Crab cakes are a delicious seafood dish that is popular in coastal regions, especially Maryland They are typically made with lump crab meat which comes from the body of the crab But can you also use claw meat from crabs to make crab cakes? The short answer is yes!
What is Claw Crab Meat?
Claw crab meat comes from the claws and legs of crabs, rather than the body. It has a stringier texture than lump crab meat. The flavor is a bit milder as well Claw meat is often cheaper than lump crab meat This makes it a great budget-friendly option for when you want to enjoy crab cakes but don’t want to splurge on the pricier lump crab.
Benefits of Using Claw Meat
There are a few advantages to using claw meat for your crab cakes:
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Cost – As mentioned above, claw meat is less expensive than lump crab meat. You can save a good amount by opting for claws.
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Sustainability – By using the claw meat, you are reducing waste and making full use of the crab. The body meat often gets used while the claws get discarded, so this puts it to good use.
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Availability – Claw meat is easier to find than lump crab meat. You can readily find it fresh or frozen at many grocery stores. Lump meat sells out faster.
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Flavor – While claw meat is milder in flavor, it still has that sweet crab taste. When mixed into a crab cake with other ingredients, the flavor comes through beautifully.
How to Make Crab Cakes with Claw Meat
Making crab cakes with claw meat rather than lump is easy. Follow most any crab cake recipe, simply substituting the claw meat in place of lump. Here are a few tips for working with claw meat specifically:
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Check for shells – Carefully pick through the meat and discard any remaining shells or cartilage.
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Don’t overmix – Gently fold the ingredients together rather than vigorously mixing to avoid the meat becoming stringy.
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Use binders – Add a binder like egg, mayo, or panko breadcrumbs to help hold the cakes together. The stringier texture of the meat makes this more important.
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Rest before cooking – For best results, form the crab cakes then allow them to rest in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes before cooking. This allows time for the flavors to meld and helps them hold their shape better.
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Get a crust – Be sure to cook the crab cakes until golden brown on both sides. The crust adds texture and flavor.
Best Crab Cake Recipes with Claw Meat
Here are some top-rated crab cake recipes that use claw meat:
Easy Stovetop Crab Cakes
This no-fuss stovetop recipe from Bowl of Delicious has you simply mix the ingredients and pan fry crab cakes in just 15 minutes. It’s flexible for using any type of crab meat. Serve with lemon wedges and remoulade.
Mini Crab Cakes Appetizers
Make bite-sized crab cakes with claw meat as fun party appetizers from this recipe on The Cookie Rookie. Bake them in mini muffin tins for perfect pop-in-your-mouth size.
Broiled Crab Cakes with Old Bay
For easy oven-baked crab cakes, try this recipe from Cooking Classy. They have the iconic Old Bay seasoning and get broiled until toasty.
Crab Cake Sliders
Pile claw meat crab cakes onto mini buns for these adorable sliders from Damn Delicious. People will gobble them up!
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
The air fryer makes quick work of crab cakes with no mess or oil. This recipe from Living Sweet Moments ensures they get crispy outside and stay moist inside.
Tips for Buying and Storing Claw Crab Meat
When purchasing and storing crab claw meat, keep these tips in mind:
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Opt for fresh crab meat if possible for better texture and flavor. Frozen is okay too.
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For fresh, look for meat that is translucent white and smells fresh, not fishy.
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Canned claw meat works but may have more added filler and preservatives. Rinse before using.
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Store fresh crab meat tightly wrapped for up to 2 days. Freeze for longer storage.
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Thaw frozen crab meat overnight in the fridge. Don’t re-freeze after thawing.
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Look for crab meat sustainably sourced from the U.S. or Canada.
Enjoy Delicious Crab Cakes on a Budget
Give claw crab meat a try the next time you make crab cakes. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also reduce waste by making use of the whole crab. The flavor and texture holds up beautifully. With just a few small tweaks to your favorite crab cake recipe, you can enjoy delicious crab cakes on a budget using claw meat.
How to serve crab cakes?
One of the things I like the most about crab cakes, is how versatile they are. Because of this, they can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Also, be served as an appetizer or main entree. Don’t forget to serve it with my homemade remoulade sauce.
What are crab cakes?
They’re made with crab meat, along with seasonings, and a binder like mayo, egg and/or bread crumbs. They’re fried, baked or broiled until desired level of crispiness. I prefer mine to be soft and moist on the inside, but crispy on the outside.
- lump crab meat
- egg
- mayo
- dijon mustard
- worcestershire sauce
- hot sauce
- fresh parsley
- lemon juice
- sea salt
- Old Bay
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- black pepper
- panko bread crumbs
My preferred crab meat to use for this recipe, is lump or jumbo lump. It’s also fine to use crab claw meat, but it tastes best when mixed with lump meat. My recipe calls for 1 pound of crab meat. So if using claw, do 8 ounces of claw and 8 ounces of lump. If claw meat is all you have, be advised that the flavor and texture may be altered. It will still taste fine, but will be a little different.
I prefer to stay away from snow crab meat that come from crab legs. Never mind, I love snow crab leg meat. But not in these crab cakes. The added sugar will make them too sweet. However, if you like the sweetness, go for it.
DO NOT USE IMITATION CRAB MEAT! I understand that people want to do what they want in the kitchen, but imitation crab meat is not okay. Actually, it’s a big no no.
Barnegat Bay Blue Claw Crab Cakes by Master Chef Mike
FAQ
Is claw or lump crab meat better for crab cakes?
What is claw crab meat used for?
Is crab claw meat any good?
What is the best crab meat to buy for crab cakes?
How to cook claw meat crab cakes?
Cook the crab cakes on each side until they are golden brown, approximately 3 minutes on each side. Step 6: After removing the last of your claw meat crab cakes, drain them on paper towels and serve warm with a lemon wedge squeezed over them and a dollop of soy sauce. There are many health benefits of crab cakes.
Is it safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy?
It is safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy as long as it comes from a reliable source, with appropriate hygienic and sanitary conditions for pre-preparation, preparation and packaging of this food.
Can you use raw crab meat for crab cakes?
These crab cakes can also be made with leftover cooked crab meat, such as from a crab boil. If for some reason you do use raw crab meat for these crab cakes, you’d need to make sure you cook them thoroughly enough so the crab is fully cooked through.
Are claw meat crab cakes good for You?
Claw meat crab cakes are rich in iron which is crucial because it helps to boost red blood cell production and carries oxygen throughout the body. It also increases energy levels, improves the immune system, and helps to maintain the nervous system. It is possible, if you were wondering can you make crab cakes with claw meat?