Cajun crab cakes are a delicious and flavorful meal that combines the subtle sweetness of crab meat with the spicy Cajun seasonings. But what should you serve alongside these tasty crab cakes to make it a complete meal? Here are 12 delicious side dish ideas to complement Cajun crab cakes perfectly.
Colorful Vegetable Sides
Bright crisp vegetables are a fantastic way to balance the rich flavors of crab cakes.
Roasted Red Pepper and Corn Salad
This salad combines the sweetness of roasted red peppers with fresh corn cut right off the cob. Toss them with red onion, cilantro, lime juice and olive oil for a tangy, colorful side. The crunch of the veggies pairs perfectly with the soft cakes.
Zucchini and Squash Saute
Saute sliced zucchini and summer squash with garlic onions and Cajun seasoning for an easy skillet side. The mild flavors let the crab cakes shine while adding nutrition.
Air Fried Okra
Crisp okra straight from the air fryer makes a terrific crunchy savory accompaniment for crab cakes. The secret is cutting okra into thin rounds and tossing with cornmeal before air frying until golden brown.
Fresh Green Salads
A fresh salad is a great way to add color, crunch and acidity to balance out the richness of crab.
Tangy Romaine Salad
Cajun crab cakes pair wonderfully with a classic Caesar-style salad. Crisp romaine lettuce, tangy dressing, Parmesan cheese and croutons complement the crab perfectly.
Spinach Salad with Strawberries
For a fruit-filled salad, top spinach leaves with juicy strawberries, toasted almonds and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with a balsamic vinaigrette for a sweet-tart balance to the crab cakes.
Kale and Apple Salad
Thinly sliced kale, green apples, dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds tossed in a bright citrus dressing makes a refreshing, crunchy salad. The sweet and nutty flavors contrast the crab beautifully.
Creamy Potato Sides
Rich, velvety potato dishes work well with crab cakes for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
For an indulgent treat, make creamy mashed potatoes loaded with cheese, bacon and scallions. They’re the ideal comfort food pairing with spicy crab cakes.
Scalloped Potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a creamy cheese sauce are a delightful match for crab cakes. For a Cajun twist, add chopped green onions and a dash of hot sauce.
Potato Salad with Creole Mustard
Whip up a Cajun-style potato salad with chunks of tender potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, sweet pickle relish, green onions and a spicy Creole mustard dressing. It complements the crab cakes beautifully.
Perfect Rice and Grains
Rice, quinoa and other grains round out the meal nicely with crab cakes.
Dirty Cajun Rice
No Cajun meal is complete without dirty rice loaded with ground meat, onions and spices. Made with ground turkey or chicken, it’s excellent with crab cakes.
Quinoa with Corn and Peppers
For a lighter grain, cook quinoa with corn, red and green bell peppers and Cajun seasoning for a delicious and colorful side. The quinoa has a fluffy, pleasant texture.
Cheesy Grits
Rich, cheesy grits are a classic Southern side dish that pairs wonderfully with crab cakes. Cook grits in broth and heavy cream for ultra creamy texture.
More Unique Pairings
If you want to think outside the box, try these unique sides with your crab cakes.
Air Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy, sweet potato fries seasoned with Cajun spice blend lend fun flavor and crunch alongside the crab cakes. The air fryer makes them extra crispy without the grease.
Fried Green Tomatoes
For a true taste of the South, fry up green tomato slices dusted in cornmeal for a delicious side. The tangy tomatoes cut through the richness of the crab.
Creamy Coleslaw
Cool, creamy coleslaw provides necessary crunch and acidity with the crab cakes. Use a vinegar-based coleslaw dressing to complement the Cajun flavors.
Cajun crab cakes are so versatile that they pair well with an array of sides, from fresh vegetables to hearty potatoes and grains. Using contrasting textures, flavors and colors will make for a memorable meal. With so many options, you can experiment to find your favorites!
Do you need to have a sauce?
As for sauces and relishes, that is also personal preference.
A slaw on the side, corn relish, mango salsa, a remoulade, an herb-infused aioli or, if you insist on never growing up, ketchup can all be used. Seriously, please refrain from eating these with ketchup, or at least don’t tell anyone.
The bottom line is that almost anything can be served with or on a crab cake, but remember – everything you add should complement the crab rather than cover it up or be the dominant taste on the plate.
We love a good spicy herb aioli with these cakes, so we included a recipe below if you are interested in making one to go with this. We obviously love heat, so this is not for the faint of heart!
How do you cook crab cakes?
The final consideration is how to cook these Cajun Crab Cakes and how to serve it. To us, this was the easiest to find a clear winning formula.
As for how to cook them – pan fry with a little butter easily won out over other methods. Achieving that deep brown color on the exterior of the crab cake is necessary in our opinion, and extra flavor is gained as the butter browns.
Cajun Crab Cakes | Let’s go!
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