garlic glaze.

6 / 8

Grilled Corn on the Cob

This simple method for grilling corn on the cob leaves you with juicy, smoky cobs.

7 / 8

Grilled Cabbage Wedges with Spicy Lime Dressing

These grilled cabbage wedges with a spicy lime vinaigrette are anything but boring.

8 / 8

The Best Grilled Asparagus

Learn the super-simple solution for grilling asparagus that makes them easier to flip and keeps them from falling into the grill: skewers.

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