Savory Pair-ups: 10 BEST Side Dishes for Soft Shell Crabs

Have you ever wondered what Soft Shell Crabs were? They are blue crabs that have recently molted.

The Blue Crab sheds its hard shell every few months as it grows, and each time it leaves behind a new, smaller one.

Soft-Shell Crabs are the special treat of watermen who catch them after they molt and before their new shell hardens.

They’re also popular among crab lovers who can’t get enough of their delicate, sweet meat.

The crabs are generally sold live, but they can be frozen.

The meat is sweet and delicate, with a nutty or buttery flavor.

There are many ways to cook Soft Shell Crabs, but frying, grilling, and baking are the most popular methods.

When cooking them, it’s important to remember not to overcook them, as they can become dry and tough.

When serving Soft Shell Crabs, it’s best to keep the side dishes simple and let the crabs be the star of the show.

In this article, we’ll list the best ten side dishes to serve with soft shell crabs.

What to Serve with Soft Shell Crabs? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Once you know what to look for and cook them, Soft Shell Crabs make a delicious meal.

They’re delicate, sweet, and nutty – with a flavor that can’t be beaten.

It’s best to keep the side dishes simple so that you can let the delicate flavor of the crabs shine through.

1 – Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Potatoes are a universally loved side dish, and this recipe is a fantastic way to dress them up.

The potatoes are roasted with garlic and Parmesan cheese, which give them a wonderfully rich and savory flavor.

These potatoes would be perfect with just about any main course, but they’d be especially delicious with a juicy steak or grilled chicken.

So if you’re looking for a tasty and easy way to dress up your potatoes, give this side a try.

2 – Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Glaze

Asparagus is a great vegetable to grill.

It cooks quickly and has a wonderful, slightly smoky flavor.

This recipe takes asparagus to the next level with a delicious balsamic glaze.

The glaze is made with balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard, and it gives the asparagus a wonderfully sweet and tangy flavor.

If you’re looking for a delicious and impressive side dish to serve with your next barbecue, look no further than this grilled asparagus recipe.

3 – Simple Sauteed Spinach

Are you looking for a dish that’s healthy, delicious, and easy to make? Then give this simple sauteed spinach recipe a try.

The spinach gets sauteed with garlic and oil until it’s wilted.

The finished product is flavorful without being too oily or heavy.

It goes great with any main course, but it is especially suited to seafood.

Serve this with your next meal of soft shell crabs, and you’ll be glad you did.

4 – Creamy Polenta Ranch

Have you ever had polenta? If you haven’t, you’re in for a real treat.

Polenta is a cornmeal-based dish that can be served either as a side or an entrée.

This recipe takes polenta to the next level by adding delicious ranch seasoning.

The result is a creamy and flavorful side dish that everyone will love.

Polenta is a great alternative to mashed potatoes, and it’s perfect for any occasion.

Give this creamy polenta ranch recipe a try today.

5 – Light Lemon Butter with Fresh Parsley

This side is just as easy as it is delicious.

All you have to do is melt some butter, add some lemon zest and lemon juice, and mix in some fresh parsley.

The resulting dish has a nice citrus flavor that pairs wonderfully with seafood.

It’s light enough to let the delicate flavor of the crabs shine through, but it’s still substantial enough to be a satisfying side dish.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add some flavor to your meal, this light lemon butter is the perfect solution.

6 – Cashew Brown Butter Sauce

Butter is a classic side dish accompaniment, but it can be a little heavy.

This cashew brown butter sauce recipe is the perfect solution.

The sauce is made with butter, cashews, and garlic.

It’s light, creamy, and flavorful – and it goes great with seafood or chicken.

It’s so flavorful that you could even use it as a dipping sauce or salad dressing.

Give this cashew brown butter sauce recipe a try the next time you plan on serving crabs – your guests will love it.

7 – Garlic Green Beans with Almonds

Garlic green beans are an ideal side dish for busy cooks.

They’re delicious and healthy, and they can be ready in just a few minutes.

And the best part is that this recipe is so versatile.

You can change up the herbs and spices to create a different flavor profile every time you make them.

This particular recipe features garlic and almonds, but you could easily swap those out for parsley and pistachios or thyme and hazelnuts.

The possibilities are endless.

So if you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish that you can make any time, give these garlic green beans with almonds a try.

8 – Tomato, Basil, and Avocado Salad

This light and refreshing salad are perfect for a hot summer day.

The sweetness of the tomatoes pairs well with the tartness of the avocado, and the basil gives it a nice herbal flavor.

When preparing this salad, be sure to use the freshest ingredients possible – it makes a difference in the flavor.

This salad is best served cold, so it’s perfect for a summer picnic or potluck.

It also makes a great side dish for any seafood meal.

You can prepare it ahead of time, so it’s perfect for those busy weeknight dinners.

Give this delicious tomato, basil, and avocado salad a try the next time you have soft shell crabs on the menu.

9 – Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans

Looking for a unique side dish? Try this roasted butternut squash with pecans.

Butternut squash is a mild vegetable that’s perfect for pairing with seafood.

This recipe, which features black pepper and maple syrup, is healthy and delicious.

It’s also very versatile – if you want to substitute some of the ingredients, go right ahead.

This side is great for any occasion, but it would be especially well suited to a summer picnic or backyard barbecue.

It pairs wonderfully with seafood – particularly soft shell crabs.

Give this roasted butternut squash with pecans recipe a try today.

10 – Sautee’d Spinach with Bacon

Sauteed spinach is a classic side dish that goes great with any meal.

This version, which features bacon, is especially delicious.

The bacon adds a smoky flavor and richness to the spinach, and it also helps keep the spinach from becoming too wilted.

This sauteed spinach with bacon recipe is simple and easy to make, but it’s not lacking in flavor.

Feel free to add in other ingredients if you’d like – this recipe is very versatile.

You could add in some garlic, onions, or even cherry tomatoes.

So if you’re looking for a tasty side to serve with your soft shell crabs, give this sauteed spinach with bacon recipe a try.

Conclusion

Softshell crabs are a delicious treat, but they can be kind of dry on their own.

That’s why it’s important to have a good side dish ready to go.

These ten dishes would all work perfectly with soft shell crabs – so give them a try.

Each is unique and flavorful, perfect for adding excitement to your seafood meal.

Which one will you try first?

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