Crab Cakes - Best Melt-in-your-Mouth Recipe - Everyday Dishes (2024)

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by Cheryl Najafi on Dec 14, 2014 7 comments »

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If you’re serving crab to your company, we wouldn’t have it any other way than to set you up with a recipe for melt-in-your-mouth crab cakes.

Our recipe uses a minimal amount of ‘binder’ so you get the full savory flavor of the crab. We also pre-mix the ingredients before adding the crab meat—since crab meat can be on the expensive side, we like to have big lumps of crab visible in the cakes.

This dish is absolutely fabulous served with a side of lemon and tartar sauce or on a bed of fresh greens, accompanied by a light vinaigrette dressing.

Crab Cakes Recipe Tips

  • The key to this recipe is to handle the crab meat gently. This will keep the patties light and perfect for frying while keeping the large chunks of meat intact!
  • Want to make this recipe lower carb? Use crushed pork rinds instead of crackers!

Crab Cakes - Best Melt-in-your-Mouth Recipe - Everyday Dishes (1)

Crab Cakes Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Melt-in-your-mouth crab cakes are easier to make than you think! This simple recipe makes crab cakes an entertaining staple.

Ingredients

Yield: 8 crab cakes

4.23 from 81 ratings

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Instructions

  • Transfer crabmeat into a colander then set aside to drain excess liquid. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together egg, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce (optional), garlic powder, paprika and salt until completely combined. Add bell pepper, green onion and parsley then stir to combine.

  • Gently fold in drained crabmeat until well coated. Once the crab is moistened, add cracker crumbs, gently folding until the crumbs are completely mixed in. Try to leave crab chunks as intact as possible. Cover mixture then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

  • Form patties using ⅓ cup of the mixture at a time. When forming the patties, compress the mixture well, but don’t mash them together or they will become too dense. The mixture will be moist, but should hold together. If the mixture does not hold together, just add a bit more cracker crumb.

  • Place a large skillet over medium heat then add just enough oil to barely cover the bottom of the pan. Heat oil until it is shimmering, then gently place crab cakes into the pan. Do not overcrowd the pan and work in batches if necessary.

  • Fry crab cakes until dark golden brown, about 3–5 minutes per side. Remove from pan then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil. Serve piping hot with a wedge of lemon and your favorite tartar sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

The key to this recipe is to handle the crab meat gently. This will keep the patties light and perfect for frying while keeping the large chunks of meat intact!

Author: Cheryl Najafi

Course: dinner

Calories: 121kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 38mg, Sodium: 672mg, Potassium: 38mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g

Crab Cakes - Best Melt-in-your-Mouth Recipe - Everyday Dishes (2)

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originally published on Dec 14, 2014 (last updated Nov 3, 2023)

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7 comments on “Crab Cakes”

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  1. Rachel

    Love this recipe. I’ve been using it for years. And it’s spoiled me so much I can’t eat store bought /restaurant crab cakes anymore!

  2. Lindsay Viker

    Absolutely! I really like to vacuum seal any food I’m freezing if possible to keep it as fresh as possible.

  3. Dave

    Since there are only 2 of us, if I make the whole recipe can I freeze them once made but not cooked? I saw the recipe reduction but I figure I have to use the crab anyway.
    Thanks!

  4. Divya s

    Hi,

    I was googling around for the content about the seafood. On this page, I found your fantastic resource. Just wanted to let you know how much your page has helped me.

    We provide fresh fish, blue crab, crab cake, alaskan crab legs, shrimp, shellfish, seafood soup, and more. If you want to check it, you may find it here: https://www.cameronsseafood.com/

    Please have a look at this. Perhaps we might collaborate to write a blogpost or promote one another through any other referral source.

    In any case, thanks for compiling your resource list and have a great day!

    Talk Soon,

    Divya
    [emailprotected]

  5. Lindsay Viker

    Oh definitely! You don’t want them to dry out so you’d probably want to use it up within about 2-3 days and store it in an airtight container.

  6. Cindy

    I’m wondering if this can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge? If so bow soon sho yo ld it be used up? Thank-you!

  7. Deborah Williams

    Made them for the first time came out great thanks

Leave a Reply

Crab Cakes - Best Melt-in-your-Mouth Recipe - Everyday Dishes (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to fry or bake crab cakes? ›

Mayonaise, mustard, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and old bay are the only seasonings used. Is it better to bake or fry Maryland crab cakes? I prefer baking because you don't add additional calories via the cooking oil. Baking crab cakes with little filler is also easier and they are less likely to fall apart.

What is the best way to eat crab cakes? ›

8 Ways to Serve Crab Cakes
  1. With Russian dressing. Follow Andrew Zimmern's example and serve cold Baltimore-style crab cakes with Russian dressing and tomato.
  2. With horseradish cream. Make a punchy combo of sour cream, mayonnaise, and horseradish. ...
  3. With gazpacho. ...
  4. On a po' boy. ...
  5. As burgers or sliders. ...
  6. In a salad. ...
  7. With mango puree.
Jun 12, 2017

Can crab cakes be healthy? ›

Lots of Protein

One serving of crab is twenty grams of protein making it a great source of high protein for athletes and diabetics alike. While you're getting the protein you need, you will also be receiving the rich vitamins and minerals your body needs to function and maintain a healthy nervous system.

What food Cannot mix with crab? ›

Tea and persimmon contain tannins, which have been found to make protein harder to digest. So when tea and persimmon are eaten with crab, which is rich in protein, we might experience indigestion.

How do I keep my crab cakes from falling apart? ›

Refrigerate Your Crab Cakes

There's actually a pretty easy fix for this common problem. Simply stick your crab cakes in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. The time they spend there will allow the crab cakes to solidify their shape.

What is the best crab meat to buy for crab cakes? ›

If you can, we highly recommend buying jumbo crab meat for your crab cakes. This meat comes from two large muscles, and is known for its bright white color and superior taste.

What is the best oil to pan-fry crab cakes in? ›

I use a heavy-bottomed skillet with about 1/2″ of canola oil to fry them. Get your temperature to 350, then gently place 3 crab cakes in the skillet. After browning, gently turn them and continue to cook until evenly browned on all sides.

Should I refrigerate crab cakes before cooking? ›

Crab cakes are best served immediately, but you can shape the patties a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then cook them right before serving.

Is it better to fry crab cakes in butter or oil? ›

Ultimately, it is your decision how you choose to fry your crab cakes, as both oil and butter will work equally well depending on your taste and cooking preferences.

What vegetables go with crab cakes? ›

Nothing complements the sweet and savory flavors of tender crab meat better than grilled vegetables, so if you're making crab cakes, go ahead and serve them with some grilled corn, asparagus, or onions for a splash of color and nice smokey and charred taste.

Is crab cakes good for high blood pressure? ›

Crab's Influence on High Blood Pressure

Crab just might be the celestial help you need for your blood pressure journey. Studies suggest that the potassium content in crab meat can aid in regulating blood pressure levels.

Why are crab cakes expensive? ›

The Cost of Catching and Processing Crab Meat. One of the main reasons why crab meat is expensive is due to the high cost of catching and processing the crabs. Crabbing is a labor-intensive process that requires skilled workers to operate specialized equipment such as crab traps and crab pots.

How long can you eat crab cakes? ›

Unopened store-bought crab cakes can last up to 5-7 days past the printed date on the package if refrigerated, and even longer (up to 6-8 months) if you decide to freeze them. Once opened or if they are homemade, crab cakes should be consumed within 3-4 days when stored in the refrigerator.

What flavors go best with crab? ›

vegetal and green notes. Cooked crab's vegetal aroma is most dominant and best described as being similar to that of cooked potatoes, which makes it a complementary pairing for potatoes (of course), but also eggplant, asparagus, cabbage, chicken, fish sauce, kaffir lime leaves and even kimchi.

What to serve with lobster tails and crab cakes? ›

12 dishes and sides you can pair with lobster:
  1. Steamed clams or mussels.
  2. Potato Salad.
  3. Pasta Salad.
  4. Fresh salad.
  5. Coleslaw.
  6. Clam Chowder.
  7. Corn on or off the cob.
  8. Mac and cheese.
Dec 24, 2018

What sides go with crab imperial? ›

What To Serve With Crab Imperial - 36 Side Dishes
  • Meat. • 1 portion Skirt steak.
  • Seafood. • 1 portion Popcorn shrimp.
  • Bread & Baked Goods. • 1 portion Garlic bread. • 1 portion Hush puppies, fried.
  • Deli. • 1 portion Tossed green salad. • 1 portion Vinegar coleslaw, sweet.
  • Other. • ... and more.

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