Perfect Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Crab Salad

Crab Salad is a dish that has some history.

It also combines the best of both worlds – salads and seafood.

The name says it all, but what’s in there, you ask? Crab Salad has crab and mayo, vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, and greens.

Crab Salad is known for bringing together many flavors to create something perfect.

The two main ingredients are the star of the show – crab meat and salad – but other vegetables enhance flavors.

The crunchiness of the carrots and cucumber add a nice little snap while the tomatoes bring all the flavors together.

Also, various seasonings can be added to enhance the flavor even more – such as salt and pepper for taste and mayonnaise to thicken it up.

This is what makes crab salad a staple in many people’s diets.

There are numerous recipes for crab salad.

Some add extra ingredients such as peppers and other spices that can add a little something or, conversely, take away from the dish if not used sparingly.

No matter what kind of ingredients you use, it’s important to note that side dishes are perfect for serving with crab salad.

For example, these eight best sides for Crab Salad are sure to please the palate.

They’ll complete your meal.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Crab Salad?

Crab salad is a traditional crab dish made with crabmeat, vegetables, and mayonnaise.

Crab salad is most often served as an appetizer but can also make a satisfying meal.

As is, crab salad is a solid option when you’re in the mood for seafood.

However, serving it with side dishes is even more satisfying.

Crab salad by itself has little nutritional value and doesn’t fill one up very well.

Some good-for-you side dishes can turn simple crab salad into an excellent meal or snack with more substance.

Another reason to serve side dishes with your crab salad is to make your meal or snack more interesting.

Side dishes, like vegetables and salads, fruit, bread, and cheese, are common accompaniments to crab salad.

When serving side dishes for crab salad, be sure to consider the season.

For instance, in the cold winter months, many people enjoy hearty stews, soups, and chowders along with their salad.

In the spring and summer months, lighter fare is more common.

Above all else, consider your tastes when serving side dishes for crab salad.

You can choose between raw snacks or cooked accompaniments to go along with your simple dish.

What to Serve with Crab Salad? 8 BEST Side Dishes

Here are some suggestions for what to serve with crab salad:

1 – Caramelized Onions

Caramelized onions are not only delicious — they provide an array of health benefits.

Onions are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.

They contain strong antioxidants that may prevent cancer and other serious illnesses.

Caramelizing onions increases their concentration of antioxidants to superfood levels.

They’re also good for your eyesight.

Caramelized onions can help you stay sharp because they’re abundant in chromium.

This simple, classic side dish is perfect for chicken, beef, and pork.

It goes well with almost any protein you want to serve.

Cooking onions can be tricky — they go from perfectly caramelized to charred in a matter of seconds.

So make sure you keep an eye on them while they’re cooking.

2 – Steamed Vegetables

Steaming veggies is a healthy way to prepare them.

The advantages are that steaming preserves nutrients, doesn’t add any fat, and lightens the flavor.

You put your vegetables in just enough water to cover them, bring them to a boil, and let them cook for 5 – 10 minutes.

It’s simple, and it’s healthy.

Just remember that you don’t want to cook your vegetables for more than 10 minutes — they’ll lose their nutrients and start tasting soggy.

Steam them just long enough so they’re tender but not mushy.

Steamed veggies go great with almost every protein — chicken, beef, pork, and seafood all taste great with some steamed veggies.

3 – Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are very versatile.

They are great with crab salad because they are hearty, filling, and delicious.

Green or red peppers make a healthy choice for stuffing.

You can also stuff jalapenos, which pack an extra punch of flavor.

The best part? Stuffed peppers are easy to make.

Just stuff them with your favorite veggies, meats, and cheeses.

You can also add in your favorite spices or sauces.

They go great with chicken, beef, pork, seafood — any protein.

Just make sure you cook the stuffing to the right temperature so that it’s safe for everyone to eat.

4 – Pickled Vegetables

Pickling is a fun way to make your favorite veggies taste delicious.

It’s also a safe way to preserve them for later use.

You chop up onions, carrots, beets, cucumbers, celery, and any other vegetables that you like into small pieces.

Then cover them with water and vinegar.

The acidity of the vinegar helps prevent harmful bacteria from developing.

You can keep your pickles in a sealed container for about two months.

You can also freeze them if you want to keep them longer.

When it comes time to serve, thaw and enjoy — they taste great with crab salad because of their acidic nature.

They’re delicious spread on top of cream cheese as well.

5 – Grilled Vegetables

Grilling vegetables is a healthy and delicious way to prepare them.

It locks in their natural sweetness — while also making sure they’re safe to eat.

Grilling vegetables is easy — you need vegetable oil, salt, pepper, and other spices if desired.

You can add other tasty ingredients such as garlic or onions for extra flavor.

Cut your vegetables up so they’re bite-sized.

You can grill almost any vegetable — but it’s best to choose vegetables that mature in the summer, such as eggplant, zucchini, squash, and corn.

Summer is grilling weather; take advantage of it.

6 – Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that goes well with many proteins.

They’re also easy to make.

Peel the potatoes, chop them into small pieces, and boil them in water.

Once they’ve softened up, drain out the excess water and pour in some milk or cream.

The starch from the potatoes will mix in with the milk and create a delicious, creamy base.

Use a masher or a fork to mix it all.

You can add in butter, seasoning, and whatever else you want to make them taste delicious.

Mashed potatoes go great with any protein — pork, beef, chicken, fish, you name it.

7 – Corn on the Cobs

Corn is a versatile side dish that goes great with almost anything.

The nice thing about corn? It’s very easy to make.

You can boil or steam your corn, but boiling it is often much faster.

You pour water into a big pot, add your corn, and cover it for about 5 – 10 minutes.

Then you drain the excess water and eat it.

Corn is best eaten with butter.

A little bit of salt never hurt anyone either.

They’re delicious with crab salad because of their sweet taste, which will offset your crab salad’s tanginess.

8 – Sautéed Carrots

Sautéing is a fun way to cook your favorite veggies.

It blends their natural taste with the delicious ingredients you add.

First, peel and dice up your carrots into small pieces.

Then sauté them in a pan with a little bit of oil for about 5 – 10 minutes.

If you want to add flavor, you can add onions, garlic, or any other type of veggie that goes well with carrots.

Sautéed carrots are very tasty when eaten alongside crab salad.

They’re delicious because they have a sweet yet savory taste.

You can eat them on their own too if you want.

Just make sure to eat all of your vegetables.

Conclusion

Crab salad is a delicious and healthy dish that goes well with many side dishes.

The eight best side dishes to serve alongside crab salad include pickled vegetables, grilled vegetables, mashed potatoes, corn on the cobs, sautéed carrots, and more.

There are many ways to get creative with your side dishes — try them all out and let us know which ones you like best.

So get out there, get cooking, and enjoy your crab salad.

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