Fresh crab Cakes are a great way to highlight one of the best seafood ingredients and are also straightforward to make. Your guests will discuss your crab cake recipe for days after you serve them as a main course or a delicious appetizer.
If concerned about their nutritional value, you can bake the crab cakes in the oven. You can make the cakes into a greasy snack by pan-frying them until golden brown.
Read on to learn how to cook whole foods crab cakes properly to mask their frozen, less-than-fresh flavor.
How To Cook Whole Foods Crab Cakes?
Gently combine all ingredients but the oil in a large bowl and stir to combine. Make eight uniform patties from the mixture, then set them aside.
Bring a large skillet up to temperature over medium-high heat. Pour in the olive oil. After the oil heats up, carefully add the crab cakes and cook them for four to five minutes per side or until golden brown and fully cooked. Serve with lemon wedges.
How Do You Cook Pre-Made Crab Cakes?
Pan Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side in oil over medium heat. Crab cakes are done cooking when an instant-read thermometer registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit on the inside.
Should You Bake or Fry Crab Cakes?
Crab cakes are equally delicious, baked or fried. Baking crab cakes is the easiest method (no need to worry about them falling apart when flipping). It results in the juiciest and most tender cakes (you can easily overcook the crab cakes in a pan).
The crab cakes come out wonderfully crisp on the outside after being fried, which is a plus in my book. The next time I make these, I plan to try them in the air fryer, which could combine the best aspects of both methods. Share your results with me in the comments if you have one, and plan to try it out.
How Do You Heat Store Bought Crab Cakes?
You can reheat frozen crab cakes in a skillet. Melt butter or canola oil in a pan on medium heat. You should pan-fry the crab cakes for about two minutes on one side. Flip them over and cook for another two minutes. Use only a little oil, or the crab cakes will be oily.
You can also reheat crab cakes once thawed in a conventional oven or a toaster oven. Start by setting your oven’s temperature to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F).
Remove the crab cakes from the refrigerator and set them on a rack or baking sheet. Wrap them in foil or parchment paper and cook them for about 15 to 20 minutes. Take them out of the oven or broil them for the final 5 minutes to get a nice crunch.
What Is the Best Way to Heat Crab Cakes?
A skillet is ideal for reheating crab cakes. Put some oil or butter in a pan and heat it over medium heat. Sear the crab cakes in a pan for 2–3 minutes before flipping them over to cook the other side. Avoid using too much oil, or the crab cakes will become greasy.
What Kind of Ingredients Do You Need to Make Crab Cakes?
Crab meat is the primary ingredient in a crab cake. Still, it is combined with various other things like mayonnaise, bread crumbs, mustard (usually prepared mustard, sometimes mustard powder), seasonings, and eggs.
What Is a Good Dipping Sauce for Crab Cakes?
Remoulade sauce and Worcestershire sauce are good dipping sauces for crab cakes. Typical ingredients in Louisiana-style remoulade include creole seasoning, black pepper, bell pepper, green onions, creole mustard, and hot sauce. This is the best sauce for Maryland-style crab cakes, po’boys, or french fries with salt and pepper.
What Are Some Great Ideas for Crab Cake Toppings?
When paired with a tangy sauce like tartar, crab cake sauce, or remoulade, crab cakes become an irresistible appetizer. Serve crab cakes for dinner or lunch with coleslaw, lemony salad, or other summery sides like corn on the cob and potato salad.
Why Do Some People Prefer to Fry Crab Cakes?
Most people prefer to fry their crab cakes because frying makes them incredibly crispy and delicious. However, crab cakes can come apart when frying.
Can I Freeze Whole Foods Crab Cakes?
Yes, you can. You can freeze the crab cakes in cooked or uncooked forms, though we recommend freezing them raw.
Should You Fry or Broil Crab Cakes?
How you’d like your crab cakes to taste and look is entirely up to you. You can get tasty results from both broiling and frying.
When you fry crab cakes, you get a delicious golden brown crust and seal in more juices. Since the entire pan is heated at the same rate, getting a consistent texture is much simpler.
However, frying poses a risk of making the crab cakes too oily or greasy due to their prolonged contact with the fat used in cooking.
Broiling is an excellent alternative because it requires no added fat or oil and is much healthier. The result is less cholesterol, typically a more airy interior, and a more rigid exterior. Broiling presents more difficult because the heat is distributed unevenly, increasing the risk of under- or overcooking.
In most cases, it’s best to try both approaches and settle on the one that best complements your personal preferences and way of life.
What Temperature Are Crab Cakes Done?
A safe internal temperature for crab cakes is 145 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check the doneness of your crab cakes by inserting a thermometer into the middle of one before cooking.
The crab cakes are done cooking when their internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also check the crab cake’s edges to see if they have turned golden brown.
How Should I Serve Crab Cakes?
You can use different toppings and sauces to complement crab cakes differently. Roasted potatoes, lemon wedges, a crisp green salad, and slaw commonly accompany crab cakes.
Crab cakes go well with various vegetables, but they shine when paired with corn on the cob, grilled zucchini, steamed asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or blanched green beans for a heartier and more flavorful meal. Seasonal fruits like oranges, apples, pears, or a combination, can be a tasty addition to crab cakes.
You can add extra flavor with the help of condiments like remoulade, garlic aioli, or tartar sauce. Crab cakes go well with lemon or lemon juice, some freshly squeezed juice, and a sprinkling of herbs; this is a classic and simple accompaniment.
How Many Calories Do Whole Foods Crab Cakes Have?
Typically, the amount of calories in a Whole Foods crab cake is around 350 cal. This calorie estimate is based on a typical 5-ounce serving size of a crab cake found in Whole Foods Markets.
A crab cake’s exact macro and micronutrient content (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, total fat, etc.) will vary depending on the ingredients and preparation method used to make it.
Whole Foods crab cakes typically contain eggs, mayonnaise, jumbo lump crabmeat, old bay seasoning, panko, and breadcrumbs. A 5-ounce serving can have anywhere from 325 to 375 calories.
Are Crab Cakes Already Cooked?
Yes. Overcooking crab cakes is unnecessary as they are pre-cooked. After they have been cooked through, browned, and crisped up on the outside, serve them immediately.
Should You Eat Crab Cakes Warm or Cold?
You can serve crab cakes hot or cold as an elegant side dish, a delicious appetizer, or a flavorful dinner accompanied by a side salad.
You can also serve crab cakes simply with lemon wedges. Dress them up with sauces, as they are a very versatile recipe.
Conclusion
Crab cakes from Whole Foods can be made at home and are a delicious and cost-effective alternative to eating out. You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for five days in an airtight container or plastic wrap.
If you want to reheat them, you can do so in the microwave for three to four minutes on high or in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for ten to twelve minutes. You can also prepare and shape the crab cakes, then freeze them for 2–3 hours.