Crab cakes are a tasty and versatile food that can be eaten as a snack, an appetizer, or even a main dish. But what to serve with them to make the most of their flavor and texture?.
Crab cakes are an elegant yet easy appetizer or main dish that’s perfect for special occasions and weeknight dinners alike. These crispy patties packed with sweet crab meat definitely deserve an equally delicious accompaniment. The right side dishes can complement and amplify the flavors of your crab cakes for a mouthwatering meal.
When selecting sides for crab cakes, you’ll want options that provide contrasting textures and bright, tangy flavors to cut through the richness. Crab cakes pair wonderfully with fresh, vibrant salads and vegetables as well as starchy sides that soak up any extra juices.
Here are 12 of my favorite side dishes to serve with juicy crab cakes:
1. Mango Salsa
Mango salsa is a fresh and fruity choice that balances the crispy exterior and flavorful interior of crab cakes. Dice mangos red onion, jalapeño cilantro, and lime juice. The sweet juiciness and subtle heat are perfect foils for crab.
2. Classic French Potato Salad
This vinegary potato salad adds pleasant pucker power. Boiled potatoes are tossed with a Dijon vinaigrette made with white wine vinegar shallots, parsley, and hard boiled eggs. It’s an ideal complement to rich crab cakes.
3. Antipasto Salad
For an Italian-inspired pairing, serve crab cakes with a chilled antipasto salad. This entrée-style salad combines cured meats, cheeses, olives, artichokes, peppers, tomatoes, and crisp lettuce greens. It adds another layer of flavor.
4. Coleslaw
A crispy cabbage coleslaw accented with carrots is a classic choice with crab cakes. For more flavor, use coleslaw mix and dress it with a citrus vinaigrette or creamy dressing spiked with herbs and mustard. The crunch factor is key.
5. Tomato Cucumber Salad
A simple tomato and cucumber salad is light and refreshing with crab cakes. Core ripe tomatoes and slice thinly along with seeded cucumbers. Toss with a lemony vinaigrette and fresh basil. Let sit 15 minutes before serving to soften tomatoes.
6. Honey Mustard Green Beans
For more color and nutrition, pair crab cakes with fresh green beans. Blanche in boiling water, then toss while warm with a honey mustard dressing made with olive oil, mustard, honey, and vinegar. The vibrant green beans pop against the golden crab.
7. Roasted Potatoes and Tomatoes
Oven-roasted potatoes and grape tomatoes are easy to make and full of flavor. Toss halved small potatoes and tomatoes in olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs de provence. Roast at 425°F 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy and browned.
8. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy mashed potatoes are perfect for enjoying every last bite of your crab cakes – and soaking up any delicious sauces on the plate. Boost potatoes with roasted garlic, butter, splash of cream, and chives. Comfort food at its finest!
9. Creamed Spinach Gratin
For a rich and savory side, creamed spinach is decadent with crab cakes. Sauté chopped spinach in butter briefly just to wilt. Mix with cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, nutmeg, and Parmesan. Top with breadcrumbs and bake until bubbly and browned.
10. Quinoa Salad
Get a nutrition boost from this protein-packed quinoa salad. Simply toss cooked quinoa with chopped bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, lemon juice, and fresh herbs like dill or parsley. The bright colors and flavors pair perfectly with crab.
11. Corn on the Cob
Don’t overlook simple boiled or grilled corn on the cob. The sweet, smoky kernels are terrific with crab cakes. Roll grilled corn in a mixture of butter, cayenne, lime juice, and Cotija cheese for Mexican street-style elote.
12. Rice Pilaf
A basic rice pilaf adds substance along with buttery, garlicky flavor. Sauté onions and garlic in butter or oil, then add rice to toast lightly. Cook in broth seasoned with thyme or oregano. Fluff with a fork before serving.
Cooking Your Crab Cakes to Perfection
Great side dishes deserve an equally amazing main dish. Here are a few tips for preparing flawless crab cakes at home:
-
Use lump crab meat, picked over carefully for any shells or cartilage. Canned is fine, just drain thoroughly.
-
Add binders like breadcrumbs, egg, and mayo gently to avoid breaking up the lumps of crab too much.
-
Season the mix with Old Bay, mustard, lemon, herbs, Worcestershire, or other flavorings.
-
Form cakes by hand into rounds or patties, being delicate to keep the texture intact. Refrigerate 30 minutes before cooking.
-
Pan fry over medium-high heat in olive oil or butter about 4-5 minutes per side until deeply golden.
-
Or bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes on a greased pan until browned and heated through.
-
Brush with lemon butter after cooking for extra moisture and flavor.
Putting Together Your Crab Cake Dinner
Serving up the perfect crab cake dinner is easy with these clever side pairings. Simply prepare the crab cakes and your choice of 1-2 complementary sides.
Aim for a mix of textures and flavors – crunch, creaminess, brightness, and comfort.
Arrange all the components nicely on plates or platters. Top crab cakes with any garnishes like fresh dill or chives.
Offer wedges of lemon or lime for squeezing over everything. You can also include any dipping sauces, like tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or remoulade with the crab cakes.
Crab cakes should be enjoyed right away while hot and crisp. Savor the delicious flavors and textures in every bite. But don’t be surprised if your guests devour their meals in minutes!
This winning combination of crispy cakes packed with sweet crab and fresh, vibrant sides makes for an utterly crave-worthy dinner. The recipes aren’t overly complex either, so you can relax and enjoy too.
Here are a few additional serving suggestions:
-
As an appetizer, make mini crab cakes and allow 2-3 per person. Offer alongside 2-3 of the lighter sides.
-
For lunch or dinner, serve 1-2 full sized crab cakes with 2-3 heftier sides included.
-
Offer a salad of mixed greens, citrus, and vinaigrette dressing to start. Follow with entrees of crab cakes and your favorite sides.
-
For special occasions, make a full spread with 3-4 sides and really wow your guests. Go all out!
Take your crab cakes to new heights with these 12 complementary sides. Just adjust portions and components to suit any menu. With the right combinations, ordinary crab cakes become extraordinary.
2 Reds Cabbage Tofu Potstickers
You’ll love these red cabbage tofu potstickers for their flavor, texture, and versatility. They go well with rice, salad, soup, or other delicious sides. You can also serve them with crab cakes for a complete meal.
Check out this recipe for pimento cheese, which combines sharp cheddar and cream cheese with diced red peppers for a spicy twist. With crackers and sandwiches, this creamy Southern classic goes great, but it also goes well with crab cakes.
3 Grilled Haloumi Skewers
This charred, salty-sweet Mediterranean cheese is a simple side dish that goes well with crab cakes, or you can eat it on its own. It’s great for crab cakes or any meal that needs a touch of decadence.
This classic side dish is perfect with your favorite dishes, whether you’re having a light seafood meal or a simple summer barbecue. It has crisp shredded cabbage and carrots dressed in a creamy, tangy dressing.
Guy Fieri’s Baked Crabcakes with Old Bay Remoulade | Guy’s Big Bite | Food Network
What to serve with crab cakes?
Lucky for you and your wallet, these coastal delicacies can be easily made at home. Now the only hurdle to enjoying crab cakes is choosing what side dish to pair with them. To help complete your meal, we’ve rounded up the best side dishes to serve with crab cakes, from colorful salads to creamy soups.
What goes well with crab?
This sweet, summery side dish is the perfect pairing for crab. Photo by lutzflcat. Tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, cilantro, and parsley are tossed in a lime juice and vinegar mixture for a bright and flavorful side dish that pairs beautifully with crab. Show off your summer produce with this unique slaw recipe.
What sauce goes with crab cakes?
Creamy sauces, like tartar sauce or aioli, create a luscious contrast to the crispy texture of the crab cakes. The creamy element balances out the flavors and adds a luxurious touch to each bite. These pairings not only complement the flavor profiles of the crab cakes but also add interesting textures and visual appeal to the dish.
What ingredients go well with crab cakes?
Here are some popular ingredient pairings that will make your crab cakes truly shine: The bright acidity of citrus fruits, such as lemon or lime, adds a refreshing tang to the rich crab cakes. Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the crab cakes before serving to enhance their flavor.