Savoring the delightful fusion of savory and crispy, crab cakes have earned their reputation as a crowd-pleaser.
Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or bringing them to a potluck, these tasty treats are sure to impress.
When it comes time to pair your crab cakes with some side dishes, consider the following options for a truly memorable dining experience.
Garlic Butter Instant Pot Red Potatoes
While making crab cakes from scratch can be a time-consuming process, having a reliable set-it-and-forget side dish like this potato recipe can elevate your meal to the next level. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity – just toss the potatoes into your slow cooker and let it do all the work for you. This versatile side dish not only pairs well with crab cakes but also complements a variety of main courses, including tender cuts like brisket.
Loaded Ranch Potato Salad
Indulge in the rich flavors of ranch dressing and crispy bacon as you savor each bite of this delectable side dish. To elevate its allure, prepare it ahead of time and let it chill in the fridge before serving. When it’s time to plate, pair it with a tangy splash of apple cider vinegar and the sweetness of red bell peppers for a harmonious balance of flavors.
Quick-Roasted Potatoes
Indulge in the simplicity of roasting perfection within twenty minutes, without breaking a sweat. The key lies in embracing the natural charm of baby or new potatoes, which not only cook faster than their larger counterparts but also retain a subtle sweetness that harmoniously complements crab cakes. With minimal effort required, you can savor the tender delight of a flawless roast potato.
Grilled Baby Potatoes
Elevate your dining experience with these scrumptious skewers, offering a delightful twist on traditional table fare. The key to success lies in initially boiling or steaming the potatoes until they’re tender, followed by a brush of the caper mixture and a final stint on the grill to achieve those prized char lines.
Smothered Potatoes
A standout dish for any gathering, this indulgent smothered potato recipe boasts a rich medley of vegetables and melted cheese. When I’m hosting friends for the big game, nothing beats the combination of these potatoes and a platter of savory crab cakes.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
When it comes to pairing sweet potatoes with crab cakes, they’re an unbeatable combination. The creamy texture of mashed sweet potatoes perfectly complements the flaky, savory taste of crab cakes. And when you add a hint of buttery richness to the mix, you’ve got a match made in heaven. Roasting sweet potatoes brings out their natural sweetness, making them a great side dish for steak as well. Simply roast them to perfection, then mash with some added flavor and you’ll be left with that iconic orange puree that’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
Sweet Potato Wedges with Paprika
When it comes to sweet potatoes, this next recipe takes a different approach to showcasing their natural sugars. By roasting them to perfection, the starches inside the potato caramelize, resulting in a rich and intense sweetness that’s hard to resist. The outcome is a delightful twist on traditional potato wedges, offering an added layer of complexity to your meal that you won’t find with simple, roasted potatoes.
Healthy Sides for Crab Cakes
When it comes to serving up crab cakes, you’re likely seeking a well-rounded meal that not only satisfies your cravings but also offers impressive health benefits. As such, selecting the perfect side dish is crucial to round out this flavorful and nutritious meal. The options below expertly balance the natural sweetness of the crab without overpowering it, allowing the star of the show (the crab cakes themselves) to truly shine.
Mexican Bean Salad
Indulge in the vibrant freshness of each bite of this scrumptious vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free salad. With its rapid preparation time, excellent refrigeration shelf life, and maturing flavors over the hours, it’s a culinary delight that will only grow more satisfying with time. For those who may not be fond of beans, a similar chickpea salad can be whipped up in no time, transforming into the highlight of your evening meal.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
This refreshing cucumber and tomato salad embodies the essence of a light and revitalizing dish, thanks to its chunky texture. The simplicity of the recipe is a major plus, making it an ideal option for those seeking a quick, easy, and affordable meal solution. When paired with sunflower seeds and served alongside decadent crab cakes, the overall flavor profile is elevated to new heights.
Cheesy Garlic Broccoli
Simplicity is the key to unlocking the true flavors of this dish, which requires only three ingredients: cheese, broccoli, and garlic. This straightforward approach allows each component to take center stage, harmonizing in a culinary symphony.
Simple Side Salad
Transform your approach to sides by serving a versatile salad that can be customized with various dressings. This way, you can effortlessly switch up the flavor profile mid-meal, and each person can tailor their experience to their liking. Additionally, this recipe makes for a great accompaniment to pork chops – simply pair it with your favorite grilled or pan-seared pork chops for a well-rounded meal.
Balsamic Tomato Basil Salad
The simplicity of a tomato and basil medley is a true delight in the culinary world. By embracing classic Italian flavors, this effortless creation can be seamlessly incorporated into a busy weeknight meal, providing a satisfying treat that’s as impressive as it is easy to prepare.
Roasted Cauliflower and Asparagus
When crafting a meal around crab cakes, it’s crucial to balance their bold flavors with a simple yet satisfying side dish. One such option is this delightful roasted cauliflower and asparagus combination, which harmoniously unites the natural sweetness of these two vegetables with a tangy, garlicky twist. This versatile side dish has the ability to complement almost any meal you can think of, making it an excellent addition to your culinary repertoire.
Oven Roasted Zucchini
Transform the flavor profile of your crab cakes by garnishing them with roasted zucchini spears. This effortless addition injects a delightful earthiness that elevates the overall dish, making it a cinch to prepare and impossible to resist.
Tropical Mango Coleslaw
A vibrant and flavorful coleslaw adds a pop of color and freshness to any dish, elevating its overall appeal. With each bite, the crunch of the slaw’s texture harmonizes with the zesty flavors, taking your crab cakes to new heights. What sets this slaw apart is its lack of creamy sauce, making it a refreshing and lighter option that won’t weigh you down.
Spring Salad with Sauteed Peas and Scallions
This refreshing salad is a harmonious blend of flavors, featuring the pungency of radishes, the creaminess of avocado, and the natural sweetness of peas. It’s a game-changer for elevating any dish, including crab cakes – just imagine serving them atop this vibrant mix and watching your guests’ faces light up with delight.
Best Sides for Crab Cakes
The pièce de résistance of any crab cake endeavor is undoubtedly the perfect pairing – an accompaniment that elevates the dish from ordinary to extraordinary. After exploring various options, we’ve compiled a list of ten decadent sides that not only complement the rich flavor of crab cakes but also provide a luxurious twist on a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Tabbouleh
This vibrant salad, hailing from Lebanon, is an explosion of Mediterranean flavors. A harmonious blend of sweet and savory elements comes together in a culinary symphony. The subtle nuances of herbs and the natural sweetness of fruit create a truly unforgettable taste experience.
While this salad stands alone as a delightful treat, it’s also perfectly paired with a squeeze of lemon juice. Its bright and refreshing quality makes it an ideal accompaniment to rich or savory dishes, such as crab cakes.
Creamy Green Bean Casserole
When it comes to pairing with crab cakes, a creamy element can make all the difference. One perfect match is this casserole, which harmoniously combines green beans and fried onions. The result is a delightful juxtaposition of textures – the tender crunch of al dente beans provides a satisfying contrast to the flaky crumb of the crab cakes.
Summer Succotash with Grilled Corn
In this vibrant culinary creation, fresh corn, herbs, cherry tomatoes, and lima beans harmonize in a sensory delight. With each delectable bite, a new flavor profile emerges, expertly showcasing the crab cakes’ nuances while keeping your palate engaged. To bring all these flavors together in perfect harmony, drizzle lightly with olive oil.
Jalapeno Cheddar Bread
Savoring the richness of this quick bread recipe, it’s no surprise that its moist crumb and depth of flavor make it an ideal accompaniment to crab cakes infused with Mexican or Spanish flair. The harmonious union of jalapeno and cheddar adds a delightful twist, perfectly complementing the bold flavors of your dish.
Ranch Veggie Pasta Salad
By merging the classic simplicity of a leafy side salad with the tangy zest of a BBQ-style ranch pasta, you’ll create a mouthwatering fusion that beautifully complements your crab cakes. The harmonious blend of flavors will surely please even the most discerning palates. Consider pairing this delightful side dish not only with crab cakes but also with BBQ chicken for an equally satisfying combination.
Creamy Parmesan Polenta
Polenta is a reliable go-to side dish when you’re stuck for ideas. This comforting, creamy, and flavor-rich option is not only easy to prepare but also devoured quickly. For this particular take on the classic recipe, we’re amplifying its richness with a generous helping of sharp parmesan cheese and a splash of heavy cream, resulting in an extra-creamy and indulgent parmesan polenta.
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
Imagine the cilantro and lime juice-infused white rice as the understudy that amplifies the flavor of your star-studded crab cakes. The delicate, citrusy taste of the rice serves as a refreshing contrast to the sweet and savory notes of the crabcake, leaving you wanting another bite. It’s as if each grain of rice is a palate cleanser, expertly balancing the flavors to create a harmonious culinary experience.
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
A game-changing alternative to traditional grilled corn on the cob, this air fryer recipe yields a delectable char without any of the usual hassle. For an added layer of flavor, simply brush the corn cobs with your preferred mixture – I’m particularly fond of a butter and lime combination, which beautifully balances the natural sweetness of the corn.
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower transforms into a mouthwatering masterpiece when cooked to perfection in an air fryer. This delectable take on the humble vegetable is infused with a medley of savory spices that complement its natural sweetness. To elevate it even further, simply serve it with the same tangy accompaniment you would use for your beloved crab cakes.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
The quintessential crowd-pleaser, cheesy garlic bread never fails to impress. Its simplicity belies its profound impact on gatherings – just ask anyone who’s ever devoured a warm slice at a social event. In fact, this humble delight is so effortless to prepare that you can effortlessly become the host with the most by serving it alongside other showstoppers like succulent crab cakes.