Ingredients
Scale
For the Crab Cakes:
- 1 lb lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free)
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or paprika + cayenne pepper)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs (or almond flour for keto option)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
For Cooking:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter (or additional olive oil for dairy-free)
For Serving:
- Lemon wedges
- Tartar sauce or remoulade
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crab Cake Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and lemon zest.
- Gently fold in crab meat, parsley, gluten-free panko, and lemon juice using a spatula.
- Mix until just combined, being careful not to break up the crab meat too much.
- Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to help the mixture firm up.
2. Form and Cook the Crab Cakes:
- Divide the mixture into 6–8 crab cakes and shape them into patties.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add crab cakes and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
3. Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve warm with lemon wedges and tartar sauce or remoulade on the side.
- Enjoy as an appetizer or serve over a salad, quinoa, or gluten-free pasta for a full meal.
Notes
- Make them dairy-free: Use olive oil instead of butter.
- For a low-carb option: Use almond flour instead of gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Baking method: Place crab cakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet to maintain crispiness.
- Freezing option: Freeze uncooked crab cakes on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes per side.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 8
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying, Baking (optional)
- Cuisine: American, Seafood
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Crab Cake
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 75mg