What to Serve with Crab Boil? 10 Best Side Dishes

Crab boil nights are sacred. They’re not just meals; they’re an event. Bold flavors. Laughter. Memories in the making. Ever been stuck on what to serve on the side? We have.

Great side dishes turn a good meal into a legendary feast. We’ve been there. Searching for the perfect partners in crime for our crab boil. It’s like finding the right friends to invite to a party.

The balance is key. You want something that complements, not competes. It’s a dance. A delicious, harmonious dance.

Read on. We’re sharing our top 10 side dishes. These are the game-changers. The plates that empty first. The ones we swear by.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Crab Boil?

Most people think that boiled crabs are enough to satisfy their seafood cravings.

After all, they’re already packed with flavors, so why add anything else?

Well, for one thing, crab boil is usually quite salty and spicy.

Therefore, having some side dishes to balance out the flavors is always a good idea.

Plus, let’s be honest – boiled crabs can get a little boring.

Nobody wants to sit around and pick at the same thing for hours on end.

Hence, having some variety will definitely make your crab boil more enjoyable.

Last but not least, side dishes are a great way to accommodate any guests with dietary restrictions.

For example, vegetarians or people who don’t eat seafood in your group can still enjoy the meal by filling up on the sides.

What to Serve with Crab Boil? 10 Best Side Dishes

1. Sourdough Bread

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Did you make a savory, flavor-packed crab boil dish? Now all you need is a doughy, crusty piece of sourdough bread to mop up all that goodness.

Sourdough bread is the perfect partner for crab boil.

Its slightly sour taste helps cut through the richness of the dish and makes it even more enjoyable.

Not to mention, the crunchy texture of sourdough bread is also a great contrast to the soft, succulent seafood.

So, the next time you make crab boil, don’t forget to get a loaf of sourdough bread to go along with it.

2. Creamy Mashed Turnip

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When it comes to side dishes, mashed potato is always a popular choice.

Why not try something different this time and opt for a creamy bowl of mashed turnip?

Honestly, this dish might not be the most attractive part of your dinner table.

However, it’s undoubtedly delicious and healthy.

Plus, it’s also really easy to make.

You only need some turnip, milk, butter, salt, and pepper.

Simply boil the turnip until it’s soft and mash it with the other ingredients.

The result is a creamy, flavorful side dish that goes great with crab boil.

3. Potato Salad

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Thank Heavens for potatoes.

They’re so versatile, cheap, and filling.

Most importantly, they go with pretty much everything – including crab boil.

We suggest a simple potato salad if you want to keep things light.

All you need is some boiled potatoes, mayonnaise, diced celery, and chopped onion.

You can also add some pickles, boiled eggs, or green peas for extra flavor.

Not only for flavor but adding boiled eggs or green peas to your potato salad will also add some extra nutrients and make it more filling.

4. Spicy Potato Wedges

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Not a fan of potato salad? Try some spicy potato wedges instead.

If your crab boil’s flavor is mild, you can go for this side dish.

The spicier the potato wedges, the more they’ll be able to complement the taste of crab boil.

Apart from potatoes, all you need for this dish are some chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and olive oil.

For extra crunchiness, you can also coat the potatoes in breadcrumbs before baking or deep frying.

If you have an air fryer, even better.

Just put all the ingredients in and let it do its magic.

5. Corn on the Cob

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Corn on the cob is an important ingredient in traditional crab boil.

However, crab boil has become so popular that the dish has multiple variations today.

Hence, in some recipes, people serve corn on the cob as a side dish instead of making it a part of the entrée.

This is great if you want to make the most out of your crab boil.

After all, you don’t want those perfectly cooked corn to go to waste, do you?

Besides, if your crab boil recipe doesn’t include corn, you can simply cook them separately.

Regardless of how you cook them, don’t forget to add butter, salt, and pepper while serving.

These simple ingredients will elevate the flavor of corn on the cob and make it even more delicious.

6. Asparagus Roasted in Lemon Garlic

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Looking for a quick, easy, and healthy side dish? Try roasting some fresh asparagus in lemon and garlic.

You’ll be blown by how delicious such a simple dish can be.

Not to mention, it only takes around 15 minutes to make.

For this recipe, you’ll need some asparagus, olive oil, lemon slices, garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper.

The end combination is a plate of beautifully charred asparagus with a hint of lemon and garlic flavor.

It’s the perfect side to any meal – be it crab boil or otherwise.

7. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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Not a fan of asparagus? What about Brussels sprouts? These little cabbages are actually quite delicious when roasted properly.

To make this side dish, you’ll need some basic ingredients- brussels sprouts, olive oil, garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper.

Just toss everything together and roast in a preheated oven until the sprouts are crispy on the outside but tender on the inside.

It’s a great side dish for those who like their food to be on the healthier side.

After all, Brussels sprouts are packed with nutrients and antioxidants.

Not to mention, they’re also quite low in calories.

So if you’re watching your weight, this is a good option.

8. Watermelon Salad

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You might think that watermelon and crab boil don’t go together.

However, the sweetness of watermelons can help tone down the dish’s spiciness.

It’s a refreshing and healthy side that’s perfect for summer gatherings.

For this recipe, you’ll need watermelon, feta cheese, cucumber, balsamic vinegar, and mint leaves.

Just mix everything, and voila – you’ve got yourself a delicious watermelon salad.

A bowl of watermelon salad will also add a nice pop of color to the dinner table.

Trust us; this side dish might even become the star of the show.

9. Mac & Cheese

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The ultimate comfort food- mac & cheese is always a good idea.

This dish is creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-delicious.

Plus, it’s also really easy to make.

Simply boil some macaroni noodles and mix them with your favorite cheese sauce.

Voila – you’ve got yourself a plate of piping hot mac & cheese that’s perfect for any occasion.

While you can enjoy this dish on its own, it also goes well with crab boil.

The cheesy goodness of mac & cheese perfectly complements the spicy taste of the dish.

10. Garlic Knots

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Garlic knots and garlic bread are more or less the same things.

However, the former tends to be fluffier and bite-sized.

As you know, garlic and seafood go together like peanut butter and jelly.

The pungent taste of garlic will perfectly offset the spiciness of crab boil.

What’s more, they’re incredibly easy to make.

You can either buy them at a bakery or prepare them at home using simple ingredients.

Conclusion

Crab boil is a Louisiana Cajun tradition.

It typically includes crab, corn on the cob, potatoes, and sausage, all cooked together in a large pot.

Crab boil is usually served with hot sauce and butter.

But now that you’ve read through our list of recommendations, you know that there are plenty of other ways to enjoy crab boil.

No matter what you pick, we’re sure you’ll have a blast chowing down on this delicious dish.

So go ahead and give it a try.