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The Recipe · No.241 · Crab Cakes

Crab Cakes, and where to source it

Crab Cakes — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Crab Cakes American 5best2buy.com

A great crab cake is mostly crab, so the binder should barely hold it together, a single egg and a handful of crumbs. Use fresh jumbo lump and fold gently to keep the lumps whole; overmixing turns it into a hockey puck.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook12 min
Makes8 cakes
CuisineAmerican
Cost$$$
Contains  dairy · eggs · gluten · shellfish
Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 8 cakes
Jumbo lump crab meat
Fresh lump crab is the whole dish; canned or claw meat is stringy and washed out.
1 lb
Local / market
Panko breadcrumbs
Just enough to bind; too much and you are eating breaded filler instead of crab.
0.5 cup
Source it →
Egg
One egg is the glue that lets you flip the cake without it falling apart.
1
Source it →
Dijon mustard
A spoonful sharpens the mayo binder and cuts the richness of the crab.
1 tbsp
Source it →
Butter
Sear in butter for the browned, nutty crust that plain oil will not give you.
2 tbsp
Source it →
Lemon and parsley
A squeeze of lemon and fresh parsley at the end keep it bright.
to taste
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortEasy
Cook it with
Stovetop
The Method
  1. Mix the binderWhisk egg, mayo, Dijon, and Old Bay first, then fold in panko so the seasoning is even.
  2. Fold in crabAdd crab and fold with a spatula just until it holds; do not break the lumps.
  3. Shape and chillForm eight cakes and chill 20 minutes so they hold together in the pan.
  4. Sear hardCook in butter over medium-high 5-6 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms.
The Toolkit

Nonstick skillet · Fish spatula · Mixing bowls · Sheet pan

Straight Answers
Can you make Crab Cakes in an air fryer? — Sometimes

Sometimes — if the pieces are small and cooked dry, an air fryer can handle it in a single layer; anything saucy or liquid needs a pan. When in doubt, the stovetop or oven is the safe call.

Can you freeze Crab Cakes? — Not ideal

Not really — the cream, custard, or emulsion turns grainy or splits once thawed. This one is best kept fresh in the fridge.

Can you make Crab Cakes ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it needs the chill time to set, so making it ahead is the whole point.

Is Crab Cakes gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).

Is Crab Cakes vegan? — No

No — it contains seafood, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

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