First of all, why are crab cakes so good?! Ugh. They are so good. It just hits right every time.
There is just enough crunch to be interesting, with a naturally sweet flavor from the crab, and that old-school, comforting feeling you get from a seafood dinner is unrivaled. This is a whole mood, a vibe, a lifestyle.
But you know what makes it even better? The perfect side dish. I am going to require that you serve these up with something that brings a little pop of color and a lot of freshness to your plate.
From corn salads to roasted potatoes, these are the recipes that will have you coming back for seconds. And thirds. YUM.
1. Corn Salad
If you want to lean into that summer vibe that crab cakes evoke, you might want to take it a step further with a refreshing corn salad. Nothing screams summer more than the combination of crab cakes and corn.
To make this beauty, just combine corn kernels, basil, and scallions. Then drizzle it with a refreshing salt and vinegar dressing.
Just imagine a sweet, crunchy, and tangy bowl of corn salad partnered with soft and flaky crab cakes. Isn’t that divine?
Also, while we are on the subject of corn, a succotash salad is a great accompaniment here. The corn and lima bean combo makes for a vibrant and flavorful salad that rounds out your crab cake dinner nicely.
2. Herbed Potatoes
Potatoes are a fantastic side dish for crab cakes because they are soft, tasty, and filling. And if you roast your potatoes? They will taste even better.
Here is a tip for picking potatoes: choose a hard variety like Yukon Gold or Russet so they stay nice and crunchy.
Rinse your potatoes extremely well so you don’t have to peel the skins off. Slice them into small chunks and place them on a baking sheet. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and season with your favorite herbs and spices.
I add turmeric, oregano, parsley, and cilantro to mine. Don’t forget to flavor with salt and pepper! Roast the potatoes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes and they are ready to go.
3. Gazpacho
Soup always works well with any fried food, which is why gazpacho makes an excellent partner for crab cakes. The smooth, sweet, and tart cold soup provides a nice contrast to the crispiness and richness of the cakes.
To make gazpacho, soak some day-old bread with water. Blend tomatoes with onions, garlic, celery stalk, cucumbers, bell pepper, olive oil, lemon juice, cilantro, mint leaves, salt, sugar, and pepper.
And that is it!
But you know what summer fruit tastes great in a gazpacho? Mangoes! Blend in some ripe mangoes with your gazpacho mix and see how incredibly well it goes with crab cakes.
4. Grilled Veggies
Nothing tastes better with the sweet and savory flavors of tender crab meat than some grilled veggies charred to perfection. So go ahead and pair your crab cakes with some smoky grilled corn, eggplant, squash, asparagus, and onions.
Plus, it adds some gorgeous colors to your plate. A great meal should look great as well as taste great!
5. Remoulade
Another great way to add flavor to your crab cakes is by giving them a nice dipping sauce. And when it comes to crab cakes, remoulade is perhaps the most popular option.
But what is it, anyway?
Remoulade is a French condiment with an aioli or mayo base. It is very similar to tartar sauce, but more yellow in color. It is sometimes flavored with curry and seasoned with paprika, capers, horseradish, and anchovies.
It was initially meant to season meats but has now become the staple dipping sauce for fish cakes.
To make remoulade sauce, combine mayo, ketchup, mustard, shredded horseradish, capers, parsley, onion, and lemon juice. You can flavor it with Cajun seasoning and pepper if you wish.
6. Green Salad
Whether it is arugula and radish or mustard greens in vinaigrette, green salad is always a fantastic dish to serve with crab cakes.
It is light, refreshing, and loaded with health benefits. Not to mention, it is very easy to prepare.
7. Mango Salsa
This salsa is like no other because it makes use of our favorite summer fruit: mangoes.
While salsa is usually paired with chips, it is also terrific with crab cakes. Dip those tender cakes in a bowl of salsa and I guarantee it will blow your mind.
What I also like about mango salsa is that it tastes great either hot or sweet. So it is up to you if you want to keep it nice and simple or if you want to add a jalapeno kick to your tropical sauce.
8. Bread Rolls
Since crab cakes look like burger patties anyway, why not eat them with some fresh bread rolls?
You can buy them from your favorite bakery, but it is definitely more exciting if you bake them yourself.
9. Chickpea Salad
Here is another colorful salad that goes perfectly well with crab cakes.
It has chickpeas, parsley, and celery enveloped in a tangy lemon herb dressing. It is crunchy, refreshing, filling, and nutritious – everything you could ever want in a side dish.
10. Roasted Veggies
While grilling gives your veggies a nice char and smokiness, roasting them will caramelize and bring out their natural sweetness.
Roasted veggies give your crab cake a rustic but elegant feel, so if that is the vibe you are after, then go preheat your oven!
It is simple to make: just sprinkle some basil and fresh parsley on your veggies and into the oven they go. Give them a few minutes to roast and they are done.
11. Grilled Avocados
Just like crab cakes, avocados are rich and creamy, so it goes without saying that these two taste great together.
And you know what makes avocados taste even more heavenly? Grilling them! Give your avocados a little char and see the difference.
To make, place peeled and pitted avocado halves on a griddle and cook for 2-3 minutes on one side. Then flip them over and grill for another minute.
And you can take your grilled avocados to another level by adding them to a salad! Combine lettuce, red onions, cherry tomatoes, and coriander, and top with sliced grilled avocados.
For the dressing, blend chives, basil, avocado, lime juice, garlic, a bit of hot sauce, white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over the salad and serve with crab cakes.
12. Cocktails
When it comes to cocktails for crab cakes, a glass of Bloody Mary is your best bet. The flavors of tomatoes, peppers, and vodka complement the rich and savory taste of crab cakes.
Citrus beverages also add a nice light and summer vibe to your meal, so serve your guests with a glass of mojito or gimlet.
13. Colorful Slaw
Who says you have to limit your slaw veggies to cabbage and carrots? Come on, make this refreshing side dish more exciting by adding some color!
To make, combine a pre-shredded bag of coleslaw mix, sunflower seeds, and creamy salad dressing. Drizzle with white vinegar dressing. You can also add some sugar for a bit of sweetness.
Not only do the combination of flavors work well with crab cakes, but the vibrant colors of the ingredients will also make your plate look more appetizing.
14. Corn Chowder
Speaking of soup, here is another one: corn chowder!
It is thick, creamy, sweet, and savory, much like a crab cake. It is a sweeter dish that pairs perfectly with the refreshing crab cakes.
15. Asparagus and Tomatoes
Here is another healthy option that complements crab cakes well. You can also add some green jalapenos for a nice kick.
