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Fish, Americas

Crab cakes with coleslaw and oven fries

Crab cakes are golden patties of crab meat pan fried until crisp, served with crunchy coleslaw and oven baked potato wedges. This recipe serves 4, takes 45 minutes and is rated moderate difficulty, at a cost of €4.50 per person. The key is draining the crab meat well so the patties hold together when they hit the pan.

Tonight we're bringing home the East Coast with crab cakes, golden pan fried patties, coleslaw and a tangy remoulade.

Crab cakes with coleslaw and oven fries
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€4.50
Calories per person
760 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Crab meat brings a mild, briny flavor that gets a lift from mustard and lemon in the remoulade. Breadcrumbs give the patties just enough structure without making them heavy, and a hot pan builds a golden crust while the inside stays tender. The crunchy coleslaw, sharpened with cider vinegar, balances the richness of the patties and the mayonnaise.

This is a good dish for an evening when you have a bit of extra time, or a weekend when you want something different from your usual rotation. Kids tend to like the shape of the patties and their mild flavor, especially served with oven fries instead of just the slaw. It also works well for guests without keeping you in the kitchen for hours.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Canned crab meat 400 g

Pantry

  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 60 g
  • Mayonnaiseoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Mustardoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Cider vinegaroften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Capersoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Egg 1

Fruits and vegetables

  • Scallions 3
  • Lemon 1
  • White cabbage 300 g
  • Carrot 1
  • Potatoes 800 g

Allergens Gluten, Eggs, Shellfish, Mustard

The step by step recipe

  1. Drain the crab meat well and mix it with the breadcrumbs, egg, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, the mustard, chopped scallions and salt.

    Press the crab meat in a clean kitchen towel, excess water would make the patties mushy.

  2. Shape eight patties and refrigerate them. 30 min

    Wet your hands before shaping them so the mixture doesn't stick.

  3. Make the coleslaw with grated cabbage and carrot, the vinegar, a tablespoon of mayonnaise, salt and pepper.

    Salt the cabbage and let it sit for ten minutes so it keeps its crunch.

  4. Roast the potato wedges in the oven with oil, salt and pepper. 30 min

    Preheat the oven fully before roasting so the wedges brown well.

  5. Brown the patties in oil, four minutes per side, and serve with the remoulade (mayonnaise, chopped capers, lemon). 8 min

    Flip them only once, the crust needs to form before you turn them.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick well drained crab meat, even canned, or the patties will release water in the pan and fall apart while cooking.
  • Keep the pan hot but not smoking so the patties brown nicely without burning outside before the inside is cooked through.
  • Make the remoulade and coleslaw while the potatoes roast in the oven, so everything is ready at the same time.

The variations

  • Swap the crab meat for flaked surimi or white fish for a more budget friendly version that kids enjoy just as much.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the crab with mashed chickpeas and a splash of soy sauce for that savory depth.
  • To save time, serve the patties with a simple green salad instead of the coleslaw and oven fries.

What to serve it with

  • Fresh lemon wedges
  • Homemade iced tea
  • Lightly toasted bread

Storage

Cooked patties keep for 2 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. You can freeze them raw, shaped but uncooked. Reheat cooked patties in a pan over low heat so they stay tender inside.

Questions about this dish

Can I use fresh crab instead of canned?

Yes, as long as you drain it well and flake the meat finely. The flavor will be more delicate, but the texture needs to stay dry so the patties hold together when cooked.

How do I keep the patties from falling apart while cooking?

Drain the crab meat thoroughly and let the formed patties rest in the fridge for half an hour before cooking. This firms up the mixture so it doesn't stick or break apart in the pan.

Can I make the patties ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape them the day before and keep them refrigerated until you're ready to cook. They actually hold together even better after a longer chill.

Do kids usually like this dish despite the crab?

Generally yes, since the crab flavor stays mild once mixed with breadcrumbs and mayonnaise. Many kids especially enjoy the patty shape and the oven fries on the side.

How long does it take to make crab cakes with coleslaw and oven fries?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in crab cakes with coleslaw and oven fries?

About 760 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does crab cakes with coleslaw and oven fries cost?

About €4.50 per serving, or €18.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, eggs, shellfish, mustard. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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