Yummy, tender, briny, and slightly fishy, crab legs have similar seafood flavor to lobster claw meat. However, they are sweeter, flaky, and holds together better than lobster claws.
The white color meat with reddish brown tinge is very low in fat and particularly high in protein and cholesterol. Therefore, it is best to serve with other foods to make a filling and balanced dish.
What to eat with crab leg? Crab legs is always good with clarified butter or a dipping sauce to brings out the crab flavor even more.
However, to make a complete meal, consider adding a side of baked, mashed, roasted, or fried potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw, cornbread, roasted vegetables, salad, and rice pilaf.
Meat and crab legs make a fantastic combination, especially a surf and turf dish paired with steak.
Whether casual or gourmet, crab legs are oh-so-delicious. The true beauty of this seafood is its versatility, so choosing the right dish is key.
Unsure what sides to pick? This article answers frequently asked questions about classic flavor combinations and what meat and side dishes to serve with crab legs for the best experience.
What to serve with crab legs?
Crab legs go with various foods such as baked goods, roasted vegetables and a nice glass of wine to fulfill the satisfaction.
These offer delicious and perfect contrast to crab leg flavors, meaning the right ingredient pairings are key to success.
- Nuts: almonds
- Fruits: grapefruit, lemon juice, lime zest, orange, tomatoes
- Vegetables: arugula, asparagus, avocado, red bell peppers, broccoli rabe, chili peppers, jalapeño, cucumbers, daikon, fennel, leeks, red onion, paprika, sugar peas, potatoes, scallions, shiso leaf, zucchini
- Herbs: basil, dill, chervil, chives, garlic, ginger, parsley, tarragon, thyme
- Spices: cayenne, chili powder
- Condiments: brown butter sauce, clarified or unsalted butters, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, salt, soy sauce, Tabasco sauce, vinaigrette
- Vinegar: balsamic, champagne, white wine
- Oil: olive, canola, peanut, vegetable
- Grains: couscous
- Dairy: cream, creme fraiche
- Seafood: scallops, shrimp
What meat goes good with crab legs?
Steak and crab legs. Yes, steak isn’t a necessary side. But in all honesty, steak and crab legs is a perfect combination to try out, a surf and turf delicacy at its finest.
Steak is red meat that is cooked to desired doneness. Serve with melted butter and horseradish cream to make it extra special.
Other than steak, alternative meats that go good with crab legs include:
- bacon
- chicken breasts
- sausage
- eggs
- ribs
What side dish go with crab legs?
Serving crab legs by itself is not the only answer to fulfill the meal. Pairing with carbs, protein, and fiber is the way to go.
If you are preparing crab legs, consider these classic sides to make a complete meal.
- Rice pilaf: Crab legs and lemony rice pilaf make a comforting dishes for weekend nights. The rice pilaf is made with a few ingredients such as egg yolks, jasmine rice, chicken stock, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. The result is delicious and a doubly refreshing meal.
- Salad: Ever tried fresh salad with crab legs? This is a perfect combo of crunch and sweet. It is insanely refreshing. Try mandarin orange or Caesar salad, and serve the dish before the main course.
- Dipping sauce: Try clarified butter for classic flavor. Crab legs combined with melted butter turns it into another level of goodness. Stick to real butter rather than settling for margarine because real butter makes the dish way more delicious. Other dipping sauce to pair with crab legs are garlic butter, tartar, and cocktail sauce.
- Pasta: Creamy primavera and crab legs? Yes, please. It is a perfect option, especially for those looking for sides featuring pasta. The recipe contains the aroma of cream and cheese. Want a little bit of freshness? Add some fresh tomatoes and carrots for a delicious taste.
- Potatoes: Roasted, baked, mashed, or fried potatoes and crab legs marry together perfectly. The recipe has a rich scent of garlic, stimulating all your senses. The crispness of potatoes harmonizes with the slight smell of olive oil, making the recipe flavorful.
- Bread: Side of cornbread or garlic bread is the best option for carb to serve with crab legs. A flavored cornbread like spicy jalapeño or smoked cheddar is perfect with crab leg and cajun seasoning.
- Soup: The go-to combinations that you must try are tomato soup and clam chowder. They can be served along side a salad for the first course, or brought out one at a time to space out the meal. You will thank me later!
What flavor goes well with crab legs?
Common flavor pairings for crab legs include artichokes, garlic, mayonnaise, onion, and corn hash. But crab legs can also go well with brussels sprouts, avocado, zucchini, ginger, peanut sauce, and lemon.
Here are classic flavor combination that goes well with crab legs:
- crab legs + garlic + butter + cayenne
- crab legs + asparagus + capers + garlic + lemon + potatoes
- crab legs + broccoli rabe + brown butter
- crab legs + cabbage + mustard
- crab legs + lemon + parsley + tartar sauce
Eat with Crab Legs: Conclusion
Crab legs pair perfectly with almost everything. Even simply serving with clarified butter, garlic butter, tartar sauce, or cocktail dipping sauce is great addition to enjoy crab legs by themselves.
To make a filling dinner, try with potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw, cornbread, vegetables, pasta, salad, and rice side dishes. These will enhance the briny and tender flavor in every bite.
Even though it is protein with low fat, pairing with meat, especially with steak is classic menu item. Bacon, chicken, sausage, eggs, and ribs are alternative meat options that go well with crab legs.
These classic combinations and flavor tips are guaranteed to create a memorable dining experience. So, select your personal favorite and transform tonights dinner into a perfect seafood feast.