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Homemade Crab Cakes

Homemade Crab Cakes are one of my favorite appetizers, ever, but most places just do NOT do them justice. I’m here to fix that, and give you an awesome recipe for a roasted red pepper aioli while I’m at it.

homemade crab cakesHomemade Crab Cakes

Crab Cakes are one of my very favorite appetizers when I’m eating out, especially when they are well done. Well done crab cakes mean WAY more crab and less filler than you will typically get, so ensure you get the best of the best and make your very own crab cakes with roasted red pepper aioli.

In fact, this made-from-scratch roasted red pepper aioli was in a tight competition for favorite flavor on this plate. It kind of left me wanting to think of other things I could make that would just be a vehicle to get this aioli from the dish to my mouth.

homemade crab cakes

When I first moved from Minnesota to Washington I got a job at a restaurant right on the Puget Sound waterfront. One of their most popular appetizers was their calamari.

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I could’ve taken or left the actual calamari itself, but the red pepper aioli that they served it with was perfection.

Since then I’ve been on a quest to make and perfect my own version, and today I finally got it.

I’ve tried the cheater aiolis made with a mayo base, and honestly? They just didn’t live up to my memories. I have no idea what that restaurant used in their own aioli, but this is the closest I’ve ever come to matching it, and it was WAY easier than I thought it would be.

Definitely start this recipe out by making your sauce. It was really really good room temperature, but this is the kind of dipping sauce that I prefer to be slightly chilled. Roast your red bell peppers over high heat on the grill.

homemade crab cakes
Check them often, and turn occasionally to ensure even cooking. You want some charring going on here. It is what gives the red peppers their roasted deliciousness.

homemade crab cakes
When they are evenly blackened, carefully remove them from the grill and place right into a paper grocery bag and roll to seal. It steams the peppers a bit and makes it much easier to remove the skin.

After the peppers are cooled, remove the skins, slice, and toss into your blender with your egg yolk, garlic, salt, and lemon juice. Blend until well combined, the egg yolks have lightened slightly, and the peppers are fully pureed.

Next, slowly drizzle in your oil until the mixture emulsifies and thickens. I used between 1/3 – 1/2 of a cup of oil, but you may need a little more or a little less depending on how you prefer your aioli, and how big your red peppers were.

Roasted Red Pepper Aioli
After your aioli is done, put it in the fridge to chill and start your crab cakes. Mix together the mayo, egg, dijon, Worcestershire, and chili garlic paste until combined. Add in your crab meats. I really like using one can of lump crab meat, and one can of claw crab meat. It makes for an amazing combination of flavors from the different parts of the crab.

homemade crab cakes
Add in the cracker crumbs and panko, and gently mix.

homemade crab cakes
Form gently into discs, and fry over medium heat until both sides are golden brown.

homemade crab cakes


More great appetizers can be found here! Check them out!

Honey Blueberry Whipped Goat Cheese
Herbed Bread Dip
Dungeness Crab Cakes
Bacon Spinach Artichoke Dip
French Onion Dip
Steak Bites
Sriracha Spinach Dip


Crab Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Aioli-9

 

 

Yield: 6 servings

Crab Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

Crab Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

Homemade crab cakes are full of delicious crab, and light on the filler. Much better than your typical restaurant variety, you are going to want to make these over and over again!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

Roasted Red Pepper Aioli:

  • 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/2 lemon's juice
  • 2 red peppers, roasted, peeled, and sliced
  • 1/3 - 1/2 cup avocado oil

Crab Cakes:

  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons worchestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili garlic paste
  • 8 oz lump crab meat
  • 8 oz claw crab meat
  • 10 saltines, crushed
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup canola oil, for frying
  • fresh lemon wedges for garnish and finishing

Instructions

Aioli:

  1. Roast two red bell peppers on your grill over high heat, turning frequently until all sides are charred. Carefully remove to a paper bag, roll to seal, and let sit 10 minutes. Remove from bag and peel skin off of peppers. Slice into thin strips.
  2. In blender, add the garlic, salt, egg yolks, lemon juice, and red pepper slices. Blend until well combined, egg yolks have lightened, and the red peppers are fully pureed and incorporated into the mixture. Slowly drizzle in avocado oil while the blender is running until the mixture is emulsified and thickened. Place into a small dish and chill until the crab cakes are done.

Crab Cakes:

  1. Combine the mayo, egg, dijon, worchestershire, and chili garlic paste. Stir until combined. Add in crab meats, crackers, and panko, and gently stir until crab and crackers are moistened.
  2. Gently form into discs, taking care not to pack too tightly, and fry over medium heat in a non-stick skillet until golden brown. Flip and fry other side until golden. Serve warm with roasted red pepper aioli and lemon wedges.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 458Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 174mgSodium: 839mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 18g

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Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

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Tuesday 13th of September 2016

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Laurie B

Friday 26th of September 2014

I would use it for peppers, tomatos, potatos, and so much more.

Milie

Wednesday 24th of September 2014

Crab cakes! Sooo good! I did not know that grilling rack for the peppers but now I want one!

Karen Ostrom

Tuesday 23rd of September 2014

I'd use it for roasting peppers, hot peppers

Ronda

Tuesday 23rd of September 2014

I love roasted red peppers so a grilling rack could certainly come in handy for that! Incidentally, crab cakes are a favorite in my family and yours look delicious.

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