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crab cakes and lemon slices on a white plate
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Crab Cakes

These moist crab cakes are perfectly seasoned and brimming with sizable lumps of sweet crab meat! Super easy to make, and you can bake them or pan-fry them!
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword crab cakes, easy crab cakes, lump crab
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 162kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound crabmeat jumbo lump or lump
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs regular or gluten-free
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing the crab cakes

Instructions

  • Check the crab meat for any hard or sharp pieces and discard them.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  • Add the crabmeat, breadcrumbs, and parsley and mix gently to combine, being careful not to break up the crab.
  • Using about 1/3 cup per crab cake, gently shape the mixture into 6 crab cakes (or use about 1/4 cup and make 8 smaller crab cakes), each about 1-inch-thick. Transfer the crab cakes to a plate, cover with plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (and up to 24 hours). Chilling gives the panko a chance to absorb the other ingredients which ensures the crab cakes don't fall apart.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or coat with cooking spray.
  • Transfer the crab cakes to the prepared pan and brush the top and sides with olive oil.
  • Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until browned and cooked through (165 degrees on a meat thermometer).
  • To pan fry these crab cakes, heat about 1/4 cup of vegetable oil or olive oil in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. Working in batches to prevent crowding the pan, add the crab cakes to the hot oil and cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 783mg | Potassium: 202mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 136IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg