These succulent crab cakes are spiced just right for kids and adults alike! My husband was completely surprised that I made these myself, and they were super-easy! Serve straight from the stove or place on a bun.
Originally this post was published (in 2013) as a crab cake burger recipe. But, after serving it many times, it turned out that the family prefers these without all that bread! So I am updating it as a recipe for crab cakes, but of course you can still serve them on buns if you prefer. (updated September 2018)
Why would you serve these on a bun? Well, sometimes kids will have more of an open mind to try things if they are served on a bun. At least that was the case with my kids when they were younger.
I am not sure if it is because they get to eat with their hands, or because they love the bread (which I am sure was Thing 2’s main motivation, haha!), but if I put a new food on a bun, I was usually able to get the kids to try it without much cajoling.
I remember that I held off for a bit with this recipe, though. After successfully introducing shrimp to them a few weeks earlier, I was hesitant to give them any additional seafood. I learned my lesson the hard way because, once they realized that they liked shrimp, I had to start making enough for everyone, LOL! And seafood is not the cheapest main ingredient out there.
But, knowing that there is so much good nutrition in crab meat, including those wonderful omega-3 fatty acids as well as vitamin A, vitamin C, and a bunch of B vitamins, I couldn’t hold off for long. Crab is also low in fat, high in protein, and is considered a low-risk seafood for mercury.
My recipe was adapted from this Crab Cake Burger recipe that I found a few years ago. I made the recipe several times and tweaked it more and more each time to better suit my family’s tastes and also to streamline the preparation as much as I could (without sacrificing flavor!) in order to make it as easy as possible for weeknight dinner prep.
The result is a meal that is quick and easy to shop for as well as to assemble and cook. Since crab is a bit on the pricey side, you may want to wait until there is a sale on crab meat.
Alternatively, you can try making this with much cheaper imitation crab. Just run the imitation cran through the food processor briefly before mixing with the rest of the ingredients. The result is not too bad, although I definitely think that real crab meat is better, if you can swing it.
Crab Cakes
Print RecipeIngredients
- 16 ounces lump crab meat (1 can) (you can also use imitation crab, finely chopped)
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay spice (or more - season to taste)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons butter (or substitute)
- 6 hamburger buns (optional)
Instructions
- Combine crab, egg, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, Old Bay spice, lemon juice, onion powder and pepper.
- Form mixture into 6 patties.
- Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties until they are browned on each side, about 5 minutes per side.
- Serve straight from the stove, or place on hamburger buns for crab cake sandwiches.
Nutrition
Some people are allergic to shellfish, so you need to be watchful if this is the first time you are introducing crab to your kids. And of course, you only want to try this if you are willing to share your seafood from now on! 🙂
Interested in some of my other seafood recipes?
Check out my Creamy Avocado Zoodles with Chipotle Lime Shrimp recipe, and you definitely don’t want to miss the totally yummy Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo recipe.
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For something a little different, check out my Oven Baked Calamari Recipe and watch your kids gobble up squid like it’s going out of style!
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Alisha Ross
We are always on the look out for new crockpot recipes, especially at this time of year. The holidays are so busy — without our slow cooker, we’d have to eat sandwiches or fast food at least 3 night a week!
Robin
What is the recipe for the sauce that is pictured? It looks yummy! Thanks!
Kristin
Hi Robin, I think I mixed some Old Bay seasoning with mayo. It was really delicious, but I put it together so quickly and just did it by taste so I didn’t bother to write it down. But that is a great idea, I will put it on my list to make it into a recipe and post it. Thanks for stopping by!
Wendy
I was truly skeptical that these would be good, but they were so DELICIOUS. And so simple too!
My family loved them. Thanks for the great recipe Kristin!
Kristin
Oh yay! So glad you guys liked them! ????????
Onkar Bhosale
Thank you for a beautiful crab cake recipe. Made this tonight for my family and the kitchen smells divine. It tastes even better.
Paula
These look so yummy! I’m featuring them tonight for this week’s “Best of the Weekend” party.
Paula
Kristin
Oh wow, I am honored! Thank you, Paula!
Create With Joy
Thanks for sharing your Crab Cakes and other scrumptious recipes at Inspire Me Monday and Friendship Friday this week!
I’m from Maryland and these Crab Cakes remind me of home!
Congrats Kristin – you are our Friend Of The Week at Create With Joy this week!
I really enjoyed exploring your blog and getting to know more about you today. You are really an interesting person!
I also went to a small women’s college. I was an English Major with 6 people who graduated with me in my major. It’s hard to find someone who has that number meat but 2 in Math? I’ve met my match! 🙂
Have a fabulous week – Your Cheesy Eggplant Apple Quesadillas were featured on Inspire Me Monday this week as well! 🙂
Kristin
Thank you so much! I am so excited and honored to be the Friend of the Week and featured on Inspire Me Monday. Have an AWESOME week 🙂
Jodie Fitz
Hope you saw we featured you at this week’s Reader Tip Tuesday: http://www.jodiefitz.com/2018/09/18/reader-tip-tuesday-weeks-craft-recipe-party-14-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
Your photos are great. LOVE crab cakes…
Looking forward to seeing what you have to share this week. Have a GREAT!
PS I’d love if you’d grab a button and add it to your post to help us to promote Reader Tip Tuesday – you can find it at the party – xo
Kristin
Thank you so much, Jodie! I will make sure I have your button on my party page!
Zeba Durrani
Lovely… Thanks for sharing on Fiesta Friday!
Debrashoppeno5
I love a good crab cake. These look so delicious.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
I make tuna cakes that are slightly similar to these but have never considered switching to crab cakes instead. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
LINDA
Hi, love your post. I have a new blog party and would like to invite you to come share this on the CLASSY FLAMINGOS BLOG PARTY held each Tuesday evening thru Friday. You’ll get large picture exposure and shout outs on all of my social media sites. You may get PINKED and you’ll get even more exposure! I hope you’ll come by. poinsettiadr.com
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party! Have a wonderful week and hope to see you next week too!
angie
our family is fond of crab cakes, so very tasted. Thanks for sharing the yummy post
come see what we shared at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Donna Reidland
These look delicious. I’m pinning so I can try them soon!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
This is my kind of lunch…and I LOVE bread!
Kristin
You and my son would get along great…he would have bread for every meal if I would let him! 🙂
Pam
Yum! I want that for dinner tonight.
Kristin
Thanks! I wish the pictures turned out better because I think it tastes better even than the pictures look! My camera isn’t the best and I am just starting to learn some things to improve my photography. But for now, these pictures will have to do!
Tina Verrelli
Looks great Kristin!!! My husband is one of those allergic to shellfish – but am certainly going to try it for me and the kids!
Kristin
Yeah, I remember the first time I gave the kids shrimp and I was so worried that they might be allergic. Luckily they were fine but I was ready at a moment’s notice to whisk them to the emergency room if needed! Hope you and the kids like it…maybe you can make your husband one of your yummy Pillsbury recipes so he doesn’t feel left out! 🙂
veronica lee
Oooo! I love crab cakes and those look scrummy!
Hi! Stopping by from Mom Bloggers Club. Great blog!
Have a nice day!
Kristin
Thanks, Veronica. I really appreciate you stopping by! I just joined the Mom Bloggers Club but hope to get to know more people through it!