How to Pair Crab Meat With Wine and Other Drinks

In addition to its proteins, B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and zinc and magnesium in abundance, crab meat is also a great source of protein.

But a crab dinner doesn’t have to be classic, try pairing your crab dinner with an unexpected twist like Tzatziki sauce for that tangy surprise.

Wine

Crab and wine pair beautifully, with crabs’ tartness complementing the citrusy notes of the wine, while richer wines enhance the crab’s buttery textures. For grilled or sautéed crab, a lightly-oaked Chardonnay is ideal, while sweeter crab dishes pair well with Riesling. German Riesling with citrus notes or California/Canada Riesling for a tangy bite works best with spicy or fried crab dishes.

Crab and wine share a lovely symbiotic relationship; the crab is tart and tangy contrasting the wine’s tart and citrusy notes, the richness of wine brought out through its buttery, cheesey, or creamy textures. If you’re drinking with your crab, chardonnay, has a buttery flavor and silky texture that go well with most grilled or sauteed dishes. You can drink a lightly-oaked chardonnay. If you’re going for a sweeter crab dish, Riesling wine would be your go to. An easygoing, yet lively white grape, like riesling, fits right in with spicy deep fried or fried crab dishes; its sweetness blends well with the sauce. For the perfect pairing experience, look for German Riesling with citrus notes of lime, apricot, peach and honey, or for more acidity and a little tingly bite, go with California or Canada Riesling.

Crab is another seafood based dish in which Sauvignon Blanc works well. Wine pairing – Any tart or spicy flavours in your crab  meat dish will simply adore the crisp acidity of this light and tropical fruited white wine, and it works well served up alongside herb or fruit based sauces or sides. If the Sauvignon Blanc is not citrusy, then it’s unlikely to taste like zesty citrus fruits, so you want to look for Sauvignon Blanc from Alsace region in France, Oregon or New Zealand.

When you’re making sparkling Crab Legs, you want something special, like Champagne, whose effervescence lingers in the buttery richness of the crab like yeast and toast offering balance and richness. Sparkling wines can also work really deliciously in richer preparations — like crab bisque, or cream of crab pasta — and then your sprinkling your sparkler in there is just brightening up what can be a heavy flavor.

Beer

But if you opt for something lighter crab pairs very well with beer as well as wine. With a crisp clean flavor, light lager goes hand in hand with any dish that displays flaked crab meat, whether it be a crab cake or seafood chowder, that can otherwise drown the natural brininess.

Blue crabs steamed are delicate sweet and have nutty notes and these flavors pair well with equally delicate notes of light beers like pilsners or wheat beers. Also, this beer is a great match with other kinds of shellfish such as scallops or shrimp for a top notch dinner experience.

If you’re eating a dish that has spicy sauces to it like garlic, India Pale Ale (IPA) will also hold up against the heat without being overpowered. Against spicy crab claw dishes, its bold flavor will perform well too!

If you’re enjoying a rich, creamy crab meal, such as crab cake or crab chowder, a dark beer such as stout would be better than so as to marry the two flavors and bring depth and complexity. There are stout flavors, which like coffee or chocolate, but complement its rich textures without dominating them. If Budweiser is a classic, any classic is good – they’re both crisp and clean, just like the fare they are paired with Old Bay seasoning, frequently used on these foods.

Also Read: Health Benefits of Fennel Seeds

Sides

Many side dishes go perfect with crab meat adding some texture and color to your favorite meal. For instance, crab and greens are a match made in heaven; however, crispy flavors lighten the richness of the seafood and grant a refreshing burst of energy boosting nutrients.

Another easy side that goes great with cold or hot crab dishes, including salads or casseroles, are potatoes. Versatile they are, lent themselves to be baked, fried, roasted or boiled and regardless of how they prepared, they are sure to be the instant upgrade to any meal!

A classic baked potato is always a quick and delicious side dish or garlic mashed potatoes. Each variety can easily be customized with herbs and spices you already have at your disposal and they play well with warm or fried crab!

Grilled corn on the cob is, of course, a summertime essential, as is roasted asparagus, and hearty vegetable based chowder w/ onions, pepper, squash and zucchini. Green beans steaming and drizzled with butter and topped with salt and pepper make a terrific partner to fresh crab legs!

Sauces

Crab meat is a delicious thing, that can be combined with numerous things and cooked in many ways. Add some depth to your dish with seasonings like paprika, Old Bay and garlic; add brightness with seasonings like paprika; and balance with citrus elements and seafood sauces such as garlic butter or remoulade. Meanwhile it goes perfectly with citrus elements and or seafood sauces such as garlic butter or remoulade. Important in achieving depth is choosing the right method; boiling or steaming produce more savory crab  meat dishes while grilling produces light caramelization that increases the intensity of flavor in a crab’s meatiness and adds dimension to its distinctive flavor.

A garlic infused dipping sauce is the best to put out the best in a steamed, boiled, or grilled crab meal. The sweet flavours of the dish will be offset by its acidity and the creamy body of the sauce will offer a nice textural contrast to our crispy vegetable side dishes.

Crab meat dishes go nicely with remoulade sauce, and it’s so much better than commercial remoulade sauce I’ve encountered: it’s cool and creamy with good tang. They’re not pickles and mayonnaise, but vinegar or mustard or horseradish — that’s what comes in remoulade.

Combine softened butter and sour cream for a make an easy, quick crab butter sauce to remember. This luscious condiment will undoubtedly surprise your guests if drizzled over steamed green vegetables or stuffed mushrooms!