What to Serve with Crab Cakes - The Short Order Cook

If you are trying to figure out what sides goes well with homemade crab cakes for dinner, this list is exactly what you are looking for. Crab cakes are a fancy show-stopping delicacy. They really need something that is the right crab cake accompaniment and doesn't take away from them being the main entree star.

Therefore, you will want to pick the best simple side dish to go with your crab cakes. All of these suggested sides work great for all your crab cake meal ideas, including parties, intimate dinners, or any crab cake dinner party. There are healthy, keto, low-carb, gluten-free, and dairy-free side dish recipes that go well with crab cakes.

Whether you make them homemade with lump, Dungeness, blue, fresh, frozen, canned, or imitation crab - all these pair good with crab cakes. These are the best side dishes to be served with crab legs, cracked crab, crab salad sandwiches, or other fish and seafood too.

Recipes Categories

This is a tasty list of what to offer with crab cakes. To help you decide what to serve with crab cakes, I have broken down the list into some subcategories. So based on your mood, preference, or diet, there is something for everyone.

This list of what to make with crab cakes includes:

Side Dishes by the Short Order Cook
Salad Side Dishes
Keto / Low Carb or Gluten-Free Side Dishes
Vegetable Side Dishes
Fancy Side Dishes

Side Dishes by The Short Order Cook

Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries

Homemade deep-fried sweet potato fries are a quick and easy family favorite recipe. This fantastic method to deep fry & season them makes the best appetizer or side dish.

Deep Fried Sweet Potato Fries

Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries

For an easy foolproof method for cooking frozen crinkle-cut french fries in the air fryer, try this recipe. They will be hot, crispy, and yummy with just the right amount of time to cook in the air fryer. Plus delicious dips and seasonings to add for the best air fryer french fries.

Air Fryer French Fries

Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries recipe card plate with ketchup ready to eat

Asian Avocado Peanut Coleslaw

If you want an easy peanutty coleslaw recipe, this Asian avocado peanut coleslaw is the best. This chopped slaw recipe is bursting with fresh vegetables that are dressed in a homemade Asian-inspired dressing that is salty, sweet, and spicy. This slaw is vegan and gluten-free and sure to be one that everyone loves.

Asian Avocado Coleslaw

Bowl with cabbage avocado peanuts and asian coleslaw dressing.

Simple Spinach Salad

Toss together this quick & easy simple spinach salad in just minutes. The crunchy croutons are made from scratch & with a homemade dijon vinaigrette this is the best recipe hands down. It's a fresh & healthy side dish that goes with any meal or enjoy for lunch. Pile on some protein for an entree dinner.

Simple Spinach Salad

Glass serving bowl with a quick & easy spinach salad with simple ingredients.

Mediterranean Chopped Salad

The best Mediterranean chopped salad is packed with garbanzo beans for protein and a bunch of fresh vegetables. Loaded with Greek & Italian produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, artichokes, & olives plus a homemade Italian vinaigrette dressing recipe. Great for lunch, dinner, side, or appetizer. It is gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, healthy, & tasty for everyone to enjoy.

Italian Chopped Salad

Overhead image of plated salad ready to eat with fork.

Air Fryer Green Beans

In just 10 minutes, this recipe for crispy air fryer green beans is the best. This simple side dish with few ingredients is quick & easy.

Air Fryer Green Beans

Broccoli Salad with Apples & Cheese

This healthy broccoli salad with carrots, raisins, apples, and cheese is amazing. The creamy greek yogurt dressing is low-fat and made without mayo. It is tangy, crisp, fresh, and sweet in every bite. It holds up great for potlucks and barbecues. It is even great as a leftover, unlike other salads.

Broccoli Apple & Cheese Salad

Broccoli Apple Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing (no mayo) overhead featured

French Potato Salad

Tender warm herbed potatoes in a Champagne dijon vinaigrette with fresh herbs are bright, tangy, and crowd-pleasing. This is the best potato salad recipe without mayo. It is great for parties, picnics, & BBQs to feed a crowd. A fun summer side dish that's gluten-free, vegan, & dairy-free.

French Potato Salad

Low-Carb Keto Creamed Spinach Casserole

Creamed spinach is a tasty low-carb steakhouse restaurant favorite. This easy keto recipe is the best spinach casserole side dish.

Keto Creamed Spinach Casserole

Crispy Air Fryer Keto Radishes

Crispy air fryer keto radishes are the low-carb answer to those that love roasted potatoes. These seasoned radishes are an easy recipe & done in 15 minutes.

Air Fryer Radishes

Crispy Air Fryer Keto Radishes featured recipe card image overhead of round plate with radishes ready to eat napkin and fork

Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli

Instant pot steamed broccoli is a healthy and easy recipe that comes out perfect every time. In just a few minutes fresh broccoli is cooked and ready to enjoy. This method works in any electric pressure cooker with or without a steamer basket and results in fresh steamed broccoli that is not mushy.

Instant Pot Broccoli

Steamed Broccoli featured in instant pot overhead shot

Caramelized Brussel sprouts with Brown Sugar, Bacon, & Blue Cheese

Caramelized Brussel sprouts with brown sugar are a wonderful simple side dish. To make Brussel sprouts even more wonderful add bacon and blue cheese for a sweet, salty, creamy, and nutty delight.

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

Caramelized Brussel Sprouts with Brown Sugar, Bacon, & Blue Cheese featured overhead

Deep-Fried Beer-Battered Onion Rings

Onion rings are a classic fried treat that is so easy to make homemade. This beer-battered recipe for onion rings is deep-fried until crispy & crunchy. It's the perfect side dish, snack, or appetizer.

Beer-Battered Onion Rings

Keto Cornbread Chaffles

Cornbread chaffles made with almond flour are the best Mini Dash keto waffle recipe. A savory low-carb & gluten-free side for chili, soup, or salad.

Keto Cornbread Chaffles

Cold Rice Salad

The best spring or summer salad of rice and fresh fava beans. The cold rice salad It is tossed with lemon vinaigrette & topped with scallions and lemon zest for a bright pop of flavor.

Cold Rice Salad

Rice and Fava Beans Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Salad Side Dishes

Marinated 2 Bean and Green Salad

When avocados are just ripe, there is nothing better than this easy marinated 2-bean and green salad.

Marinated Bean Salad

plate with salad greens, beans, avocado and dressing

KFC Coleslaw - Best Copycat

This easy KFC Coleslaw recipe tastes just like the original! It's made with Miracle Whip and without buttermilk, just like the classic version!

KFC Coleslaw

Colelsaw in a bowl with tongs serving it

Keto / Low Carb or Gluten-Free Side Dishes

Air Fryer Hush Puppies (gluten-free & vegan)

A classic Southern side dish, these Air Fryer Hush Puppies give you a healthier twist! They're gluten-free, vegan, and don't need oil or deep-frying!

Air Fryer Hush Puppies

Zucchini Gratin

An easy gratin recipe that’s keto-friendly and takes just minutes to prepare. It’s a healthier alternative to the high carb potato au gratin recipes.

Zucchini Gratin

Oven-Roasted Rutabaga (keto & paleo)

A delicious and healthy low carb keto side dish – this oven-roasted rutabaga recipe is ready in 20 minutes.

Oven-Roasted Rhutabaga

Blue ceramic bowl filled with roasted rutabaga

Vegetable Side Dishes

Maple Glazed Carrots

Prepared carrots are brushed with maple syrup, brown sugar, and butter then gently roasted in the oven for a slightly sweet and spicy carrot recipe that everyone will love.

Maple Carrots

plate with maple glazed carrots and a large serving fork

Roasted Vegetables

A combination of oven-roasted vegetables topped with parmesan makes a delicious and colorful side dish.

Roasted Veggies

Fancy Side Dishes

Cheddar Bay Chive Popovers

Cheddar cheese and Old Bay seafood seasoning combine to make the perfect fancy and tasty popover.

Cheddar Bay Chive Popovers

Easy Cheese Souffle with Brie Cheese

Butter, flour, milk, egg, and Brie cheese baked until puffed and golden. A gorgeous side dish for that special occasion.

Brie Souffle

A white ramekin with baked cheese souffle and a spoon scooping out a bite

Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Peas

Tender pasta with a creamy and silky lemon ricotta sauce; this recipe is a special pasta dish.

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

A plate of ricotta pasta piled up and dusted with green parsley

More Side Dish Ideas

Crab cakes have been around since around 1891 and are Baltimore and Maryland staples. If you have ever wondered where they originated find out more about WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT CRAB CAKES.

For additional side recipes that go well with any kind of seafood, check out these other articles. All the amazing recipes are shared by the best food bloggers and include a wide variety of side dish ideas to serve with fish, shellfish, and more.

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Recipes Categories

Side Dishes by The Short Order Cook

Salad Side Dishes

Keto / Low Carb or Gluten-Free Side Dishes

Vegetable Side Dishes

Fancy Side Dishes

More Side Dish Ideas

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