Maryland crab soup is a cherished regional specialty, beloved for its velvety texture and sweet crab flavor. This creamy bisque shines as a starter or light meal, but what should you serve alongside a steaming bowl?
The right side dishes and breads can perfectly complement Maryland crab soup’s indulgent taste and texture. In this article I’ll recommend 12 savory pairings that enhance the flavors of traditional Maryland crab soup. From warm baked goods to fresh salads and hearty roasted veggies, these tasty sides will help you pull together a phenomenal crab soup meal from start to finish!
Warm Breads and Baked Goods
Warm, buttery baked goods are natural pairings for Maryland crab soup. Their rich flavors and textures contrast nicely with the brothy soup. Here are some excellent options:
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Cornbread muffins or wedges – The sweet corn flavor matches the vegetables and crab in the soup Bake mini muffins or cut cornbread into dunkable wedges
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Drop biscuits or artisan bread – Flaky, homemade biscuits or rolls are perfect for soaking up the creamy broth. Slice a crusty loaf for dunking.
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Jalapeño cheddar bread – The spicy kick of jalapeño and sharp cheddar add richness to balance the soup.
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Bread bowls – Hollow out mini bread boules and fill with steaming Maryland crab soup for an all-in-one meal.
Classic Vegetable Side Dishes
Simple veggie classics like these complement Maryland crab soup’s mix of vegetables and herbs:
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Green salad – Crisp lettuce, tomato and cucumber slices dressed in vinaigrette balance the soup’s richness.
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Coleslaw – Crunchy cabbage slaw with shredded carrots and a tangy cider vinegar dressing.
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Steamed green beans – Bright, fresh green beans sautéed with garlic round out the meal.
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Creamed spinach – Velvety smooth spinach adds an iron-rich accent.
Creative Salad Options
Elevate your meal with one of these unique salad recipes:
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BLT salad – Chopped romaine, tomato, bacon and avocado dressed in a tangy vinaigrette.
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Strawberry spinach salad – Fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, crumbled feta and candied nuts.
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Kale Caesar salad – Hearty kale, croutons and Parmesan tossed in zesty Caesar dressing.
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Greek salad – Tomato, cucumber, olives, feta cheese and pepperoncini peppers over crisp lettuce.
Hearty Roasted Vegetables
Roasted veggies like these add bold flavor and nutrition alongside Maryland crab soup:
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Broccoli florets – Tossed in olive oil, garlic and spices then roasted until caramelized.
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Cauliflower steaks – Sliced cauliflower roasted until tender with crispy edges.
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Brussels sprouts – Halved Brussels sprouts roasted until charred and tossed in a balsamic glaze.
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Root vegetables – A medley of carrots, parsnips and potatoes roasted with olive oil and seasoning.
Quick Crackers or Snacks
Round out a simple soup and salad combo with these tasty crunchy additions:
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Oyster crackers – Classic salty oyster crackers for scooping and dunking.
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Bagel chips – Toasted everything bagel chips for sesame flavor and crunch.
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Pita chips – Baked or fried pita chips served alongside for dipping.
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Soft pretzels – Mini pretzel bites sprinkled with coarse salt.
Maryland crab soup makes for a comforting meal any time of year. Pair it with warm buttery biscuits, a fresh garden salad or perfectly roasted veggies for a completely satisfying dinner. With these tasty sides, you can savor every spoonful of rich, regional Maryland crab soup.
Have you tried our soups?
Before we dig into the side dish, dish. I wanted to make sure you’re familiar with our soups!
We have the Maryland Crabmeat Bisque, a super delicious creamy soup loaded with jumbo lump crab meat. The Maryland Crab Gumbo, a tomato-based cajun creation that’s deeeelicious! Our Lobster Bisque, a rich-creamy soup filled with fresh Maine lobster. And, lastly, our classic Clam Chowder, a very tasty creamy clam and potato soup.
Going with a little veggie-centric side dish adds a little nutritional balance to a soupy main. Salads are an iconic side for soup and here are some of our favorite pairings.
We love the tang of this Salt and Vinegar Cucumber Salad from thekitchn.com to pair with our Maryland Crab Meat Bisque.
This simple little lettuce salad from epicurious.com is great along side our Maryland Crab Gumbo.
A little crunch and sweet goes a long way when partnered with the Clam Chowder. Like with this salad from Taste of Home, Apple Feta Tossed Salad.
The richness of our Lobster Bisque needs a little bright, peppery and bitter lettuce salad. This recipe from Martha Stewart for Watercress Radicchio and Radish Salad is perfection!
If you’re in the mood for some freshly baked goods, this is the pairing category for you!
A hearty wedge of cornbread is just what’s needed for dunking into our Maryland Crab Gumbo. This recipe for Bacon Cheddar Skillet Cornbread is a treat!
A warm-from-the-oven breadstick is a simple, yet satisfying, pairing for creamy soups. We love this recipe, from the Food Network, for their take Almost Famous Breadsticks. Perfectly suited for our Clam Chowder!
A soft pretzel may not seem like an obvious choice for a soup-paired side, but, trust me it’s absolutely delicious. This is one of my favorite tried and true recipes for making homemade pretzels, from tasty.co. Pair this one with our Maryland Crabmeat Bisque.
Yes! Biscuits!!! The universal southern food-stuff is a great option for a soup side. Try your next biscuit with our Lobster Bisque.
Recreate a restaurant quality meal, at home, with the classic soup and sandwich pairing.
With just the littlest addition of avocado, a traditional BLT is transformed! We love this simple recipe from Olive Magazine, for the BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato). Serve this sandwich alongside our super creamy Maryland Crabmeat Bisque.
This Pear and Gouda Grilled Cheese is a nice ‘jazzed-up’ addition to the classic hot-cheesy sandwich-soup partnership. Try this gem served with our Maryland Crab Gumbo.
Load up on the veggies! This revised Dagwood sandwich is scrumptious and lovely alongside our Lobster Bisque.
This sharp and salty sandwich is another riff off the boring old grilled cheese, a Salami and Pickle Grilled Cheese. Try this sandwich with our Clam Chowder.
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As the weather cools, the need for warm, cozy and comforting meals rises. Soup is my go-to, especially after a long day, I just want to snuggle up with a bowl of something good and hearty. To go along with my soup cravings, I try to round out the meal with a little side dish. Something that’ll pair well and bring some balance to my meal. For instance, if I’m devouring a creamy soup, I like choosing a side that’s veggie forward or something bread-based for sopping up those last little morsels of goodness lingering at the bottom of the bowl.
To help with your meal planning, we’ve paired each of our tasty soups with a salad, bread or sandwich side.
Authentic Maryland Crab Soup (From a Maryland Native!)
FAQ
What is good to eat with crab soup?
- Cornbread muffins or cornbread.
- Biscuits or homemade artisan bread.
- Jalapeño cheddar bread.
- Asiago-crusted skillet bread.
- Homemade garlic bread.
- Serve in bread bowls!
- Crackers or homemade croutons (they’re fantastic with this creamy cauliflower potato soup, too!)
- Fresh green salad or coleslaw.
What side dishes go with Maryland crabs?
In Maryland traditional side dishes for steamed crabs include cumcumber salad, macaroni salad, tomato salad and corn on the cob, specifically silver queen corn. The corn salad Amanda lists is awesome. We used this one a lot last summer http://www.foodandwine… you could substitute dried fruit or in season fruit.
What pairs well with seafood soup?
- Crusty Bread: A slice of fresh, crusty bread is always a welcome addition to soup.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich : This classic side dish for tomato soup can also work great with fish soup.
- Green Salad:
- Roasted Vegetables:
- Coleslaw:
- Quinoa Salad:
- Garlic Bread:
- Seafood Bruschetta:
What do you serve when soup is the main course?
To serve soup as a main course, ensure it’s hearty and substantial by adding large pieces of protein like chicken, beef, or lentils. Pair it with a side like crusty bread, a salad, or grilled cheese.