Take a traditional Maryland dish to the next level with this delicious summertime sandwich. Crab Cake Sandwiches are just the right amount of filling, taste great, and are surprisingly easy to make.
When it comes to high-end restaurants, I’ve had some really amazing crab cakes. As a result, the “crab cake standard” has been set pretty high. It’s the crab cake in this recipe that really shines, and it’s even better than the best.
The fact that its served on a toasty brioche bun with the perfect assortment of toppings is bonus!
Crab cakes make for a delicious and satisfying sandwich. But what you put on your crab cake sandwich is just as important as the crab cake itself. The right toppings can take your crab cake sandwich from basic to gourmet in an instant.
In this article, we’ll explore 25 of the most delicious options for crab cake sandwich toppings From classic choices like tartar sauce to more unique ingredients like mango salsa, there’s something here for every palate Read on for inspiration to create your perfect crab cake sandwich!
Why Toppings Are Important
Crab cakes have a lovely inherently sweet, delicate flavor from the crab meat. But on their own between bread, they can be a little one note. This is where toppings come in – they add contrasting textures, flavors, creaminess, and zip to balance out the richness of the crab.
Choosing complementary toppings is key to making your crab cake sandwich crave-worthy. The possibilities are endless but we’ll cover some surefire options.
25 Must-Try Toppings for Crab Cake Sandwiches
1. Leafy Greens
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Crispy lettuce adds a fresh crunch and juiciness. Leaf lettuce, butter lettuce, or spinach are great choices.
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Arugula brings a peppery punch of flavor.
2. Sliced Tomato
- Sweet, juicy tomato slices are a classic crab cake sandwich topping. Try different heirloom varieties for a twist.
3. Tangy Sauces & Condiments
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Tartar sauce is a classic pairing with its creamy, tart flavor.
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Spicy brown mustard has the right amount of zing,
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Remoulade sauce brings creamy, herby zest.
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Sriracha mayo packs some heat.
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Chipotle or lemon aioli are bright and flavorful.
4. Pickles
- Dill pickles, bread & butter pickles, or pickled red onions add brightness.
5. Bacon
- Crispy chopped bacon contributes smoky, salty, meaty undertones.
6. Avocado
- Sliced or mashed avocado makes everything better with its creaminess.
7. Cheese
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Melted swiss, cheddar, or provolone give you that craveable cheese pull.
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Crumbled feta or goat cheese lend tang.
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Shredded parmesan adds depth.
8. Caramelized Onions
- Sweet, almost jammy onions balance the crab cake beautifully.
9. Jalapeños
- Thinly sliced fresh jalapeños bring the heat.
10. Coleslaw
- Cool, crunchy coleslaw provides texture contrast.
11. Fried Egg
- A runny fried egg takes this sandwich next level.
12. Mango Salsa
- Sweet, juicy mango salsa makes for a fresh topping.
13. Guacamole
- Creamy homemade or store-bought guac is never a bad idea.
14. Pico de Gallo
- Diced tomato salsa adds a burst of summer brightness.
15. Cranberry Sauce
- Tart cranberry sauce is an unexpected but delicious choice.
16. Pineapple
- Grilled pineapple rings lend sweetness.
17. Herbs
- Fresh dill, cilantro, parsley, chives enhance flavor.
18. Fried Shallots
- Crispy fried shallots provide oniony crunch.
19. Sauerkraut
- Tangy sauerkraut cuts through the richness.
20. Kimchi
- Similarly, spicy kimchi brings bold flavor.
21. Peanut Sauce
- Savory Thai peanut sauce makes a unique topping.
22. Hummus
- Creamy hummus spreads on flavor.
23. Roasted Red Peppers
- Sweet, smoky, chargrilled red peppers pair wonderfully.
24. Caramelized Fennel
- Shaved fennel bulbs lend anise undertones.
25. Fresh Basil
- Bright, fresh basil leaves tie everything together.
Building Your Crab Cake Sandwich
Now that you have plenty of topping ideas, it’s time to build your perfect crab cake sandwich. Here are some tips:
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Pick a base: Brioche, potato rolls, or pretzel buns all work well. Toast or grill the bun for maximum flavor.
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Slather on sauce: Start with a layer of your chosen sauce like remoulade, lemon aioli, or sriracha mayo. Spread it edge to edge on both bun halves.
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Pile on greens: Crispy lettuce or peppery arugula adds freshness.
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Add cheese: If using, place sliced cheese on the bun bottom to let it melt under the hot crab cake.
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Include veggies: Tomatoes, pickles, peppers, onions, etc bring texture and brightness.
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Top with crab cake: Place your freshly cooked crab cake on the bottom bun.
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Crown with extras: Bacon, avocado, slaw, fried egg, or any other extras go on top of the crab cake.
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Finish with herbs: Fresh dill, chives, cilantro or basil give a final flourish of flavor.
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Top it off: Add the top bun and you’re ready to dig in!
Cooking Your Crab Cakes
To build the perfect crab cake sandwich, you need a perfectly cooked crab cake! Here are some tips:
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Use lump or jumbo lump crab meat for the best texture. Avoid canned minced crab.
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Fold the crab meat gently to keep chunks intact.
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Chill the formed crab cakes before cooking so they hold their shape better.
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Cook 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown. Aim for an internal temp of 145°F.
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Use a nonstick pan to prevent sticking. Sear on medium to medium-high heat with olive or vegetable oil.
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Cook in batches to avoid crowding the pan which can make them fall apart.
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Let crab cakes rest a few minutes after cooking before assembling sandwiches.
Topping Combination Inspiration
While the topping possibilities are endless, here are some of my favorite crab cake sandwich topping combinations:
- Remoulade sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles
- Lemon aioli, avocado, bacon, pepper jack cheese
- Sriracha mayo, cilantro, lime, pickled jalapeños
- Tartar sauce, iceberg lettuce, fried egg
- Chipotle mayo, guacamole, queso fresco
- Pesto mayo, arugula, roasted red peppers, parmesan
- Brown mustard, sauerkraut, swiss cheese
- Hummus, cucumber, radish, alfalfa sprouts
- Mango salsa, cabbage slaw, cilantro
- Aioli, fried green tomatoes, pico de gallo
Feel free to mix and match toppings to create your own signature crab cake sandwich. The combinations are infinite!
Elevate Your Next Crab Cake Sandwich
A crab cake sandwich can be so much more than just a crab cake on a bun. Choosing creative and complementary toppings to pile high takes this sandwich to gourmet status.
Next time you’re making crab cakes, try out some of these delicious topping ideas. From cool and tangy options like pickles and slaw, to luxurious choices like bacon and avocado, there are so many ways to customize your sandwich.
Part of the fun is experimenting with different combinations of flavors, textures, temperatures, and colors to find your ultimate crab cake sandwich. Use this list as inspiration to start crafting your crab cake masterpiece!
How to Make Crab Cakes Sandwiches
Prep Crab Cake Filling | Combine all of the crab cake ingredients in a large bowl. Gently fold the mix together, especially if youre using jumbo lump crab for your crab cake sandwiches. You dont want to break up the crab too much!.
Assemble Crab Cake Filling | Divide the crab mix into quarters and form into ½” thick patties.
Chill | Transfer to a plate or flat surface and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour. This allows the cakes time to firm, so they hold up when it comes to flipping time later.
Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the crab patties after they have been chilled. When adding the crab cakes to the pan, be careful not to crowd or move them around. Do this in batches if you need to. Cook for three to four minutes on each side. They are safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Flipping Tip: To keep the crab cake in place, press the back of the fork tongs against the edge of it. Next, put your thinnest, widest, and bendiest spatula under the cake. Once the whole thing rests on the spatula, flip it!.
- As you work, put the cooked crab cakes on a cooling rack instead of a plate so they don’t stick together. A rack is better than a plate covered in paper towels because it lets air flow under the crab cakes, which keeps them from getting too steamy and soggy.
Serve: Put the fish on a toasted Brioche bun with butter and a thick layer of mayonnaise or tartar sauce. Add crisp lettuce and juicy tomato slices on top.
Want to make a fancy seafood dinner at home? Try our easy crab-stuffed salmon for your next home date night. Like this recipe, it also uses jumbo lump crab meat.
Why This Recipe Works
This crab cake sandwich recipe is faster, easier, and more foolproof than other recipes. We don’t like the other guys’ recipes because they use too many ingredients that aren’t needed, which makes the preparation time longer. No, thanks.
For our recipe, we picked only a handful of the best ingredients. These ingredients are easy to work with, add tons of flavor, and dont require that extra prep time.
Cooking the crab cakes on the stovetop can also be difficult. If you dont get the flip just right, your filling will not stay together, and everything will crumble. And we are not shooting for a deconstructed crab cake here. A foolproof crab cake mix and more instruction are required for a novice cook — weve got you.
Our chill time, crab cake mix, and flipping hack, which we’ll talk about next, will make sure your cakes are perfectly cooked.
There is a lot of jumbo lump crab meat in these sandwiches, like in a Maryland-style crab cake. Old Bay Seasoning, fresh pimientos, grated Parmesan, and the citrus burst of a lemon give them extra flavor.
Heres What Youll Need:
- Crab meat
- Parmesan
- Breadcrumbs
- Mayonnaise
- Green onions
- Egg
- Pimientos
- Parsley
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon juice and zest
- Avocado or canola oil
- Brioche buns
Large lump crab meat is by far the best for crab cakes, but it can be pricey. If you are on a budget, lump crab meat is also a good option. Do not eat crab meat that has been minced, like “backfin,” “special,” or “claw meat,” which is often sold in aluminum cans. They do have their time to shine, like in our crab dip, but thats not today.
Delicious Crab Cakes – 2 Ways! | Crab Cake Sandwich
FAQ
What goes well on crab cakes?
Do you eat crab cakes cold?
Should crab cakes be fried in butter or oil?
Are crab cakes healthy?
What to add to a crab cake sandwich?
Cheese: Add a slice of your favorite cheese, such as cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, or provolone, for a gooey, melty twist. Toppings: Enhance your crab cake sandwich with additional toppings like lettuce, tomato, avocado, coleslaw, pickles, caramelized onions, or bacon for extra flavor and texture.
How to make a crab cake sandwich?
To make a crab cake sandwich, bake the crab cakes until they are completely cooked through and are golden brown on top. Butter and toast your brioche bun. Assemble the sandwich by adding sauce, lettuce, and tomato before placing the crab cake. Consider adding toppings like pickles, shallots, garlic aioli, capers, and melted cheese to enhance the flavor.
What sauce goes well with a crab cake sandwich?
This smoky and spicy sauce will send your crab cake sandwich over the top. It’s like a roundhouse kick from heaven that knocks your senses off their feet. The combination of smoke and heat flips the flavor switch in all the right ways, adding an element of adventure to your lunchtime meal. 14. Sweet Mango Salsa
How do you make a crab cake, not a burger?
To make crab cakes, mix jumbo lump crabmeat, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and parsley together in a large bowl. In a different large bowl, mix an egg, hot sauce, mayo, and mustard together. Gently add the crab mixture to this bowl and shape the resulting mixture into cake-sized patties. Set them in a single layer on the baking sheet.