Gluten-Free Pan-Seared Crab Cakes

Golden-brown crab cakes served under a bright, peppery arugula salad dressed with fresh lemon and tomatoes, accompanied by crispy roasted fingerling potatoes and creamy lemon aioli. This restaurant-style dish combines the sweetness of crab with fresh, vibrant flavors and makes an elegant dinner or special occasion meal. The contrast of warm crab cakes and cool salad creates a delightful temperature play.
Ingredients
- 4 ounce grape tomatoes, finely chopped
- 2 unit scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 12 ounce fingerling potatoes, cut in half lengthwisebaby potatoes1:1neutral
similar cooking time
- 1 unit lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 ounce mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 10 ounce crab cakessalmon cakes1:1pescatarianshellfish-freeadds fish
similar texture
- 1 ounce arugula
- 4 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Wash and dry all produce, adjust oven rack to middle position, and preheat oven to 425 degrees
- 2
Finely chop tomatoes, trim and thinly slice scallions, mince garlic, cut potatoes in half lengthwise
- 3
Zest lemon until you have 1 teaspoon zest, then halve and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice into a small bowl
- 4
Toss potatoes on a baking sheet with olive oil and smoked paprika, season with salt and pepper
- 5
Roast potatoes in oven until tender and lightly crisped
- 6
Stir together mayonnaise, mustard, half the lemon zest, half the lemon juice, and garlic in a small bowl, season with salt
- 7
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat, add crab cakes and cook until golden brown on bottom
- 8
Add butter to pan, flip crab cakes, and cook until golden brown on other side
- 9
Toss together tomatoes, half the scallions, remaining lemon juice and zest, a drizzle of olive oil, and half the arugula, season with salt and pepper
- 10
Divide crab cakes between plates, arrange salad on top, add potatoes to the side and dollop with aioli, garnish with remaining scallions and serve
Tips
Use a nonstick pan for the crab cakes to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
Don't flip the crab cakes too early - let them develop a golden crust before turning.
Reserve some arugula for garnish or extra servings as desired.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days. Store components separately for best quality.
Roast potatoes and make aioli up to 1 day ahead. Reheat potatoes before serving.
Serve immediately while crab cakes are warm and salad is fresh and cool.
Common Mistakes
Don't overcook crab cakes to avoid a dry texture.
Don't overdress the salad to prevent wilting the arugula.
Substitutions
similar texture
similar cooking time
FAQ
Can I use fresh crab instead of pre-made crab cakes?
Yes, form 10 ounces of fresh crab meat with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings into patties before cooking.
What if I don't have fingerling potatoes?
Use baby potatoes or cut regular potatoes into similar-sized pieces, adjusting cooking time as needed.
How long will the aioli keep?
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving if separated.