Crab cakes are an iconic seafood dish loved by many across the world. Their crispy outer coating encasing the soft, flaky crab meat inside is simply delicious. However the key to taking your crab cakes from great to spectacular is finding the perfect sauce to complement them. The right sauce enhances the natural sweetness of the crab provides moisture, and gives an extra burst of flavor. It also adds visual appeal to the dish. From classic options like tartar sauce to more unique choices like mango salsa, there are many excellent sauces for crab cakes to consider.
The Most Popular and Traditional Crab Cake Sauces
Tartar Sauce
The tangy, creamy flavors of tartar sauce make it one of the most popular choices for serving with crab cakes. Tartar sauce is typically made with mayonnaise, sweet pickles, capers, onions, and herbs. It provides a cool, rich contrast to the hot crispiness of crab cakes. Tartar sauce is easy to make at home or can be purchased ready-made. It’s a classic pairing that you can’t go wrong with.
Cocktail Sauce
Another classic sauce for crab cakes is the spicy tomato-ey cocktail sauce. Made from ketchup horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce, cocktail sauce adds a bold, punchy flavor. The vinegary taste cuts through the richness of fried crab cakes. It also makes a tasty dipping sauce. Keep some extra on hand for shrimp and oysters too.
Remoulade
Remoulade is a heavenly sauce that originated from France but became popular in Louisiana Creole cuisine. It has a creamy base of mayonnaise or aioli amped up with mustard, capers, herbs, pickles, paprika, hot sauce, and other zingy ingredients. Remoulade combines cooling creaminess with tangy heat that excites the tastebuds.
Creamy and Indulgent Crab Cake Sauces
Hollandaise
Buttery, lemony hollandaise is a luxurious sauce that can transform crab cakes into a gourmet dish Made from egg yolks, melted butter, lemon juice, and seasoning, this elegant sauce adds a richness that perfectly complements the sweet crab flavor Use it on top of crab cake Benedicts at brunch or plain broiled crab cakes for dinner.
Aioli
Aioli is a garlicky mayonnaise sauce that originates from the Mediterranean region. To make it, whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. Aioli comes in many flavor varieties too like sriracha, saffron, and roasted red pepper. Aioli adds a decadent creaminess to crab cakes.
Beurre Blanc
For an upscale French sauce, beurre blanc is the way to go. This elegant sauce is made by reducing white wine and vinegar then whisking in chunks of cold butter. The result is a silky, buttery sauce with a tangy bite. Drizzle beurre blanc over seared crab cakes for a restaurant-quality dish.
Spicy and Zesty Crab Cake Sauces
Chipotle Mayonnaise
For spicy crab cakes, chipotle mayonnaise can’t be beat. Mix chipotle peppers in adobo sauce into mayonnaise for a smoky, lightly spicy spread. The creaminess balances the heat while enhancing the crab’s sweetness. Add some lime juice to brighten it up. Chipotle mayo is also great on tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and more.
Sriracha Mayo
Similarly, sriracha mayonnaise makes a flavorful spicy sauce for crab cakes. Whisk sriracha sauce into mayo along with a squeeze of lime or lemon juice. The garlicky heat of the sriracha pairs wonderfully with the briny crab. For extra flavor, add chopped cilantro or scallions.
Horseradish Cream
Horseradish lovers will rejoice over crab cakes served with a kicky horseradish cream sauce. Mix prepared horseradish into mayonnaise, sour cream, or Greek yogurt, adding lemon juice and herbs to taste. The pungent horseradish heat pairs perfectly with the subtle sweetness of crab meat.
Fresh and Fruity Crab Cake Sauces
Mango Salsa
For a fresh fruity sauce, make a colorful mango salsa. Dice up ripe mangoes, red onions, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice. The sweet juiciness of the mango salsa balances the rich crab cake while adding delicious flavor. It also makes the dish feel lighter.
Guacamole
What’s crab cake night without some guacamole? The cool, creamy avocado dip is fantastic with crispy crab cakes. Mash up ripe avocados with lime juice, cilantro, onions, tomato, and jalapeño. Guacamole adds freshness and texture to balance the crab’s richness.
Pineapple Salsa
For a Hawaiian twist, top crab cakes with a sweet and spicy pineapple salsa. Combine diced pineapple with red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and citrus juice. The sweet tanginess pairs wonderfully with the crab. Add some grilled shrimp skewers for a luau-themed meal.
Herby Green Sauces for Crab Cakes
Chimichurri
This vibrant Argentinian sauce is made by combining parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and spices. The fresh herby flavors are excellent with seafood like crab cakes, shrimp, and fish. Drizzle chimichurri over hot crab cakes or serve it alongside for dipping.
Cilantro Lime Sauce
Puree cilantro, lime juice, Greek yogurt, garlic, and jalapeño for a zesty cilantro lime drizzle. The bright, tangy sauce adds lots of flavor without overpowering the crab. It also aids in digestion after a rich meal.
Basil Pesto
For an herby Italian twist, top crab cakes with pesto sauce. Made with basil, olive oil, pine nuts, parmesan, and garlic, pesto provides a fresh, green flavor and richness. The crab cakes soften the intense basil flavors. Garnish with extra basil leaves for a pop of color.
Mustardy and Tangy Crab Cake Sauces
Grainy Mustard Sauce
Cut through the richness of crab cakes with a zingy mustard sauce. Mix Dijon and whole grain mustards with mayonnaise, lemon juice, capers, and herbs for a tangy spread. Spicier mustards like stoneground or horseradish mustard also pair well. The brightness of the mustard allows the sweetness of the crab to shine.
Lemon Butter
A simple lemon butter sauce is delicious on crab cakes. Simmer lemon juice, white wine, and chilled butter together then drizzle over hot crab cakes. The bright, acidic lemon cuts through the fat of the dish. Parsley, garlic, or dill can be added too.
Old Bay Ranch
For an indulgent dipping sauce, mix ranch dressing with Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, and parsley. The creamy, herby flavors complement the crab perfectly. Ranch is a family favorite so it’s great for picky eaters or kids.
Unique Global Crab Cake Sauces
Around the world there are many unique sauces that pair wonderfully with crab cakes too:
-
Thai Sweet Chili Sauce – A sweet, gently spicy sauce that provides balanced flavor.
-
Japanese Yum Yum Sauce – A creamy mayo-based sauce with a hint of sweetness.
-
Caribbean Jerk Sauce – Spicy and robust with flavors like allspice, thyme, garlic, and scotch bonnets.
-
Vietnamese Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce – A bright, tangy, and aromatic sauce made with fish sauce, lime, sugar, and chilies.
-
Indian Cucumber Raita – A cooling yogurt-based sauce with cucumber and spices. Helps balance the richness.
-
Greek Tzatziki – Creamy cucumber yogurt dip with lemon, garlic, and fresh dill. Provides a refreshing contrast.
With so many tasty sauces to try, you may want to serve an assortment so guests can customize their crab cake experience. Set out a few ramekins of different sauces and let guests get creative with the toppings. From creamy and cool to spicy and zingy, a flavorful sauce can make good crab cakes great. Dip in and enjoy!
How To Make Maryland Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce
In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, old bay seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined and taste the mixture for seasoning. Add your egg to this, and mix to combine.
Add the lump crab meat into the bowl and gently fold it in until every piece is evenly coated with the mixture. Add in the panko breadcrumbs and parsley and mix gently. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the crab cake mixture for 30 minutes.
While waiting for the crab cake mixture to chill, you can make the remoulade sauce. Mix mayonnaise, Dijon, mustard, sweet relish, hot sauce, rice vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and lemon juice into a small bowl until thoroughly combined.
Preheat an oven to 400°F. Coat the bottom of a 12 inch cast iron skillet, or a baking dish, with 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.
Remove the crab cake mixture from the refrigerator and begin shaping into eight even sized balls, about 3 tablespoons each. Space them out evenly into the skillet and add another tablespoon of butter (broken into pieces) all around the crab cakes. Sprinkle the crab cakes lightly with more old bay seasoning.
Place into the oven for 15 minutes to cook through. Remove crab cakes from the oven and stick them under the broiler on high for five minutes, or just until the tops are golden brown. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and serve. Serve remoulade sauce with crab cakes.
What is A Maryland Crab Cake?
Maryland Crab Cakes are known for being big on the crabmeat and very light on the fillers. They don’t have a bunch of add-ins, like Louisiana crab cakes (which include green onions, celery, and bell peppers – explained in this article). Maryland crab cakes are also traditionally broiled, unlike other crab cakes that are pan fried.
OUR FAVORITE CRAB CAKES RECIPE + DIPPING SAUCE
FAQ
What pairs well with crab cakes?
Crab cakes pair well with a variety of sides, including grilled or roasted vegetables, potato salad, coleslaw, and salads with a light dressing.
What sauce is nice with crab?
Now once you have your crab cooked and picked, here are my favorite dipping sauces to go with the crab meat. A simple Garlic Clarified Butter dipping sauce, Avocado Wasabi Mayonnaise dipping sauce and a Curry Mustard dipping sauce; all three are very different from each other but totally delicious.
What sauce is good with crab cakes Southern Living?
Remoulade sauce is perfect with French fries, po’boys and other sandwiches, and all kinds of seafood: boiled shrimp, fried fish, and crab cakes. You’ll also find remoulade served with fried green tomatoes, corn fritters, and zucchini or squash fritters.
What condiments do you put on a crab cake sandwich?
A crab cake sandwich is a fried crab cake served on a bun with condiments such as sauce, lettuce, and tomato.