Best Ever Crab Cakes

4.6
(598)

These crab cakes are easy to make and the best I've ever eaten! Serve with coarse mustard on the plate or your favorite mustard sauce.

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A plate with two crab cakes served with a green salad and a lemon wedge
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 crab cakes

Make restaurant-worthy crab cakes at home with this top-rated recipe!

How to Make Crab Cakes

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

How to Cook Crab Cakes

Combine the ingredients in a bowl, shape the mixture into crab cakes, and cook the crab cakes in a hot skillet. That’s it! Find the complete instructions in the recipe below. 

How Long to Cook Crab Cakes

In a skillet over medium heat, the crab cakes should be fully cooked and golden brown after about 5-6 minutes on each side (or 10-12 minutes in total). 

What Goes With Crab Cakes? 

Pair this crab cake recipe with tartar sauce, remoulade, or dill sauce for dipping. If you’re in need of a little serving inspiration, explore our collection of 30 Side Dishes to Serve With Crab Cakes. Here are a few of the tasty recipes you’ll find:

Can You Make Crab Cakes Ahead of Time? 

Crab cakes are best served immediately, but you can shape the patties a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then cook them right before serving. 

How to Store Crab Cakes

Store leftover crab cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat on the stove.  

Can You Freeze Crab Cakes?

Yes! If you’d like to keep your crab cakes for longer than four days, you can freeze them for up to six months.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“The most delicious crab cakes I have ever eaten,” raves Shoholamom. “I used fake crab meat which tasted just fine and saved money!”

“Easy to make, stayed moist after cooking, and had great flavor,” according to Brian Beaudoin. “Better than many I have had in restaurants. Will definitely make these many more times.”

“We doubled the batch to make eight patties,” says Lora Jennings. “They came out great! We will definitely make these again!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 large egg

  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise

  • 1 tablespoon minced green onions

  • 4 teaspoons lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon dried tarragon

  • teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 8 ounces crabmeat

  • ½ cup crushed buttery round crackers

  • 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make best ever crab cakes

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Whisk egg, mayonnaise, green onions, lemon juice, tarragon, and pepper flakes together in a medium bowl.

    A small bowl of egg, mayonnaise, green onions, lemon juice, tarragon, and pepper flakes whisked together

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Gently stir in crabmeat, being careful not to break up meat.

    A glass bowl with lump crab meat folded into seasoned mayonnaise mixture

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Gradually mix in cracker crumbs, adding until desired consistency is achieved.

    A bowl of crab cake mix, with lump crab meat and crushed crackers tossed in seasoned mayonnaise mixture

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Form crab mixture into 4 patties.

    A small baking sheet with four crab cake patties

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook patties in the skillet until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes on each side.

    A skillet with four browned crab cakes cooking in butter

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Serve and enjoy!

    A plate with two crab cakes served with a green salad and a lemon wedge

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

1,558 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

216 Calories
15g Fat
6g Carbs
14g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 216
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 109mg 36%
Sodium 355mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 14g 28%
Vitamin C 4mg 5%
Calcium 77mg 6%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 256mg 5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.