With less filler and just enough spice, these healthier crab cakes let the sweet, succulent crab shine through.
With less filler and just enough spice, these healthy crab cakes let the sweet, succulent crab shine through. Make this recipe gluten-free using gluten-free panko.
The best crab cakes are full of flavor, not filler and taste fresh and light. As an adult, the best ones I’ve ever had were served at Clyde’s in Washington, DC. I fell in love with the crab cakes combined with a side of fresh summer sweet corn and tomatoes.
Now. These are not Clyde’s crab cakes. I’m not pretending that they are. But it’s the crab cake plus a side of veggies for me.
Those memories inspired me to make my own recipe. It’s hard to get a legit crab cake in Atlanta. So it’s nice to have this easy one at the ready.
Before working on this recipe, I’d never tried to make crab cakes at home. They can be pricey and tend to be a special occasion dish.
But I didn’t realize how EASY they are. I can see myself using these for breakfast and brunch or a fun dinner party this summer. No matter the occasion, you can keep it healthy and flavorful.
How to Make Healthy Crab Cakes
Buy the best quality crab you can afford. You can do jumbo lump crab meat for a chunkier cake but the lump crab I used turned out great and stayed together well in these patties.
Add the least amount of filler. I added just ½ cup panko breadcrumbs for the entire recipe. The panko helps bind the patty but doesn’t leave you with a dense, bready crab cake. You can use gluten-free panko for the same effect.
Sear in a hot skillet with just enough oil to coat the pan. This is the best way to get a nice crust and delicious crunch and flavor.
Punch up the flavor! I skipped the traditional mayo and added Dijon mustard and a generous shake of seafood seasoning for flavor. Getting the golden brown sear on the lump crab meat seals in the flavor for a simple, sweet and craveable crab cake.
I topped them with an avocado, corn and tomato salsa but you can use any seasonal vegetables or enjoy them just as is.
Except for the crabmeat, you probably have most of the ingredients for this recipe at home already. The avocado, corn and tomatoes add a pop of fresh summer flavor and makes this a complete meal or heavy appetizer.
The corn salsa is a simple topper that you can make to suit your taste. I’ve included my recipe for it down below. But if you don’t have any corn on hand, use my recipe from these Chipotle Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Salsa.
Ready to dive in? Here’s the recipe:
Crab Cakes with Corn Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning
- 8 oz. lump crab, picked for cartilage and shells
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs*
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil for sautéing
Corn Avocado Salsa
- 1 medium avocado
- 1 fresh corn kernels from one cob of corn
- ½ halved grape tomatoes
- juice of one lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk the egg through seafood seasoning in a small bowl.
- Add the crab to a large bowl. Taking care not to break up the crab too much, fold in the panko and parsley just until incorporated. Gently fold in the egg mixture. Score the mix into 4 equal parts. Scoop or roll each part in your hand and form into a patty. Place the patties on a plate. Chill for at least 15 minutes.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Sear the patties 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Flipping once.
- Serve the crab cakes warm with seasonal vegetables like sautéed zucchini, sweet corn and tomatoes, or a simple salsa like the one below.
Corn Avocado Salsa
- Gently toss 1 peeled, cubed medium avocado, corn kernels from one cob, ½ cup halved grape tomatoes, the juice of one lemon, and salt and pepper to taste.
Video
Notes
Tips for the best healthy crab cakes
- Buy the best quality crab you can afford. Jumbo lump crab meat makes a chunkier cake but the lump crab I used turned out great and stayed together well in these patties.
- Add the least amount of filler. I added just ½ cup panko breadcrumbs for the entire recipe. The panko helps bind the patty but doesn’t leave you a dense, bready crab cake.
- Use gluten-free panko for a gluten-free crab cake recipe.
- Sear in a hot skillet with just enough oil to coat the pan. If the pan is not hot enough, it will not get that lovely golden sear.
- Flip the patties only once.
Trinh
YUM! Loving the crabcakes. These look so fancy. I wonder what they taste like with algae oil. Thanks for sharing, Marissa.
Agness of Run Agness Run
This dish seems so mouth-watering, Marisa! Awesome recipe!
Sherri
My husband absolutely loves crab cakes, but he usually can’t order them since most restaurants don’t serve them gluten-free. He will LOVE this recipe with the gluten-free panko! Can’t wait to try them!
Heidy L. McCallum
Your crab cakes look like heaven to me! I love a good crab cake and to know I can enjoy healthy ones is a BIG bonus to me. Saved for later
Mary Bostow
Yum! The perfect summer meal! I LOVE that you don’t add too many things in here and the crab is the star!
Tracy
What a great memory! Love the east coast and all of the seafood deliciousness that comes with it! These look amazing!
Sonia
Oh my goodness this looks so delicious and light at the same time! Full of amazing flavors.. can’t wait to give it a try!
Emily
Great recipe! Super tasty! Made them last night and will make again.
Carolyne
This looks great and has everything my husband and I love to eat but less filler than the Waterfront bistro ones we have been buying. Plus who wants to turn the oven on in the summer?!
Can you explain the serving suggestion? Is it 125 per crab cake and the recipe makes 4? Is the avocado corn side factored into it?
Thanks a bunch!
Marisa Moore
Hi Carolyne. I’ve updated the nutrition information. The totals are per crab cake plus 1/4 of the salsa. I’ve served this recipe most often as a heavy appetizer but if serving as an entree/main dish, I’d suggest 2 crab cakes.