Tex Mex Crab Cakes Recipe

Serene Herrera | House of Yumm

Tex Mex Crab Cakes have a great kick from spice and jalapeño. One fantastic appetizer!

Tex Mex Crab Cakes Photo

Tex Mex Crab Cakes. I’m pretty sure these will become your new favorite appetizer. Flakey crab meat on the inside. Golden crispy on the outside. Plus these little guys had a Tex Mex update so they are loaded with fresh bell peppers, a little jalapeño, cilantro, and green onion. Not to mention a little extra heat coming from the chili powder. All balanced with the refreshing, clean taste of the crab meat.

Where to find lump crab meat? Well, we want to make sure we’re getting actual crab meat, not imitation, both of which are kept in the same spot with the refrigerated seafood in the meat or butcher department of the market. Since it is real crab meat it does have a slightly higher price point, which makes it all the more important we make these properly!

The trick to making these so that the crab meat inside is flakey and the outside has that wonderful golden crisp to it? You need to chill the cakes prior to frying them. If you don’t then they won’t hold their shape very well and they will end up quite soggy actually. So once you have shaped the crab cakes put them on a baking sheet or plate, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

Tex Mex Crab Cakes Picture

This also helps them hold their shape, so while you still need to be delicate with them when you are placing them in the pan and flipping them over, they will stand up to the movement a whole lot better!

Tex Mex Crab Cakes Image

When frying them we want to make sure that we heat the oil first. Then once the oil is hot we can add the crab cakes carefully. Only put in a couple at a time so that we’re not crowing the pan. Once they’ve cooked for about 3 minutes then carefully flip them over to cook the other side.

Tex Mex Crab Cakes Pic

You want to serve these up fresh. So if you’re not ready to eat them, just let them chill in the refrigerator until it’s time. Once they’re fried, if we put them in the fridge and wait to eat them, they will get soggy. I topped mine with my favorite Southwestern Dressing, but you can always use your favorite sauce to go with them. 

And if you love seafood, why not learn about the most decadent seafood treat of all - caviar!

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Tex Mex Crab Cakes Recipe

      12 Servings

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Fresh Lump Crab Meat
  • 1/3 cup Diced Red Bell Pepper
  • 3 Green Onions, Diced
  • 1 tablespoon Chopped Cilantro
  • 1/2 jalapeños Jalapeño, Seeded and diced
  • 3/4 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
  • juice from half a Lemon
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1/3 cup Ritz Crackers, Heaping, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil, Or canola oil

Directions

  1. In a medium mixing bowl add the crab meat, diced bell pepper, diced onion, chopped cilantro, and diced jalapeno. Stir to combine.
  2. Add in the spices and mix. Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, egg, and crushed crackers. Stir until mixed.
  3. Take about 1/4 cup of the crab mixture and form into a little patty. Place this on a baking sheet or plate. Continue until all the crab mixture is formed into patties.
  4. Place the crab cakes into the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour.
  5. Once the crab cakes are cooled and set, heat the cooking oil in a medium sized skillet over medium to high heat.
  6. Gently add two to three crab cakes to the pan and cook for about 3 minutes. Carefully flip the crab cake over and cook on the other side for another 3 minutes. Remove the crab cakes from the pan, place on a plate lined with a paper towel, this will soak up any extra oil. Continue until all the crab cakes have been cooked.
  7. Serve with Southwestern Dressing and enjoy!

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Published:
Modified:
Author:
Cuisine:
Tex Mex
Category:
Party Food
Tags:
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Related Recipes:
Tex Mex Recipes, Seafood Recipes, Appetizer Recipes, Party Food Recipes, Spicy Recipes, Snack Recipes, Jalapeño Recipes
Recipe Yields:
12 crab cakes
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Chilling:
Total Time:
Related Post:
Published:
Author: Serene Herrera
Recipe Yields: 12 crab cakes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 100 minutes

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 crab cake
Servings Per Recipe 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 37
Calories 73

% Daily Value*
7%
Total Fat 5g
3%
  Saturated Fat 1g
9%
Sodium 210mg
1%
Total Carbohydrate 3g
0%
  Dietary Fiber 0g
  Sugars 1g
8%
Protein 4g

* Percent Daily Value are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrition Facts are estimated based on ingredients and data provided by Fat Secret. Please consult a doctor if you have special dietary needs.
Serene Herrera

About Serene

Serene is the blogger behind House of Yumm, and loves all things Tex-Mex thanks to a Texas transplantation from California. We're so excited she's sharing her favorites with you!

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