A crab cake sandwich is a delicious summer treat, but the toppings you choose can take it from great to spectacular. Crab cakes pack plenty of flavor on their own with their crispy exterior enclosing the sweet, briny crab meat inside. But there’s still room to play around with extra ingredients to complement the crab and make each bite perfect.
The possibilities for crab cake sandwich toppings are nearly endless. From creamy condiments to crunchy veggies and zesty seasonings, you have loads of options to experiment with. I’ll share my 25 favorite ideas to inspire your next crab cake sandwich creation.
Classic Condiments
Some traditional sauces deserve a permanent place on any crab cake sandwich. These creamy, tangy condiments add moisture and a flavor boost.
1. Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce hits all the right notes, blending tangy pickle relish and capers with creamy mayo. This classic sauce adds a cool complement to the hot crab cake and never goes out of style.
2. Cocktail Sauce
For a spicier twist, cocktail sauce with its punch of horseradish and tomato provides a hearty kick. The mixture of cooling and heat makes an exciting crab cake topper.
3. Remoulade
Remoulade is a spread popular in New Orleans that also pairs perfectly with crab cakes. This creamy sauce spiked with spicy creole mustard is ideal for those who like it hot.
4. Aioli
Whipping up a quick garlic aioli is simple and delicious. You can also jazz it up by blending in herbs, citrus, or sriracha for extra flavor.
Crunchy Veggies
Fresh vegetables add great texture and brightness to balance the rich crab.
5. Lettuce
Crisp lettuce like butter or romaine gives a cool crunch. For extra flavor, try grilling the lettuce first.
6. Tomato
Few things say summer like slices of juicy tomato. Pick ripe, in-season tomatoes for sweetness.
7. Avocado
Creamy avocado slices or guacamole add creaminess and vitamin C. Mash some right into the crab mixture too.
8. Cucumber
Thinly sliced cucumbers have a refreshing effect on hot crab cakes. Go for English cucumbers with fewer seeds.
9. Cabbage
Shredded red or green cabbage or pre-made slaw mix provides a satisfying crunch. Toss it in cider vinegar dressing for a tangy bite.
10. Pickles
From bread and butter chips to dill spears, any pickled veggie tastes fantastic with briny crab cakes.
Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs brighten up a crab cake sandwich with aromatic flavor.
11. Basil
Add a summery taste with freshly torn basil leaves. Also try mixing pesto into the crab mixture for herby goodness.
12. Cilantro
Chopped cilantro has a light grassy flavor that complements seafood beautifully.
13. Dill
Fragrant dill has a natural affinity for pairing with shellfish. Sprinkle chopped fresh dill over the finished sandwich.
14. Parsley
Curly parsley’s mild herbal quality enhances the sweet crab flavors.
15. Chives
Thinly sliced chives offer a gentle onion flavor. Mix in some chopped chives when making the crab patties.
Zesty Seasonings
Spice blends, hot sauces, citrus, and other zesty flavors give your sandwich excitement.
16. Old Bay
No crab cake is complete without a dash of Old Bay seasoning’s distinctive blend of spices. Sprinkle it on the crab patties before cooking.
17. Lemon
Fresh lemon juice and zest cut through the richness perfectly. Use lemon aioli too.
18. Hot Sauce
A few dashes or drizzles of your favorite hot sauce – from Tabasco to sriracha – kicks up the flavor a notch.
19. Chili Powder
For a smoky heat, dust the crab patties lightly in ancho or chipotle chili powder before cooking.
20. Cajun Seasoning
Cajun spice mixes containing garlic, onion, paprika, and cayenne lend bold flavor.
Indulgent Extras
For even more richness, try one of these decadent additions.
21. Bacon
Crispy cooked bacon crumbles create an irresistible salty, smoky crunch.
22. Cheese
Melted cheese like cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack makes every bite extra decadent.
23. Caramelized Onions
Sweet, browned onions provide heaps of flavor.
24. Chipotle Mayo
Stirring smoky adobo sauce from canned chipotles into the mayo kicks it up in the best way.
25. Avocado
Creamy, buttery avocado slices or mashed avocado take the sandwich to new levels of richness.
With so many options for delicious toppings, the hardest part is narrowing it down to just a few. Tartar sauce, lettuce, and tomato make a classic crab cake sandwich. Or for an adventurous twist, try cabbage slaw, mango salsa, and bacon crumbles.
The beauty of crab cake sandwiches is that you can play around with different combinations of flavors and textures. Cool and creamy, crisp and fresh, or hot and spicy – the choice is yours. Use these 25 ideas as inspiration to create your own signature crab cake sandwich masterpiece.
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FAQ
What do you eat 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.
What condiments go with crab cakes?
Classic and popular condiments for crab cakes include tartar sauce and remoulade sauce.
What to put on a crab sandwich?
In a small bowl, combine mayo, mustard, capers, green onion, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the bread from the oven and spread aioli over each side (or just one, if you prefer). Top the bottom piece of bread with lettuce, tomato, and half of the crab.
What do crab cakes pair well with?
If enjoying as a main dish, crab cakes go well with a side of corn on the cob, steamed or grilled vegetables, dinner rolls, or roasted or baked potatoes.