# Crab Cakes

Crispy-edged, pan-fried crab cakes packed with lump crab and just enough binder to hold together — not a breadcrumb puck in sight.

_Dinner · American_

Prep: 20 min · Cook: 12 min · Total: 32 min · Yields: 4 servings

## Ingredients

- 1 lb lump crab meat (picked over for shells, drained well)
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg (lightly beaten)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (plus more for coating)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable)
- 1 medium lemon (cut into wedges, for serving)

## Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 beaten egg, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp Old Bay, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp parsley until smooth.
2. Add the 1 lb lump crab meat to the bowl and fold gently with a spatula — you want to keep the lumps intact, not shred them.
3. Sprinkle in the 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs and fold again just until the mixture holds together. Do not overmix.
4. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a patty about 3/4 inch thick. Press the top and bottom of each patty lightly into additional panko for a thin coating.
5. Place the formed crab cakes on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes — this is what keeps them from falling apart in the pan.
6. When ready to cook, heat the 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 tbsp neutral oil together in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter foams and subsides.
7. Add the crab cakes in a single layer, working in batches if needed to avoid crowding. Cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes until a deep golden crust forms on the bottom.
8. Flip each crab cake once and cook for another 3–4 minutes until the second side is equally golden and the cakes are heated through.
9. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain briefly, then serve immediately with lemon wedges alongside.

## Tip

> Resist the urge to move the crab cakes once they hit the pan — the crust needs the full 3–4 minutes of uninterrupted contact to set before the flip, or they'll tear.

Tags: seafood, 30-minute, comfort-food, weeknight, one-pan

---
Canonical: https://just-recipes.io/recipes/crab-cakes