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Alaskan King Crab Cakes

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These Alaskan King crab cakes are filled with meaty chunks of sweet Alaskan King crab and just enough filling to hold them together. The crab is definitely the star of the show in these crab cakes. Serve them as an appetizer or as a main meal or use them in sandwiches.

Alaskan King crab cakes on a plate with lemon slices and salad greens.

These crab cakes are pan-fried until golden brown and they are so easy to make. This recipe makes 10 large patties as a main meal or you can shape them into 20 small patties and serve them as an appetizer.

Serve them with garlic butter sauce or lemon dill aioli sauce for a spectacular meal.

If you’re looking for more crab recipes check out our Dungeness crab cakes, our hot crab dip or a fancy salmon and crab Wellington.

Ingredients you need for Alaskan King crab cakes.

Here is a quick shopping list of the ingredients you will need for these crab cakes.

  • Mayonnaise. Helps bind the crab cakes.
  • Egg yolk. Another binder that also adds richness to the crab cakes.
  • Dijon mustard. Dijon has a complex flavor and a little bit goes a long way.
  • Lemon Juice. Just enough acid and tang to balance the flavors.
  • Worcestershire sauce. Another ingredient that adds complexity and an umami flavor the these
  • Tabasco sauce. Just a small dash adds a bit of a kick but doesn’t create too much heat.
  • Old Bay Seasoning. This seasoning blend has a melody of flavors that enhances the sweet and savory flavors of the King crab.
  • Alaskan King crab meat. The sweet taste of Alaskan King crab is unbeatable.
  • Saltine crackers. This is the filler for the crab cakes and they add a great flavor without overwhelming the crab.
  • Chives. Finely chopped chives add a hint of oniony, garlicky flavor and compliment the crab.
Ingredients used for making Alaskan King crab cakes.

How to make Alaskan King crab cakes.

Here is a basic run-down of the recipe and some tips for success. Make sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card.

  1. Combine the wet ingredients. Whisk the egg yolk, mayonnaise, and the seasoning ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Fold in the binder and crab meat.
  3. Form the mixture into patties.
  4. Chill the raw crab cakes.
  5. Pan-fry the patties until golden brown.
  6. Serve.

Tips for success

  • Process the cracker crumbs very finely. The finer the crumbs are, the better the crab cakes will hold together. We used a food processor. You can also use a blender.
  • Fold in the crab meat gently so you don’t break up the large lumps.
  • Refrigerate the raw patties before you pan fry them. If you skip this step the crab cakes will fall apart easily. Cold crab cakes will hold together better while they cook.
  • Use an ice cream scooper to measure out the crab mixture. We heaped a rounded scoop into a ball then patted it into a round cake.
  • Don’t smash the crab cakes down when you cook them. Leave them nice and thick so the crab meat stays juicy and sweet. Smashing them as they cook will squeeze the crab juices out.
process photos showing how to make Alaskan King crab cakes.

What to serve with crab cakes.

If you serve these sweet crab cakes as an appetizer then keep it simple with a dipping sauce. You can also use them in a sandwich with lettuce, aioli, and a tomato. If you serve them as a main course, two crab cakes make a great serving size. Here are some recommended sides to serve them with:

? More Crab Recipes

Living in the Pacific Northwest, we frequently have an abundance of crab meat. We have classic dishes like Dungeness crab cakes with garlic butter sauce to a simple crab melt sandwich, we have many more selections for you. Here are a few.

Three Alaskan King crab cakes stacked on top of each other.

SOME OTHER RECIPES WE ARE SURE YOU WILL LOVE:

This broiled Copper River Salmon makes a special dinner. We show you a special tip to salmon perfection in this recipe.

Who doesn’t love a good ole steak and lobster dinner. Make any night special with steak done right.

Dukkah roasted duck legs are tender and succulent. They have a nutty crust from the dukkah seasoning and get served with a sweet fig sauce. So good!

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Three Alaskan King crab cakes stacked on top of each other.

Alaskan King Crab Cakes

Easy, pan-fried crab cakes made with large chunks of Alaskan King crab. Perfectly seasoned and full of sweet crab flavor, these crab cakes are good as an appetizer or a main dish.
4.44 from 23 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 10 crab cakes
Calories: 282kcal
Author: Dahn Boquist

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1-1/2 pounds Alaskan King crabmeat
  • 20 Saltine crackers ground very finely
  • 2 tablespoons chopped chives
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

  • Combine mayonnaise, egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon, Worcestershire, Tabasco sauce, and Old Bay in a mixing bowl.
  • Fold in the crabmeat, saltines, and scallions.
  • Form 10 patties. Cover with plastic wrap and let the patties sit in the fridge for 30 minutes. 
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 to 4 crabs cakes and cook until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minus per side. 
  • Transfer to a plate and repeat with the other crab cakes.

Notes

  • Grind the saltine crackers very finely. A food processor or blender will do the best job.
  • We used an ice cream scooper to measure out the crab mixture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 650mg

Dahn Boquist

Dahn is a retired nurse, recipe creator, home cook, baker, and self-proclaimed foodie. She loves creating in the kitchen and cooking for family and friends. She lives in Washington State with her husband and dog. When she isn't cooking or baking, you can usually find her spending time with her grandchildren or exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

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Recipe Rating




srandalljohnsmail.com

Tuesday 11th of January 2022

Seems like a great recipe. But I didn't have a pound and a half of crab, and trying to adjust for what I have, I ended up with a loose mixture. Do you think I could bake the crab cakes? I don't think mine will hold together enough to even get into the frying pan!

Dahn Boquist

Tuesday 11th of January 2022

Yes, you can bake these. They will do fine in the oven at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes. You could also add a little extra egg or mayonnaise to bind them together better.

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