Crab legs make for an indulgent, impressive meal. Their sweet, delicate flavor pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides that complement and enhance the seafood. Choosing the right side dishes is key to creating a well-rounded and delicious crab leg dinner.
Here are 15 amazing side dish ideas to serve with crab legs:
Buttery Corn on the Cob
Sweet corn on the cob is a classic pairing with seafood. The natural sweetness of the corn balances the briny crab legs. Cook the corn until tender and slather with butter salt, and pepper. The butteriness matches the richness of the crab meat.
Garlicky Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes make a comforting, filling side for crab legs. Blend the potatoes with butter, garlic, cream, and seasoning for ultimate creaminess. The garlic adds extra flavor that works well with the crab.
Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf studded with vegetables like peas and carrots, soaks up any buttery juices from the crab legs. Opt for white or brown rice and cook until tender. The simple starch lets the crab shine while offering contrasting texture.
Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus roasted with olive oil, garlic, and lemon turns bright green and caramelized. Its vegetal flavor offsets the richness of the crab. For variety, try grilled asparagus or steam the spears until vibrant and tender-crisp.
Scalloped Potatoes
Creamy, cheesy scalloped potatoes are indulgent but not overly rich. Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy cheese sauce are delightfully soft and salty, pairing beautifully with crab legs Celery and onion add crunch and flavor
Pasta Salad
A cold pasta salad with vegetables is lively and refreshing next to hot crab legs. Toss bite-size pasta with your favorite veggies, olive oil or vinaigrette, and seasonings. Some crunchy veggies like bell pepper and cucumber work well.
Creamed Spinach
Buttery creamed spinach offers a rich, creamy contrast to the crab meat. Cook fresh spinach down with onion, garlic, and nutmeg, then blend with heavy cream or half-and-half. The velvety texture and hint of nutmeg are perfect with seafood.
Coleslaw
Crisp, fresh coleslaw balances the rich crab legs. Use bagged slaw mix or shred your own cabbage and carrots. Dress with mayo, vinegar, sugar, and seasonings. The crunchy texture and tangy flavor complement the sweet crab.
Bruschetta
Bruschetta, the classic Italian bread appetizer, adds easy vegetable flavor. Toast bread slices, then top with fresh tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. You can also top with avocado, mozzarella, or spinach. The brightness cuts the indulgence of the crab.
Dinner Rolls
Warm, fluffy dinner rolls are great for dipping in crab leg butter. Brush rolls with garlic butter or herb butter before serving for an extra dose of flavor. Or offer rolls to soak up juices and round out the meal.
Twice Baked Potatoes
Twice baked potatoes offer irresistible creaminess with crab legs. Bake potatoes, scoop out the insides, then whip with butter, milk, cheese, and seasonings. Return the filling to the skins and bake again until hot and bubbly.
Baked Sweet Potato
Baked sweet potatoes make a lighter, healthier pairing for crab legs. Rub with olive oil and seasonings and bake until caramelized outside and tender inside. Top with pats of butter. The natural sweetness balances the crab’s brininess.
Roasted Beets
Roasting beets concentrates their earthy sweetness, which pairs deliciously with seafood. Drizzle cubed beets with olive oil, balsamic, and seasonings and roast at 400°F until tender. Their rich flavor and color complement crab legs.
Caesar Salad
A crisp Caesar salad with creamy dressing is a go-to pairing with seafood. Chop romaine lettuce, croutons, and parmesan, then toss with Caesar dressing. The cool crunch and salty richness work with the crab legs’ sweetness.
Butternut Squash Soup
Warm, velvety butternut squash soup makes a comforting starter for a crab leg dinner. Simmer puréed squash with chicken or vegetable broth and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Ladle into bowls and top with herbs.
Crab legs deserve accompaniments as special as they are. These 15 side dish ideas, from vegetables to starches and salads, perfectly complement the indulgent seafood. Play with different textures, colors, and flavors to make crab the star of your meal.
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Corn on the Cob
And speaking of butter, we can’t forget the most commonly seen side with crab legs: corn on the cob. While we don’t know why this duo became the traditional go-to side to eat with crab, we certainly aren’t mad about it.
Even though coleslaw is generally seen on the side of barbecue, we think this creamy cabbage dish provides the ideal crunch and flavor alongside succulent 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. This may sound like a weird suggestion, but steamed artichoke petals are best dipped in butter before scraping the meat off. If you’re already dipping your crab in melted butter, you may as well enjoy the extra vitamins and tart flavor of an artichoke alongside it.
Sometimes the simple option is the best one. A nice, crunchy green salad on the side can help fill in the gaps of your meal without taking too much away from the star of the show. Or, if you’re feeling creative, pair your crab legs with a Caesar salad for more garlicky goodness.
If you’re planning on eating a substantial amount of crab, you may want to keep the sides light with just some roasted vegetables. Drizzle a little olive oil over the broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts and put in the oven at 400°F until 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.
While it’s generally lobster that gets combined with everyone’s favorite cheesy noodles, crab meat also goes exceptionally well with this savory side.
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.
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!
- 3 lbs (1.5-2 Servings)
- 4 lbs (2-3.5 Servings)
- 6 lbs (3-5 Servings)
- 10 lbs (5-8 Servings)
- 3 lbs (1.5-2 Servings)
- 4 lbs (2-3.5 Servings)
- 6 lbs (3-5 Servings)
- 10 lbs (5-8 Servings)
How To Get Meat Out of Snow Crab Legs – Easy and Fast
FAQ
What can I eat crab legs with?
My favorite accompaniments to crab include crusty sourdough bread and a fresh green salad or steamed vegetable. Other great side dish options include macaroni and cheese, steamed rice, angel hair pasta or even roasted potatoes.
What does crab pair with?
When serving crab, consider sides that complement its delicate flavor and texture. Classic choices include potatoes (mashed, roasted, or baked), corn on the cob, and coleslaw. For a light and refreshing option, try roasted vegetables or a simple green salad.
What to serve as a side with seafood?
- Corn on the Cob. Corn is a seafood boil essential. …
- Boiled Potatoes. Potatoes are non-negotiable seafood boil side dishes! …
- Garlic Butter French Bread. …
- Fried Pickles. …
- Creole Coleslaw. …
- Cajun Mac & Cheese. …
- Spicy Pickled Vegetables. …
- Cajun Dirty Rice.
What side dish goes with the crab feast?
The Must Have Sides!
Corn on the Cob – Fresh from the field corn on the cob is a must have for the Maryland Crab Feast. Whether you eat it plain for slathered in butter, be sure to liberally sprinkle the Old Bay on the kernels!