These crab cakes with spicy mayo are easy to make, absolutely delish, and a huge hit at parties. Everywhere I bring them, they disappear in an instant!
For almost 10 years, I called Maryland’s Eastern Shore home. We lived on a 5-acre farm surrounded by fresh produce, lots of animals and crab lovin’ friends. So, it completely escapes me as to why I haven’t shared crab cakes up until now! They are my favorite (and I’m talkin’ favorite) food ever.
Just ask anyone who’s ever gone to a restaurant with me. I am seeking their crab cakes, and you better bet I will FIND! Heh. But, no, seriously… It’s a problem.
In this journey of seeking and finding, it’s safe to say I’ve had my share of bad, good and incredibly good crab cakes over the years. What I’m sharing with you today is one that captures the flavors of the incredibly good, my favorites, all in one.
Whether you serve ‘em with buns and beer, or topped with sprouts and a sparkling cocktail, it’s up to you! We’re just keeping it weeknight-style casual today and showing you how an Eastern Shore gal does it – nothing fancy here. Just a pile of potato chips and a cold brew!
If you love crab like I do (lotsa meat, little breadcrumbs) you will just flip for these. The crab is the true star, but spicy and citrusy notes make it really shine. The spicy mayo is simple and scrumptious too – just mayo, lemon juice and a little Sriracha. Or a lot, if you can take the heat!
Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that these were gone in 10 minutes at the party I brought them to. Just sayin’.
Crab Cake Sliders with Spicy Mayo
Ingredients
Crab Cakes:
- 1 pound crabmeat, I used Bumble Bee fancy lump crabmeat
- 1/2 red bell pepper, small diced
- 5 scallions, finely sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/2 cup finely crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Dash cayenne pepper
For Cooking & Serving:
- Olive oil
- 15 slider buns or halved dinner rolls
- 1/2 cup spinach, arugula or sprouts for topping
Spicy Mayo:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice, from about 1/4 lemon
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. chili sauce, such as Sriracha
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare a large baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine all crab cake ingredients. Mix ingredients with your hands. Shape into small patties and place on the baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to cook. (Can be made 1 day ahead)
- Meanwhile, make your spicy mayo. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to blend. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. (Can be made 1 day ahead)
- When ready to cook crab cakes, drizzle about 1 1/2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, carefully place crab cakes, in batches, in pan and fry until browned, 4-5 minutes per side. Carefully flip crab cakes and fry on other side until golden brown, another 4 minutes.
- Place sliders onto buns. Top with mayo and greens, and serve.
- Enjoy!
Crabcakes are easily one of my top 5 favorite foods – and I love the idea of making them into sliders! These look awesome!!! Pinning to try!
I live in good old Baltimore, and we adore crabcakes here. It’s really hard to find good crabcakes in other states. Your sliders look delicious!
These look incredible, Georgia. It’s hard to find a good crab cake in Missouri too. I can’t wait to try this!
I love a good crab cake! Luckily, we’re just a hop, skip, and jump away from the Maryland Eastern Shore so we’re able to get some during the summertime but I love this homemade version! I’ve been itching to make some at home and you might’ve just given me the push! The spicy mayo is the perfect addition to add on top.
i would lov 2 try those soon , thank u
These look awesome! My parents just moved to the MD Eastern Shore and they are excited for crab season!
I normally don’t get excited about crab cakes but these just look so pretty!!
Oh how I wish I wasn’t allergic to crab… crab cakes used to be a favorite of mine, and these look incredible!
Sounds like a fabulous place to live–and an equally fabulous sandwich!
Speechless! This will be the food that I’ll be thinking of ALL DAY! Your pictures are so good that I feel like I can almost reach out to grab one (or two!). I love crab and still eat it even though I found out that I’m (a little) allergic. :D
These food photos are some of the best I have ever seen.
Wow! What a compliment. You’re such a sweetie, Val!
That’s it…I’m moving in! Your husband seems like a cool guy, I’m sure he won’t mind a roommate ;)
These crab cakes look gourmet and delicious :D
Cheers
CCU
Ooooo, I could definitely go for a pile of potato chips, a cold brew and about 13,245 of these! YUM.
That looks absolutely divine….I love Crab cakes but cannot make them at home as my hubby is allergic to shellfish :( But I never miss my chance at ordering it when we eat out…thankfully I need not share at all then :-P
Loved ur pics…beautiful space u have here.
Going to the Cape this August and my agenda is 100% stuffmyface with seafood. I’m going to have to “prepare” myself with these crabcaks. And brew+chips is totally the way to go!
Yes, please! I don’t think I’ve ever had crab cakes (shocking, I know) but that really needs to change soon with these amazing sliders!
these are amazing!!
These do look amazing-I think your pictures are just gorgeous;-) I can imagine your crab cakes disappeared quickly….
We both adore crab cakes and your sliders look absolutely delicious! Love the photos.
Cheers
Whoa, do those look fantastic! Perfectly made…I think you’ve shared the ultimate crab cake recipe!
Your photos are just gorgeous, Georgia! And spicy mayo (extra please!) sounds wonderful!
I’d head straight for your crab cakes at a party too Georgia! They look over the moon good!
oooh, i love crab cakes.. and the spicy mayo sauce rocks. I add ketchup sometimes or siracha sauce. Gorgeous pics. :)
What a lovely appetizer! Your guests would be in serious love with you.
These sliders look fanfreakingtastic with flavourful crab cake! So are the clicks, Georgia.
These pictures have me so hungry! This one is definitely a winner. My boys LOVE spicy mayo spread made with Sriracha and I know it would be just perfect on these. I’ll be trying this one for sure.
Georgia! I never knew you lived on the Eastern Shore. You probably had the BEST of the best crab cakes ever there. We just had crab cakes last night. KEvin’s mom makes the BEST ever. I could eat them everyday for the rest of my life. Your sliders are so creative!
We had the best crab cakes when we lived (briefly) in Maryland. I can’t wait to try your slider recipe! I hope you are doing well, sweet friend. Lots of love and hugs from Colorado!
My husband & his family are from Maryland so I’ve learned all about crab cakes in the last 12 years!! They are definitely a treat here at our house, we go heavy on the crab light on the filler too. These look fantastic!!
I bought a container of crabmeat recently to keep in the fridge for when the craving hits so this is very timely for me! Your crabcake sliders look simply delicious!
I’m going to copy this recipe as it looks so good. I have been looking for some American cuisine recipe, as I am French and cook that way. I see that you don’t add any sugar. It is so hard to find recipes without sugar as people here like everything sweet (even in salad dressing!) I guess the crab cakes would be OK with vegetables instead of in a sandwich? I’ll look at some of your past recipes as this one sounds delicious.
I love crab cakes but have never made my own! I can’t wait to try these out one day, they look super yummy!
These look terrific! I’ve been looking for a good crab cake recipe since my husband (and I) love them. These are on my must try list.
I have a HUGE soft spot for crab cakes! I see this on my menu, in the future! Thanks for sharing :)
This is one great recipe I would love to try. I am a lover of crabs and have a big appetite when I get a taste of them. This one’s a new recipe that will surely add a big twist on the traditional cooking of crabs.
I’m originally from Maryland so our family loves crab! Your crab cakes look incredibly good – love how the red pepper makes these pop with color.
Crabcakes are my downfall! I LOOOOVE them. While I’ve never had an East-coast crabcake, I figure this is pretty authentic to the real deal. Can’t wait to try it! And that spicy mayo .. yes please!
Having grown up in MD crabs are my favorite. Going to try this tonight.
that sauce was a winner!!
Thank You for sharing your recipe! It sounds and looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it!
Oh my goodness, these look incredible! I’ve been craving seafood… love the spicy mayo, also!
Could you fry these, then put in oven at low temp until ready to serve?
Yes! I would put them in around 200 degrees F, but not for too long. Around 30 minutes, max.