Crab cakes are a delightful dish, known for their crispy exterior and tender, flavorful interior. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or the main course, finding the perfect accompaniments is key to a memorable meal. If you’re wondering What To Serve With Crab cakes, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through a variety of delicious side dishes and sauces that perfectly complement these seafood delicacies.
Plate of crispy crab fritters with lemon aioli dipping sauce, showcasing a tasty appetizer idea.
To truly elevate your crab cake experience, consider the flavors and textures that work best with crab. Crab cakes often feature a balance of sweetness from the crab meat and savory, sometimes salty, seasonings. Sides that offer freshness, acidity, or a contrasting texture are excellent choices. Let’s explore some of the best options to serve alongside your crab cakes, starting with essential dipping sauces.
Irresistible Dipping Sauces for Crab Cakes
A flavorful dipping sauce is arguably the most crucial element when serving crab cakes. It adds moisture, enhances the taste, and provides an extra layer of flavor. While many crab cake recipes come with their own sauce suggestions, exploring different options can truly customize your meal. Here are some top dipping sauce recommendations:
Classic Tartar Sauce
You can’t go wrong with tartar sauce. This creamy and tangy classic is incredibly easy to make at home and far surpasses any store-bought version. A good tartar sauce balances creamy mayonnaise with the zing of pickles, capers, and lemon juice. It’s a timeless pairing that enhances the crab’s natural sweetness.
Spicy Sriracha Aioli
For those who enjoy a bit of heat, sriracha aioli is an excellent choice. This simple sauce combines the creamy richness of aioli with the spicy kick of sriracha. With just five ingredients and five minutes, you can create a dip that adds a modern and exciting twist to your crab cakes. The spiciness cuts through the richness of the crab, creating a balanced and flavorful bite.
Fresh Basil Aioli
If you’re looking for a more herbaceous and fresh option, basil aioli is a fantastic choice. This aioli brings together the bright flavors of basil, lemon, and garlic. It’s a versatile sauce that works beautifully as both a dip for crab cakes and a dressing for salads. The basil adds a fragrant and refreshing note that complements seafood perfectly.
Refreshing Salads to Serve with Crab Cakes
To balance the richness of crab cakes, consider serving a refreshing salad. A light, crisp salad with a vinaigrette dressing can cleanse the palate and add a welcome contrast in texture and flavor. Here are some salad ideas that pair wonderfully with crab cakes:
Zesty Orange Vinaigrette Salad
An elevated garden salad with a zippy orange vinaigrette is a bright and flavorful option. The citrusy vinaigrette cuts through the richness of fried crab cakes, offering a refreshing contrast. You can even serve the crab cakes directly on top of this vibrant salad for a light and elegant meal. Consider adding tangy goat cheese for extra depth of flavor.
Creamy Buttermilk Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a classic side dish for crab cakes, particularly in coastal regions. A creamy buttermilk and mayonnaise coleslaw provides a cool and crunchy contrast to the warm, tender crab cakes. The slight tang of buttermilk adds another layer of flavor that complements the seafood.
Arugula and Pear Salad
For a salad with a touch of sophistication, try an arugula and pear salad with apple cider dressing. The peppery arugula, sweet pear, and crunchy walnuts create a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The apple cider vinaigrette adds a touch of sweetness and acidity that balances the richness of crab cakes. Roasted yams can be added to make it a heartier salad.
Lemony Kale Salad
A crisp and lemony kale salad is a healthy and refreshing side that is incredibly easy to prepare. The bright citrusy dressing made with lemon juice, olive oil, and parmesan cheese tenderizes the kale and adds a burst of flavor. This simple salad is a great way to add a healthy and vibrant element to your crab cake meal.
Hearty Tomato Cucumber Salad
For a more substantial salad, a tomato and cucumber salad with herbs and walnuts is an excellent choice. The juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers are enhanced by fresh herbs and the earthy crunch of walnuts. This salad is both refreshing and satisfying, making it a great accompaniment to crab cakes.
Vegetable Side Dishes for Crab Cakes
Simple, crisp, or creamy vegetable sides are always a welcome addition to a crab cake meal. Keeping the vegetable sides relatively simple allows the delicate flavor of the crab to remain the star of the plate. Here are some vegetable side dish ideas:
Simple Garlic Butter Green Beans
Green beans sautéed in garlic butter are a classic and easy side dish. The tender-crisp texture and vibrant green color provide a beautiful contrast to the crab cakes. The garlic butter adds a savory richness that complements the seafood without overpowering it.
Sweet Grilled Corn on the Cob
Corn and crab are a naturally delicious pairing. Grilled corn on the cob adds a touch of smoky sweetness that enhances the flavor of crab cakes. Whether you steam or grill it, corn on the cob is a simple yet satisfying vegetable side.
Lemon Rosemary Roasted Broccoli
Roasted broccoli with lemon and rosemary is a flavorful and healthy vegetable side. The bright lemon and earthy rosemary complement seafood wonderfully. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the broccoli and creates a slightly crispy texture that is delightful alongside crab cakes.
Carbohydrate Sides for a Complete Crab Cake Meal
If you’re serving crab cakes as a main course, adding a carbohydrate side dish can create a more complete and satisfying meal. Here are some comforting carb-based sides that pair well with crab cakes:
Creamy Asparagus Risotto
Asparagus risotto is a creamy and elegant side dish that pairs beautifully with crab cakes. The tender asparagus tips and hint of lemon in the risotto complement the delicate flavor of the crab. The creamy texture of the risotto adds a luxurious element to the meal.
Earthy Mushroom Risotto
Mushroom risotto is another excellent risotto option. The earthy flavors of mushrooms provide a pleasant contrast to the seafood. The creamy texture of the risotto and the umami richness of the mushrooms make this a comforting and flavorful side dish.
Hearty Creamy White Beans
Creamy white beans offer a protein-rich and hearty side dish option. Simmered slowly, white beans become incredibly creamy and flavorful. They can be seasoned simply with herbs and garlic, making them a versatile side that pairs well with crab cakes when you desire a more substantial meal.
Classic Garlic Bread
Sometimes, simple is best. Garlic bread is a universally loved side dish that pairs wonderfully with almost anything, including crab cakes. Air fryer garlic bread is quick and easy to make, providing a crispy, buttery, and garlicky accompaniment.
Comforting Smothered Potatoes
For a truly comforting side, consider smothered potatoes. These potatoes, often cooked with peppers and onions, offer a hearty and flavorful counterpoint to crab cakes. Mashed, roasted, or smothered, potatoes are a versatile and satisfying side dish option.
Hopefully, this guide has given you plenty of inspiration for what to serve with crab cakes. Whether you choose a simple dipping sauce and salad or opt for a more elaborate spread with vegetable and carbohydrate sides, the goal is to create a balanced and delicious meal that highlights the star of the show – the crab cakes themselves. Enjoy experimenting with these pairings and discovering your new favorite crab cake combination!
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