For a truly memorable shrimp and grits brunch, consider pairing this classic dish with a variety of appetizing sides. A fresh garden salad with seasonal tomatoes and cucumbers adds a invigorating element. Buttermilk biscuits offer a warm, flaky complement, while sautéed green beans, lightly seasoned with garlic and lemon, provide a vibrant, nutritious crunch. For a heartier option, cheddar cornbread with its golden crust and savory cheese notes pairs wonderfully. Finally, collard greens, slow-cooked with ham hocks, deliver robust flavor and nutrients. These choices create a balanced and delightful meal, ensuring your brunch is exceptional and satisfying. Explore more to discover additional tempting side dishes.
Fresh Garden Salad
Why not complement your shrimp and grits with a crisp, fresh garden salad to add an invigorating balance to the meal?
A garden salad bursting with seasonal vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, creates an exhilarating contrast.
Drizzle it with a homemade dressing, perhaps a tangy vinaigrette, to enhance the flavors and provide a delightful culinary experience that both pleases and satisfies.
Buttermilk Biscuits
To further elevate your shrimp and grits, consider serving warm, flaky buttermilk biscuits that provide a comforting and savory accompaniment.
Their fluffy texture and rich taste make them a delightful addition to any brunch. Using a homemade recipe guarantees freshness and allows you to control the quality of ingredients, resulting in biscuits that are both tender and flavorful, enhancing your meal experience.
Sautéed Green Beans
Sauteed green beans offer a vibrant and nutritious side dish that pairs beautifully with the rich flavors of shrimp and grits. The flavor profile of green beans, enhanced by simple cooking techniques, brings a fresh, crisp contrast.
Lightly sauteed in olive oil, with a touch of garlic and lemon, these beans add both color and a delightful crunch to your brunch spread.
Cheddar Cornbread
Cheddar cornbread, with its golden crust and savory, cheesy notes, serves as a comforting and flavorful complement to shrimp and grits.
Experiment with cheese varieties, such as sharp cheddar or mild Colby, to achieve different flavors.
For the best results, consider these baking tips: use buttermilk for moisture, avoid overmixing the batter, and bake until the edges are slightly crispy.
Collard Greens
Rich in nutrients and robust in flavor, collard greens make an excellent side dish to accompany shrimp and grits.
Their traditional preparation involves slow-cooking with ham hocks or bacon, which enhances their savory taste.
Collard greens are packed with nutritional benefits, including vitamins A, C, and K, and fiber.
This delicious, healthful option complements the rich, creamy texture of shrimp and grits perfectly.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs, with their creamy filling and slight tang, offer a delightful contrast to the savory richness of shrimp and grits.
This classic recipe can be elevated with unique seasoning, adding fresh herbs, smoked paprika, or even a touch of curry powder.
These variations create a versatile side dish that perfectly complements your brunch, making each bite exciting and flavorful.
Roasted Asparagus
Roasted asparagus provides a fresh and earthy complement to the creamy and savory flavors of shrimp and grits. Asparagus benefits include being rich in vitamins and fiber, making it a nutritious choice.
Roasting techniques involve tossing the asparagus in olive oil, sprinkling with salt and pepper, and baking at 400°F for about 15 minutes. This simple side dish adds a delightful crispness to your brunch.
Pickled Okra
Pickled okra offers a tangy and crunchy contrast to the creamy textures of shrimp and grits, enhancing the overall dining experience.
By using traditional pickling techniques, you can preserve okra's freshness and add a burst of flavor.
Spicy variations, achieved by adding chili flakes or hot peppers, provide an extra kick, making this side dish both delicious and exciting for your brunch guests.
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Bacon-wrapped scallops offer a savory and indulgent complement to shrimp and grits, delivering a perfect blend of smoky and sweet flavors. Scallop preparation is simple yet vital; make sure the scallops are dry before wrapping.
Achieving bacon crispiness is essential, so cook them until golden brown. This delightful side dish adds a touch of elegance and complexity to your brunch menu.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes provide a crispy and tangy side dish that perfectly complements the creamy richness of shrimp and grits. The cooking techniques involve lightly breading the tomato slices and frying them until golden brown.
Pair these delightful bites with a variety of dipping sauces, such as spicy remoulade or cool ranch, to enhance their flavor and add a touch of zest to your brunch.
Garlic Sautéed Spinach
Garlic sautéed spinach offers a nutritious and flavorful accompaniment to shrimp and grits, providing a vibrant green contrast that enhances the overall dining experience.
Its flavor profile, enriched by the garlic, complements the dish perfectly. Additionally, spinach is packed with health benefits, including vitamins and minerals that boost overall well-being.
This simple yet delightful side dish will elevate your brunch to a new level.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries bring a delightful balance of sweetness and crispiness, making them an excellent side dish for shrimp and grits. Their crispy texture pairs well with shrimp, while their natural sweetness complements the savory grits.
Serve these fries with various dipping sauces, such as garlic aioli or spicy ketchup, to enhance the flavors and provide an enjoyable brunch experience.
Pimento Cheese Spread
Pimento cheese spread brings a rich and creamy component to the meal, enhancing the flavors of shrimp and grits with its sharp cheddar and piquant pimentos.
With Southern origins, this classic spread offers versatility in serving suggestions. Serve it alongside crackers, toast, or fresh vegetables to provide a delightful contrast to the main dish, making your brunch both satisfying and memorable.
Southern Coleslaw
Complementing the creamy richness of pimento cheese spread, Southern coleslaw introduces an exhilarating crunch and tangy flavor to the shrimp and grits ensemble.
This classic recipe features a tangy dressing that perfectly balances the dish's flavors. Made with fresh cabbage, carrots, and a zesty vinegar-based sauce, it adds an invigorating contrast, making it an ideal side for a delicious brunch experience.
What are the Best Side Dishes for Grits?
When it comes to the best side dishes for grillades and grits, options like collard greens, sautéed mushrooms, and crispy bacon are sure to complement the creamy texture of the grits and the rich flavors of the grillades. These sides add depth and variety to the classic Southern dish.
Avocado Toast
When paired with shrimp and grits, avocado toast offers a creamy and nutritious addition that enhances the overall meal.
The nutrition benefits of avocado, rich in healthy fats and vitamins, complement the dish perfectly.
Topping variations like cherry tomatoes, radishes, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes add texture and flavor, making avocado toast a delightful side dish for brunch.