Chef John's Crab Cakes

Chef John's crab cake recipe makes perfectly seasoned crab cakes with minimal filler that are crispy on the outside and sweet and tender on the inside.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Calories: 297 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter
• salt to taste
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 8 saltine crackers, finely crushed
• 1 pound fresh crabmeat, well drained
• 0.25 cup dry bread crumbs
• 0.5 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.25 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 0.5 teaspoon seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Mix crushed crackers, mayonnaise, Dijon, seafood seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, egg, cayenne, and salt together in a large bowl. Add crabmeat and stir until combined but still chunky. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Step 2

Sprinkle bread crumbs onto a plate. Shape chilled crab mixture into four small, thick patties. Coat patties completely with bread crumbs.

Step 3

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add crab cakes and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side.