As the warmer months begin to creep in, there is no better lunch than a fresh salad. Salads are the underdogs of the world but they can be innovative, indulgent, and most importantly, delicious. Especially a yummy crab salad.
Crab salad works well as a main dish as it combines some of the best ingredients there is: crab, mayonnaise, and a whole load of veggies.
However, when serving a large crowd, crab salad may not be enough to satisfy everyone. You need some incredible side dishes that make your crab salad sparkle.
Below are 10 of the best side dishes that you can serve with crab salad for a delicious feast.
Why Do You Need Side Dishes With Crab Salad?
Crab salad is delicious. There is no other way to describe it. And it works perfectly as an entree or a main.
As an entree, crab salad is the perfect size. It is light, and refreshing, and leaves you ready for more. But it doesn’t offer much in terms of nutrients or fullness meaning that you may run into some issues if you don’t get your guests more food soon.
When serving crab salad as a main course, adding some side dishes ensures there is plenty of food to satisfy your guests plus it adds choice to the meal.
Crab salad is an extremely versatile dish that pairs well with a range of flavors. From a vibrant fruit salad to cheesy stuffed peppers, you simply have to find the dishes you love and serve them up!
10 Best Side Dishes
Now that we know why you should serve side dishes with crab salad, it is time to give you some ideas. Below are 10 of the best sides to serve with crab salad that is going to transform any meal.
1. Mexican Corn On The Cob
Mexican Corn on the Cob is one of the best street foods there is. Not to mention it is quick, easy, and extremely tasty.
It is simply grilled corn that is then smothered in a creamy mayo sauce with a topping of chili powder, cheese, and lime.
This side dish is vibrant, slightly healthy, and utterly delicious. It pairs perfectly with crab salad and offers a slightly richer flavor. It is one of the best ways to give a rather boring vegetable a bit of edge.
Kids, adults, and even the dog are going to love this recipe. Switch up the regular mayo for a spicy mayo if you want to take the heat up a notch!
2. Balsamic Sauteed Carrots
Getting your little ones to eat their veggies can be difficult. After all, who wants broccoli when you can have french fries?
However, this Balsamic Sauteed Carrots recipe is going to make them forget about anything fried ever again. Well, maybe.
This delicious dish is made by sautéing some small to medium-sized carrots in olive oil and then adding a pat of butter, some brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar.
Make sure to prepare this dish ahead of time to really allow the carrots to soak in all of that flavor. Add a sprinkle of paprika, herbs, and chili powder for an even more intense flavor that will have your guests falling in love.
3. Butternut Squash Soup
Crab salad is a cold, delicious dish, and when you want to add something warm and comforting you have to serve this Butternut Squash Soup. It is the perfect side dish that you can make a lot of for serving a load of guests.
Roast your butternut squash to ensure you get the best flavor before using herbs, spices, and aromatics to bring everything together. You can also add a splash of cream to make it smooth and creamy.
Top with fresh parsley for that professional finish.
Watch as everyone licks their bowls clean and then store the rest in the fridge to enjoy throughout the week. It is super simple to make and can even be made a few days in advance to keep things simple.
4. Spicy Southern Cheese Crackers
Sometimes all a salad needs is a little bit of crunch. This Spicy Southern Cheese Cracker recipe is crunchy, savory, and all things delicious. Mixing together butter, cheese, and cayenne pepper, anyone can make these tasty crackers.
Be prepared for a lot of grating or purchase some pre-grated cheese from the store. You are going to need around 2 cups for this recipe.
If you prefer things to be a little more cool simply leave out the cayenne pepper and add some smoked paprika instead.
These spicy crackers are perfect for adding to your crab salad or for scooping up pieces of heaven. Before baking, you can keep the unbaked cracker dough in the refrigerator for up to a week.
5. Garlic Butter Potato Skins
Potato skins are always a great option when it comes to side dishes. They are extremely simple to make and are versatile to suit a range of flavors. Especially this Garlic Butter Potato Skins recipe.
You are going to want to begin by piercing your potatoes multiple times with a fork and roasting them until soft all the way through. Once soft, let them cool completely.
Now comes the fun. Cut them in half and scoop out the insides leaving a wall around the edge. Then you want to smother your potato skins in garlic butter before popping them back into the oven until crispy.
Make sure to use the scooped-out insides to make creamy mashed potatoes. Add crispy bacon bits, butter, and chopped chives for another gorgeous side dish.
6. Pita Chips
With items from your pantry, these homemade pita chips are quick and simple to make from pita bread. It is baked, not fried, and is crunchy. These handmade bread chips are the ideal appetizer for feeding a large group.
Serve your Pita Chips with any dip you can think of or with that creamy crab salad. This recipe is sure to be a small yet powerful part of your meal.
And what’s better is that you can make them completely your own. Switch up the seasonings to make something unique or keep it simple with salt and pepper.
Make a range of flavors so that everyone has something they enjoy. And they are all made in under 20 minutes. Or under 10 if you have an air fryer!
7. Cornbread Muffins
With items from your pantry, these homemade pita chips are quick and simple to make from pita bread. It is baked, not fried, and is crunchy. These handmade bread chips are the ideal appetizer for feeding a large group.
Crab salad is often missing one thing, carbs. This Cornbread Muffin recipe is all carbs and it adds a heaviness to crab salad that makes it filling and satisfying.
Use a mini muffin tray to ensure your guests don’t overdo it. You want them to save room for dessert. Making them mini also means you can have a few more than you normally would without feeling too full.
Serve them anytime you have guests and become the favorite host of the family!
8. Fresh Fruit Salad
Fruit Salad can often be overlooked as a side dish as it is typically served as a dessert. But it can work great as a side dish as it is light, zesty, and perfectly refreshing.
The secret is the citrus sauce. Made from fresh orange and lemon juices, grated orange and lemon zest, a dash of vanilla extract, and brown sugar, it is sweet, vibrant, and utterly delicious.
Allow your fresh fruit to sit in the sauce for at least a few hours to ensure the flavors really come together. If you happen to have any leftovers, store them in the refrigerator for up to a week for a delicious snack.
9. Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed Peppers are great as a side dish or as a low-carb main dish. Soft peppers stuffed with tomato beef, rice, and topped with melted cheddar cheese. This is the perfect side dish for any meal.
Make sure to boil your peppers for a few minutes to make them soft before stuffing them with your beef mixture and rice. It is an extremely simple recipe that will have everyone smiling throughout the entire meal.
You can also use shredded chicken instead of beef for a slightly lower-calorie dish.
We highly suggest making a range of fillings for your peppers to give your guests variety. And if you like some extra spice, top with a drizzle of hot sauce. Delicious!
10. Mashed Potatoes
When it comes to side dishes, nothing beats the mighty mashed potatoes. They have to be creamy, fluffy, and full of flavor.
This Mashed Potato Recipe uses Yukon Gold potatoes for that classic flavor before adding lots of butter and cream. Simple yet utterly irresistible.
You want to make sure to peel your potatoes and let them boil until they are extremely tender. The secret is to add a little of the cooking water for some extra starch that makes them perfect.
Add some freshly chopped chives, garlic, and cheese for Mashed Potatoes that are another level. There really is nothing more comforting.
Final Thoughts
Crab salad is one the best salads to enjoy on a warm summer’s day. But you may find yourself hungry again after an hour or two. You need some sides to add nutrients and satisfaction to your crab salad.
Above are 10 of the best sides that you can serve with crab salad. They are comforting, vibrant, and truly delicious. Take your crab salad to the next level with some truly wonderful sides.
And if you happen to have any leftovers, you have dinner for the next week!
