Description
Crispy on the outside, tender and packed with sweet lump crab on the inside, these Copycat Joe’s Crab Shack Crab Cakes are your next go-to for an easy dinner or quick appetizer. Whether you’re craving a restaurant-style seafood experience or looking for new dinner ideas, this easy recipe hits all the right notes. Great for entertaining or casual weeknight meals, it’s one of those food ideas you’ll want to bookmark if you’re into quick seafood dishes, healthy snacks, or high-protein lunch options.
Ingredients
1 pound lump crab meat
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup breadcrumbs or crushed saltines
2 tablespoons butter (for frying)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Check crab meat for shells and place it in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper to the bowl and gently fold together.
3. Mix in the beaten egg and breadcrumbs until combined. If too wet, add a bit more breadcrumbs.
4. Shape mixture into 6–8 patties and place them on a tray lined with parchment paper.
5. Refrigerate for 15–30 minutes to help the crab cakes firm up.
6. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Fry crab cakes for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
7. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and serve hot with lemon wedges or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Use fresh or refrigerated crab meat for best results—canned crab works, but make sure it’s well-drained.
Chill the patties before cooking so they don’t fall apart in the skillet.
Avoid overmixing the crab mixture to maintain the crab’s texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crab cake
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: crab cakes, easy dinner, seafood recipe, quick meal, Joe’s Crab Shack copycat