Easy Crab Cakes

These Easy Crab Cakes are loaded with crab and cooked to perfection! Light and flakey on the inside and crisp and crunchy on the outside.

Crab cakes are a timeless seafood delicacy, adored for their rich flavor and crispy texture. Whether you’re preparing them as an elegant appetizer, a hearty main course, or a crowd-pleasing party platter, crab cakes offer versatility and sophistication. Today, will guide you through an easy and foolproof recipe, ensuring that you can create restaurant-quality results in the comfort of your kitchen. Let’s dive into the world of delicious crab cakes!

Why you’ll love these Easy Crab Cakes

• Ready to serve in 30 minutes!
• True crowd-pleaser!
• Crispy and crunchy on the outside!
• Light and flakey on the inside!
• Baked to perfection-golden brown!

The Star Ingredient: Crab Meat

The key to exceptional crab cakes is, of course, the crab meat. Opt for high-quality crab meat to ensure rich flavor and a tender texture. There are several types of crab meat to choose from:

• Jumbo Lump: Large chunks of white meat from the crab’s muscle, perfect for premium crab cakes.
• Lump: A mix of smaller chunks of white meat, offering great flavor and texture.
• Claw Meat: Darker meat with a more pronounced flavor, often a budget-friendly choice.

For the best results, use fresh or pasteurized crab meat. If you’re using canned, ensure it’s drained and free of excess liquid. Always check for small bits of shell before starting the recipe.

Easy Crab Cakes-Ingredients

Imperial Sauce

• ½ cup Hellmann’s mayonaise
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce

Crab Cakes

• 1 lb crab meat lump, claw, wild caught
• 1 tbsp roasted red peppers (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp onions (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp Italian parsley (finely chopped)
• ½ cup plain bread crumbs

Optional additions: a dash of hot sauce, minced garlic, or a pinch of cayenne for extra flavor. Each ingredient contributes to the cakes’ texture, flavor, and ability to hold together during cooking.

Step-by-Step-Instructions

Imperial Sauce

• In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, egg, Old Bay seasoning, sugar, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce.

Crab Cakes

• In a large bowl, combine crab meat, roasted red peppers, onions and parsley. Gently work them together until combined.
• Add imperial sauce to the crab mixture and combine, slowly mix in bread crumbs.
• Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes so that the bread crumbs will soak up any liquids.
• Divide the crab mixture into 4-6 (depending on how big you’d like to make the crab cakes) equal servings. Shape the mixture into a slightly rounded disk and sprinkle on some extra bread crumbs (both sides).
• Add olive oil to a large frying pan and warm over medium-high heat. Add crab cakes to the frying pan and sauté until golden brown about 2 minutes per side. 
• Place crab cakes into a baking dish and bake in a preheated oven set at 350℉ for 15 minutes.
• Serve and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Crab cakes are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of sides and sauces. Consider serving them with:

• Side dishes: A fresh garden salad, creamy coleslaw, or roasted asparagus.
• Sauces: Tartar sauce, lemon aioli, remoulade, or a simple squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• Garnishes: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives for added color and flavor.

For a complete meal, serve with crusty bread or a light seafood soup.

Yum, try this recipe for your next gathering!

Making crab cakes at home doesn’t have to be intimidating. With this easy recipe, you’ll enjoy perfectly crispy, flavorful cakes every time. Experiment with the ingredients to suit your taste, and don’t forget to share your results with friends and family. If you have questions or creative twists to share, drop a comment below—I’d love to hear from you! Happy cooking! And remember…

Life’s too short to eat bad food!

For other delicious seafood/fish recipes try:

Fried Shrimp Recipe

Fried Scallops Recipe

Healthy Fish Sandwich with Asian Slaw

Simple Grilled Salmon

Tequila Lime Shrimp

Easy Tuna Tartare in Wonton Bowls