Hey friends! I’m so excited to share my favorite sides for crawfish boil parties! Last weekend, I hosted my annual backyard crawfish boil, and everyone kept asking about my side dishes. Truth is, while those little red mudbugs are the star of the show, the right sides make the party extra special!

I’ve put together this list of easy, crowd-pleasing sides that go perfectly with a spicy crawfish boil. Some are traditional, some are my own twists, but all are super simple to make. I’ve also included some of my must-have tools that make prep work so much easier (and more fun)!

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Why Crawfish Boil Sides Matter

Crawfish boils are more than just food—they’re a party! Here’s why good sides matter:

• They balance out the spicy crawfish flavors
• They help feed more people (especially those who might not love crawfish)
• They make the meal feel complete and special
• They’re perfect for soaking up all that yummy, spicy broth

Good sides turn a simple crawfish boil into a feast that everyone will talk about for weeks!

15 Must-Try Crawfish Boil Party Sides

1. Crispy Cornbread Muffins

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Nothing soaks up spicy crawfish juice better than sweet, buttery cornbread! These muffins are crispy outside and soft inside.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg

Steps:

1. Heat oven to 400°F and spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Mix dry stuff in one bowl, wet stuff in another bowl.
3. Stir wet and dry mixtures together until just mixed.
4. Fill muffin cups ⅔ full.
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden on top.

I love using my silicone muffin pan for these – the cornbread just pops right out!

2. Tangy Coleslaw

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This cool, crunchy coleslaw is the perfect partner for hot, spicy crawfish. The vinegar dressing cuts through the richness!

Ingredients:

• 1 small head green cabbage, shredded
• 2 carrots, grated
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil

Steps:

1. Mix cabbage and carrots in a big bowl.
2. In a small bowl, stir together vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until sugar dissolves.
3. Slowly whisk in oil.
4. Pour dressing over vegetables and toss well.
5. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

My veggie chopper makes shredding the cabbage super fast!

3. Garlic Butter Green Beans

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These simple green beans get tons of flavor from garlic butter. They’re a lighter side that balances heavier foods.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Splash of lemon juice

Steps:

1. Boil green beans in salted water for about 3-4 minutes until bright green but still crisp.
2. Drain and put in ice water to stop cooking.
3. In a large pan, melt butter and add garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Add drained green beans and toss until hot.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

4. Jalapeño Hush Puppies

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These spicy little bites are always the first to disappear at my crawfish boils!

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ¾ cup buttermilk
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 jalapeños, seeds removed and diced
• Oil for frying

Steps:

1. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Add eggs and buttermilk and stir until just mixed.
3. Fold in onion and jalapeños.
4. Heat oil to 350°F in a deep pot.
5. Drop batter by spoonfuls into hot oil.
6. Fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes, turning once.
7. Drain on paper towels.

I love using my candy thermometer to get the oil temperature just right!

5. Buttery Boiled Corn on the Cob

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You might already have corn in your crawfish boil, but these extra-buttery corn cobs are cooked separately so they don’t get too spicy for kids.

Ingredients:

• 8 ears of fresh corn, husked
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or basil)
• Salt to taste

Steps:

1. Boil corn in salted water for 6-8 minutes until tender.
2. Mix butter with herbs and a pinch of salt.
3. Brush herb butter over hot corn.
4. Serve with extra butter for dipping.

6. Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

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This isn’t your regular potato salad! The ranch and bacon make it extra special for a party.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds red potatoes, cubed
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 packet ranch seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 3 green onions, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Boil potatoes until fork-tender, about 12-15 minutes.
2. Drain and cool potatoes.
3. Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, and ranch seasoning.
4. Fold in potatoes, cheese, bacon, and green onions.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

7. Sweet and Spicy Baked Beans

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These upgraded baked beans have a touch of sweetness that balances the spicy crawfish perfectly!

Ingredients:

• 3 cans (16 oz each) baked beans
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 6 slices bacon, cut into pieces
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large baking dish.
3. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes until bubbly and slightly thickened.

My Dutch oven is perfect for making and serving these beans!

8. Skillet Cornbread with Honey Butter

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This golden brown cornbread has a crispy edge from the cast iron skillet and tastes amazing with honey butter!

Ingredients for Cornbread:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for the skillet

Ingredients for Honey Butter:

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons honey
• Pinch of salt

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F with a 10-inch cast iron skillet inside.
2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl, wet ingredients in another.
3. Combine wet and dry mixtures until just mixed.
4. Carefully remove hot skillet, add oil, and pour in batter.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
6. For honey butter, mix all ingredients until smooth.
7. Serve cornbread warm with honey butter.

9. Grilled Vegetable Platter

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These colorful veggies add a healthy option to your crawfish boil spread!

Ingredients:

• 2 zucchini, sliced lengthwise
• 2 yellow squash, sliced lengthwise
• 2 bell peppers, quartered
• 1 red onion, cut into thick slices
• 8 oz mushrooms, halved
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Steps:

1. Heat grill to medium-high.
2. Toss vegetables with oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Grill vegetables until tender with nice grill marks, about 3-5 minutes per side.
4. Arrange on a platter and sprinkle with fresh herbs if using.

I love using my grill basket for smaller vegetables like mushrooms!

10. Creamy Mac and Cheese

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Kids and adults both love this cheesy comfort food alongside spicy crawfish!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Steps:

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions, drain.
2. In a large pot, melt butter and stir in flour until smooth.
3. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened.
4. Add cheeses and stir until melted.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
6. Mix in cooked macaroni.
7. Pour into a baking dish.
8. Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
9. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

11. Cucumber Tomato Salad

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This refreshing salad is perfect for cutting through the richness of a crawfish boil!

Ingredients:

• 4 cucumbers, sliced
• 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Steps:

1. Combine cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion in a large bowl.
2. Whisk together oil, vinegar, dill, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour dressing over vegetables and toss.
4. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
5. Top with feta cheese before serving if desired.

12. Cheesy Garlic Bread

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This buttery garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the crawfish boil juices!

Ingredients:

• 1 French bread loaf
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cut bread in half lengthwise.
3. Mix butter, garlic, and parsley together.
4. Spread mixture on bread halves.
5. Sprinkle with cheeses.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are crispy.
7. Slice and serve warm.

13. Southern Style Fried Okra

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This crunchy fried okra is a Southern classic that goes great with crawfish!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh okra, cut into ½-inch slices
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Oil for frying

Steps:

1. Soak sliced okra in buttermilk for 10 minutes.
2. Mix cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a bowl.
3. Heat oil to 350°F in a deep skillet.
4. Dredge okra in cornmeal mixture, shaking off excess.
5. Fry in batches until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Drain on paper towels and season with extra salt while hot.

My splatter screen keeps my kitchen clean when frying these little gems!

14. Sweet Watermelon Chunks

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Nothing beats cold, juicy watermelon on a hot day with spicy crawfish!

Ingredients:

• 1 large watermelon
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (optional)
• Pinch of salt

Steps:

1. Cut watermelon into 1-inch chunks.
2. Place in a large bowl and sprinkle with lime juice and a tiny pinch of salt.
3. Add mint if using.
4. Chill for at least an hour before serving.

I use my melon baller for fancy watermelon balls that look super cute on a platter!

15. Warm Dinner Rolls with Honey Butter

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These soft, fluffy rolls are perfect for sopping up every last bit of crawfish flavor!

Ingredients:

• 12 frozen dinner rolls (I like Rhodes brand)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

For Honey Butter:

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons honey
• Pinch of salt

Steps:

1. Bake rolls according to package directions.
2. While warm, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt.
3. For honey butter, mix softened butter with honey and salt until smooth.
4. Serve rolls warm with honey butter on the side.

Planning and Preparation Tips

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Getting ready for a crawfish boil can be super easy with a little planning!

• Prep sides a day ahead when possible (like potato salad and coleslaw)
• Set up a buffet table away from the crawfish boil area to keep sides clean
• Use disposable aluminum pans for easy cleanup
• Label each dish for guests with food allergies
• Keep cold dishes cold by placing them in a shallow pan with ice
• Make a timeline so everything finishes at the same time

Planning a big crawfish boil? Download my free Crawfish Party Planner to help you organize your menu and shopping list!

Smart Shopping Tips

Save money and time with these simple shopping strategies:

• Buy seasonal produce for better flavor and lower prices
• Check local farmers markets for the freshest vegetables
• Buy in bulk for things like cornmeal, flour, and sugar
• Look for sales on cheese and butter (they freeze well!)
• Use store coupons for condiments and seasonings
• Make a list and stick to it to avoid impulse buys

I love using my reusable produce bags for all my shopping – they keep veggies fresh longer!

Must-Have Tools & Equipment

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These kitchen helpers make crawfish boil sides so much easier to prepare:

• Cast Iron Skillet – Perfect for cornbread and hush puppies. I love my pre-seasoned Lodge skillet that lasts forever!
• Good Knife Set – Makes chopping veggies a breeze. The Cuisinart knife set is great for home cooks.
• Large Mixing Bowls – For tossing salads and mixing batters. These nesting bowls with lids are my favorites.
• Deep Fryer – For perfect hush puppies and fried okra. This compact fryer doesn’t take up much space.
• Insulated Food Carriers – Keep hot dishes hot and cold dishes cold. I use these stackable carriers for potlucks.

More Recipes You Might Like

If you enjoyed these crawfish boil sides, you might also like these other party-friendly recipes:

• Easy BBQ Side Dishes
• Summer Potluck Favorites
• Quick Party Appetizers
• Kid-Friendly Party Foods
• Make-Ahead Party Sides

What’s your favorite side dish to serve with crawfish? Drop me a comment below!

In a Nutshell

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Crawfish boils are about fun, friends, and amazing food! These 15 sides will take your next crawfish party to a whole new level. From crunchy okra to sweet cornbread, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy while they’re peeling those tasty crawfish.

Remember, the best crawfish boil is one where nobody leaves hungry, and these sides make sure of that! Be sure to Pin this post for your next crawfish boil planning session!

Happy cooking and see you next time!

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