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Crab Cakes BC

Crab cakes recipe: golden, pan-fried cakes packed with sweet, briny Dungeness crab from the BC coast, with just a light binder that keeps the crab the star.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DessertCategory
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Crab Cakes BC - golden pan-fried Dungeness crab cakes with lemon and aioli

Dungeness crab is the sweetheart of the BC coast, and crab cakes are one of the best ways to show it off. The style likely travelled west with East Coast seafood traditions, but BC cooks gave it a Pacific upgrade, using sweet Dungeness meat and a lighter hand with the binder so every bite is mostly crab.

What makes these great is the restraint: barely any breadcrumbs, a whisper of mayonnaise, and bright accents of lemon, chive, and Dijon that let the crab’s natural sweetness shine. Pan-fried until deeply golden and crisp on the outside, they’re elegant enough for company and quick enough for a weeknight. A squeeze of lemon and a dollop of aioli is all they need.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Gently combine the crab meat, panko, mayonnaise, egg, mustard, chives, parsley, lemon zest, and Worcestershire in a large bowl, taking care not to break up the big lumps of crab.
  2. Season with salt and pepper, then shape the mixture into 8 small cakes.
  3. Press each cake into extra panko so both sides are lightly coated, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
  4. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the cakes for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and warmed through.
  5. Drain briefly on paper towels and serve hot with lemon wedges and aioli.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Keep the crab lumps as large as you can — big pieces of crab make the best cakes. If the mixture feels too wet, add panko a spoonful at a time, but no more than you need.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryDessert
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →