What Goes with Dungeness Crab? 12 Perfect Pairings

Dungeness crab is a delicacy cherished by seafood lovers for its sweet, mild flavor and tender flesh. With its buttery taste and delicate texture, Dungeness crab deserves to be complemented by side dishes that enhance its natural flavors.

When planning a Dungeness crab feast, it’s important to choose accompaniments that don’t overpower the seafood. Overly bold flavors and competing seafood can distract from the Dungeness crab rather than letting it shine as the star ingredient.

Instead, sides that provide contrast through flavors, textures, colors, and temperatures allow the nuances of the crab meat to come through. Think crisp and acidic, creamy and rich, or smoky and charred.

Here are 12 sensational side dish ideas to serve with Dungeness crab for memorable meals

Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers provide a smoky, charred contrast to Dungeness crab’s tender sweetness. Their firm but yielding textures offset the delicate crab meat Grill a vegetable medley over high heat until lightly blackened and top with a vinaigrette The caramelized natural sugars pair divinely.

Buttery Mashed Potatoes

For an indulgent classic, serve Dungeness crab with smoothly mashed russet potatoes. Cook potatoes until tender, mash with butter, cream, and seasonings, then top with extra pats of butter that melt decadently over the crab and potatoes. Starchy, buttery potatoes complement briny crab flawlessly.

Fresh Green Salad

A simple green salad tossed in a bright vinaigrette provides crisp crunch and cooling freshness alongside hot Dungeness crab. Opt for salad greens like spinach, arugula, radicchio, and watercress for variety of bitter and peppery flavors that cleanse the palate. Lettuce and herbs like dill or chives keep things classic.

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Warm, crusty garlic bread takes rich seafood flavors up a notch. Load sliced French or Italian bread with butter, garlic, and herbs, then toast until crispy and golden. The bite of the garlic and herby crunch stands up well to crabs’ richness. Serve crab atop the bread to soak up garlicky butter.

Lemon Herb Rice

Beyond plain white rice, try nutty brown, wild, or jasmine rice seasoned with lemon and fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and chives. The bright, citrusy rice provides a sophisticated base for soaking up crab juices while adding sunny flavor. A squeeze of lemon brightens each decadent bite.

Scalloped Potatoes

For an indulgent potato dish, creamy scalloped potatoes complement crab’s richness beautifully. Sliced russet or Yukon Gold potatoes baked in a sauce of cream, cheese, and seasonings provide a classic pairing for special occasions. Their velvety texture contrasts the crab’s delicate flake.

Grilled Corn on the Cob

The natural sweetness of corn is a perfect foil for Dungeness crab’s briny flavor. Grill ears of corn, lightly charring them while retaining crunchy kernels. Slather with butter, sprinkle with paprika or cotija cheese, and squeeze lime over top. The smoky slicked corn begs to be devoured alongside tender crab.

Sautéed Spinach

Quick-cooking spinach offers color and nutrition next to indulgent Dungeness crab. Sauté chopped spinach with olive oil and garlic until just wilted but still bright green. Sprinkle with lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. The fresh flavor cuts richness while the garlic and lemon tie in.

Coleslaw

A crunchy cabbage slaw in a creamy dressing provides a tangy, cooling crunch next to hot Dungeness crab. Using a mix of shredded green and red cabbage and carrots, toss the slaw in a blend of mayo, vinegar, sugar, and spices like caraway or celery seed. The peppery crunch cuts through the crab’s richness.

Avocado Salad

Buttery avocado slices turns salad into a rich starter for crab. Mix greens and vegetables like cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper, then top with sliced avocado, crumbled feta or bacon, and a zesty dressing. The smooth avocado fat provides luscious contrast to hot crab dipped in the cool salad.

Ciabatta Bread

Grilled ciabatta or rustic Italian bread makes for fabulous crab dippers with built-in flavor. Brush bread with olive oil and grill briefly until grill marks appear. The charred bread stands up to crab with its sturdy crumb and chewy crust. Dip bites of crab and bread together for briny, smoky perfection.

Roasted Beet Salad

For an elegant chilled salad, pair sweet roasted beets with peppery arugula and goat cheese. Toss with a sherry vinaigrette and candied walnuts for a salad balanced in flavor, texture, and color. The earthiness of beets and cheese enhances the sweetness of the crab for a upscale starter.

With any of these sensational sides, Dungeness crab shines as the star of your meal. Allow its exquisite flavor to take the spotlight and round it out with a contrasting accompaniment. Follow these tasty pairings for crab feasts that highlight Dungeness crab’s delicate perfection.

Here is a summary of the entity frequencies from the provided URLs:

Dungeness crab: 19
Garlic Butter Asparagus: 2
Lemon Herb Risotto: 2
Coleslaw: 2
Roasted Potatoes: 2
Caesar Salad: 2
Grilled Corn: 2
Avocado Salad: 2
Garlic Bread: 1
Sautéed Spinach: 1
Corn Chowder: 1
Rice Pilaf: 1
Steamed Artichokes: 1
Creamy Polenta: 1
Mango Salsa: 1
Pesto Pasta: 1
Grilled Asparagus Spears: 1
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes: 1
Creamed Corn: 1
Leafy Green Salad: 1
Scalloped Potatoes: 1
Summer Squash medley: 1
Buttered Egg Noodles: 1
Bacon and Chive Scalloped Potatoes: 1
Corn on the Cob: 1
Twice Baked Potatoes: 1
Roasted Beets and Greens: 1
Classic Coleslaw: 1
“Naughty Bread”: 1
Roasted Vegetables: 1
Corn on the Cob: 1
Coleslaw: 1
Lemon Herb Potatoes: 1
Grilled Asparagus: 1
Chilled Cucumber Salad: 1