14 Crab Cake Recipes That Are Packed with Flavor

When we set out to make the "best" crab cakes, opinions in the test kitchen were strong and varied. But we could all agree on plenty of fresh, high-quality crabmeat with very little filler. After some tinkering, we created these decadent cakes — generously sized and highly seasoned — with plenty of lemon juice, fresh herbs and spices. The jumbo lump crabmeat is front and center, so splurge on the best and freshest you can find.

These crowd-pleasing crab cakes are a no-brainer for parties and get-togethers. They're easy to make — and ready in under an hour. Plus, their size makes them just as perfect for cocktail hours and cookouts as formal sit-down dinners.

Treat your guests to these decadent crab cake sandwiches, piled high with fresh crab meat and served on warm buttery brioche buns. There’s no need to form or fry individual patties in this streamlined recipe – simply spread the crab cake mixture onto the rolls and bake them until the crab develops a golden-brown crust and the brioche toasts to a light crunch. To make things even easier, the sauce that coats the crab does double duty as a tangy spread for the sandwich.

Wondering what sets these crab cakes apart? We like to think it's all the extra homemade goodness that's packed inside. From the do-it-yourself breadcrumbs to the made-from-scratch aoili, there are plenty of fresh ingredients in every bite.