how long do you grill crab cakes

How Long Do You Grill Crab Cakes For Perfectly Cooked Results Every Time?

Crab cakes are a delicious appetizer or main course that are enjoyed by seafood lovers everywhere. Getting that perfect balance of moist, flaky crab on the inside and a crisp, golden brown exterior when cooking crab cakes can be tricky, especially when grilling them. One of the most common questions people have is how long do you actually grill crab cakes to achieve crab cake perfection?

In this comprehensive guide I will provide tips and techniques to help you learn exactly how long to grill crab cakes to get restaurant-quality results right in your own backyard. Whether you are firing up a charcoal or gas grill, following some simple guidelines will ensure your crab cakes turn out incredibly tasty.

Get Your Grill Ready

The first step to grilling flawless crab cakes is getting your grill properly preheated. You’ll want the grill temperature to be medium-high, around 375-400°F. This higher heat will help sear the outside of the crab cakes and lock in the moisture.

If using a charcoal grill, let the coals get hot and ashy before putting the crab cakes on. For a gas grill, preheat for 10-15 minutes on medium-high. You can check the temperature using a grill thermometer placed on the grates.

While the grill heats up, make sure to oil the grates using a brush or paper towel with a high smoke point oil like canola or vegetable oil. This prevents sticking. You’ll also want to oil the tops of the crab cakes lightly before grilling.

Form Uniform Crab Cakes

For even grilling, you’ll want the crab cakes to be the same thickness and size. Using a measuring cup or scoop, portion out the crab mixture into balls, gently patting into patties approximately 1 inch thick.

Make sure the crab cake mixture is cold before forming the patties. I recommend chilling it for 30 minutes in the refrigerator which helps them hold their shape better on the hot grill.

Grill Time For Crab Cakes

Now for the key question – how long should you grill crab cakes? With the grill nice and hot, place the crab cakes carefully on the oiled grates and close the lid. Resist the urge to press down on the patties or move them too soon.

After about 4 minutes, you can gently flip the crab cakes over. Use a wide spatula to keep them intact. Cook for another 3-4 minutes on the second side. You want a total grilling time of around 8 minutes for 1 inch thick crab cakes.

Keep in mind that the cooking time can vary a bit depending on how hot your grill runs. Thinner crab cakes may take only 6-7 minutes total. Visually check for golden brown crusting on the outside and test doneness by inserting a thermometer into the thickest portion of a patty. You want the internal temperature to reach 145°F.

If the crab cakes are browning too quickly on the outside but still uncooked in the middle, try moving them to a cooler part of the grill or reducing the heat to medium. Go longer than 8 minutes if needed until fully cooked through.

Serve Up Your Grilled Crab Cakes

Once they have reached the perfect internal temperature, use your spatula to transfer the hot crab cakes to a clean plate. Allow them to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This helps lock in the juices and moisture.

Your craving for grilled crab cakes is now satisfied! Enjoy them plain, with remoulade or tartar sauce, on buns, over salad, or however you desire. Pair them with lemon wedges, coleslaw, and fries for a classic crab cake platter.

Cleanup is easy if you line your grill’s drip pan with aluminum foil before cooking. Simply wait for the grill to cool completely and then toss the foil. Give the grates a good brushing to remove any residue.

Tips For Grilling Juicy Crab Cakes

Follow these helpful tips for getting the best results when grilling crab cakes:

• Choose lump crab meat over less expensive claw or backfin. Lump has more flavor and tender chunks.

• Gently mix the crab filling using your hands or a rubber spatula to keep it lumpier. Avoid over-mixing.

• Chill the formed crab cakes before grilling so they firm up and don’t fall apart.

• Brush the tops of the crab cakes with oil or melted butter to help prevent drying out.

• Grill over direct medium-high heat. Avoid direct high heat which can burn them.

• Flip only once during cooking for better texture. Resist the urge to press down on them.

• Quickly get them off the grill once they reach 145°F internally to prevent overcooking.

What About Grilling Frozen Crab Cakes?

For convenience, some people like to buy pre-formed frozen crab cakes. You can certainly grill frozen crab cakes, but I recommend thawing them first for more even cooking.

To properly thaw frozen crab cakes for grilling, place them in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 12 hours. This slower thawing helps maintain their texture better than a quick thaw method.

Once thawed, grill the crab cakes following the same instructions, cooking times, and temperature guidelines mentioned above. They may take 1-2 minutes longer per side since they are fully chilled. Just watch for the exterior browning and ensure they reach 145°F internally before removing from the grill.

Get Creative With Crab Cake Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basics, have fun coming up with your own unique crab cake recipes. Consider adding any of the following extra ingredients:

• Minced garlic, jalapeños, or herbs for flavor

• Panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch

• Shredded cheese for ooey-gooey goodness

• Chopped veggies like bell peppers, scallions, or spinach

• Spices like Old Bay, paprika, cayenne, or dry mustard

You can also explore different dipping sauces beyond tartar and remoulade, like spicy aioli, mango salsa, or avocado crema. The possibilities are endless!

Grilling Tips For Other Seafood Cakes

The techniques used for crab cakes can easily be applied to other seafood cakes too. Just follow the same guidelines for preparation, grill temperature, oiling, flip timing and checking internal temperature.

Here are estimated total grilling times for 1 inch thick seafood cakes:

• Salmon Cakes – 6-8 minutes

• Tuna Cakes – 6-8 minutes

• Shrimp Cakes – 4-6 minutes

• Scallop Cakes – 4-6 minutes

• Lobster Cakes – 8-10 minutes

• Cod Cakes – 6-8 minutes

• Haddock Cakes – 6-8 minutes

Get out your grilling tools and give some of these seafood cakes a try! Adjust cook times as needed based on thickness and your grill’s heat intensity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Grilling Crab Cakes

1. Should I use lump crab or jumbo lump crab meat?

For the best texture and flavor, I recommend using lump or jumbo lump crab meat if your budget allows. Jumbo lump consists of bigger chunks from the backfin muscles.

1. How do I keep crab cakes from falling apart on the grill?

Chilling the crab cake mixture for 30 minutes helps firm them up so they hold together better. Also be sure to gently handle them when flipping over using a wide spatula.

1. Do I need to use breadcrumbs in crab cakes?

Breadcrumbs are a common crab cake binder. I prefer panko crumbs for added crunchiness. Crackers, oats, or flour can also be used as a substitute.

1. What temperature are crab cakes safe to eat?

Cook crab cakes on the grill until they reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F to destroy any potential bacteria and make them safe to eat.

1. What seasoning is best for crab cakes?

Old Bay is a classic choice, but feel free to get creative with Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, paprika, dry mustard, garlic powder, or a seafood herb blend.

Master Grilled Crab Cakes for Your Next Cookout

Now that you know precisely how long to grill those tempting crab cakes, you can start planning your next backyard cookout menu. Impress everyone with your impressive grilling skills and enjoy the fruits of your labor – tender and juicy crab cakes hot off the grill!

From forming uniform patties to monitoring doneness, use this guide anytime you get a hankering for the best grilled crab cakes ever. Your tastebuds will thank you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with exciting new ingredients or global flavor fusions in your crab cake recipes.

Soon your family and friends will be begging you to showcase your top-notch technique for cooking crab cakes on the barbecue. Just remember the simple tricks like oiling the grates, grilling over medium-high heat and resisting the urge to press or flip