This Crab Salad recipe is not only easy, it’s versatile. It is the perfect base to make crab dip, crab macaroni salad, crab salad sandwiches, and MORE!.
Crab salad is a light and refreshing dish that works great as an appetizer a main course, or even a snack. With its delicate flavor and creamy texture crab salad deserves to be paired with sides that complement it instead of overpowering it. Through trial and error in my own kitchen, I’ve discovered the best side dishes that allow the natural sweetness of crab meat to shine.
In this ultimate guide, I’ll share my top tips for pairing sides with crab salad, along with specific recipes to try. From crunchy and crisp to refreshing and bright, these sides steps up ordinary crab salad into an extraordinary meal
The Importance of Pairing the Right Sides
Choosing the right sides to go with crab salad is key to bringing out the beautiful subtleties of the crab meat. The creamy dressing and chunks of crab are delicate in flavor, so sides that are too strong or heavy will cover up the taste. On the flip side, sides that are too bland will get lost next to the crab salad.
The goal is to find sides that balance and even contrast the crab salad. For example, the cool creaminess of the crab pairs well with warm, crispy sides. Herby, tangy sides also offset the rich taste. Sides that incorporate summery flavors like corn, tomatoes, or citrus work nicely too.
With the wrong pairings, your crab salad may end up forgettable. But with these tasty recipes, every bite will be memorable!
Crispy, Crunchy Sides
Cutting through the luscious texture of crab salad, crispy and crunchy sides add fun textures. The audible crunch also enhances the dish’s appetite appeal. Here are some of my favorite crunchy pairings:
Zucchini Fritters
These zucchini fritters get crispy on the outside from frying while zucchini and corn provide crunch on the inside. The sweet corn kernels complement crab salad wonderfully. Fry up these fritters and enjoy them hot and crispy alongside the chilled crab salad.
Corn on the Cob
Buttery grilled corn on the cob is a classic summer side. The charred kernels have a smoky crunch that contrasts the cool creaminess of crab salad. For extra flavor, coat the hot corn with a compound lemon-herb butter. Grilled corn on the cob can make any crab salad feel special.
Sweet Potato Fries
Crisp, crunchy sweet potato fries offer a fun twist on regular french fries. The sweetness of the potatoes complement sweeter crab salad dressings. Fry up these fries until golden and serve them alongside your crab salad for a satisfying crunch in every bite.
Refreshing, Bright Sides
Cool, bright sides help balance the rich creaminess of crab salad. Their acidity and fresh flavors cut through the salad’s heaviness. Here are some of my go-to refreshing pairings:
Salad Nicoise
This French salad Nicoise incorporates tuna, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, eggs, and olives for a medley of flavors and textures. The briny olives, fresh greens, and tangy mustard dressing complement crab salad perfectly. Together, they make a well-balanced and healthy meal.
Hawaiian Roll Breakfast Sliders
Buttery Hawaiian rolls get a morning makeover with eggs, cheese, and Canadian bacon in these fun breakfast sliders. The soft, sweet rolls offset crab salad’s richness. For brunch, stuff the sliders with a scoop of crab salad for a tropical twist.
Quinoa Salad
This quinoa salad incorporates cucumber, bell peppers, olives, and a lemon vinaigrette. It’s light yet filling. The tangy vinaigrette cuts through heavier crab salads beautifully. Quinoa also provides a nutty crunch. This salad makes the perfect summer pairing.
Hearty, Savory Sides
While crab salad feels delicate, hearty sides provide satisfying contrast. Their warmth and savory flavors balance the salad’s cool lightness. Here are some of my favorite hearty pairings:
Chicken Drumsticks
Baked chicken drumsticks have crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. Brush them with a sweet and tangy sauce like barbecue or buffalo. The richness helps even out crab salad’s texture. Serve the drumsticks hot alongside the chilled crab salad.
Garlic Bread
Warm, buttery garlic bread is a comforting classic pairing. For an extra punch, mix parmesan, oregano, or chili flakes into the garlic butter. The strong garlic and herb flavors stand up well next to crab salad. The contrast of textures takes this classic combination to the next level.
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. Make them extra rich by folding in cheese, roasted garlic, or sautéed mushrooms. The velvety mashed potatoes balance lighter crab salads beautifully. This hearty side provides pure coziness.
Putting It All Together
From crunchy and crisp to refreshing and hearty, the possibilities for crave-worthy crab salad pairings are endless. Using contrasting textures and acidity is key to keeping the crab as the star. Push the boundaries and try sides you never considered before. Homemade sides are worth the extra effort, but don’t be afraid to get short-cut sides like bagged salad from the grocery store.
Here are some of my favorite crab salad meals:
- Crab salad stuffed in avocados with corn on the cob
- Crab salad on crostini with arugula salad
- Crab salad sandwiches with quinoa salad
- Crab salad lettuce wraps with sweet potato fries
- Crab salad stuffed tomatoes with chicken drumsticks
With the guidance from this ultimate guide, you can take your crab salad to the next level. All it takes is choosing sides with contrasting textures, bright flavors, and even sweet-savory profiles. The next time you make crab salad, skip the boring croutons and get creative with your pairings. Your tastebuds will thank you!
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The BEST Crab Salad
Where I worked in Hawaii, we made crab salad this way, and it was always a hit! I love making this crab salad for a quick snack or an easy lunch. You can eat it plain, as a crab dip, in crab macaroni salad, on a crab salad sandwich, or any of the other things listed below. I have had it all the different ways and I honestly can’t pick a favorite.
Classic Crab Salad Recipe
This recipe is great just as-is. When serving plain, you can serve on lettuce leaves or individual glass dishes (Martini glasses are really pretty if you want to be fancy with it). You can easily dress this recipe up or down, depending on what you are serving. This crab salad recipe can also be used as a dip on crackers, along with pasta in a pasta salad, or as a delicious sandwich filling. Add some fresh parsley as a garnish to dress it up and add some color.
Even though we love the original crab salad recipe, we like to change things up by adding new things to give the flavors a new twist. Here are some fun ideas to try:
- Avocado Crab Salad: To make your crab salad creamier and a little nutty, stir in diced ripe avocado. The avocado complements the crab beautifully.
- Spicy Crab Salad: If you like things hot, add some diced jalapeños or hot sauce to your crab salad. You can also use Sriracha mayo for an extra kick.
- Asian-Style Crab Salad: To give your crab salad an Asian twist, add flavors like soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and cilantro. To make it fresh and crunchy, you can also add thinly sliced carrots or cucumbers.
- Go for a sweet and tropical taste with mango crab salad. Dice up fresh mango and add it to the crab salad. It pairs wonderfully with the crab’s brininess.
- Cajun Crab Salad: For a spicy, Creole-style taste, add Cajun spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, and thyme to your crab salad.
- When you mix crab with Greek yogurt, cucumber, feta cheese, dill, and lemon juice, you get a crab salad that tastes like it came from the Mediterranean.
- Curry Crab Salad: To make an Indian-style crab salad, mix curry powder and chopped mango with the crab.
Simply put, Neptune salad is another term for “crab salad”. Some might say that the Neptune salad is more of a “seafood salad” than a simple crab salad. Others may say that any kind of crab salad qualifies as “Neptune salad”. It really depends on what region of the country you are in. For a more interesting crab salad (also called “Neptune Salad”), follow the steps below and then add any or all of the following:
- Hard boiled egg, sliced
- Peas
- Pickles, sweet or dill, chopped
- Shredded carrot, to taste
- Green onions
- Red onion, chopped
- Old Bay seasoning, to taste
- Paprika, to taste
Nipune salad can be served on a bed of lettuce or with spiral pasta tossed in it.
I LOVE crab salad as a dip. The crab should be cut into smaller pieces so it can fit on a cracker if you are making it as a dip. One really easy way to do this is to chop the crab in a food processor or blender. We like serving it with club crackers or Ritz crackers. We also like using the whole-grain “Food Should Taste Good” chips that you can get at Costco.
This is much like our Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe. For our Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, you can add fake crab meat. For this recipe, you can add a cup or two of cooked your favorite shaped pasta. This is a great side dish for potlucks or neighborhood BBQs. It is also a great side-dish for simple weeknight meals to serve along with sandwiches, wraps, or burgers.
Crab salad sandwiches are a great alternative to tuna sandwiches. I love serving the crab salad on Hawaiian rolls because they are so soft and slightly sweet. You can also serve your crab salad on a hoagie roll, hero roll, or even on a croissant. These are great for quick lunches, snacks, or even as appetizers.
CRAB SALAD that’s super easy and a lunchtime favorite!
FAQ
What does crab salad contain?
Is crab salad healthy for you?
What to serve with crab salad?
The best side dishes to serve with crab salad are zucchini fritters, corn on the cob, grilled shrimp, mashed potatoes, salad Nicoise, Hawaiian roll breakfast sliders, chicken drumsticks, sweet potato fries, garlic bread, grilled asparagus, coconut rice, quinoa salad, bruschetta, cucumber salad, and roasted Brussels sprouts. Now, let’s get cooking!
What are the ingredients good for making a salad?
A good salad includes vegetables, seeds, some cereal or legumes such as rice, lentils, and chickpeas. It can also include egg and some topping with dressings, honey, and oil, among others.
What goes well with a fresh crab?
Beautiful in all shapes and size, sweet and delicious regardless of the method used to cook – crabs are possibly one of the most versatile seafood creatures there is. From steaming to BBQ, chilli to butter, almost anything pairs really well with a fresh crab. The only hiccup is, these delightful crustaceans do not come cheap.
What do you put in a crab salad?
Salad (With Crabsticks) Romaine, crab sticks, green mango, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onions, white turnip, yellow raisins, fried garlic, Mango Vinaigrette. If an item is unavailable, please check the regular ingredients and dressings for replacement, and put it as a note.