Delicious Sides for Your Cajun Crab Cakes

We love crab. Every kind of crab and in the hundreds of recipes and applications. Crab really is quite versatile. One of our favorites is crab cakes. These Cajun Crab Cakes are great on their own, as an appetizer, for brunch as Crab Cakes Benedict, or as a crab cake sandwich!

We have had crab cakes in various places that claim crab cakes are their specialty. And they really have been great. We’ve tried these gems in Baltimore, Charleston, Savannah, and Seattle, among other places.

Some crab cakes have sauce, some are served plain and some have relish. They can be deep-fried, pan-fried, broiled, baked, or even grilled, and they can be served on a plate or a bun. Because we love crab, we decided to make our own crab cakes by trying different things and writing down what we like in a crab cake.

Cajun crab cakes are a delicious appetizer or main course, bursting with the bold flavors of the Bayou. Their crispy exterior surrounds a tender, creamy interior filled with sweet crab meat and Cajun seasoning. While crab cakes can certainly stand on their own the right sides can take your Cajun crab cakes to the next level.

Complementing your crab cakes with bright fresh flavors provides balance and enhances the overall dining experience. After researching popular recommendations I’ve compiled this guide on the best side dishes to serve with Cajun crab cakes. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or preparing a weeknight meal, these sides will perfectly pair with your crab cakes.

Bright and Tangy Sides

Cajun crab cakes pack some heat, so cooling, acidic sides help balance out the spices Here are some bright, tangy options

Remoulade Sauce: This creamy, piquant sauce is a classic pairing with crab cakes. Mayo, mustard, capers, pickles, and herbs come together for a tangy condiment.
Tartar Sauce: Similar to remoulade, this sauce also features a mayo base with pickles, onions, herbs, and a dash of hot sauce. It’s a little lighter than remoulade.
Lemon Aioli: For a simpler spin, stir together mayo, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley. The lemon nicely cuts through the richness.
Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a bright vinaigrette complements the crab cakes. Spinach, mixed greens, or arugula all work nicely.
Coleslaw: Crunchy coleslaw with a vinegar-based dressing is a classic crab cake side. Play with different slaw mixes and dressings.

Creamy and Rich Sides

While tangy sides contrast the crab cakes, creamy sides complement them. Here are some indulgent ideas:

Creamed Corn: The sweet flavor of corn balanced by cream is a classic pairing. Simpy sauté corn with shallots, cream, and herbs.
Cheesy Grits: Grits made extra rich with cheese are a staple Cajun side. Cheddar and Parmesan work well.
Mashed Potatoes: What better next to a Cajun crab cake than creamy, buttery mashed potatoes? Infuse them with garlic for extra flavor.
Mac and Cheese: Elbow pasta baked in a cheesy cream sauce makes a satisfying side. Add crispy breadcrumbs on top.
Risotto: Creamy rice punctuated with vegetables like corn and peas pairs nicely with crab cakes.
Creamed Spinach: Sautéed spinach in a creamy, cheesy sauce provides great balance.

Crunchy and Fresh Sides

For contrast, serve your crab cakes with something fresh and crunchy. Here are some ideas:

French Fries: You can’t go wrong with crisp, golden fries next to your crab cakes. Fry up some russets or sweet potatoes.
Roasted Vegetables: Roasting vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, or broccoli caramelizes their flavor. Toss them in oil, salt and pepper and roast at high heat.
Vegetable Slaw: Thinly sliced cabbage, carrots, radishes, and onions tossed in a light dressing provides crunch.
Cucumber Salad: Simply sliced cucumbers and onion dressed with oil, vinegar, and dill makes a refreshing salad.
Fruit Salad: Melon, berries, citrus, and other fruit tossed with a vinaigrette adds brightness.

Satisfying Starch Sides

Carb-based sides help round out the meal and satisfy hunger. Here are some hearty options:

Rice Pilaf: White rice sautéed in butter then cooked in broth makes a simple pilaf. Experiment with herbs and spices.
Quinoa: This superfood grain has a pleasant crunchy texture and nutty flavor. Toss it with fresh herbs.
Baked Beans: While untraditional, the smoky sweetness of baked beans complements crab cakes nicely.
Cornbread: Warm, buttery cornbread is a quintessential Southern side for any meal. Serve it with honey butter.
Biscuits: Flaky, tender biscuits are another Southern staple. They sop up any sauce beautifully.
Rolls: Soft yeast rolls like Parker House or Hawaiian rolls work with any cuisine. Warm them up before serving.

Putting It All Together

When serving Cajun crab cakes, try to incorporate a combination of sides for balance. For example, pair your crab cakes with remoulade sauce, creamy grits, and a fresh fruit salad. Or serve them with tartar sauce, roasted broccoli, and buttery rolls.

what to serve with cajun crab cakes

What type of crab is best for crab cakes?

So, let’s break it down…crab first. What kind of crab should you use? On the east and gulf coasts, blue crab is the most common. On the west coast, Dungeness crab is the most common. King, snow, and stone crabs could be used to make crab cakes, but we haven’t had them or made them that way. I’m sure some people do.

For this Cajun Crab Cake recipe, we chose blue crab because it is easy to find and has a sweet flavor that goes well with crab cakes.

What is in a crab cake?

Most crab cakes are made with lump crab meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, spices, and a sauce (usually mayonnaise or mustard). Vegetables are common and optional. Just based on that ingredient list, you can see that the possibilities are numerous.

Guy Fieri’s Baked Crabcakes with Old Bay Remoulade | Guy’s Big Bite | Food Network

FAQ

What side dish goes with the crab feast?

Potatoes. Crabs complement potatoes just as well as veggies do. With their ability to be prepared in various ways, such as baked, mashed, and fried, potatoes are a quick, simple, and adaptable side dish that is great for making the ideal potatoes and crabs combination.

What dessert to serve with crab cakes?

Try sorbet, key lime pie, and lemon meringue pie.

Are crab cakes served warm or cold?

Crab cakes are a versatile recipe – you can serve them hot or cold; they are suited for an elegant brunch, a delicious appetizer (when made a little smaller) or a hearty dinner with a side salad; and you can serve them simply with some lemon wedges or dress them up with a sauce.