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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 sides go with crab cakes? Here’s…..

Graphic for 30 Best Sides to Serve with Crab Cakes consisting of four photos: Macaroni and cheese, chopped vegetable salad, broccoli bacon salad and creamed corn.

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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Finished Giardiniera (Italian Pickled Vegetables) in a glass jar.
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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Steakhouse Creamed Spinach in white oval bowl with serving spoon.
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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Southwestern Summer Squash Casserole in white baking dish with squash exposed.
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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Spicy Sautéed Kale with Andouille Sausage - Overhead shot of dish in cast iron skillet on wooden trivet with gray towel
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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Green Beans with Tomato Caper Relish in white bowl on gray napkin with serving fork.
Zucchini Corn Casserole
Zucchini Corn Casserole is Southern-inspired, creamy, and cheesy! This delightful dish combines fresh summer zucchini and sweet corn, creating a comforting and savory casserole that's sure to please. Ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or a comforting weeknight dinner!
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Zucchini Corn Casserole in white rectangular baking dish with serving spoon scooping some out.
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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Sauteed Broccolini with Garlic
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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Corn and green beans in cast iron skillet.

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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Perfect Roasted Potato Wedges with ketchup in white enamel tray.
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
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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Country-Style Potato and Cabbage Casserole with Cheddar and Bacon - Overhead close-up shot of casserole with some spooned out

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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Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Chickpeas in blue serving bowl garnished with fresh parsley.
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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Radish Greens Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing in white serving bowl with serving fork.
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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Cauliflower Artichoke Tabbouleh - Overhead hero shot in white bowl on light gray background with light gray napkin
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.
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Black-Eyed Pea Salad in white bowl with lemon wedges and cilantro in bowls.
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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Basil Chive Cucumber and Corn Salad
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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Macaroni Dill Salad
Spicy Coleslaw
Looking for a change from the usual plain coleslaw? Why not spice things up with this flavorful alternative?
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Coleslaw being mixed with serving utensils.
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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Summer Asparagus Salad Recipe
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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Easy Garden Salad Recipe
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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Grilled Corn Panzanella Salad in metal bowl.

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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Watermelon Gazpacho with Serrano Chiles and Mint - Close-up shot of gazpacho in glass garnished with fresh mint
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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Glass of Very Veggie Gazpacho on light blue background garnished with lemon wedges.

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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Purslane Chimichurri - Close-up shot of finished sauce in glass jar on white background with some spilling out.
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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Tartar Sauce Recipe
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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Macaroni and cheese in rectangular baking dish.
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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Lemon Couscous

2 Comments

  1. Yummm!! So many beautiful and delicious sides for crab cakes, I’ll never run out of choices. Thank you for sharing!

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