Cajun Crab Cakes (No Breadcrumbs)

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Description

Two of the most crucial ingredients used in New Orleans cooking are Cajun spice and local seafood! Crab has always been my favorite type of shellfish, but I have never really cared much for crab cakes. The overpowering presence of seasoned breadcrumbs used in most recipes interferes with the sweet and delicate flavors of the fresh lump crabmeat. After years of experimenting with many of New Orleans’ most famous crab cake recipes, I have created a flavorful, mouth-watering, delicious piece of work! The key is to use a small amount of crumbled crackers instead of breadcrumbs. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • ½ onion, finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
  • ½ large red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 bunch green onions (green portion only), chopped
  • ½ large carrot, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
  • 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning (such as Tony Chachere’s®)
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 pound lump crabmeat, picked free of shell
  • 9 buttery crackers (such as Keebler Club® crackers), crushed
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon chile-garlic sauce (such as Sriracha®)
  • 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning (such as Tony Chachere’s®)
  • 2 teaspoons parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a large
  2. heavy skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent
  3. about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the celery
  5. bell pepper
  6. green onion
  7. carrot
  8. and garlic. Continue to cook and stir until vegetables are tender
  9. about 10 minutes more.
  10. Season with 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
  11. 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
  12. basil
  13. pepper
  14. dill weed
  15. oregano
  16. and thyme. Cook and stir until fragrant
  17. 5 minutes more.
  18. Transfer cooked vegetables to a large bowl; allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Set skillet aside for later use.
  19. Stir the beaten eggs into the vegetables. Mix in the crabmeat and cracker crumbs with your hands
  20. making sure not to break up the chunks of crab too much.
  21. Shape the crab mixture into 12 small cakes.
  22. Heat vegetable oil in the skillet over medium high heat.
  23. Pan-fry the crab cakes in batches until golden brown on each side
  24. about 3 minutes.
  25. To make dipping sauce: Whisk together the mayonnaise
  26. chile-garlic sauce
  27. 2 teaspoon Creole seasoning
  28. 2 teaspoon parsley flakes
  29. and paprika.

Prep Time: 40 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 6

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