✔ Updated · 35 sides regrouped with one-line how-tos, recipe links and a lemon rice method
Crab cakes are rich, sweet and crisp, so the best side dishes add something fresh, acidic or crunchy without overpowering the delicate crab. Using frozen ones? Here’s how to cook store-bought crab cakes. Most of these sides also suit cod.
The best sides for crab cakes are light, fresh and a little tangy: coleslaw, corn on the cob or corn salad, a green salad with lemon vinaigrette, grilled or roasted asparagus, potato salad and lemon rice. For a heartier plate, serve them with fries, roasted potatoes or hush puppies, plus tartar or remoulade sauce for dipping.
Below are 35 side dishes for crab cakes, grouped into salads and slaws, vegetables, soups, and potatoes, bread and rice. Where we have a full recipe, the card links to it, and every other side comes with a one-line method so you can make it tonight. There is also a short lemon rice recipe, the sauces to serve on the side and pairings for every occasion.
Salads and Slaws for Crab Cakes
Cool, crunchy salads are the classic match, and a lemony slaw is my pick. A little acid from lemon, vinegar or fruit cuts through the richness of a fried crab cake.
1. Coleslaw
Creamy, tangy cabbage and carrot slaw is the classic crab cake side. Make it an hour ahead so the flavors meld.
Get the recipe →2. Corn Salad
Toss cooked corn kernels with diced red pepper, red onion, cilantro, lime juice and olive oil. Chill 15 minutes before serving.
3. Watermelon and Feta Salad
Cube watermelon, scatter with crumbled feta, mint and baby spinach, then drizzle with olive oil and a squeeze of lime.
4. Cranberry and Cilantro Quinoa Salad
Cook quinoa, cool it, then toss with dried cranberries, chopped cilantro, scallions and a lemon-olive oil dressing. Keeps well for lunches.
5. Green Salad
Mixed greens, cucumber and cherry tomatoes with a simple lemon vinaigrette (3 parts olive oil to 1 part lemon juice, salt and pepper).
6. Potato Salad
A creamy, tangy potato salad with mayo, mustard and celery. A Maryland-style picnic pairing for crab cakes at a cookout.
Get the recipe →7. Mango Salsa
Finely dice ripe mango with red onion, jalapeño, cilantro and lime juice. Spoon it over the crab cakes or serve on the side.
8. Arugula Salad with Parmesan
Peppery arugula tossed with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and shaved Parmesan just before serving. A light, restaurant-style match for rich crab cakes.
9. Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Ripe tomatoes, cucumber and thin red onion dressed with red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and fresh dill or basil. Cool, juicy and ready in 10 minutes.
Vegetable Sides for Crab Cakes
Quick-cooked vegetables add color and a little char without stealing the show. Most of these cook in 10 minutes or less, which is why I love them.
10. Grilled Vegetables
Toss zucchini, bell peppers and red onion in olive oil and salt, then grill over medium-high heat 3 to 4 minutes per side until lightly charred.
11. Grilled or Steamed Asparagus
Grill oiled spears 4 to 5 minutes, or steam them 3 to 4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Finish with lemon juice and flaky salt.
12. Grilled Avocado
Halve and pit avocados, brush the cut sides with oil and grill face-down 2 to 3 minutes. Add salt, lime and a pinch of chili flakes.
13. Corn on the Cob
Sweet, buttery corn on the cob is a summer crab feast staple. Brush with butter and add a pinch of seafood seasoning.
Get the recipe →
14. Southern Green Beans
Green beans simmered low and slow with bacon and onion until tender and savory. A hearty side for a crab cake dinner.
Get the recipe →
15. Creamed Spinach
Rich, creamy spinach is a steakhouse-style side that also suits crab cakes. Serve a small portion so it doesn't overpower the crab.
Get the recipe →16. Succotash
Sweet corn and lima beans sautéed in butter with diced red pepper and onion. A Mid-Atlantic summer side that sits naturally next to Maryland crab cakes.
17. Fried Green Tomatoes
Thick slices of firm green tomato dipped in buttermilk and seasoned cornmeal, fried until golden. Serve with the same remoulade as the crab cakes.
18. Roasted Broccoli with Lemon
Toss florets with olive oil and salt, roast at 425°F for 18 to 20 minutes until the edges char, then finish with lemon zest and juice.
19. Steamed Artichokes
Trim and steam whole artichokes for 30 to 40 minutes until a leaf pulls out easily. Dip the leaves in lemon aioli alongside the crab cakes.
Soups to Serve With Crab Cakes
A cup of soup turns crab cakes into a full lunch or a light dinner. Chilled soups are perfect in summer; I make gazpacho with crab cakes every July.
20. Corn Chowder
Cook bacon, onion and diced potato in butter, add stock and corn, simmer 15 minutes, then stir in cream. Blend a cup for extra body.
21. Gazpacho
Blend ripe tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, garlic, olive oil and sherry vinegar until smooth, season and chill at least 2 hours.
22. Chilled Avocado Soup
Blend 2 ripe avocados with cucumber, lime juice, cold broth and yogurt until silky. Serve the same day so it stays bright green.
23. Red Pepper Soup
A smooth, sweet roasted red pepper soup that works hot or chilled. Its gentle sweetness complements the crab.
Get the recipe →24. Tomato Soup
Simmer canned whole tomatoes with sautéed onion, garlic and broth for 20 minutes, blend smooth and finish with a splash of cream. Bright and comforting.
Potatoes, Bread and Rice
For a heartier crab cake dinner, add one starchy side. Keep the seasoning simple so the crab stays the star.
25. Roasted Potatoes
Cube Yukon Gold or red potatoes, toss with oil, salt, paprika and rosemary, and roast at 425°F for 30 to 35 minutes, turning once.
26. French Fries
Crispy, salty fries are a crab shack classic. Dust them with a little seafood seasoning and serve with tartar sauce.
Get the recipe →
27. Dinner Rolls
Soft, buttery yeast rolls for mopping up sauce, or split one open and make a crab cake sandwich.
Get the recipe →
28. Garlic Breadsticks
Soft breadsticks brushed with garlic butter. Serve them warm alongside crab cakes and a green salad.
Get the recipe →29. Hush Puppies
Stir cornmeal, flour, baking powder, egg, buttermilk and grated onion into a thick batter, then drop spoonfuls into 350°F oil for 3 to 4 minutes.
30. Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy baked macaroni turns crab cakes into a comfort-food dinner. Keep the portion small, since both are rich.
Get the recipe →31. Sweet Potato Fries
Cut sweet potatoes into sticks, toss with oil, cornstarch and salt, and bake at 425°F for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping once, until crisp at the edges.
32. Cornbread
Golden, slightly sweet cornbread is a natural partner for Southern-style crab cakes and a bowl of corn chowder.
Get the recipe →
33. Cheddar Biscuits
Warm, garlicky cheddar drop biscuits brushed with parsley butter, the seafood-restaurant classic. Bake a batch while the crab cakes chill.
Get the recipe →34. Asparagus Risotto
Arborio rice stirred with warm broth, Parmesan and butter, with chopped asparagus added for the last 5 minutes. An elegant side for a crab cake dinner.
35. Lemon Rice
Fluffy rice cooked in broth with lemon zest and finished with lemon juice and parsley. The full method is just below.
How to Make Lemon Rice for Crab Cakes
Lemon rice is one of the easiest and best sides for crab cakes: light, bright and ready in about 25 minutes. Serves 4.
Ingredients: 1 cup long-grain white rice (rinsed), 1 tablespoon butter, 1 clove garlic (minced), 1 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth, 1/2 teaspoon salt, the zest of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 1: Rinse the rice in a sieve until the water runs mostly clear, then drain well.
- Step 2: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, cook the garlic for 30 seconds, then stir in the rice and toast it for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the broth, lemon zest and salt, bring to a boil, then cover, turn the heat to low and cook for 15 to 18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Take the pan off the heat and let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in the lemon juice and parsley. For a South Indian-style version, fry mustard seeds, curry leaves and a pinch of turmeric in oil and fold them into cooked rice with lemon juice.
Sauces to Serve With Crab Cakes
A creamy or tangy sauce on the side ties the plate together. Make any of these while the crab cakes chill.
- Tartar sauce: mayo, chopped pickles or relish, lemon and dill. Try our tartar sauce recipe.
- Remoulade: mayo with Dijon, capers, chopped pickles, paprika, a little hot sauce and lemon juice.
- Lemon aioli: mayo, grated garlic, lemon zest and juice. Simple and bright.
- Cocktail sauce: ketchup with prepared horseradish, lemon juice and a dash of Worcestershire.
Best Crab Cake Sides by Occasion
Pick one fresh side and one heartier side for a balanced plate.
| Occasion | Fresh side | Hearty side | Sauce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeknight dinner | Green salad | Lemon rice | Lemon aioli |
| Summer cookout | Coleslaw or corn salad | Corn on the cob, potato salad | Tartar sauce |
| Crab shack style | Coleslaw | Fries or hush puppies | Tartar or cocktail sauce |
| Light lunch | Watermelon and feta salad | Gazpacho or corn chowder | Remoulade |
| Dinner party | Grilled asparagus | Roasted potatoes | Remoulade |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best side dishes for crab cakes?
The best sides for crab cakes are fresh and tangy, such as coleslaw, corn on the cob, a green salad, grilled asparagus, potato salad and lemon rice. For a heartier meal, add fries, roasted potatoes or hush puppies, and serve tartar or remoulade sauce on the side.
What vegetables go well with crab cakes?
Asparagus, corn, green beans, zucchini, bell peppers and spinach all go well with crab cakes. Grill or steam them quickly and finish with lemon juice and salt, so they stay crisp and bright and don't overpower the sweet crab meat.
What starch goes with crab cakes?
Lemon rice, roasted potatoes, potato salad, french fries, hush puppies and soft dinner rolls are all good starchy sides. Choose one and keep the seasoning simple, because crab cakes are already rich from the breading and frying.
How do you make lemon rice to serve with crab cakes?
Toast 1 cup of rinsed rice in butter with garlic, add 1 3/4 cups broth, lemon zest and salt, then cover and simmer on low for 15 to 18 minutes. Rest 5 minutes, fluff, and stir in lemon juice and parsley.
What sauce goes with crab cakes?
Tartar sauce and remoulade are the classic sauces for crab cakes. Lemon aioli and cocktail sauce are good alternatives. All four balance the richness of the crab cakes with tang from lemon, pickles, capers or horseradish.
Would’ve loved to try the lemon rice but there weren’t any recipes for any of the dishes you named.
Thanks for the feedback, Teresa, and you’re right that the sides on this list don’t link to recipes yet. I’ve passed it on so we can add them. In the meantime, a simple lemon rice is just rice cooked in broth, then stirred with lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice, a knob of butter and some chopped parsley.