The Best Side Dishes to Pair With Crab Legs
We often envision crab legs with a heaping bowl of garlicky butter, but there's a world of side dishes to be paired with the iconic main and its appropriate dipping sauce. No matter how you like to enjoy your crab legs, we've rounded up the best side dishes for crab legs so you're sure to find a colorful recipe in this rotation that fits your special menu. The true beauty of crab legs is the versatility in direction you can take with the meal's flavor palate. If you're craving something particularly rich, try our Gruyère Scalloped Potatoes or Fresh Corn and Chèvre Grits. If you're in the heat of summer and hoping to prepare a light, refreshing meal, stick with our Spicy Pepper Jelly Coleslaw or the Grilled Peach-and-Arugula Salad with Feta. Sometimes the best side dishes for crab legs also happen to be the best side dishes for crab cakes. That certainly sounds like a way to satisfy all audiences. Now it's no time to be crabby! Your crab leg side dish dreams await.
Gruyère Scalloped Potatoes
Recipe: Gruyère Scalloped Potatoes
If you're looking for a rich, creamy side to go with your crab legs, this decadent spin on scalloped potatoes is the recipe for you.
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Curried Okra Shoestring Fries
Recipe: Curried Okra Shoestring Fries
Of course, it wouldn't be a true Southern crab leg meal without some form of fried vegetable. We love this twist on fried okra by Ann Taylor Pittman because it combines the familiarity of a beloved Southern dish with the unique flavors of curry powder and chutney.
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Twice-Baked Potatoes
Recipe: Twice-Baked Potatoes
In all honesty there's not a potato recipe that wouldn't go well with crab legs. Twice-Baked Potatoes offer the best of both worlds with crispy skin and a fluffy filling that's a worthy combination paired with rich Alaskan king crab legs.
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Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob
Recipe: Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob
The crunch of sweet corn on the cob can't be beat, especially as a side for your seafood boil. Grilling the cobs give them a delicious smoky flavor to contrast tender and sweet crab legs.
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Spicy Pepper Jelly Coleslaw
Recipe: Spicy Pepper Jelly Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a summertime staple – as such, it deserves to be on the table beside a pile of crab legs. This hot-and-sweet version of coleslaw kicks up the heat and tang with fresh cabbage, bell peppers, cilantro, red onion, and a dressing of lime juice, pepper jelly, and cayenne pepper.
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Lisa Cericola's Herbed Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
Recipe: Lisa Cericola's Herbed Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
Although Southern Living Senior Food Editor Lisa Cericola isn't big on mashed potatoes at every meal, her Herbed Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes are a great side dish for a special occasion. Butter, half-and-half, cream cheese, and a swirl of herbed brown butter on the top makes these mashed potatoes ultra-rich and deliciously tender.
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Permanent Slaw
Recipe: Permanent Slaw
Trust us on this all-purpose slaw recipe. The longer it sits in the fridge, the better the flavor gets.
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Southern Skillet Cornbread
Recipe: Southern Skillet Cornbread
Are you team sugar or no sugar when it comes to cornbread? This recipe skips the sugar and uses every Southern mama's secret cooking weapon: bacon drippings.
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Fried Artichoke Hearts with Roasted Red Pepper Aïoli
Recipe: Fried Artichoke Hearts with Roasted Red Pepper Aïoli
In true Southern fashion, we've taken a jar of marinated artichoke hearts and dredged them with buttermilk and breadcrumbs. On the slim chance that you have any leftover artichoke hearts and crab meat, consider making a delicious Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip.
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Grilled Peach-and-Arugula Salad with Feta
Recipe: Grilled Peach-and-Arugula Salad with Feta
This salad is the ideal pairing for crab legs because it can be prepared right beside your grill. Ripe summer peaches receive a delicious char before they're tossed in a honey and Dijon vinaigrette with bitter arugula, nutty pistachios and tangy feta cheese.
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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots
Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots
Brussels sprouts and bacon were meant to be served together. We'll take this crispy casserole as a side for rich crab legs any day.
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Easy Grilled Asparagus
Recipe: Easy Grilled Asparagus
Step up your grilling game and try cooking this beloved spring veggie over the flames. Topped with bacon and a sherry vinaigrette, your guests will ask for a second helping of this bright side dish.
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Seared Steak-and-Field Pea Salad
Recipe: Seared Steak-and-Field Pea Salad
Pair this Seared Steak-and-Field Pea Salad with your crab legs for an innovative surf and turf combination.
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Skillet Mac-and-Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs
Recipe: Skillet Mac-and-Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs
You've heard of Lobster Mac and Cheese, but give this recipe a try alongside crab legs for a decadent flavor combination.
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Fresh Corn and Chèvre Grits
Recipe: Fresh Corn and Chèvre Grits
Grits and seafood belong together – especially when fresh corn and goat cheese are also in the mix.
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Chef Mike Lata's Carolina Gold Rice Middlins
Recipe: Chef Mike Lata's Carolina Gold Rice Middlins
This Southern side dish from Charleston Chef Mike Lata pairs well with any seafood main course.
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Caesar Salad with Garlicky Croutons
Recipe: Caesar Salad with Garlicky Croutons
It's high time that the Caesar salad received a modern makeover, and we think this recipe does the job.
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Spaghetti with Pecan Pesto and Garlicky Breadcrumbs
Recipe: Spaghetti with Pecan Pesto and Garlicky Breadcrumbs
We're always looking for unexpected twists to add to dinnertime, and this pasta recipe combined with crab legs is just the kind of meal to surprise (and delight!) dinner guests.