Side dishes to serve with crab legs are essential in creating a well-rounded and satisfying seafood feast. This selection of the best side dishes beautifully enhances the flavors of succulent crab legs.
Snow crab legs are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat. Their sweet, briny flavor and tender meat make them an absolute joy to crack open and devour. However, picking the right side dishes to serve alongside snow crab legs can take this meal to the next level.
The key is to choose sides that complement rather than overpower the natural flavors of the crab. You’ll want light, fresh, and bright accompaniments to allow the star of the show to shine. After much research and experimentation, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best side dishes to serve with snow crab legs. Keep reading for sides that will have your tastebuds rejoicing!
1. Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables are a classic pairing with seafood and crab legs are no exception. Almost any vegetable takes on deep, rich flavors when tossed in olive oil and roasted until caramelized. Try a medley of cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, brussels sprouts, or butternut squash. The natural sweetness of the vegetables is a perfect match for snow crab.
2. Creamy Potatoes
Mashed baked or roasted – potatoes make a hearty, comforting accompaniment for snow crab legs. Creamy potatoes balance out the delicate texture of crab meat. Potatoes can soak up any butter or sauce left behind on your plate. For a decadent twist, try loaded mashed potatoes topped with cheese, bacon, and scallions.
3. Lemon Garlic Dipping Sauce
Snow crab is all about that buttery flavor so a tangy lemon sauce cuts through the richness perfectly. Combine fresh lemon juice garlic, butter, and fresh parsley for an easy dipping sauce. The brightness complements the crab while the garlic adds a punch of flavor. Serve the sauce alongside for dipping the crab meat.
4. French Fries
Sometimes you just need a little greasy, salty crunch with your seafood. French fries are a classic pairing with snow crab legs. The starch and salt balance the sweetness of the crab meat. Fry up some crispy hot fries and serve them alongside. Feel free to spice it up with cajun seasoning or dip them in flavored aioli.
5. Raw or Steamed Vegetables
For a lighter pairing, try fresh raw or steamed green vegetables. Options like zucchini, spinach, green beans, or asparagus add color to the plate and nutrients to your meal. A drizzle of olive oil or lemon vinaigrette keeps things bright and refreshing alongside rich crab.
6. Flavored Dips and Sauces
Seafood calls for a great dipping sauce and snow crab is no exception. Whip up flavored butter sauces, aiolis, or creamy dips for dunking your crab meat. Try flavors like garlic herb, lemon pepper, brown butter, or Old Bay seasoning. Spicy or tangy flavors work especially well with sweet crab.
7. Fresh Artichokes
Artichokes are in the same family as crab and make a natural pairing. The firm texture and slight grassy taste stands up well to the crab. Steam or boil artichoke halves and serve with melted butter or a creamy dip for a match made in heaven. Scrape tender leaves with crab meat for ultimate enjoyment.
8. Crisp Green Salad
A light salad offers fresh contrast to the rich crab legs. The greens and vegetables add crunch and natural sweetness. Build salads with lettuce, cucumber, peas, bell pepper, and fresh herbs. Lemon or champagne vinaigrettes make bright dressings. Top with avocado or citrus slices for extra flavor.
9. Grilled Corn on the Cob
If you’re firing up the grill or broiler for snow crab legs, throw some corn on too. Grilled corn picks up a slightly smoky char that enhances its natural sweetness. Slather in butter and sprinkle with chili lime salt for zing. The sweet juicy kernels pair perfectly with crab without overwhelming it.
10. Coleslaw
Creamy cool coleslaw completes this classic seafood dinner. Cabbage tossed in a mayo or vinegar based dressing provides crunch and tang. Traditional options like apple
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These tasty sides will take your meal to a whole new level, from buttery corn on the cob to salads with zingy citrus flavors and everything in between. [feast_advanced_jump_to].
Best Side Dishes To Serve With Crab Legs
Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a savory and cheesy bread roll that has become famous for its irresistible taste. They are incredibly soft and fluffy on the inside with a golden-brown, buttery crust on the outside. Cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and herbs are used to flavor these biscuits, giving them a rich and savory taste.
You can enjoy a fun and interactive meal with steamed artichokes because you can slowly savor each leaf and reach the tasty center. It’s tasty and good for you, and artichoke fans and people who have never tried them before will both like it.
There is a rich, velvety texture to the mayo-based dressing, and the vinegar and mustard add just the right amount of sweetness and sourness to make a flavor profile that goes well with any meal. Coleslaw is a great side dish for summer parties or cozy meals inside because of its bright colors and satisfying crunch.
The starchy nature of mashed potatoes provides a satisfying and filling element to the meal. Even though crab legs are tasty, they might not be as filling when eaten by themselves. Adding mashed potatoes to them makes the meal more substantial and satisfying.
Adds a touch of richness and indulgence to each bite, elevating the flavor of the crab legs. The mild flavor and smooth texture of the butter let the sweetness of the crab meat shine through while adding a light layer of richness.
The recipe gives a moist and tender cornbread, ensuring a delightful mouthfeel. The moistness comes from the buttermilk, butter, and oil mixed together, and the exact amounts of each ingredient make sure the texture is light and fluffy. I wont tell if you drizzle a bit of clarified butter over it!.
Maryland crab soup is a vegetable-based crab soup recipe instead of a cream-based crab soup.
Orange fluff salad is a dessert-like salad that is easy to make and tastes great. It is made with mandarin orange segments, whipped topping, orange gelatin powder, cottage cheese, shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows.
This creamy and crunchy recipe is straight from the streets of Mexico. You can’t go wrong with corn and crab. It tastes great because it has corn, chipotle pepper, cotija cheese, lime, and hot sauce in it.
This fresh Italian green salad is comfort food on a plate. It has a simple but hearty amount of healthy vegetables, like romaine lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers, that are great for you and taste great.
Ohana noodles have a savory sauce with a hint of pineapple. The sauteed purple and white cabbage, bok choy, and bell pepper complement the chewy yakisoba noodles. It is a great dish on its own but suitable to pair with others too.
These fried Jalapeño Hushpuppies balance the soft texture of the crab with its spicy kick. Not into spicy flavors? You may leave out the jalapeno for a milder taste.
Tropical mangoes are sweet and more than just for desserts. Experience a mouthwatering new combination with this salsa side dish containing mangoes, cilantro, and onions.
There’s no guilt in eating too much deep-fried food when you eat zucchini fries. They’re just as crunchy as regular french fries. Try this great healthy alternative coated with parmesan cheese and dipped with pesto sauce.
It only takes ten minutes to cook this delicious mix of butter and garlic that melts easily with the soft button mushrooms.
It is a counterpart of the Japanese dish “Kakiage /ka-ki-AH-ge/ or Vegetable Tempura. ” Lettuce, cucumber, and apple fritters are lightly battered and paired with tangy and creamy lemon dressing. It is as good as it looks!.
Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, and toasted pecans are all mixed together in this tasty coleslaw. It is a lavish treat at every bite.
Corn on the cob with a twist! Corns are naturally sweet. But they could be even more flavorful when boiled with milk and butter. It will bring sweet and soft corn fresh to your dining table.
With its rich mix of paprika, tomato sauce, cumin, and a hint of chili powder, Spanish rice is not your average rice dish. It is a versatile dish that can be paired with every entree.
Potato Salad is a staple summer dish loved by many for its refreshing taste. Adding fresh dill along with the tangy, creamy sauce would be a blend you wouldn’t want to miss.
You can make cold sesame noodles with just white noodles, scallions that have been boiled, cucumber, carrots, and bean sprouts. You can top it with a special peanut butter sauce. This tasty dish is best served when cold to beat the heat of summer.
To make these Brussels sprouts extra tasty, chili garlic paste, soy sauce, honey, and hoisin sauce are mixed together in a sweet and sour sauce. You can expect it to be toasted to perfection!.
When you put this mix of Mozzarella cheese and Panko breadcrumbs on top of these buttered white mushrooms, you will WOW yourself. It is a delicious side dish or starter that everyone would surely enjoy.
This large bowl of salad is full of fresh vegetables, cheese, and pasta that go well with a simple but tasty homemade dill ranch dressing.
The earthy taste of tahini and the sweet taste of maple syrup work perfectly together to dress the kale and Brussels sprouts. Topping it with toasted almonds will give it a simple but desirable crunch.
Cauliflower, jalapeño, and creamy mac and cheese sauce make this Keto-friendly side dish. The spicy kick is balanced by the cheese. It is a healthier version of the classic one everyone loves.
This refreshing combination of cucumber and onion brings out the best in each other. It is a simple but satisfying side dish easily paired with your next crab leg meal.
Potato Wedges are a fun, thicker version of thin french fries that are deliciously crunchy. It’s a great finger food for kids and adults alike because it’s baked and lower in calories.
Miso is made from fermented soybeans and has the taste of deep savory flavor. When you eat it with freshly steamed vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes, you’ll experience a new, refreshing meal.
Think of butter, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and dried parsley spread on any fresh bread you like. The air fryer oven would make it crispy. Hands down, the best side dish you could ever have.
That’s right, this recipe is fun, creative, and tasty! The creamy filling of mustard, mayonnaise, and vinegar will make everyone happy at parties and family dinners.
This colorful tropical salad is a mixture of grilled pineapple, peppers, and creamy avocado. You can plate this tasty salad in the fruit skin instead of throwing it away, which will also make your table look better.
Classic Caesar salad contains romaine lettuce with rich parmesan garlic dressing and croutons. Drizzling lemon on top would bring a tangy depth to its flavor. This recipe is the easiest choice to pair with your next meal.
Golden brown Calamari made from scratch is not as difficult as it looks. These delicious pieces are marinated in buttermilk, coated with seasoned flour, and fried till they are crispy. It is a go-to choice for both young and adults.
These Chinese Garlic Green Beans are sauteed to perfection. A light garlic kick goes well with them. They are healthy and easy to make. A crisp side dish for any tender meat.
Who says you can’t have it all? These roasted potatoes have rosemary, thyme, garlic, and parmesan. They are addicting for their combination of crunchy and soft texture. You would find yourself eating piece after piece.
A quick and healthy way to make dinner would be to drizzle fresh asparagus with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. These are just effortlessly delicious.
With layers of zucchini and squash and a creamy and cheesy mixture on top, this casserole looks great when it’s baked. It is a classic with a taste that never gets old.
Set up a designated area where guests can crack and enjoy their crab legs. Cover the serving area with newspaper or a disposable tablecloth to make cleanup easier. Place nutcrackers or crab crackers at each seat, along with small forks or seafood picks. These tools will help guests crack open the crab legs and extract the meat. Offer a variety of dipping sauces to enhance the flavor of the crab meat. Popular options include melted butter, lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or garlic aioli. Offer spoons or small ladles for guests to use as they please and put the sauces in small bowls or ramekins. Arrange the crab legs on large platters or trays, making sure they are easily accessible for guests. You can present them as whole legs or you can cut them into smaller portions beforehand. Crab legs can get messy, so make sure you have lots of napkins and wet wipes on hand for your guests to use to clean their hands.
By making partial cuts, you can help guests get started without completely separating the leg into individual pieces. They can still enjoy the process of cracking the legs and extracting the meat. Keep in mind that cutting the crab legs in advance may cause the meat to dry out faster. If you decide to cut them, it’s best to do it right before serving so the crab meat stays fresh and juicy. Whole legs: Serve the crab legs as they are, without cutting them. This allows guests to crack open the legs themselves and extract the meat. Whole legs are often preferred for a more interactive dining experience. Partial cuts: You can make partial cuts on the crab legs to make it easier for your guests to get to the meat. Kitchen shears or a sharp knife can be used to cut the shell along the inside of each leg of the shell. Make sure not to cut too deeply into the meat. This allows guests to peel back the shell and remove the meat more easily.
How To Get Meat Out of Snow Crab Legs – Easy and Fast
What to serve with crab legs?
Some great side dishes to serve with crab legs include coleslaw, corn on the cob, and roasted root vegetables. You can also elevate your meal with charcuterie board serving ideas such as cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and olives for a delicious and varied spread.
What sauce goes with snow crab legs?
A: You can serve a variety of sauces with snow crab legs, such as garlic butter, lemon butter, or cocktail sauce. Snow crab legs are a delicious and luxurious seafood that deserve to be paired with the best side dishes.
What to eat with snow crab legs?
Grilled Vegetables Grilled vegetables are a healthy and flavorful addition to your meal. They provide a nice balance to the richness of the crab legs. Some great vegetables to grill include asparagus, zucchini, and bell peppers. Garlic Butter Potatoes Garlic butter potatoes are an excellent side dish for snow crab legs.
What vegetables go well with snow crab legs?
Some great vegetables to grill include asparagus, zucchini, and bell peppers. Garlic Butter Potatoes Garlic butter potatoes are an excellent side dish for snow crab legs. They are easy to prepare and taste amazing. Simply roast the potatoes with garlic and butter, and you’ll have a tasty and aromatic side dish.