Here are ten of the best sides to eat with Alaskan King Crab Legs. You won’t be sorry if you add one or two of these to your crab feast menu.
Whether roasted, baked, mashed, or fried, potatoes are a classic go-to side with crab legs. Add a little garlic and butter and you’ll have yourself the ultimate complementary flavors.
Crab legs are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat. Their sweet, briny flavor is unique and incredibly addictive. But when serving crab legs for dinner, what meat should you pair them with to make a complete meal? There are several excellent options that complement crab legs wonderfully.
In this article, we’ll suggest 10 fantastic meat pairings for crab legs and explain how to cook them for a stellar surf and turf dinner. Keep reading to get inspired about what proteins to serve alongside your crab legs for maximum enjoyment!
1. Filet Mignon
A filet mignon is a classic pairing for crab legs. The mild, buttery flavor of the beef is the perfect counterpoint to the sweet crab. Try topping filet mignon medallions with a decadent crab meat sauce or butter for an upscale combo. Sautéed asparagus makes a fitting vegetable side.
2. Bacon
You can never go wrong pairing seafood with smoky, salty bacon. The crisp pork flavor accentuates the briny crab. Some ideas for enjoying them together include wrapping crab legs in bacon before broiling or baking making BLT sandwiches with crab salad and topping crab cakes with crumbled bacon.
3. Sausage
Hearty sausages like andouille or kielbasa are fantastic with crab legs Try adding sliced sausage to seafood gumbo or jambalaya with crab Or make crab and sausage kebabs or stuffed peppers, Italian sausage also pairs well with pasta dishes featuring crab meat,
4. Chicken
Chicken has a mildness that allows the crab flavor to shine. Bake crab-stuffed chicken breasts for a luxurious entree. Or use crab meat and cheese to stuff chicken cordon bleu. For a lighter meal, combine crab, chicken, pasta, and veggies in a creamy Alfredo sauce.
5. Pork Tenderloin
The tender and flaky texture of pork tenderloin matches up well with crab legs. Coat pork tenderloin with crab boil seasoning before grilling or roasting. Or top pork medallions with a buttery crab sauce. Pair it with roasted potatoes or rice pilaf.
6. Steak
Lean cuts of steak, like sirloin or flank steak, make an excellent crab leg pairing. Pepper-crusted steak picks up the spicy notes of crab. For easy surf and turf, brush steaks with garlic herb butter and serve with drawn lemon butter for dipping the crab legs.
7. Shrimp
For the ultimate seafood feast, pair your crab with shrimp. Stuff mushrooms with a crab and shrimp mixture, make seafood skewers, or pile crab legs and shrimp on a platter. Dip everything in garlic aioli or lemon butter. Seafood pasta and rice dishes also shine with this combo.
8. Scallops
Sweet scallops and crab legs are a match made in heaven Broil them together with lemon and garlic Or make crab-stuffed scallops wrapped in bacon. Crab and scallop ceviche is another light option that lets both seafood stars shine.
9. Lamb
The rich gaminess of lamb makes an exciting pairing for sweet crab. Rub lamb chops with crab boil seasoning before grilling. Or top pastas and risottos with both crab meat and braised lamb. Don’t forget some fresh mint and roasted veggies on the side.
10. Turkey
For a healthier take, lean and versatile turkey goes well with crab legs. Make open-faced crab melts on turkey burger patties or sausage patties. Stuff a turkey breast or roll ups with crab for a low-fat baked entree. Ground turkey is also great for crab-topped tacos.
When cooking any of these meat and crab pairings, season simply to let the natural seafood flavors come through. Lemon, garlic, parsley, oregano, pepper, and olive oil are generally all you need.
With so many tasty protein options, you can enjoy incredible surf and turf meals that feature crab legs in delicious harmony with assorted meats. Try some of these suggestions for foolproof ways to dress up your crab dinner with complementary flavors and textures.
Luckily, when it comes to pairing your Alaskan king crab legs with a side, you really can’t go wrong. Just pair one delicious food with another — then enjoy!
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Flash frozen to lock in the fresh-off-the-dock taste.
Packaged with dry ice and shipped overnight directly to your door.
Simply thaw, prep, heat, and eat.
Corn on the Cob
What about butter? We can’t forget the most common side dish for crab legs: corn on the cob. We don’t know why these two sides became the standard thing to eat with crab, but we’re not complaining.
Even though coleslaw is usually served with barbecue, we think this creamy cabbage dish goes perfectly with the juicy crab meat.
The salty sweetness of cornbread works well to compare and contrast with your crab meat. Plus, with all the protein of the crab legs, adding in some carbs is never a bad idea.
Hear us out. Maybe this sounds strange, but the best way to eat steamed artichoke petals is to dip them in butter before you scrape off the meat. If you’re going to dip your crab in melted butter anyway, you might as well eat an artichoke with it for extra vitamins and a sour taste.
Sometimes the simple option is the best one. On the side, a nice, crunchy green salad can help fill you up without taking away from the main course too much. Or, if you’re feeling creative, pair your crab legs with a Caesar salad for more garlicky goodness.
Since you’re going to be eating a lot of crab, you might want to serve some roasted vegetables as a side dish. You can bake broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts at 400°F with a little olive oil on top until they are crispy.
We know, we know. Steak isn’t necessarily a side. But can we really have a list of the best foods to eat with crab legs and not mention surf and turf? No, we cannot, and our friends at Market House can help with that.
People usually mix lobster with everyone’s favorite cheesy noodles, but crab meat also goes really well with this salty side dish.
Does melted butter count as a side? We’re going to say yes. Plus, you can even fancy up your butter, easily, with Mr. Sticks “Just Add Butter” Seasoning. Its made from all-natural ingredients that pair perfectly with our all-natural crab, for maximum flavor. Need some all-natural butter? We always recommend this one right here.
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 crab leg meat?
A mild seasoning or sauce is enough for most people to go with crab leg meat. But if you want more, you can pair them with sweet corn, salads, mac, cheese, etc. And to top it all off, crab meat is healthy as any seafood out there. 1. Peanut Dipping Sauce Let’s begin this list with the obvious choice.
What to eat with crab meat?
Serve the crab salad chilled to highlight the sweetness of the crab meat. Pan-fry the crab cakes for a crispy exterior and serve them with a flavorful aioli. Steaming the crab with garlic butter infuses the meat with rich flavors, and serving it with crusty bread allows you to savor every last bit of the delicious sauce.
What to eat with crab legs & aioli?
Best Side Dishes: Pair your crab legs with a refreshing side salad, such as a citrus arugula salad or a cucumber and dill salad. The crispness and acidity of the salad will balance out the richness of the crab legs and Spicy Aioli. Grilled Vegetables: Serve grilled vegetables alongside your crab legs and Spicy Aioli for a well-rounded meal.