I grew up within the South, and Crab Muffins are a staple. They’ll, nonetheless, be somewhat dear, so that they had been an actual deal with when my household made them. To maintain that custom alive with out spending a fortune, I exploit canned crab (it offers the flavour I’m in search of with out the hefty price ticket!) This shelf-stable ingredient is a recreation changer, and I wouldn’t be stunned if it begins making a daily look in your grocery record after attempting this recipe. With a couple of extra easy elements you in all probability have already got, you can begin making crab muffins a weekly indulgence moderately than simply an occasional deal with.

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Straightforward Recipe for Crab Muffins
These golden crab muffins style identical to those I bear in mind from my childhood and couldn’t be simpler to make. I combine canned crab with candy yellow onion, crisp celery, and a little bit of garlic for depth. Then all of it will get folded along with creamy mayo, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and an excellent hit of Previous Bay seasoning (as a result of it’s not a crab cake with out it, in my view!) A little bit breadcrumb binds all of it collectively, and a fast pan-fry creates an ideal golden crust. They arrive collectively quick, style like a splurge, and actually? I might eat the entire batch myself. 😉
- I opted to skip the egg you usually see in crab cake recipes to maintain the prices down. The mayo does the job simply effective on it’s personal, so the egg isn’t wanted on this straightforward recipe!
- I additionally examined this recipe with imitation crab. It did work, however the canned crab had a extra genuine taste. So, in the event you solely have imitation crab available, go for it and save your self a visit to the shop. However in the event you’re in search of the perfect style with out breaking the financial institution, canned crab is the way in which to go.
Crab Muffins Recipe


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- 2 6 oz. canned crab, drained* ($5.88)
- ¼ cup yellow onion, small cube (43g) ($0.25)
- ¼ cup celery, small cube (43g) ($0.19)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbsp) ($0.12)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise ($0.23)
- 2 tsp lemon juice ($0.04)
- 2 tsp soy sauce ($0.04)
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard ($0.04)
- 1 tsp Previous Bay seasoning** ($0.22)
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs ($0.33)
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil ($0.08)
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In a mixing bowl, add the drained crab, diced onion, diced celery, minced garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and Previous Bay seasoning. Fold to mix nicely.
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Add the breadcrumbs and gently fold to mix.
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Place 1/4 of the combination into your fingers to kind a ball. Then gently flatten it right into a patty form, urgent firmly so it holds collectively. Place them apart and proceed till you kind 4 patties.***
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Warmth a medium sized sauté pan over medium warmth and add 2 tablespoons of oil.
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As soon as the oil is scorching, place the crab muffins within the pan one after the other.**** Fry them undisturbed for 4-5 minutes on either side, or till golden brown. Switch them to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up extra oil.
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Medium Sauté Pan
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Mixing bowl
**I added Previous Bay Seasoning, however if you need extra taste, be happy so as to add some! For those who like spicy, add some cayenne or pink pepper flakes! It’s also possible to use a distinct seasoning mix altogether in the event you like.
***You’ll want to actually pack the crab muffins collectively. In the event that they’re falling aside in your fingers, they’ll collapse within the pan. Add extra breadcrumbs if wanted.
****Make certain the oil is good and scorching earlier than including the patties, or they’ll find yourself sticking badly. Additionally, don’t disturb them or flip them for about 4 minutes; it would trigger them to collapse. Be affected person!
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 292kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 18gFats: 19gSodium: 867mgFiber: 1g
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find out how to make Crab Muffins step-by-step images


Collect your whole elements.


Combine the elements: Add two 6 oz. cans of drained crab, ¼ cup diced yellow onion, ¼ cup diced celery, 2 cloves minced garlic, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tsp lemon juice, 2 tsp soy sauce, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp Previous Bay seasoning to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Fold the elements collectively till nicely mixed.


Now, add in ½ cup plain breadcrumbs and fold once more to mix.


Type the crab patties: Use your fingers to kind 1/4 of the combination right into a ball. Now, flatten it right into a patty form whereas urgent firmly to make sure it holds collectively. It’s vital that the muffins keep collectively and don’t collapse whereas forming them (in any other case, they’ll collapse within the pan). You possibly can add extra breadcrumbs to assist with this if wanted. Repeat with the remaining combination till you’ve gotten made 4 patties.


Cook dinner: Add 2 Tbsp vegetable oil to a medium-sized sauté pan and warmth over medium warmth. As soon as the oil is sweet and scorching, add your crab muffins. Allow them to prepare dinner, undisturbed, for 4-5 minutes or till golden brown. Then, flip them over and allow them to prepare dinner for an extra 4-5 minutes (or till golden) on the opposite aspect.


Relaxation and serve: As soon as cooked, switch them to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any extra oil. Serve, and luxuriate in!


- I added celery and onions for crunch and taste. You’ll want to cube them small to keep away from the muffins falling aside throughout cooking. If in case you have any extra veggies you like, you possibly can add them as nicely. I believe diced bell pepper could be chef’s kiss.
- Whenever you’re forming your home made crab muffins, be sure they’re all a fair thickness to assist them prepare dinner by means of on the similar fee.
- In case your combination is crumbling as you’re forming the patties, meaning they’ll crumble throughout cooking. I like to recommend packing them down firmly together with your fingers, and if wanted, add extra breadcrumbs to bind the combination collectively.
- To keep away from sticking, be sure the oil is HOT earlier than including your crab patties to the skillet. I additionally don’t contact them for the primary 4 minutes of cooking (no nudging, no peeking!) to allow them to kind a golden crust with out falling aside.
- Wish to use a distinct seafood? Strive our recipes for salmon patties or tuna patties as an alternative!
Serving Recommendations
You’ll get 4 beneficiant crab muffins from this recipe. They’re nice as an appetizer, however I additionally assume they’re scrumptious added to a sandwich for one thing extra filling. Wish to serve them as an entrée? Simply double the recipe. I like mine with a dollop of tartar sauce and lemon wedges, however the zesty remoulade from our shrimp po’ boys recipe is a enjoyable dipping sauce, too.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover crab muffins may be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days. To reheat, place them in a skillet over medium warmth for a couple of minutes on either side till warmed by means of. It’s also possible to reheat them within the oven at 350°F till heated by means of. To freeze, allow them to cool utterly, then layer them between items of parchment paper and place in a freezer-safe bag or container for as much as 3 months. Allow them to thaw within the fridge earlier than reheating for the perfect outcomes.



