40 Best Side Dishes To Serve With Delicious Crab Legs 🦀 (2024)

Side dishes to serve with crab legs are essential in creating a well-rounded and satisfying seafood feast. This selection of the best side dishes beautifully enhances the flavors of succulent crab legs.

From buttery corn on the cob to zesty citrus-infused salads and everything in between, these delectable accompaniments are sure to elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Best Side Dishes To Serve With Crab Legs

1. Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a savory and cheesy bread roll that has become famous for its irresistible taste. They are incredibly soft and fluffy on the inside with a golden-brown, buttery crust on the outside. These biscuits are flavored with a combination of cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and herbs, giving them a rich and savory profile.

2. Steamed Artichokes

Steamed artichokes make for an interactive and enjoyable dining experience, as you can savor each leaf and gradually work your way to the delectable heart. It's a delicious and healthy option that appeals to both artichoke enthusiasts and those trying it for the first time.

3. Classic Coleslaw

The rich and velvety texture of the mayo-based dressing, perfectly balanced with a hint of sweetness and tanginess from the vinegar and mustard, creates a harmonious flavor profile that complements any meal. The coleslaw's vibrant colors and refreshing crunch make it an ideal side dish for summer gatherings or cozy indoor meals.

4. Mashed Potatoes

The starchy nature of mashed potatoes provides a satisfying and filling element to the meal. Crab legs, although delicious, may not be as filling on their own, so serving them with mashed potatoes adds substance and ensures a more substantial and satisfying dining experience.

5. Clarified Butter Dipping Sauce

Adds a touch of richness and indulgence to each bite, elevating the flavor of the crab legs. The butter's smoothness and gentle flavor allow the sweetness of the crab meat to shine through while adding a subtle layer of richness.

6. Sweet Corn Bread

The recipe gives a moist and tender cornbread, ensuring a delightful mouthfeel. The combination of buttermilk, butter, and oil contributes to the moistness, while the precise proportions of the ingredients ensure a light and fluffy texture. I won't tell if you drizzle a bit of clarified butter over it!

7. Maryland Crab Soup

Maryland crab soup is avegetable-basedcrab soup recipe instead of a cream-based crab soup.

8. Orange Fluff Salad (Orange Salad)

Orange fluff salad made with mandarin orange segments, whipped topping, orange gelatin powder, cottage cheese, shredded coconut and mini marshmallows, is a dessert-like salad that is as delicious as it is easy to make.

9. Mexican corn casserole

You can never go wrong with corn and crab, especially with this creamy and crunchy recipe fresh from the street of Mexico. It has a burst of flavor from the combination of corn, chipotle pepper, cotija cheese, lime, and hot sauce.

10. Fresh Italian Green Salad

This fresh Italian green salad is comfort on a plate containing a simple but rich amount of healthy vegetables, including; romaine lettuce, carrots, cheery tomatoes, and cucumbers that embrace your body with great nutrition and refreshing flavor.

11. Ohana Noodles

Ohana noodles have a savory sauce with a hint of pineapple. The sauteed purple and white cabbage, bok choy, and bell pepper complement the chewy yakisoba noodles. It is a great dish on its own but suitable to pair with others too.

12. Jalapeño Hushpuppies

These fried Jalapeño Hushpuppies balance the soft texture of the crab with its spicy kick. Not into spicy flavors? You may leave out the jalapeno for a milder taste.

13. Mango Salsa

Tropical mangoes are sweet and more than just for desserts. Experience a mouthwatering new combination with this salsa side dish containing mangoes, cilantro, and onions.

14. Baked Zucchini Fries

Zucchini Fries are as crunchy as your regular french fries but without the guilt of consuming too much deep-fried food. Try this great healthy alternative coated with parmesan cheese and dipped with pesto sauce.

15. Garlic Butter Mushroom

Ten minutes is how long it takes to cook this perfect savory combination of butter and garlic that melts effortlessly with the soft button mushrooms.

16. Crunchy green salad with creamy lemon dressing

It is a counterpart of the Japanese dish “Kakiage /ka-ki-AH-ge/ or Vegetable Tempura.” Lettuce, cucumber, and apple fritters are lightly battered and paired with tangy and creamy lemon dressing. It is as good as it looks!

17. Cranberry Orange Brussels Sprout Slaw

A deliciously packed version of coleslaw made with Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, and toasted pecans. It is a lavish treat at every bite.

18. Milk Butter Boiled Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob with a twist! Corns are naturally sweet. But they could be even more flavorful when boiled with milk and butter. It will bring sweet and soft corn fresh to your dining table.

19. Spanish Rice

Spanish rice would level up your ordinary rice serving with its decadent mixture of paprika, tomato sauce, cumin, and a hint of chili powder. It is a versatile dish that can be paired with every entree.

20. Dill Potato Salad

Potato Salad is a staple summer dish loved by many for its refreshing taste. Adding fresh dill along with the tangy, creamy sauce would be a blend you wouldn’t want to miss.

21. Cold Sesame Noodles

Cold Sesame Noodles is simple, white noodles with boiled scallion, cucumber, carrots, and bean sprouts topped with a special sauce made with peanut butter. This tasty dish is best served when cold to beat the heat of summer.

22. Sweet & Spicy Sprouts

These Brussels sprouts are specially marinated with a sweet and spicy sauce of chili garlic paste, soy sauce, honey, and hoisin sauce. You can expect it to be toasted to perfection!

23. Stuffed Mushrooms

You will be blown away by the combination of Mozzarella cheese and Panko breadcrumbs mixture sitting on top of these buttered white mushrooms. It is a delicious side dish or starter that everyone would surely enjoy.

24. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

This generous bowl of salad is packed with fresh vegetables, cheese, and pasta created to blend perfectly with an easy and flavorful homemade dill ranch dressing.

25. Raw Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Tahini-Maple Dressing

The Tahini earthy flavor balanced with maple syrup creates an outstanding combination to dress the Kale and Brussels sprout. Topping it with toasted almonds will give it a simple but desirable crunch.

26. Baked Cauliflower Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese

A Keto-friendly side dish packed with Cauliflower and Jalapeno combined with creamy mac and cheese sauce to balance the spicy kick. It is a healthier version of the classic one everyone loves.

27. Cucumber Onion Salad

This refreshing combination of cucumber and onion brings out the best in each other. It is a simple but satisfying side dish easily paired with your next crab leg meal.

28. Baked Potato Wedges

Potato Wedges are a fun, thicker version of thin french fries that are deliciously crunchy. Since it is baked, it has fewer calories making it a great finger food for children and just about everyone.

29. Steamed Vegetables with Miso Sesame Sauce

Miso is made from fermented soybeans and has the taste of deep savory flavor. Eating it with freshly steamed vegetables like sweet potato, cauliflower, and broccoli will introduce you to a new refreshing meal experience.

30. Air fryer Garlic Bread

On the fresh bread of your choice, imagine the spread of butter, garlic, parmesan cheese, and dried parsley made crispy in the air fryer oven. Hands down, the best side dish you could ever have.

31. Deviled Eggs

Fun, creative, and delicious! This recipe is great for parties and family dinners that would surely excite everyone with its creamy filling made of mustard, mayonnaise, and vinegar.

32. Pineapple Salad

This colorful tropical salad is a mixture of grilled pineapple, peppers, and creamy avocado. Without wasting the skin of the fruit, you can plate this delicious salad in it, elevating your dining table aesthetic.

33. Caesar Salad

Classic Caesar salad contains romaine lettuce with rich parmesan garlic dressing and croutons. Drizzling lemon on top would bring a tangy depth to its flavor. This recipe is the easiest choice to pair with your next meal.

34. Fried Calamari

Golden brown Calamari made from scratch is not as difficult as it looks. These delicious pieces are marinated in buttermilk, coated with seasoned flour, and fried till they are crispy. It is a go-to choice for both young and adults.

35. Chinese Garlic Green Beans

These Chinese Garlic Green Beans are sauteed to perfection. Together with a light garlic punch, they are healthy and simple! It is a well-welcomed crisp on the side of every tender meat.

36. Oven Roasted Herb and Garlic Parmesan Potatoes

Who says you can’t have it all? These roasted potatoes have rosemary, thyme, garlic, and parmesan. They are addicting for their combination of crunchy and soft texture. You would find yourself eating piece after piece.

37. Roasted Asparagus

Fresh asparagus drizzled with olive oil sprinkled with salt and pepper would be a fast but nutritious option for quick dinner preparation. These are just effortlessly delicious.

38. Baked Zucchini Squash Casserole

This beautifully baked casserole is packed with layers of zucchini and squash, topped with a creamy and cheesy mixture. It is a classic with a taste that never gets old.

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👩🏻‍🍳 Sarah Mock

CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.