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What Goes with Shrimp Fried Rice? (14 Options)

Shrimp fried rice is a staple in any Chinese restaurant.

It’s also an easy way to make something delicious with leftovers.

Read Also: 30 Fried Rice Toppings Ideas

What Goes with Shrimp Fried Rice

But what do you serve with shrimp fried rice?

Shrimp fried rice is a great pairing for a lot of dishes, but the best way to go with it is probably something on the lighter side. If you’re looking for something to go with shrimp fried rice, I would recommend ordering a salad or some steamed vegetables.

For even more ideas, keep scrolling!

See Also: 19 Best Sauces for Popcorn Shrimp

What Goes with Shrimp Fried Rice?

Shrimp Fried Rice

Shrimp fried rice is a staple in many Asian cuisines, and it’s no surprise why: it’s delicious!

The salty-sweet combo of the shrimp and soy sauce is hard to beat.

But what do you serve with shrimp fried rice?

Here are some ideas:

1. Broiled Salmon

I love pairing broiled salmon with shrimp fried rice.

The smoky flavor of the salmon is a perfect complement to the sweet and savory flavors of the fried rice, and it’s also great for people who don’t like to eat fish!

I like to broil my salmon in foil packets with salt, pepper, and lemon slices.

Then I’ll bake them at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until they’re cooked through.

Once they’re done, I put them on top of the shrimp fried rice so that both are steaming hot when you serve them.

This way, you get all the flavors without losing any moisture or texture in either dish.

To turn this into a complete meal, I’ll add some fresh vegetables on top—like carrots and broccoli—and serve it with a side salad or some vegetables from your garden.

2. Sautéed Kale

Sauteed kale

I love to prepare shrimp fried rice with sautéed kale.

It’s a great way to get some greens into your meal without having to do much work.

Just add the kale right into the frying pan, and you’re good to go!

I like to add lots of spices and seasonings, too—it’s really easy to make this dish your own with just a few extra ingredients.

I think it goes really well in this dish.

This is one of my favorite ways to cook: it’s quick and easy, but still feels like something special.

3. Chicken Breast (Cooked in Coconut Oil)

Chicken

Another of my favorite ways to prepare shrimp fried rice is with chicken breast.

  1. I start by chopping up an onion, some garlic and ginger, and green bell peppers.
  2. I sautee these in coconut oil until they’re nice and soft.
  3. Then, I add the chicken breast, along with some soy sauce, sake or rice wine vinegar, and a little bit of sugar.
  4. I cook the chicken just until it’s done—not too long, because it will continue cooking in the rice later.
  5. After that’s all cooked, I add my favorite rice: Jasmine riceIt’s got such a beautiful texture and flavor that goes perfectly with all kinds of Asian food.
  6. Finally, I mix everything together in a wok (or skillet) and serve it up!

My best tip for this combo is to make sure your ingredients are really hot when you add them to your rice—the heat helps those flavors really lock into place so that everything stays delicious even after sitting out for a few hours at room temperature.

4. Steamed Broccoli Florets

Broccoli

I love shrimp fried rice for dinner, but I also like to make sure I’m eating lots of vegetables.

So I often make sure to add steamed broccoli florets to my meal.

They’re great on their own and they add some much-needed vitamins and minerals to this meal.

My best cooking tip for this combo is to start by making the shrimp fried rice first, and then steam your broccoli florets while it’s cooking.

This way you can put all of your focus on making the shrimp fried rice perfect—and if you’re anything like me, that’s going to take a little extra time!

5. Fried Eggs

Fried Eggs

It’s important to keep a dish fresh and exciting by adding some new ingredients to the mix.

I like adding a fried egg on top of my shrimp fried rice—it adds a nice richness and texture to the dish.

You can also try switching up your protein sources—try adding chicken or tofu instead of shrimp!

My favorite cooking tip for this combo is not to cook anything separately—everything should be cooked together in one pan.

This way, you don’t have to worry about overcooking any of your ingredients.

6. Salads

Simple Green Salad

Shrimp fried rice and a simple salad…

I love the contrast between the two—the salty, savory flavor of the shrimp against the fresh, crisp lettuce, carrots, and cucumber in my salad.

If you’re looking for a complete meal, I recommend pairing your shrimp fried rice with some stir-fried veggies—like broccoli or bell peppers—and maybe even some steamed rice on the side.

My best cooking tip is that no matter what kind of dish you’re making, it’s important to use high-quality ingredients when possible.

That way, you get all of their flavors instead of masking them with spices or sauces!

7. Soba Noodles

Soba Noodles

I also like to use soba noodles for my wok dishes.

When I make this meal, I usually prepare the soba noodles in advance and then just heat them up with the sauce when it’s time to eat.

This combo is great because it’s easy to make, but it’s also delicious!

Once you have all your ingredients out, this dish takes about 20 minutes to prepare—and then you’re ready to enjoy!

My best tip for this combo is that it’s important to use fresh veggies in both your stir-fry and your fried rice.

If you have time, try chopping everything up a day ahead of time so that when it comes time to cook the meal, all you need to do is cook up the shrimp and veggies and get everything ready for the noodles.

9. Crispy Bacon Pieces

Crispy Bacon Pieces

I like to cover my fried rice in crispy bacon pieces.

I like to use thick cut bacon and fry it until it’s nice and crispy (this makes sure that all of the fat is rendered out so you don’t have to worry about it being oily).

Then, I chop up the bacon into small pieces and sprinkle them on top of my fried rice—it adds great texture and flavor!

If you’re trying to make this a complete meal, I recommend adding some veggies like broccoli or carrots to your dish. You can also add some cheese if you want!

Just sprinkle some on top of your shrimp fried rice before you add the bacon pieces–you’ll love how it melts into the dish when it’s hot!

10. Red Peppers (chopped)

chopped Red Peppers

Chopped red peppers are another great addition.

  1. I start by sautéing a little garlic and onion in olive oil, then adding some diced bell pepper and stirring it around until it’s soft.
  2. Then, I add my shrimp and cook it for just a few minutes so that it’s pink and not overcooked.
  3. Finally, I add some brown rice, soy sauce, salt and pepper, and garnish with scallions.

This dish is great as a main course or a side dish at dinner parties because of how easy it is to make—it’s also super versatile because you can use any kind of meat or fish instead of shrimp!

My best cooking tip is that if you’re not sure if your food needs more salt or pepper before serving, just taste one piece first: if it needs more salt or pepper then add it before serving the rest of your meal.

11. Fresh Cilantro Leaves

Fresh Cilantro Leaves

For this method, I like to start with a good amount of fresh cilantro leaves.

The leaves are typically sold in bundles at the grocery store, but you can also find them in the produce section.

I like to use about 2-3 cups of cilantro per serving.

I then fry up some shrimp (a pound or two), and set that aside while I prepare my rice.

I’ve found that it’s best to use jasmine rice for this dish—it’s a type of white rice that has a nutty flavor, and is often used in Asian cooking.

You can also use brown rice if you’re looking for something healthier or more filling, but it will take longer to cook than jasmine rice does.

When the rice is done, add it to a large pan along with some diced onions, garlic cloves (2-3 cloves per serving), and bell peppers (1 cup per serving).

Fry these ingredients until they’re soft before adding the cooked shrimp back into the pan along with some soy sauce and sesame oil (to taste).

Mix everything together well before adding cilantro leaves on top as garnish!

12. Fresh Mushrooms (Sliced)

sliced mushrooms

I think a nice trick is to add a little texture and flavor with fresh mushrooms.

  1. When I make this dish, I like to slice my mushrooms thinly so they cook quickly.
  2. Then I sauté them in some sesame oil and salt until they’re nice and crispy, which takes about five minutes.
  3. Once the mushrooms are done, all that’s left is to cook up some rice (you can use instant or regular—I like instant because it’s faster), add the shrimp, mix it together with the mushrooms, and you’ve got yourself a delicious meal!

A tip? Don’t over-salt your sauce—the saltiness of the seafood will be enough for seasoning!

13. Diced Tomatoes (Canned or Fresh)

Diced Tomatoes

I love the way diced tomatoes bring a freshness to this dish that can’t be replicated by other ingredients, but I also love how they stand up to the crispy texture of the fried rice.

The acidity from the tomatoes complements the rich flavors of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in a way that makes me feel like I’m eating something fresh and healthy, even though it’s actually quite indulgent.

When I make this dish as part of a complete meal, I like to serve it with a side salad or some steamed vegetables.

This gives me an opportunity to balance out some of the heaviness of fried rice by adding some lighter options into my meal plan.

It also helps me feel satisfied after eating this meal without feeling too full!

14. Chopped Carrots (Canned or Fresh)

chopped carrots

I think that chopped carrots go well with shrimp fried rice because they add a nice bit of color and sweetness to the dish.

  1. I usually prepare this meal by boiling some rice, then frying some chopped onions and garlic in oil until they’re soft and fragrant.
  2. Then I add in my shrimp and season it with salt, pepper, and soy sauce.
  3. After that, I stir in the chopped carrots and let it cook until they’re warm.

My best tip for making this combo is to try not to crowd your pan when you’re sautéing things—you’ll get more flavor from your ingredients if you give them room to move around in the pan!

FAQ

What Sauce Goes with Shrimp Fried Rice?

Hoisin sauce

Here are some ideas for which sauces you can pair with your shrimp fried rice:

  1. Cocktail Sauce – This sauce is made from ketchup and horseradish. You can purchase it at most grocery stores or make your own by mixing ketchup and horseradish together. The sauce will add a spicy kick to your shrimp fried rice that will make it taste even better!
  2. Sriracha – Sriracha is a hot sauce that can be used on anything you want! It’s made from chili peppers and garlic, so it will give your shrimp fried rice some extra flavor without being too spicy. You can find this sauce at any grocery store or Asian market.
  3. Hoisin Sauce – Hoisin sauce is made from soybean paste and garlic, so it’s very flavorful without being too spicy like Sriracha sauce can sometimes be if you add too much of it to your dish! This sauce goes great with shrimp fried rice because it adds more flavor than just plain soy sauce would alone; plus, it makes the whole meal look great when drizzled over top before serving (because who doesn’t love a good drizzle?).

What Salad Goes with Shrimp Fried Rice?

Salad goes with just about any kind of meal.

However, when it comes to shrimp fried rice you should avoid salads that are too heavy or rich in taste.

For example, if you have a salad that contains cheese or nuts it may not be the best choice for this dish since these ingredients can overpower the flavor of the rice.

Instead, try using a light vinaigrette dressing on your salad so that it does not interfere with the taste of your shrimp fried rice.

Shrimp Fried Rice

What Goes with Shrimp Fried Rice? (14 Options)

Having trouble picking foods that go well with Shrimp Fried Rice?
Ihave a few suggestions to help you out.
The first thing you should consider is the kind of shrimp you're using.
If they're small, it might be best to pair them with a light dish like a salad or soup. If they're larger, however, then you can probably get away with something heavier like meat or even a bowl of pasta.
Another thing to consider is what other ingredients are in your fried rice. If there are lots of vegetables or other fresh produce in there, then consider pairing it with something that contains lots of protein and healthy fats—like fish or chicken.
And if there aren't any veggies in your dish but just meat and rice? Then try pairing it with something creamy and milder than the meal itself—like mashed potatoes or quinoa (which also happens to be gluten-free).
Finally: don't forget about drinks!
Pick something light like water or unsweetened tea so that it won't overpower the taste of your meal but still keeps things refreshingly cool.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Chinese
Servings 4 people
Calories 122 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Broiled Salmon
  • Sautéed Kale
  • Chicken Breast (Cooked in Coconut Oil)
  • Steamed Broccoli Florets
  • Fried Eggs
  • Salads
  • Soba Noodles
  • Crispy Bacon Pieces
  • Red Peppers (chopped)
  • Fresh Cilantro Leaves
  • Fresh Mushrooms (sliced)
  • Diced Tomatoes (canned or Fresh)
  • Chopped Carrots (canned or Fresh)

Instructions
 

  • Pick any of the ingredients from this list to pair with your Asian dish.
  • Prepare the rest of your delicious meal.
  • Be ready to munch in no time!
Keyword What Goes with Shrimp Fried Rice
Benjamin Happy Muncher

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.