Classic Crab Cakes
This classic crab cakes recipe is guaranteed to be a family favorite. I make them for holidays or special occasions and they never last long. This recipe calls for juicy jumbo lump crab meat with very little filler. Resulting in the tastiest crab cake recipe around.
Serve these crab cakes with remoulade, fresh lemon wedges or tartar sauce. You could also serve them on buttery toasted slider buns for a delicious crab cake sandwich. No matter how you serve them, a chilled glass of chardonnay on the side would be the perfect pairing.
Ingredients Needed for Classic Crab Cakes
Crab – For this recipe, I highly recommend using jumbo lump crab meat. If you cannot find jumbo lump, regular lump, backfin or claw meat works fine. Just know, backfin is made of smaller pieces which will result in a slightly different texture and taste. While claw meat is stronger flavored and darker in color which will also result in a slightly different taste and texture.
Breadcrumbs – Be sure to make your own breadcrumbs for this recipe. Simply remove the crust from fresh or slightly stale white bread and add it to a food processor. You will be left with fresh breadcrumbs that work great in this recipe. Alternatively, you can use panko breadcrumbs. However, you will need less panko since it is very dry.
Dressing – To form the dressing combine, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and cracked black pepper. Mix well using a whisk.
Pro Tip for Crab Cakes
After you prepare the cake crab mixture it is very important to form the patties and refrigerate them for 20-30 minutes before pan frying them. This allows the crab meat to setup and helps prevent the crab cakes from falling apart when cooking. You can even prepare the crab cake mixture 24 hours in advance as long as you keep it covered and refrigerated.
Cooking Methods for Crab Cakes
Pan frying is one way you can cook your crab cakes. I like pan frying them because you get a golden brown crispy outside that tastes so good. When pan frying, you will need to slightly flatten the patties so that the crab cake cooks evenly and the center heats through. I also like to fry my crab cakes in butter, but a neutral oil will work great too. Fry the patties for 3-5 minutes per side. If they are getting too brown, reduce the heat. Larger crab cakes may require more cooking time.
As an alternative to pan frying the crab cakes, you can also bake them. Spray a baking tray with non-stick cooking spray and add the patties. Bake the crab cakes for approximately 13-15 minutes at 400 degrees. Be sure to keep an eye on the bottom of the cakes so they do not get too crispy. Option to flip them halfway through. You’ll want the internal temperature to reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure doneness. Larger patties may require more cooking time.
How to Make Classic Crab Cakes
Remove and discard the crust from 5-6 slices of white bread. Buzz the remaining bread in a food processor to form breadcrumbs. You’ll need 1 cup total. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, egg, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Whisk well.
Add the drained crab meat, and gently fold everything together trying to not break the jumbo lump crab meat. Next, gently fold in the homemade breadcrumbs. Form into patties, cover and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
Pan Frying
Heat an 11-inch non-stick skillet over medium / low heat. Add butter and begin pan frying the crab cakes. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side. If they get too brown, reduce the heat to low. Larger crab cakes may require more cooking time.
Oven Baking
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking tray with non-stick cooking spray.
Add the crab cakes to the tray and bake for 13-15 minutes. Larger crab cakes may require more time. You want the internal temperature to reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure doneness. Option to flip halfway to prevent the any one side from getting too brown.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat in the microwave. Option to freeze your cooked or uncooked crab cakes as well. It’s better to freeze uncooked crab cakes as they will last longer.
Classic Crab Cakes
Ingredients
- 16 ounces jumbo lump crab meat, drain liquid
- ¼ – ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed
- 1 large egg
- 2-3 shakes Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1.5 teaspoons dried parsley
- ¾ – 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs, or ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
Equipment
- 1 food processor for breadcrumbs
- 1 baking tray if baking
- 1 non-stick skillet if pan frying
Instructions
- Remove the crust from 5-6 slices of white bread. Buzz the bread in a food processor to form fresh breadcrumbs. You’ll need 1 cup total. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, egg, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Whisk well.
- Add the drained crab meat, (option to add a touch of the crab juice if you like a stronger crab flavor) and gently fold everything together trying to not break the jumbo lump crab meat.
- Next, gently fold in the homemade breadcrumbs. Form into patties, cover and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
Pan Frying
- Heat an 11-inch non-stick skillet over medium / low heat. Add butter and begin pan frying the crab cakes. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side. If they get too brown, reduce the heat to low. Larger crab cakes may require more cooking time.
Oven Baking
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking tray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add the crab cakes to the tray and bake for 13-15 minutes. Larger crab cakes may require more time. You want the internal temperature to reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure doneness. Option to flip halfway to prevent the any one side from getting too brown.
5 Comments on “Classic Crab Cakes”
Best crab cakes ever!
Easy to prepare and proud to serve!
You do not give amounts of the condiments in the recipe
I’m not sure what you mean?
Absolutely to die for! My husband and I loved every single bite!
Absolutely to die for! My husband and I loved every single bite! Can’t wait to make them again!