What is a Good Accompaniment to Crab Cakes? 30 Delicious Side Dish Pairings

Crab cakes are a delicious and popular appetizer, main course or party food. Their rich sweet crab flavor tastes great on its own, but pairing crab cakes with complementary side dishes can take your meal to the next level. So what goes well with crab cakes? There are many delicious options for crab cake accompaniments that will perfectly round out your meal.

The Best Vegetable Side Dishes for Crab Cakes

Fresh vegetables make excellent complements to the succulent taste of crab. Their bright colors and flavors contrast nicely with crab cakes’ richness. Here are some of the best vegetable side dishes to serve with crab cakes:

Salads

• Tomato salads – Cherry tomato, beefsteak tomato, or heirloom tomato salads add a refreshing burst of flavor and color. Toss tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, or add avocado and cucumber for a simple crab cake salad.

• Coleslaw variations – Crunchy coleslaw with a tangy dressing pairs wonderfully with crab cakes Try unique twists like broccoli slaw or a fruit-filled slaw with pineapple and apple.

• Cucumber salad – Cucumbers have a cooling effect that complements hot crab cakes beautifully. Toss sliced cucumbers with dill, lemon juice, and olive oil for a light cucumber salad.

Roasted & Grilled Veggies

• Corn on the cob – Grilled or roasted corn on the cob is a classic pairing with seafood. Slather with butter, spices, or creative flavored butters.

• Asparagus – Quickly roast or grill asparagus spears to bring out their flavor. Top with lemon juice or Parmesan cheese.

• Peppers & onions – Roasted bell peppers and onions add a pop of color and sweetness. Toss them with balsamic vinegar or olive oil.

• Zucchini – Grilled or roasted zucchini is a tasty low-carb option. Season with Italian dressing or herbs.

Other Vegetable Dishes

• Succotash – This colorful veggie medley of lima beans, corn, and peppers is a traditional crab cake side.

• Broccolini – Tender broccolini sautéed in olive oil with garlic and lemon is a healthy choice.

• Glazed carrots – Sweet glazed carrots balance the saltiness of crab cakes.

Satisfying Starch Side Dishes

Starchy sides like rice, potatoes, and breads make filling additions to absorb the rich flavors of crab. Here are some recommended starches to serve with crab cakes:

• Rice – Plain white rice or flavorful options like cilantro lime rice, dirty rice, or Charleston red rice.

• Potatoes – Mashed, roasted, or fried potatoes pair especially well. Loaded mashed potatoes or Parmesan roasted potatoes are gourmet upgrades.

• Pasta salad – Chilled pasta salads with veggies or pesto make nice crab cake sides for summer.

• Breads – Crusty bread, rolls, or biscuits work well for dipping in any crab cake sauces or juices. Cornbread muffins also complement crab cakes deliciously.

Refreshing Soup & Salad Sides

Cool, brothy soups and leafy salads balance the heaviness of fried crab cakes. They cleanse the palate between bites of rich crab. Recommended soups and salads include:

• Gazpacho – Chilled tomato gazpacho soup or other vegetable gazpachos like cucumber dill.

• Corn chowder – Creamy corn chowder makes a comforting soup pairing for crab cakes.

• Green salads – Leafy mixed greens, spinach salads, kale salads work well. Top with avocado, tomatoes, nuts or fruits like peaches.

• Wedge salad – An iceberg lettuce wedge salad with blue cheese dressing is a classic choice.

Fun Flavored Butter & Sauce Options

Flavored butters, aioli, or dipping sauces add even more flavor to crab cakes. Whip up one of these easy condiments to serve alongside:

• Lemon garlic aioli – Mix mayo, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, and herbs.

• Cajun remoulade – Stir together mayo, Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and garlic.

• Honey Old Bay butter – Blend softened butter with Old Bay seasoning and honey.

• Pesto – Spoon basil or sun-dried tomato pesto over crab cakes or use as a dip.

• Tartar sauce – The tangy classic pairs perfectly with crab cakes.

Putting It All Together: Sample Crab Cake Meals

With so many possible crab cake side dish options, it can be tricky to narrow down your choices into a cohesive meal. Here are some example full crab cake meals to give you inspiration on how to combine several complementary sides:

• Crab cakes, corn on the cob, coleslaw, biscuits

• Crab cakes, Parmesan roasted potatoes, asparagus, lemon garlic aioli

• Crab cakes, gazpacho, green salad with peaches and feta, honey Old Bay butter

• Crab cakes, cilantro lime rice, grilled corn, pico de gallo

• Crab cakes, broccolini, tomato-cucumber salad, tartar sauce

• Crab cakes, succotash, cornbread muffins, pesto

With so many tasty options for vegetables, starches, soups and salads, there are endless possibilities for crab cake side pairings. Choose a few complementary flavors and textures to make a well-rounded, delicious crab cake meal. Just avoid heavy cream-based sides that may overpower the crab flavor. Focus on bright, fresh sides to let the sweet crab shine. With the right accompaniments, your crab cake dinner will be utter perfection.

Crab cakes pair well with a variety of sides, including grilled or roasted vegetables, potato salad, coleslaw, and salads with a light dressing.