If you’re wondering what to serve with crab cakes, wonder no more since these 32 dishes will partner spectacularly with this yummy dish of seafood goodness!
Who does not love eating crab, let alone its easier-to-handle counterpart, the crab cake?
Crab cakes are great to eat as an appetizer, with their succulent white meat inside and crunchy crust outside.
What’s even more amazing than eating this treat on its own is when you partner it with something that complements its sophisticated combination of flavors.
To better appreciate this dish, and before presenting you with the many side dishes that go great, let’s first find out a little about crab cakes.
Made mostly using crab meat, this dish has mayonnaise, eggs, mustard, different spices, and seasonings added to it.
The crunchy exterior is usually due to the breadcrumbs that coat it after it’s formed into its standard disc shape.
Lump crab is considered the best choice for this dish, but some crab cakes use smaller chunks of crab meat.
These seafood discs can be baked, grilled, or broiled, but crab cakes are often fried until the outsides are toasty and golden brown.
As a complement to this popular dish, here are 32 side dishes that go well with it; from Veggie Kebabs With Maple Rosemary Glaze and Watermelon Feta Salad to Cauliflower Steaks, your taste buds are sure to explode with happiness.
#17 is a must-try with any crab cake recipe and can even become your go-to partner for this!
So, let’s get the ball rolling!
This is a great side dish for fried crab cakes since it’s grilled.
Balsamic vinegar in the glaze gives these veggies a contrasting flavor.
Choose from various vegetables that grill well, like bell pepper, zucchini, squash, and mushrooms.
If you don’t want the added sweetness of maple syrup, you can omit it from the recipe.
Potatoes go well with almost everything.
And yes, that includes your favorite crab cakes.
Tweak the spices in this recipe to get the regional flavor you’re looking for.
Want your taters to have that Mexican flavor?
Cumin and paprika should do the trick.
Looking for an Italian spin on these spuds?
Oregano, basil, and parsley are your go-to spices.
You can never go wrong with a classic, and this colorful coleslaw will prove just that!
Combine two types of cabbage and carrots for an eye-popping side dish.
A creamy dressing completes this recipe, giving you the perfect pairing for your crab cakes.
Prepare this on the same day to ensure crunch in every bite!
Salty, crunchy, garlicky, and oh-so-yummy!
This is what you can expect from this recipe of roasted veggies laced with garlic flavor and sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese.
Use your favorite vegetables for this dish or follow what the recipe calls for.
The choice is yours!
Gazpacho is a traditional tomato soup that hails from Spain.
This recipe comes from Andalusia and features fresh tomatoes, green bell pepper, and cucumbers.
And guess what?
It’s a recipe that requires no cooking.
Just add all the ingredients to a blender and whizz away!
Here’s another soup dish that you can make when deciding what to serve with crab cakes.
This avocado soup is served warm and topped with fresh cilantro.
For a smoother soup, blend the mixture in your blender, or better yet, use an immersion blender to liquify any remaining chunks.
Soup’s up!
This potato side dish combines fresh and dried oregano to give you an amped-up flavor!
Tangy and savory, you can opt for minced garlic in this recipe or use roasted garlic instead.
Lemon juice gives it the acidity it needs for a balanced dish.
Top with grated parmesan or serve as is; it’s yummy either way.
If it’s freshness overload you want, it’s freshness overload you get with this salad!
Another Greek recipe that you can pair with your crab cakes, this salad is quick and easy to prepare.
Just chop all the choppable ingredients, put together the dressing, crumble feta on top, and you’re good to go!
9. Fruit Salsa
Colorful, sweet, and slightly sour, this fruity salsa is another dish you can try with your favorite crab cakes.
Want to add some bite to this sweet dish?
Add some chopped jalapenos or a sprinkling of pepper flakes into the mix.
These should give you just enough kick to compensate for the sweetness of the fruits.
Have some leftover French baguettes from that last Italian dinner you had a few days ago?
These can be transformed into garlic bread slices that are great with crab cakes.
With only 4 ingredients needed to complete this recipe, you can be done making this in mere minutes.
Combine, brush, toast, and enjoy!
This is an ingenious take on smashed potatoes, but instead of potatoes, you use Brussels sprouts instead.
After smashing each piece with the bottom of a mug, make sure you have enough space in between each sprout to ensure these crisp up.
A little cayenne powder sprinkled on each piece gives it the right spiciness.
What do you get when you combine blanched broccoli rabe with garlic and cooked cannellini beans?
You get this vegetable dish that compliments rich crab cakes perfectly.
A sprinkling of red pepper flakes takes this side dish over the top, although you can choose not to add this if you don’t want it slightly spicy.
Who says a steak has to be made from a cut of meat?
This vegetable steak uses a whole head of cauliflower cut into 1-inch thick pieces.
Serve this topped with any sauce or a salty Parmesan crust and seasonings to combat the usual bland taste of this veggie.
If you love goat cheese and fresh herbs, this is the perfect side dish!
You will use an entire log of goat cheese for this recipe.
Mixing sun-dried tomatoes in with fresh herbs gives this cheese log a festive color.
Spread over your crab cakes and add some pine nuts for added crunch.
15. Wedge Salad
The classic Wedge Salad gets its name from the fact that it’s a wedge of lettuce with toppings and dressing on it.
As they say, classics never go out of style, and this salad proves that adage once again.
Bacon slices, cherry tomatoes, and a variety of grated cheeses for toppings complete this tasty side dish.
Dig in!
Break away from the usual Yukon gold and Russet potato dishes you use for sides.
Take a walk on the sweet side with this dish that uses garnet sweet potatoes instead.
Cut these into the same-sized cubes to ensure even cooking in the oven.
This sauteed rice recipe uses a combination of spices that give it a bright color and flavor.
If you want Cajun to taste more, a sprinkling of dried thyme and oregano should be added.
Long-grain rice is great for this dish, but if you don’t have some in your pantry, any type of white rice will do.
Want something Mediterranean tasting to pair with your luscious crab cakes?
This salad combines roasted eggplants, yogurt, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes in a sweet, salty, and tangy dish.
Complete this salad with a handful of fresh greens on top for a fresh crunch.
19. Mushroom Risotto
Earthy, hearty, and creamy is what you can expect from this side dish.
Risotto can be somewhat tricky to master, so some careful attention is needed when cooking this.
When you do get it right, ah, favoloso!
Withered collard greens go well with fried food, and a crab cake is no exception.
These greens come with some bitterness, which is reduced by adding salt and vinegar.
Serve warm and with more bacon bits on top.
Simple is one word that best describes this dish.
This recipe shows you don’t have to overcomplicate things to get a tasty side dish for your meal.
If needed, make this and freeze it for later use.
Just pop in the oven to crisp these back up when you’re ready to serve them.
22. Carrot Salad
It takes a few carrots, some green onions, and an Italian-inspired dressing to complete this recipe.
The carrots in this dish have a fresh and crisp taste that contrasts well with the creamy and rich flavor of the crab.
On the other hand, the green onions add a little spiciness and tang to this salad.
This dish is best when served chilled.
23. Saffron Rice
Saffron is said to be the most expensive spice in the world, but don’t worry.
This recipe calls for only a pinch (or two) of this spice to give your rice the aroma and flavor of the threads.
Make sure to use Basmati rice when you cook this to get the authentic Indian texture and taste of this side dish.
Another fruity side dish you can try with your yummy crab cakes is this one.
Juicy, buttery, fruity, slightly bitter, and sweet is the combination you get here.
And the best part?
It doesn’t require a dressing!
Just sprinkle good-quality olive oil over the mix and season with salt and pepper to finish this dish.
If you want something more filling when contemplating what to serve with crab cakes, pasta is a good choice.
This pasta salad brings penne, lemon juice, fresh basil, and Italian cheese to create a satisfying side dish.
For those who don’t like penne, you can substitute it with any other pasta you like.
This sweet corn, savory avocado, and juicy tomato Salad is a light, tasty, and fresh side dish that is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, and crab cakes.
The salad features sweet corn paired with ripe avocados, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and a tangy lemon-lime dressing.
For an extra special twist, you can grill the corn more before mixing it with the other ingredients.
Add other spices like cilantro and parsley for a hint of mint and to add to the freshness of the dish.
This is an excellent option for serving vegetarians.
Potato Corn Chowder is a classic warm and hearty soup that will warm you up in no time.
This creamy soup makes you want to curl up on your couch in pajamas.
Made with sweet corn, russet potatoes, and heavy cream.
The chunky texture of this creamy dish is what makes it so satisfying and delicious.
The side dish is filling and is always a good choice when you have crab cakes on the table or when you want a light dinner since you can also eat it on its own.
Corn Chowder can also be served with toasted bread.
28. Mango Salsa
This salsa features ripe, juicy mango tossed with fresh and colorful vegetables for a tasty appetizer or side dish.
Like Pico de Gallo, this salsa uses many ingredients you can easily reach for in your pantry.
It is simple and decadent, with a bit of sweetness and spiciness.
This is a nice change-up from the usual guacamole or tomato-based salsa.
This colorful salsa is versatile and will make every person on the table crave more.
Although the side dish includes a wonderful combination of fruit and spices, you can adjust them by adding more or less of anything to suit your preference.
You can serve Mango Salsa with tacos, tortilla chips, meal bowls, crab cakes, and more.
If you want a quick and delectable way to cook up asparagus, you can try out this amazing recipe.
The tomatoes add a fantastic tang to the sauce, and the sautéed asparagus gives it more flavor than the steamed ones.
If you have grown up eating this vegetable steamed, you may not have enjoyed it fully as steamed ones can be a bit bland.
But when you sauté it, the difference is amazing.
The flavor combinations give rewarding results.
You can serve this side dish for weeknight dinners, lunches, brunches, holiday sides, or special occasions like parties.
30. Dinner Rolls
These soft and easy Dinner Rolls are made with simple ingredients.
Mix all of the ingredients and wait for the dough to rise.
You’ll get baked bread that will fill your kitchen with a delicious aroma.
The wait is definitely worth the wait.
These rolls are the perfect side dish; you can even use them as sliders, or you can brush the top with herbs, butter, and parmesan cheese to add more flavor.
They also make an incredible appetizer or snack for the holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
You can also serve them at potlucks, parties, and other special occasions.
Zucchini is a vegetable you may not have considered a side dish, but this recipe will certainly change your mind.
It is versatile and bursting with flavor, even on its own.
So if you are looking for a unique dish to serve to your family or guests, you’ve got to give these zucchini Fries recipes a try.
The fries are crispy on the outside but soft and creamy inside.
The texture is thin, long, and very crunchy, plus they are a great mixture between salty and cheesy without being overpowering.
You can eat these fries plain or dip them into your favorite sauce or melted cheese.
They may look fancy, but they are easy to make.
32. Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is one of the most beloved salads in the world, and almost every restaurant offers them.
What is not to love about it?
The crispy lettuce is lightly coated in a creamy and tangy dressing, and it is topped with eggs, crispy bacon, crunchy and fresh croutons, and Parmesan cheese.
The dressing of this extraordinary salad is easy to whip up.
Nothing beats a homemade one, even if you can use the store-bought kind.
You can also tweak the recipe by adding more Parmesan cheese and bacon, or you can top it off with turkey cutlets for a unique spin to this classic favorite.
This salad can be served with soup or garlic bread.
The bottom line
The choices for side dishes you can serve with your favorite crab cakes are virtually endless!
Take your pick from a wide variety of salads, a long list of rice options, and a cornucopia of roasted vegetable possibilities.
Whether you choose sweet, savory, spicy, or creamy sides, you can be sure you will enjoy your meal.
After all, crab cakes are hella tasty and can go well with just about anything.
What To Serve With Crab Cakes: 32 Delicious Sides 🦀
If you’re wondering what to serve with crab cakes, wonder no more since these 32 dishes will partner spectacularly with this yummy dish of seafood goodness!
Ingredients
- Veggie Kebabs With Maple Rosemary Glaze
- Oven Roasted Potatoes
- Classic Coleslaw
- Garlic Parmesan Roasted Vegetables
- Authentic Gazpacho
- Crema De Aguacate (Colombian Creamy Avocado Soup)
- Buttery & Crispy Greek Lemon Potatoes
- Watermelon Feta Salad
- Fruit Salsa
- French Baguette Garlic Bread
- Crispy Smashed Brussel Sprouts
- Sauteed Broccoli Rabe With White Beans
- Cauliflower Steaks
- Herb Marinated Goat Cheese
- Wedge Salad
- Baked Sweet Potato Cubes
- Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice
- Roasted Eggplant Salad
- Mushroom Risotto
- Southern Collard Greens With Bacon
- Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
- Carrot Salad
- Saffron Rice
- Grapefruit & Avocado Salad
- Lemon Basil Pasta Salad
- Corn, Avocado & Tomato Salad
- Potato Corn Chowder
- Mango Salsa
- Sautéed Asparagus & Cherry Tomatoes
- Dinner Rolls
- Baked Zucchini Fries
- Caesar Salad
Instructions
- Skim through our What To Serve With Crab Cakes list.
- Select the side you’re looking for.
- Prep the ingredients as instructed.
- Spill your thoughts on our Facebook page!