Crab cakes are a delightful seafood dish, offering a wonderful blend of sweet crab meat and savory seasonings, often pan-fried to golden perfection. Whether you’re making them for a casual weeknight dinner or a special occasion, the question of what to serve alongside crab cakes often arises. To elevate your crab cake experience, choosing the right side dishes is crucial. The ideal sides should complement the richness of the crab cakes without overpowering their delicate flavor. This guide will explore a variety of delicious sides that pair perfectly with crab cakes, ensuring a balanced and satisfying meal.
Classic Sides That Enhance Crab Cakes
Sometimes, sticking to the classics is the best way to go. These traditional side dishes are timeless for a reason – they work exceptionally well with crab cakes, creating a familiar and comforting dining experience.
Remoulade Sauce: The Essential Companion
3 crab cakes stacked on top of each other with a dollop of remoulade sauce on top and chopped chives.
Let’s start with the sauce itself. While tartar sauce is a common pairing, remoulade sauce truly elevates crab cakes. This creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce, often made with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, herbs, and spices, is a match made in heaven for the richness of crab. Its zesty kick cuts through the fat, brightening each bite. A generous dollop of remoulade either under or over your crab cake ensures a burst of flavor in every mouthful.
Coleslaw: Crisp and Creamy Contrast
A classic coleslaw provides a wonderful textural and flavor contrast to the tender crab cakes. The crispness of the cabbage and carrots, combined with a creamy or vinegar-based dressing, offers a refreshing counterpoint to the savory and rich crab. A slightly tangy coleslaw is particularly effective in cleansing the palate and preparing you for the next delicious bite of crab cake.
Cocktail Sauce: A Zesty Seafood Staple
For those who prefer a simpler approach, cocktail sauce is another classic seafood accompaniment. Its bold, tangy flavor, primarily from ketchup and horseradish, offers a sharp contrast to the sweetness of the crab. While perhaps less complex than remoulade, cocktail sauce is readily available and provides a familiar and enjoyable pairing.
Tartar Sauce: The Creamy Classic
Tartar sauce, a mayonnaise-based sauce with pickles and capers, is another common and beloved side for crab cakes. Its creamy texture and tangy, briny flavor profile complement the crab well. While it shares some similarities with remoulade, tartar sauce is generally milder and less spicy, making it a great option for those who prefer a more subtle sauce.
Lemon Wedges: Brightness in a Squeeze
Sometimes, simplicity is key. Lemon wedges are an indispensable side for crab cakes. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors of the crab, cutting through any richness and adding a touch of acidity that enhances the overall taste. It’s a simple yet essential element that should always be readily available when serving crab cakes.
Fresh and Light Sides to Balance the Meal
To balance the richness of crab cakes, consider incorporating fresh and lighter side dishes. These options add vibrancy and prevent the meal from feeling too heavy.
Cucumber Salad: Refreshing and Light
crab cake ingredients on a wooden cutting board: lump crab container, egg, breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, dijon mustard, hot sauce, lemon
A cucumber salad provides a cool and refreshing counterpoint to the richness of crab cakes. Whether it’s a simple cucumber and vinegar salad or a more elaborate version with dill and sour cream, the crisp cucumbers offer a delightful textural contrast and a light, clean flavor that complements seafood beautifully.
Green Salad with Vinaigrette: Simple and Versatile
A simple green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette is an incredibly versatile side dish. The fresh greens provide a healthy element, and the acidity of the vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the crab cakes. Consider adding seasonal vegetables like tomatoes or bell peppers to enhance the salad further.
Tomato Salad: Bursting with Summer Flavors
In the summer months, a vibrant tomato salad is an excellent choice. The juicy, ripe tomatoes, whether simply sliced with basil and balsamic glaze or incorporated into a more complex salad, offer a burst of fresh, summery flavor that pairs wonderfully with crab cakes.
Grilled or Roasted Vegetables: Healthy and Flavorful
Grilled or roasted vegetables offer a healthy and flavorful side dish option. Vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, or corn on the cob, when grilled or roasted, develop a slightly smoky sweetness that complements the savory crab cakes. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of herbs are all you need to enhance their natural flavors.
Heartier Sides for a More Substantial Meal
If you’re looking to create a more substantial and filling meal, consider adding some heartier side dishes to your crab cake menu.
Mac and Cheese: Creamy Comfort Food
For a truly indulgent pairing, mac and cheese is a surprisingly delicious side for crab cakes. The creamy, cheesy richness of mac and cheese contrasts beautifully with the delicate crab, creating a comforting and satisfying combination.
Roasted Potatoes: Classic and Versatile
Roasted potatoes, whether simple roasted potatoes with herbs or more elaborate versions like garlic parmesan roasted potatoes, are a versatile and crowd-pleasing side dish. Their hearty texture and savory flavor provide a solid base for the lighter crab cakes.
Rice Pilaf: Light and Flavorful Grain
A light and flavorful rice pilaf is another excellent option for a heartier side. The fluffy rice, often cooked with broth and aromatics, absorbs the flavors of the crab cakes and provides a satisfying carbohydrate component to the meal.
Completing the Crab Cake Feast
To round out your crab cake meal, consider starting with a light appetizer like a shrimp cocktail or a simple oyster dish. For dessert, a refreshing fruit tart or a light sorbet would provide a perfect ending to a seafood-centric feast.
No matter which sides you choose, the key is to create a balance of flavors and textures that complement the star of the show – the crab cakes. Experiment with different combinations to discover your perfect crab cake pairing and elevate your next seafood meal to a new level of deliciousness.
