Crab Cakes (All Lump, No Fillers)

Bad crab cakes are a tragedy. Too much breadcrumb. Too little crab. Sad, mushy imposters. Not these. These are golden, crispy, and PACKED with jumbo lump crab. You’ll actually taste the crab—imagine that.

Pan-fried to perfection. Lightly seasoned. Finished with a bright pop of lemon or a swipe of tangy remoulade. Let’s restore your faith in crab cakes.

Ingredients

Makes 6-8 crab cakes.

• 1 lb (450g) jumbo lump crab meat, picked over for shells
• ⅓ cup (40g) panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup (60g) mayonnaise
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter or oil, for frying

For Remoulade (Optional):

• ¼ cup mayo + 1 tbsp hot sauce + 1 tsp capers + 1 tsp lemon juice

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Mix Gently

1. In a large bowl, whisk mayo, egg, mustard, Worcestershire, lemon juice, Old Bay, and parsley.
2. Gently fold in crab meat and panko. Be gentle—you want crab lumps, not crab paste.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes (this prevents falling apart).

Step 2: Form the Cakes

1. Shape mixture into 6-8 patties, about ½ inch thick. Don’t pack too tight.

Step 3: Pan Fry

1. Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Cook crab cakes for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
3. Drain on paper towels.

Step 4: Serve

1. Serve hot with lemon wedges and remoulade. Eat with your hands. No judgment.

Summary

Prep Time: 15 mins + 30 mins chill | Cook Time: 8 mins | Total Time: ~1 hour

Yield: 6-8 crab cakes

Difficulty: Easy (handle gently)

Storage Notes

Store uncooked crab cakes in the fridge for up to 1 day. Cooked crab cakes last 3 days in the fridge. Reheat in a 350°F oven or air fryer for 5 minutes (not microwave—soggy sadness). Freeze uncooked patties for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen, adding 2 minutes per side.