Name: What to Serve with Crab Cakes (35+ BEST Sides)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: ½ cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup sour cream; 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives; 2 teaspoons paprika; 1 teaspoon creamy horseradish; 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice (plus 1 teaspoon lemon zest)

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Wondering what to serve with crab cakes? Look no further! Here’s a list of the best sides for a crab cake dinner! These recipes are all quick, easy and delicious.

When it comes to serving crab cakes, you can never go wrong with the classics, like this vinegar slaw and asparagus. And, of course, don’t forget the classic crab cake sauce.

But, what else goes with crab cakes for a side?

There are so many options! From veggies, soups, salads, and more.

Keep reading to discover a new favorite side dish recipe and sauce to pair with your meal…

The BEST Side Dishes for Crab Cakes

Spears of asparagus cooked sous vide topped with parmesan shavings.

How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.

Sous Vide Asparagus

Apple Celery Root Slaw is an exciting twist on your basic coleslaw. Crisp apples and celery root combine with jalapeno, cilantro & pickled onions. It's sure to be a stand out side dish!

Apple Celery Root Slaw

Indulge in this luxurious Lemon Risotto with Mascarpone. Rich, creamy, and tangy – Its bright flavor makes a perfect vegetarian entrée or a delicious side dish.

Lemon Risotto

This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.

Arugula Salad

Overhead shot of bowl of cold cucumber soup.

Enjoy this cold Cucumber Soup as a refreshing summer appetizer or side dish. Made with garlic, jalapeno, yogurt, and olive oil, this easy recipe blends up in seconds and has playful and savory flavors.

Chilled Cucumber Soup

Peppers with grill marks scattered on counter.

Learn how to make perfectly tender and blistered Grilled Peppers at home! It’s one of the best and easiest side dishes for crab cakes.

Grilled Peppers

Tomato Orange Soup is the creamiest tomato soup recipe you will find. Plus, it's got a great tang for the orange juice. It's the perfect winter soup for chilly days.

This Tomato Bisque Soup is the richest, creamiest tomato soup you've ever tried, with a splash of fresh orange juice for a bit of extra tang! Inspired by Elephant's Deli in Portland, Oregon.

Tomato Bisque

This simple Shirazi Salad recipe features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed with plenty of fresh herbs and tossed with a tangy dressing made with lime juice and olive oil. Every bite is bursting with refreshing flavors!

Shirazi Salad

Shrimp scattered on air fryer basket liner with lemon wedges.

This tasty Air Fryer Shrimp takes less than 10 minutes to make with a handful of flexible ingredients. Cooking perfectly plump and juicy shrimp has never been easier!

Get the RECIPE

Overhead close up of combined vinegar slaw in large white mixing bowl.

Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.

Red Cabbage Slaw

This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!

Tomato Cucumber Salad

Learn how to cook filet mignon in the air fryer in less than 20 minutes! The foolproof cooking method and temperature guide yield an effortless yet impressive steak dinner every time. Top your filets with homemade compound butter and enjoy!

Air Fryer Filet Mignon

These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you.

Blistered Shishito Peppers

This easy Lemon Pasta is deliciously tangy and creamy, plus it comes together in under 15 minutes!

Lemon Pasta

These Filet Mignon Bites with Creamy Horseradish Sauce are the perfect elegant appetizer to serve at your next party. Tender bites of filet mignon are wrapped in bacon and served with a thick and tangy horseradish sauce.

Filet Mignon Bites

This copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is bursting with flavor. Beautifully marinated cucumbers drizzled in chili oil is an outstanding vegetarian appetizer you can enjoy for any special occasion!

Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad

Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.

Hawaiian Coleslaw

This is the BEST Instant Pot Mac and Cheese! Made extra creamy with a secret ingredient plus delicious cheddar & parmesan cheese. It can be made in just 4 minutes with your electric pressure cooker.

Instant Pot Mac & Cheese

This grilled broccolini is topped with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette and marcona almonds for a delicious crunch. It’s a perfect side dish for autumnal menus or Thanksgiving.

Grilled Broccolini

You can serve Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with practically anything! It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced and seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.

Sauteed Zucchini

These copycat Din Tai Fung Green Beans are deliciously crispy and coated with lots of savory garlic and a spicy chili crisp. It’s the best umami-forward side dish to pair with all of your takeout-inspired favorites!

Din Tai Fung Green Beans

Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a salty, crispy, savory, and slightly sweet side dish you can pair with almost anything! Lightly spiced and so simple, this easy recipe is a total crowd pleaser and a must-have for weeknight dinners.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These Air Fryer Frozen Shoestring Fries come out exactly like your favorite fast food fries! They’re crispy, golden on the outside and perfectly fluffy inside. SO much better than deep frying or baking! Plus, you can cook different types of fries – waffle fries, steak fries and more!

Air Fryer Fries

This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons.

Cherry Tomato Salad

Prepared radicchio salad in grey bowl with serving utensils.

This delicious Italian Radicchio Salad is dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with buttery calvestrano olives, tasty breadcrumbs and nutty parmesan cheese. And, a special tip ensures that your radicchio won't be bitter!

Italian Radicchio Salad

This Chickpeas and Avocado Salad has all the traditional elements of a great guacamole and makes a healthy, protein and fiber-filled dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Plus, it comes together easily in just 10 minutes!

Avocado Chickpea Salad

Shaved brussels sprouts salad in large bowl with serving spoon.

This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Mustard and Parmesan is tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad

This Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad combines pearl couscous with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and a light citrus dressing.

Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad

Ears of corn on the cob in a grey serving dish with a pat of butter and sprinkling of parsley.

Learn how to make the BEST Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. This pressure cooker corn on the cob recipe uses a simple, secret ingredient to guarantee that your corn is sweet, tender and delicious!

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

This simple Italian Chopped Salad dresses fresh veggies, salami, mozzarella & chickpeas in a delicious homemade Italian dressing.

Italian Chopped Salad

6 Yummy Crab Cake Sauces to Try

This cool and creamy Crab Cake Sauce has just enough tanginess, smokiness, and spice to pair with far more than crab cakes. It’s fantastic with fries and other crispy finger foods, spread on sandwiches, and even with steak!

Crab Cake Sauce

Add some smoke and spice to your favorite recipes with this Chipotle Crema. A Mexican-inspired sauce, this creamy mix is made with chipotles in adobo to give a spicy boost to your crab cakes.

Chipotle Crema

This easy Cocktail Sauce recipe is a zesty and tangy dipping sauce that’s perfect for prawn cocktails, po’ boys, and crab cakes.

Cocktail Sauce

Spoon stirring yellow herb sauce in small white bowl

This lemon butter sauce, made with dry white wine and fresh dill, is the upgrade your next crab cake dinner craves!

Lemon Butter Sauce

Overhead shot of remoulade in bowl with shrimp surrounding it.

This easy Louisiana-style Remoulade Sauce is a smoky and tangy dipping sauce that’s perfect for po’ boys, fried green tomatoes, and crab cakes.

Remoulade Sauce

Crema arranged on plate with limes and cilantro.

This quick and tangy Cilantro Lime Crema is ready in just 5 minutes. Better than sour cream, this Mexican condiment is flavored with fresh cilantro and lime juice to create a creamy and vibrant crab cake sauce.

Cilantro Lime Crema

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these crab cake side dish recipes and sauces can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

More Seafood Side Dish Recipes

Did you Make Any of These Crab Cake Side Dishes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what to serve with crab cakes. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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