The 5 Best Sauces for Crab Cakes That Will Make Your Tastebuds Sing

Crab cakes are an iconic seafood dish that is beloved by many. The sweet succulent meat of the crab combined with breadcrumbs and seasoning then fried to a beautiful golden brown perfection. There’s nothing quite like a well-made crab cake. But what really takes this dish to the next level is finding the perfect sauce to complement the flavors. The right sauce balances out the richness of the crab, provides moisture, and adds another layer of flavor. From sweet mango puree to smoky chipotle mayo, here are five terrific sauces for crab cakes.

Crab Cakes with Smoky Onion Remoulade

A remoulade is a classic French sauce that is often paired with seafood. It has a creamy, tangy base flavored with chopped pickles, capers herbs and spices. This version also includes smoky caramelized onions which adds wonderful depth and sweetness. The acidity of the remoulade helps cut through the richness of the crab cake while the onions complement the sweetness of the crab meat. It’s a match made in heaven.

Crispy Crab Cakes with Tomato Butter

Buttery, garlicky tomato sauce is an ideal pairing for crab cakes The sweet burst of fresh tomato brightens up the crab flavor while the butter provides a luxurious finish. Baking the tomato sauce concentrates the flavors and makes it wonderfully rich and delicious Drizzle this vibrant sauce over freshly fried crab cakes for an easy weeknight dinner.

Spicy Crab Cakes with Mango Puree

Mango puree is a sweet and tropical condiment that adds sunshine and zest to crispy crab cakes. Blending mango with ginger, lime juice, honey and serrano chile makes a sauce that is both spicy and fruity. It hits all the right notes – a little sweet, a little tangy, and a little spicy. The cool, creamy mango tames any heat and highlights the sweetness of the crab meat.

Crisp Crab Cakes with Chipotle Mayonnaise

For those who like a little heat with their crab cakes, a spiked mayonnaise is the way to go. Chipotle chiles in adobo lend a smoky, fiery flavor that pairs beautifully with the richness of crab. Mixing a spoonful of the adobo sauce into mayo creates a quick seafood sauce with tons of flavor. The creaminess of the mayo cools down the heat while the smokiness of the chipotle accentuates the sweetness of the crab.

Crab Cakes with Horseradish Cream

Horseradish and seafood are a match made in heaven. The bright heat of fresh horseradish root pairs perfectly with the sweetness of crab meat. Blending horseradish with sour cream and mayo makes an easy, creamy sauce with a nice kick. Drizzle the sauce over hot crab cakes and watch it melt down into the crevices. The cool and spicy horseradish sauce contrasts beautifully with the warm, rich crab cake.

What Makes a Great Crab Cake Sauce?

The key to a great crab cake sauce is balance. You want something that will accentuate, not overwhelm the flavor of the crab. The sauce should add moisture, acids, and flavors that complement the sweetness of the crab meat. Some common components of great crab cake sauces include:

• A creamy base – Mayo, sour cream, or pureed veggies
• Bright, acidic elements – Lemon juice, vinegar, lime juice
• Umami flavors – Horseradish, mustard, Worcestershire
• Sweet elements – Honey, pureed fruit, onions
• Herbs – Chives, dill, parsley, cilantro
• Spices – Old Bay, paprika, cayenne, black pepper
• Aromatics – Garlic, shallot, onion
• Richness – Butter, olive oil, bacon fat

When making your own sauce, think about balance. You want something creamy with a little zing from acids that will meld with the flavors of the crab itself.

Tips for Serving Crab Cakes with Sauce

• Make sure your crab cakes are hot when saucing. You want them to be steaming hot so the sauce melts and soaks in.
• Brush the crab cakes with sauce or serve it on the side for dipping to prevent sogginess.
• Add your sauce at the last minute before serving to preserve texture.
• Garnish your plated crab cakes with extra sauce, herbs, lemon wedges, etc.
• Pair your crab cakes with something green like a arugula salad to balance the richness.
• Breadcrumbs can soak up sauce and become soggy, so avoid drowning your crab cakes.
• Cut through the rich crab with extra acid by serving lemon or lime wedges on the side.

Sauce Recipes to Try

Still looking for more sauce inspiration for your crab cakes? Here are a few more recipes worth trying:

• Lemon Dill Aioli – Fresh and zesty!
• Old Bay Remoulade – Perfectly seasoned for crab.
• Sriracha Mayo – For fans of spicy mayo.
• Bacon & Scallion Dip – Smoky and rich.
• Honey Mustard Sauce – Sweet and tangy.
• Cajun Rémoulade – Boldly flavored.
• Avocado Jalapeño Sauce – Cool and spicy.
• Lemon Caper Butter – Bright and buttery.
• Red Pepper Romesco – Smoky and nutty.
• Green Goddess Dressing – Herby and tangy.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to crab cake sauces! Play around with different flavor combinations to find your perfect match. With a killer crab cake and an awesome sauce, you just can’t go wrong.