Crab Cakes are one of our favorite ways to eat crab. These come together quickly, and are loaded with snow crab meat. The addition of Cajun Cream Sauce gives a special twist, but you can easily serve them with just lemon wedges or your favorite sauce.
Over the years I’ve made crab cakes a lot, but never quite been satisfied with the results until these. You’ve got to have some type of filler to hold the cakes together, but finding the perfect balance of crab meat and filler has been tough. Also, what is the perfect filler?
In the past I’ve mostly tried a combination of egg and a few bread crumbs, but these have no eggs. I used panko bread crumbs, because I like how light and airy they are. There are a few on the outside for a subtle, crispy finish too.
What kind of crab meat is best for crab cakes?
Well, naturally, living on the coast and catching your own crab would be best. But, how many of us are in a position to do that? I’ve used crab from a can, but even buying the top quality, most expensive one hasn’t given me great results. The refrigerated kind from your seafood department or market is better, but still not perfect.
Then, I heard from my sister-in-law, Susan, that she made crab cakes from snow crab legs. Most of your seafood departments will carry them. They may have a few in the case that are thawed, but generally they’re previously frozen. I always ask for some that haven’t been thawed. They’re fully cooked and the meat that comes out of them is just divine.
Cleaning the crab meat out is the only time-consuming part of this, but it’s not bad. The long legs will just break in half and the crab meat comes out in one, long, beautiful hunk. Most snow crab clusters will have one claw and I use a nut cracker to break those open. Ordering info is below if you don’t have the right kind of nut cracker.
I had three large clusters and got almost exactly 8 ounces of crab meat from them. If the clusters seem on the small side you may want to get four.
More Seafood Recipes
If you’re here then you must be a crab lover like we are. Be sure to check out this easy recipe for She-Crab Soup.
This is not the first time I’ve gotten recipe inspiration from Susan. Shrimp and Grits is one of our most popular posts on Biscuits and Burlap and that one is also “Susan-inspired”. And then there’s Easy Lobster Flatbread. Are you seeing a pattern here? Susan loves seafood, and so do we.
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Best Tips for Making Crab Cakes?
After you get them put together, refrigerate for at least two hours before you cook them. This will help hold them together as they cook – an important step since they’ve got minimal filler. And placing them on waxed paper or parchment before they go in the fridge makes it easier to move them to the skillet for cooking.
If you don’t have exact ingredients these substitutions are fine.
We’re all about using what you have and reducing food waste. In keeping true to those beliefs we offer you these options:
- Use any type of bread crumbs if you don’t have Panko (or make your own)
- Don’t have a fresh lemon for zesting? Use a spoonful of bottled lemon juice
- No Old Bay? Season with your favorite seasonings
- Any type vegetable oil is fine if you don’t have canola
- Dried parsley if you don’t have fresh – just use less (1 teaspoon instead of 1 Tablespoon)
Even though we call the sauce “Cajun Cream Sauce” the seasoning we actually use is Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning. It’s an important ingredient in our Shrimp and Grits, too and we love it. If you have another favorite you can certainly use that, but don’t try to take away our Tony Chachere’s unless you’re ready for a fight. We also use it in the Creole Aioli with our Homemade French Fries and Gouda Grits with Cajun Spice.
For an alternate idea, how about a traditional Remoulade Sauce? Click over for our easy recipe.
Crab Cakes with Cajun Cream Sauce
Ingredients
For the Crab Cakes
- 8-10 ounces crab meat, coarsley chopped preferably snow crab
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs divided
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp mayonaisse
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper or, to taste
- 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning divided
- 2-3 tbsp canola oil
For the Sauce
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (preferably fresh)
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional
- 2 tbsp butter cut into pieces
Instructions
For the Crab Cakes
- Combine 1/2 panko crumbs and 1/2 Old Bay and set aside for coating.
- Combine remaining ingredients, leaving crab for last.
- Form into 4 patties. Sprinkle tops with reserved crumbs.
- Place on waxed or parchment paper, crumb side down and sprinkle crumbs on top, pressing lightly into place. Refrigerate for minimum 2 hours
- Heat canola oil over medium heat.
- Cook crab cakes in oil 3-4 minutes per side, turning carefully.
For the Sauce
- Cook wine and lemon juice over medium high heat, until liquid is mostly evaporated.
- Add butter and seasonings and whisk, just until butter is melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in cream.
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Need dessert for after those crab cakes? Check these out.
Strawberry Shortcake Mini’s 
Mini Carrot Cake Cupcakes 
Boston Cream Pie 
Coconut Pie
I LOVE crab cakes, and these look delicious. The sauce sounds like the perfect addition!
Thanks so much, Lauren.
Crab cakes are probably my favorite appetizer EVER! These look incredible – pinning this to try soon, thanks!
Thanks Kristine. We actually eat two of these and have them as our main dish, but one would make a great appetizer
Using the snow crab meat is a great idea! We love crab cakes, and I use oats in mine for a gluten-free option.
Thanks, Andrea. Yes, I loved making them with snow crab. They turned out great.
Crab Cakes are one of my all time favorite! I love the sounds of your cajun cream sauce, as well!
Thank you Beth. Just between us…. I made extra sauce and we had some with pasta (ssshhhhh)
Crab cakes are definitely my absolute favorite way to eat crab! And this recipe sounds wonderful!
Thank you so much, Valentina!
Yum! I will give these a try! You know how much I love crab cakes! One of my favorite things!
We do, indeed. Thank you, Sandy!
Pam, these sound wonderful! Hope to try them soon. I will also make extra sauce, great idea!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy them. The sauce is a little on the rich side, but oh so good!
I have seen many crab cakes but this is something new
thank you for sharing i would love to try it
Hope you enjoy!
These Crab Cakes sound Delish!
I Live in Florida and am constantly looking for the perfect recipe for Crab Cakes. I will let you know once I make them if they meet my husband (Chef Jeff’s) satisfaction! LOL He is my biggest critic but the best Chef!👍🏼 Stay Tuned …
That’s a tough, audience, Christine, but we’re confident he will love them! Let us know.
Hi there, I plan to try this recipe this weekend and I was wondering what kind of white wine you used for the sauce? I’m not usually a wine drinker. This recipe looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for your help!
So sorry I’m just now seeing your question, Roger. Any dry white wine would do – pinot grigio, chardonnay, etc.
I just tried your recipe today and the crab cake wont stick even after refrigeration. Did i do anything wrong? I didnt include egg in the making as I didnt see in the recipe, should I have included? Appreciate your input. First time making homemade crabcake!
You are correct that there is no egg. Did you divide the panko crumbs and use part of them in the crab cakes? That’s the only thing I can think of that may have happened. If you left the crumbs all out for coating you would be missing out on that mixed in with mayo, etc. as a binding agent.