Ina Garten Crab Cakes Recipe: Coastal Comfort Classic

Ina Garten’s crab cakes dance with oceanic brilliance and gourmet charm.

These succulent seafood treasures burst with layers of maritime magic.

Tender crabmeat mingles with zesty seasonings, creating a symphony of coastal flavors.

Every golden-brown morsel tells a story of culinary passion and precision.

Delicate herbs and secret spices elevate these divine patties beyond ordinary appetizers.

Professional techniques transform simple ingredients into an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

With each crisp bite, you’ll unlock a world of sophisticated seaside indulgence that beckons you to savor every moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 4

All You Need for Ina Garten’s Crab Cakes

• Butter: Select high-quality, unsalted butter for rich, creamy flavor.
• Olive Oil: Choose extra virgin for robust, authentic taste profile.

• Red Onion, Celery: Select crisp, firm vegetables with vibrant color and no soft spots.
• Red Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper: Pick peppers with smooth, glossy skin and heavy feel.

• Fresh Parsley: Look for bright green, perky leaves without wilting.
• Capers: Opt for briny, firm pickled buds with consistent size.
• Hot Pepper Sauce: Select authentic, artisan brands for complex heat.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Choose traditional, aged varieties for deeper umami.
• Crab Boil Seasoning: Find blends with balanced spice and herbal notes.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Use freshly ground for maximum flavor intensity.

• Crabmeat: Select fresh, lump crabmeat with sweet, delicate texture.
• Bread Crumbs: Use fine, dry breadcrumbs for consistent binding.
• Mayonnaise: Pick full-fat, creamy version for richness.
• Dijon Mustard: Select smooth, tangy French-style mustard.
• Eggs: Use fresh, room-temperature eggs for better mixture integration.

Tools for Crafting Crispy Crab Cakes Like Ina

• Large Sauté Pan: Essential for cooking vegetables and creating a flavorful base.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining crabmeat and other ingredients gently.
• Skillet: Ideal for frying crab cakes to golden perfection.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Paper Towels: Great for draining excess oil from fried crab cakes.
• Spatula: Helps flip and move crab cakes while cooking.
• Oven: Useful for keeping crab cakes warm before serving.

How to Cook Crab Cakes Garten

• Kickstart the Flavor Fusion

Warm a skillet with a blend of butter and olive oil over gentle heat, creating a silky cooking base that will bring out the richness of your ingredients.

• Dance with Colorful Vegetables

Toss chopped onions, celery, and bell peppers into the pan, letting them soften and mingle together. Allow the vegetables to transform and become tender, releasing their vibrant flavors for about 15-20 minutes.

• Spice Up the Symphony

Introduce a chorus of seasonings – parsley, capers, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and crab boil seasoning. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to elevate the taste profile, stirring everything into a harmonious blend.

• Craft the Crab Creation

In a spacious bowl, gently combine crabmeat, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and beaten eggs. Fold the cooled vegetable mixture into this delicate foundation, creating a rich and complex base for your crab cakes.

• Shape and Sizzle

Chill the mixture briefly to help it set, then form small, delicate cakes. Slide these into a hot skillet dancing with butter and oil, cooking until each side turns a gorgeous golden brown, roughly 4-5 minutes per side.

• Serve with Flair

Drain the crab cakes on paper towels to remove excess oil, then keep them warm in a low oven. Plate these delectable morsels and prepare to delight in a homemade culinary masterpiece that celebrates the ocean’s bounty.

Pro Tips for Ina’s Perfectly Golden Crab Cakes

• Personalize Your Crab Cakes: Get creative with ingredients and techniques to make your dish uniquely delicious.
• Crab Variety Twist: Experiment with different crab meat types like jumbo lump, backfin, or blue crab for varied textures and flavors.
• Spice It Up: Add cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or Old Bay seasoning to amp up the heat and complexity of your crab cakes.
• Crispy Coating Technique: Roll crab cakes in panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for an extra crunchy exterior that elevates the overall eating experience.
• Serve with Signature Sauce: Craft a quick remoulade, lemon aioli, or tangy tartar sauce to complement the delicate crab meat and enhance the dish's overall flavor profile.

Elegant Ways to Serve Crab Cakes from Ina’s Kitchen

• Pair with Zesty Dipping Sauce: Whip up a tangy remoulade or classic tartar sauce to complement the crispy, golden crab cakes and enhance their rich seafood flavor.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped chives, dill, or parsley on top to add a bright, fresh touch and provide a pop of color to the plate.
• Create a Light Side Salad: Serve alongside a crisp mixed green salad with a lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the crab cakes and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Elevate with Wine Pairing: Match these crab cakes with a chilled glass of crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to bring out the delicate seafood flavors.

Storing and Reheating Ina’s Crab Cakes for Later

• Preserve Fresh Flavors: Refrigerate leftover crab cakes in an airtight container for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum taste and texture retention.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Wrap individual crab cakes tightly in plastic wrap and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, creating convenient meal options for busy days.
• Revive Crispy Texture: Reheat refrigerated or thawed crab cakes in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, restoring their golden-brown crispiness and preventing sogginess.
• Smart Preparation Tip: Prepare crab cake mixture a day ahead and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to intensify and making cooking process smoother when you're ready to serve.

Crispy Ina Garten Crab Cakes Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s elegant crab cakes blend fresh lump crabmeat with delicate seasonings, creating a Maryland classic that delights seafood enthusiasts. Crisp exterior and tender interior promise a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• ½ lb lump crabmeat (drained and picked to remove shells)
• 2 extra-large eggs (lightly beaten)
• 6 tbsps unsalted butter
• 3/8 cup (6 tbsps) olive oil
• ½ cup plain dry bread crumbs
• ½ cup good mayonnaise
• ¾ cup small diced red onion (1 small onion)
• 1 ½ cups small diced celery (4 stalks)
• ½ cup small diced red bell pepper (1 small pepper)
• ½ cup small diced yellow bell pepper (1 small pepper)
• ¼ cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tsps Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp capers (drained)
• ¼ tsp hot pepper sauce (Tabasco)
• ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 ½ tsps crab boil seasoning (Old Bay)
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Vegetable Sauté: Melt butter and olive oil in a large pan over medium-low heat, then gently sauté red onion, celery, and bell peppers until they become soft and translucent, about 15-20 minutes.
2. Flavor Infusion: Enhance the vegetable mixture with parsley, capers, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, crab boil seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper, stirring to distribute evenly. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
3. Crab Preparation: Delicately separate crabmeat into small pieces, removing any shell fragments. Combine with bread crumbs, mayonnaise, mustard, and eggs, gently folding to maintain the crab’s delicate texture.
4. Mixture Assembly: Incorporate the cooled vegetable mixture into the crab mixture, fold gently, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to help the cakes maintain their shape.
5. Cake Formation: Using clean hands, shape the chilled mixture into small, uniform 2-inch diameter cakes.
6. Cooking Process: Heat a blend of butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Carefully place crab cakes in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
7. Serving Preparation: Transfer cooked crab cakes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, then keep warm in a preheated 250°F (120°C) oven until ready to serve.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Dice vegetables uniformly for even cooking and balanced flavor distribution.
• Chill for Success: Refrigerating the mixture helps bind ingredients and prevents crab cakes from falling apart during cooking.
• Gentle Handling Matters: Fold ingredients delicately to preserve the crab’s tender texture and avoid breaking the meat.
• Perfect Browning Technique: Use medium heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior without burning.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg