Smoky Southern Crab Cakes with Chipotle Tartar Sauce
Indulge in a taste of Southern hospitality with these Smoky Southern Crab Cakes made with fresh lump crab meat, offering a perfect balance of spicy and smoky flavors. Enhanced with diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, thinly sliced scallions and celery, and yellow or red bell pepper, these crab cakes deliver an exquisite texture—crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Served with a refreshing bed of cilantro and lime slices, complemented by a delightful smoky tartar sauce, each bite promises a treat you'll crave again and again. Perfect as a main course or turned into mini appetizers for your next gathering!
4
Servings
300
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
fresh lump crabmeat
1/2 lb (none)
breadcrumbs
1 cup (none)
chipotle mustard
1 tablespoon (none)
scallions
2 (sliced thin)
celery
1/2 stalk (sliced thin)
yellow or red bell pepper
1/2 (diced fine)
egg
1 (none)
mayonnaise
1/2 cup (none)
chipotle chile in adobo
1-2 (diced fine, remove seeds for less heat)
adobo sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
salt
to taste (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
flour
1/4 cup (for dusting)
oil
as needed (for frying)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, chipotle mustard, scallions, celery, bell pepper, egg, mayonnaise, diced chipotle chile, adobo sauce, salt, and pepper.
2
Gently fold in the lump crab meat, taking care not to break up the lumps, which is essential for texture.
3
Form the mixture into four equal-sized patties. They may seem delicate at first, but press gently to shape them.
4
Lightly dust each formed patty with flour on both sides. Place the floured patties on a dish, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for about one hour to help them firm up.
5
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, adding enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
6
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the crab cakes to the skillet. Cook each side for 3-4 minutes, or until the exterior is golden brown and crisp.
7
Transfer the cooked crab cakes onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess oil.
8
Serve immediately on a bed of cilantro and lime slices, garnished with a dollop of Smoky Chipotle Tartar Sauce (Recipe #120370).
Nutrition Information
17.5g
Fat
20g
Carbs
17.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Smoky Southern Crab Cakes?
They are fresh lump crab meat patties featuring a blend of spicy and smoky flavors.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
How much crab meat is required?
You will need 1/2 lb of fresh lump crabmeat.
What gives the crab cakes their smoky flavor?
The smoky flavor comes from chipotle mustard, chipotle chile in adobo, and adobo sauce.
What is the preparation for the scallions?
The scallions should be sliced thin.
How should the celery be prepared?
The celery should be sliced thin.
How much bell pepper is used?
Use 1/2 of a yellow or red bell pepper, diced fine.
What is the role of the egg?
The egg acts as a binder for the mixture.
How much mayonnaise is included?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of mayonnaise.
How do I control the heat level?
Remove the seeds from the chipotle chiles for less heat.
How much adobo sauce is needed?
You will need 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce.
What is used for dusting the patties?
A 1/4 cup of flour is used for dusting.
How many breadcrumbs are needed?
One cup of breadcrumbs is required.
Why is it important to fold in the crab meat gently?
This preserves the texture by not breaking up the lumps of crab.
How long should the patties chill?
They should chill in the refrigerator for about one hour.
Why are the patties chilled?
Chilling helps the delicate patties firm up before frying.
What temperature should I use for frying?
Use medium heat for the skillet.
How long should each side cook?
Cook each side for 3-4 minutes.
How do I know when the crab cakes are done?
They are ready when the exterior is golden brown and crisp.
What should I do after frying?
Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
How are the crab cakes served?
Serve immediately on a bed of cilantro and lime slices.
Which sauce complements this dish?
A Smoky Chipotle Tartar Sauce is recommended.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains 300 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There is 17.5g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in one serving?
One serving provides 17.5g of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count?
Each serving has 20g of carbohydrates.
Can these be made as appetizers?
Yes, they can be turned into mini appetizers for gatherings.
How many chipotle chiles should I use?
Use 1 to 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce.
What kind of crab meat is specified?
The recipe specifies fresh lump crabmeat.
How much chipotle mustard is used?
One tablespoon of chipotle mustard is used.