How Many Carbs Are in Crab Cakes? A Low-Carb Seafood Option

Crab cakes are a delicious and popular appetizer, sandwich filler, or main course But are they a good choice if you’re watching your carb intake? Let’s take a closer look at the carb content of crab cakes

What are Crab Cakes?

Crab cakes are patties made from crab meat usually from blue crab or Dungeness crab. The meat is combined with breadcrumbs or crackers egg, mayonnaise or other binder, and seasonings.

Crab cakes can be pan-fried, broiled, baked, or grilled to form a golden crust. They make a tasty appetizer or meal paired with a salad or vegetables. Some restaurants serve crab cakes topped with creamy sauces.

Carb Counts in Different Crab Cake Recipes

The number of carbs in a crab cake depends largely on the amount and type of binder used in the recipe. More breadcrumbs mean more carbs.

Here are the carb counts for some popular crab cake recipes:

• Restaurant-style crab cakes with 1/2 cup breadcrumbs: 15-20g net carbs per 4-6 oz patty
• Baltimore-style crab cakes with 1/4 cup cracker crumbs: 10-15g net carbs per 4 oz cake
• Keto crab cakes with almond flour: 2-5g net carbs per 4 oz cake
• Lettuce-wrapped crab cakes with no binder: Under 5g net carbs per 4 oz

As you can see, traditional restaurant crab cakes are fairly high in carbs due to using white bread as the binder. But recipes using less or lower-carb binders can fit into a low-carb eating plan.

Tips for Ordering Low-Carb Crab Cakes at Restaurants

If you want to enjoy crab cakes while limiting carbs here are some tips for ordering at restaurants

• Ask how the crab cakes are prepared and with what type of binder. Request they use the least amount of breadcrumbs possible.

• Opt for lighter prep methods like grilled or broiled instead of fried crab cakes to avoid the carbs in batter.

• See if they can serve your crab cake on top of a salad instead of with a starch like potatoes or pasta.

• Avoid any creamy sauces which add extra carbs – stick to sides like lemon wedges or tartar sauce.

• Share an order of crab cakes as an appetizer instead of having them as a main dish. The smaller portion will mean fewer carbs.

How to Make Low-Carb Crab Cakes at Home

Preparing crab cakes yourself lets you control the carb count. Here are some tips:

• Use finely chopped cauliflower, almond flour, or flaxseed meal instead of breadcrumbs.

• Bind with Greek yogurt or whipped cream cheese diluted with water or lemon juice.

• Add extra egg for binding.

• Bake or pan-fry instead of deep-frying to avoid batter.

• Serve in lettuce cups instead of bread.

Crab Cakes Nutrition Facts

Besides carb content, what other nutrients are found in crab cakes?

A 4 ounce serving of crab cakes provides:

• 150-200 calories
• 15-25g protein
• 500-800mg sodium
• 10-15% DV vitamins A and C
• 15-25% DV minerals like selenium, copper, phosphorus

The protein comes from the crab, while vitamins and minerals are derived from both the crab and binder ingredients.

Crab meat is naturally low in fat and carbs. Using small amounts of binder keeps crab cakes relatively low in calories compared to other fried appetizers.

Benefits of Choosing Crab Cakes on a Low-Carb Diet

Crab cakes can be a smart occasional choice on low-carb, keto, Atkins, and other carb-restricting diets when prepared properly. Here’s why:

• They provide a good protein source to help preserve muscle mass.

• Crab meat contains omega-3 fatty acids for heart and brain health.

• Vitamins like B12, selenium, and antioxidants support immunity on low-carb diets.

• Crab cakes offer a lower-carb alternative to battered and breaded appetizers or sandwiches.

Just focus on limiting the amount of starchy binder and enjoy crab cakes in moderation as part of your low-carb meal plan.

Potential Drawbacks of Crab Cakes on a Low-Carb Diet

While crab cakes have some benefits for a low-carb eating pattern, there are a few potential issues to keep in mind:

• Restaurant crab cakes are often deep fried, which adds extra fat and calories. Opt for lighter cooking methods when possible.

• The sodium in crab cakes may need to be limited by those restricting salt intake.

• Some binders like breadcrumbs provide mostly empty carbs with little nutrition.

• Pre-formed frozen crab cakes likely contain more fillers and preservatives.

As long as you pay attention to ingredients, portion size and frequency of eating, crab cakes can be incorporated into a healthy low-carb lifestyle.

The Bottom Line

Crab cakes are a delicious way to get a dose of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals from seafood. While restaurant versions can be high in carbs, carefully prepared crab cakes using low-carb binders can fit into a carb-conscious diet.

Watch your portion sizes, limit frequency, and balance with veggies and salad. Then you can enjoy tasty crab cakes while still meeting your low-carb macros. Just focus on the quality ingredients and preparation methods. So go ahead and savor a homemade low-carb crab cake or two!