Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsJoe's Crab ShackCrab Cake Appetizer Recipe

Crab Cake Appetizer Recipe

Inspired by Joe's Crab Shack
Time1h
Serves4

Lump crab meat, tomato and cucumber salad, with lemon butter

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Ingredients

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Crab Cakes

Lemon Butter Sauce

Method

Crab Cakes Preparation

  1. 1

    Mix Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine lump crab meat, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, old bay seasoning, egg, and breadcrumbs. Mix gently until combined without breaking up the crab meat.

  2. 2

    Form Cakes

    Using your hands, form the mixture into small patties, about 2 inches in diameter. Place them on a plate or baking sheet.

  3. 3

    Chill

    Cover the crab cakes with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Tomato and Cucumber Salad Preparation

  1. 4

    Prepare Vegetables

    Halve the cherry tomatoes and dice the cucumber. Finely chop the red onion and parsley.

  2. 5

    Mix Salad

    In a bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley.

  3. 6

    Dress Salad

    Drizzle olive oil and red wine vinegar over the salad. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss to combine.

Lemon Butter Sauce Preparation

  1. 7

    Melt Butter

    In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter.

  2. 8

    Add Flavorings

    Add minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the melted butter. Stir to combine and simmer for a few minutes.

Cooking Crab Cakes

  1. 9

    Heat Oil

    In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

  2. 10

    Cook Cakes

    Add the chilled crab cakes to the skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Serving

  1. 11

    Assemble Dish

    Place the cooked crab cakes on a serving plate. Top with the tomato and cucumber salad.

  2. 12

    Drizzle Sauce

    Drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the crab cakes and salad just before serving.

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