Soft shell crab is a delicious seafood delicacy that deserves equally tasty side dishes to complement its flavors. With its crispy fried exterior surrounding tender sweet crab meat, soft shell crab offers a unique texture and flavor profile. Choosing the right sides can enhance the dining experience and create a memorable meal. In this article we’ll explore 21 side dish ideas that pair wonderfully with soft shell crab.
Complementary Flavors and Textures
When selecting sides for soft shell crab aim for dishes that provide contrasting flavors and textures. Soft shell crab has a delicate sweet flavor so sides with acidic, tart, or spicy flavors work well. The crispy exterior and tender interior also pair nicely with sides that offer crunch, creaminess, or fluffiness.
Here are some examples of complementary flavor and texture combinations:
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Tart, crisp coleslaw or tomato salad cuts through the fried coating and balances the sweetness.
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Spicy Cajun fried okra or curried vegetable fritters add heat.
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Herb-flecked rice or orzo salads provide fluffy, neutral grains.
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Creamy potatoes or cheesy baked hushpuppies offer indulgent richness.
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Fresh grilled vegetables like asparagus add smoky, charred crunch.
21 Side Dish Ideas for Soft Shell Crab
Here are 21 of the best side dishes to consider when planning a soft shell crab meal:
1. Coleslaw
Creamy, tangy coleslaw is a classic pairing, offering crisp cabbage and carrots along with a zippy dressing.
2. Succotash
This colorful medley of lima beans, corn, and peppers brings sweet and summery flavors.
3. Macaroni Salad
Chilled macaroni salad with a creamy mayo-based dressing provides a cooling, starchy counterpoint.
4. Hushpuppies
Cornmeal-based fried hushpuppies served with honey butter are irresistible.
5. Asparagus
Grilled or sautéed asparagus contributes crisp-tender texture and earthy flavor.
6. Corn on the Cob
Sweet grilled corn slathered in butter balances the crab’s briny taste.
7. Potato Salad
Creamy, mayo-dressed potato salad offers cool, starchy goodness.
8. Collard Greens
Slow-cooked collard greens flavored with smoky pork add Southern flair.
9. Baked Beans
Sweet, smoky baked beans make for classic picnic food alongside crab.
10. Cucumber Salad
A refreshing cucumber salad tossed in a light vinaigrette cleanses the palate.
11. Fried Green Tomatoes
For an appetizer-style pairing, try crunchy cornmeal-crusted fried green tomatoes.
12. Roasted Vegetables
Roast seasonal veggies like zucchini, squash, or cauliflower for a colorful medley.
13. Creamed Corn
Indulgent creamed corn lends rich sweetness.
14. Macaroni and Cheese
Comforting, cheesy baked mac and cheese is always a crowd pleaser.
15. Panzanella
A crisp Tuscan bread and tomato salad offers brightness.
16. Cajun Dirty Rice
Spicy Cajun dirty rice with chicken livers is a Louisiana favorite.
17. Wedge Salad
A cool iceberg lettuce wedge salad topped with blue cheese dressing balances fried food.
18. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes are hard to resist.
19. Fried Okra
For more crunch, fry up some spicy battered okra.
20. Fruit Salad
A fresh fruit salad with watermelon, berries, and citrus cuts the richness.
21. Rice Pilaf
Simple rice pilaf or fried rice soak up the crab’s delicious juices.
Complement and Enhance Soft Shell Crab
Soft shell crab offers a singular eating experience thanks to its crispy exterior and tender meat. Choosing side dishes that complement its flavors and textures, like cool slaws, spicy Cajun vegetables, fluffy starches, and fresh produce, can take your meal to new heights. Use these 21 side dish ideas as inspiration to find the perfect pairings. With the right sides, your soft shell crab feast will be a memorable culinary experience.
Soft Shell Crab with Summer Vegetable Salad
Clean the crabs as described here (or ask your fishmonger to do so). Soft shell crabs All-purpose flour Extra virgin olive oil for pan frying Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Dredge the crabs in flour. Shake off excess flour. Season with salt and pepper.
Heat a large saute pan over high heat for 1 minute. Add the oil. When hot (but not smoking) turn the heat down to medium, lay the crabs in the pan, soft-shell side down. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. When the first side is crisp, turn the crabs over and brown the other side. Remove the crabs from the pan, and drain on a towel-lined plate.
Use this recipe as a guide, varying the types and quantities of vegetables or herbs, depending on what’s in season or what strikes your fancy.
2 ears [non-GMO] corn 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup red onion, diced 1 small-medium yellow squash, diced 1 small-medium zucchini, diced 1/2 cup shelled and peeled fava [1 pound fava bean pods] or Lima beans 18 sun gold tomatoes or other variety of cherry tomatoes, halved 1 jalapeno, minced large handful of baby arugula (about 1 1/2 ounces) 1/3 cup thinly sliced basil leaves Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Cut the kernels from the corn cobs (over a shallow bowl, to prevent making a big mess). Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the corn to the dry pan and stir for 8 to 10 minutes until the corn kernels have browned a bit. Set aside to cool.
Heat the olive in in a medium skillet. When hot, add the onions and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the diced squash and zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and saute until just tender and a bit browned. Set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, mix the reserved corn, onions and squash. Stir in the fava beans, tomatoes, jalapeno, arugula, and basil leaves. Gently mix in the shallot-lime-tarragon dressing. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Divide the salad among plates and top with a soft-shelled crab.
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped French tarragon 2 tablespoons lime juice 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Sea salt
Mix the shallot, tarragon, and lime juice in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil. Season with salt to taste.
How to Cook & Eat Softshell Crabs
FAQ
What side dish to serve with crab?
Steam hard vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots for a light side dish that will complement the rich and filling taste of a crab dinner.Sep 8, 2022
What are you eating when you eat soft-shell crab?
Yes, when eating soft shell crab, you typically eat the whole crab, including the shell. Soft shell crabs have recently molted, making their shells soft and edible. Before consuming, they are usually cleaned and cooked, often fried or sautéed.
What sauce goes with soft-shell crab?
Soft-shell crabs are versatile and can be paired with a variety of sauces. Classic options include tartar sauce, remoulade, lemon butter sauce, and various dipping sauces like soy sauce or a spicy dipping sauce.
How many soft shell crabs per person?
For soft shell crabs, a good guideline is to plan for 2 crabs per person if served as the main course, or 1 crab per person if served as an appetizer, according to Cameron’s Seafood.
What to serve with soft shell crabs?
You could add in some garlic, onions, or even cherry tomatoes. So if you’re looking for a tasty side to serve with your soft shell crabs, give this sauteed spinach with bacon recipe a try. Softshell crabs are a delicious treat, but they can be kind of dry on their own. That’s why it’s important to have a good side dish ready to go.
What is a good side dish to eat with crab?
The combination of juicy mangoes, zesty lime, and fresh cilantro adds a revitalizing burst of flavor, enhancing the overall dining experience. Roasted vegetables serve as a nutritious and flavorful side dish that complements the rich taste of crab.
How to cook soft shell crabs?
There are many ways to cook Soft Shell Crabs, but frying, grilling, and baking are the most popular methods. When cooking them, it’s important to remember not to overcook them, as they can become dry and tough. When serving Soft Shell Crabs, it’s best to keep the side dishes simple and let the crabs be the star of the show.
What goes well with cold shrimp & crab?
Classic options like garlic bread, coleslaw, and corn on the cob are perfect accompaniments for both cold shrimp and crabs. Their flavors complement each other, making for a delicious seafood feast. Sweet potato fries provide a deliciously sweet and savory contrast to the rich and delicate flavors of crab, making them an excellent side dish choice.
What vegetables go well with crab?
Roasted vegetables serve as a nutritious and flavorful side dish that complements the rich taste of crab. A vegetable medley, including carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini, can be roasted to perfection with a touch of olive oil and herb seasoning.
What are soft shell crabs?
Soft-Shell Crabs are the special treat of watermen who catch them after they molt and before their new shell hardens. They’re also popular among crab lovers who can’t get enough of their delicate, sweet meat. The crabs are generally sold live, but they can be frozen. The meat is sweet and delicate, with a nutty or buttery flavor.