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Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli

Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli

Golden on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, these classic crab cakes let sweet lump crab meat shine. Lightly seasoned and pan-seared until crisp, they’re served with a bright, creamy lemon aioli that adds just the right pop of citrus. Perfect as an appetizer, brunch star, or elegant dinner.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 (makes 8 crab cakes) 1x

Ingredients

Crab Cakes

1 lb lump crab meat, picked over

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

1 large egg

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning

Salt & black pepper, to taste

2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for cooking)

Lemon Aioli

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest

1 small garlic clove, grated

Salt, to taste

Instructions

Make the aioli: In a small bowl, whisk together all aioli ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Mix the crab cake base: In a large bowl, gently whisk egg, mayo, Dijon, Worcestershire, lemon juice, parsley, and seasoning.

Fold in crab: Add crab meat and panko. Gently fold just until combined—don’t overmix.

Form patties: Shape into 8 cakes and chill for 10 minutes to help them hold together.

Cook: Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook crab cakes 4–5 minutes per side until golden and heated through.

Serve: Plate hot with lemon aioli and extra lemon wedges.

Notes

Cooking Tips

  • Use lump or jumbo lump crab for the best texture and flavor.

  • Chill the formed cakes briefly to prevent breaking while cooking.

  • Flip gently using a thin spatula—these are delicate.

  • For extra crispiness, dust lightly with panko before pan-searing.


Variations

 

  • Baked Crab Cakes: Bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping once.

  • Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce to the mix.

  • Gluten-Free: Substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs.

  • Herb Swap: Try dill or chives instead of parsley.

  • Air Fryer: Cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 360
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 22g
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