30 Best Side Dishes for Crab Cakes

Crab cakes and fish cakes in general are a flavorful alternative to traditional fish fillets because they reheat beautifully, are freezer-friendly and don’t even require thawing. Simply pop them in the oven to reheat and they’ll be ready in no time!

But, what do you serve with them? Here’s…..

A Guide To The Best Side Dishes For Crab Cakes

Some of the best side dishes for crab cakes are simple things like coleslaw, potato salad or macaroni salad. They can all be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator which makes your life a lot easier when it comes time to serve them. However, there are many more options! Jazz up your crab cake dinner with some of these lovely sides:

Vegetable Side Dishes

Giardiniera (Italian Pickled Vegetables)

Giardiniera, also known as Italian Pickled Vegetables is a classic condiment that you can easily make yourself and the flavor is so much better than storebought. It's a great way to preserve vegetables for later use and is perfect on sandwiches and burgers, on an antipasto platter, as a ready-made side dish or as a healthful snack!

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Steakhouse Creamed Spinach

If you love the creamed spinach the great American steakhouses serve, you're going to love this recipe! Made with fresh spinach, it's easy to make and can be enjoyed right out of the skillet or made ahead of time and baked later!

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Summer Squash Casserole

This updated twist on the classic Southern-style favorite has the kick of fresh green chiles! Southwestern-inspired Summer Squash Casserole can be made ahead of time, leftovers reheat beautifully and it's freezer-friendly!

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Cream Cheese Corn Casserole

This easy, decadent cheesy corn casserole is soon to become your family's new favorite side dish! Cream Cheese Corn Casserole with Green Chiles is delicious served up right out of the skillet or made ahead and baked up hot and bubbling later.

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Sauteed Kale with Andouille Sausage

Sauteed Kale with Andouille Sausage is a modern twist on a Southern classic that's quick and easy to make! 

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Roasted Green Beans with Tomato Caper Relish

Roasted Green Beans with Tomato Caper Relish is a combination of two of summer’s best veggies creating a beautiful, elegant yet easy flavor-packed side dish!

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Zucchini Corn Casserole

Zucchini Corn Casserole is Southern-inspired, creamy, cheesy and the perfect way to enjoy a summer vegetable bounty!

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Sauteed Broccolini with Garlic

This broccolini recipe is ready in about 15 minutes. Loaded with so much flavor with garlic, lemon and just a pinch of red pepper. It is crisp tender and easy to make!

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Caramelized Corn and Green Bean Skillet with Cumin

Sweet summer corn is caramelized and paired with green beans and cumin for a sweet and spicy dish perfect for crab cakes and summer barbecues or any night of the week.

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Potato Side Dishes

Perfect Roasted Potato Wedges

Roasted Potato Wedges are a side dish that goes with almost anything!  Here's how to make perfectly crispy, seasoned and delicious roasted potato wedges every time!

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Baby Hasselback Potato Bake with Cheddar and Bacon

Baby Hasselback Potato Bake with Cheddar and Bacon is super simple, great to take to a party because it can be made ahead of time and guaranteed to be a hit!

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Potato Cabbage Casserole with Cheddar and Bacon

Potato Cabbage Casserole with Cheddar and Bacon is a hearty homestyle budget-friendly side dish for simply roasted meat or poultry.  When paired with a salad, it makes a satisfying vegetarian main dish when using veggie bacon.

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Salad Sides

Potato Salad with Horseradish Dressing

Potato Salad with Horseradish Dressing is a zippy twist on potato salad! Potatoes and horseradish are a match made in heaven!

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Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Chickpeas

Fresh summer vegetables and pantry ingredients combine for a crispy, crunchy healthy salad you'll want to put on repeat! Mediterranean Chopped Vegetable Salad with Chickpeas is satisfying on its own or try it on the side with your favorite Mediterranean-inspired recipe!

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Radish Greens Salad

Radish greens are edible and they're delicious! Save them to make this Hot Bacon Dressing with Radish Greens, a twist on the classic spinach salad.

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Cauliflower Artichoke Tabbouleh

Cauliflower Artichoke Tabbouleh is a healthier, lower carb twist on traditional tabbouleh!  With lots of fresh herbs, lively lemon juice and artichokes, it’s perfect for spring!

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Black-Eyed Pea Salad

Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Salad is a light and fresh twist on classic Southern comfort food. Bring it to your next picnic, or serve it with anything you’re grilling this summer. The ingredients can even be prepped ahead of time, making for a healthy and convenient lunch that you can pack and take to work.

Bacon Broccoli Salad

Mouth-watering Bacon Broccoli Salad with bacon, grapes, blue cheese and walnuts in a Dijon cider vinaigrette. This sweet and savory broccoli bacon salad is perfect for any occasion, any season of the year!

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Basil Chive Cucumber and Corn Salad

Fresh sweet corn and crunchy cucumbers with the lively taste of basil and chives and just a touch of mayo makes for the perfect summer salad that everyone will love! It’s so easy to toss together too. Click here for the recipe.

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Macaroni Dill Salad

Whip up this Macaroni Dill Salad in no time to serve at your summer barbecues! Fresh dill and radishes give it an extra zip of flavor.

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Spicy Coleslaw

Looking for a change from the usual plain coleslaw? Why not spice things up with this flavorful alternative?

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Summer Asparagus Salad Recipe

Fresh asparagus, creamy avocado, salty feta, and bright tomatoes come together with a Dijon mustard vinaigrette in this showstopping spring and summer salad!

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Easy Garden Salad Recipe

An easy, tossed garden salad is the tastiest way to include lots of greens and nutritious veggies in your diet. Plus, it’s the best simple side dish to pair with almost any main course meal. Whip up this tasty recipe in just 20 minutes!

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Grilled Corn Panzanella Salad

Say hello to summer on a plate! Grilled Corn Panzanella Salad with tomatoes, charred corn, mozzarella cheese, basil and homemade croutons is perfect with crab cakes!

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Soup Sides

Watermelon Gazpacho

Watermelon Gazpacho with Serrano Chiles and Mint is the perfect refreshing way to cool off on a hot summer day!

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Very Veggie Gazpacho (The Best Vegetable Gazpacho)

This deliciously crunchy and chunky vegetable-packed version of gazpacho, the classic cold Spanish soup is as refreshing as it gets!  Very Veggie Gazpacho – The Best Vegetable Gazpacho has tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, scallions, and plenty of garlic float in a tangy tomato juice base you'll crave all summer long!

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Other Side Dishes

Purslane Chimichurri

Purslane Chimichurri is a twist on the traditional Argentinian condiment which uses one of the most nutritious plants on the planet! A flavorful alternative to tartar sauce or remoulade with crab cakes!

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Tartar Sauce Recipe

Homemade Tartar Sauce made with mayonnaise, dill pickles and fresh dill, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and capers. So easy to make and way better than any of the jarred stuff you’ll find at the store, you’ll love this tangy, creamy, delicious tartar sauce recipe.

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Cavatappi Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. This delicious Cavatappi Mac and Cheese recipe is a family favorite, loved by kids and adults alike.

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Lemon Couscous

This 15-minute lemon couscous recipe is bursting with refreshing citrus flavor and couldn’t be easier to make! Basil and slivered almonds are added for even more depth in an already flavorful base.

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