Crab cakes are a delicious and popular seafood dish, but for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, determining if they are safe to eat can be tricky. The good news is that crab cakes are naturally gluten-free. However, there are some important things to consider when choosing and preparing crab cakes to ensure they remain gluten-free.
The Gluten Factor
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. For most people gluten doesn’t pose a problem but for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction that damages the small intestine. Even small amounts of gluten can cause issues, so these individuals need to strictly avoid gluten in their diets.
Thankfully seafood like crab is naturally gluten-free. Gluten is only present if it is added during processing cooking or serving. When enjoying crab cakes at home, you control the ingredients, so it’s easier to keep them gluten-free. However, dining out with gluten restrictions requires more care.
Checking Ingredients
When preparing crab cakes at home or purchasing pre-made ones, checking the ingredients is crucial. Here are some potential sources of gluten to watch out for:
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Breadcrumbs: Traditional breadcrumbs contain gluten, so opt for gluten-free breadcrumbs. Panko-style crumbs are also naturally gluten-free.
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Binders: Ingredients like flour or bread often act as binders. Choose gluten-free starches like tapioca or potato starch instead.
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Seasonings: Seasoning blends may contain gluten sources. Check for ingredients like wheat flour, malt vinegar and soy sauce.
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Shared Equipment: Even gluten-free crab cakes can be cross-contaminated if they are prepared using shared equipment with gluten-containing foods.
When in doubt, contact the manufacturer to ask about ingredients and preparation. Looking for gluten-free labels can also help identify safe options when shopping.
Safer Dining Out
When eating crab cakes at a restaurant, take extra care to ensure your meal is gluten-free. Here are some tips:
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Tell your server you have a gluten allergy so proper precautions can be taken.
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Request that your crab cakes are prepared in a clean area and pan to prevent cross-contact.
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Ask about ingredients in sauces, sides and seasonings. Many contain gluten.
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Check that a separate gluten-free fryer is used if the cakes are fried.
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Avoid malt vinegar, which contains gluten, as a table condiment.
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Look for menu items marked gluten-free. Ask if unsure.
With proper planning and communication, you can safely enjoy delicious crab cakes, even with gluten restrictions. Doing your homework is key for peace of mind.
Preparing Gluten-Free Crab Cakes at Home
Making crab cakes at home lets you control the ingredients from start to finish. Here are some tips for keeping homemade crab cakes gluten-free:
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Use lump or jumbo lump crabmeat, rinsing well to remove any preservatives. imitation crab contains gluten.
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Choose gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond meal instead of regular breadcrumbs.
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Use potato starch, tapioca starch or chickpea flour instead of all-purpose flour.
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Whisk eggs in a separate bowl to bind the cakes instead of bread.
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Season simply with fresh herbs, lemon, salt and pepper instead of glutenous seasoning blends.
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If frying, use a dedicated gluten-free oil. Do not fry in the same oil as gluten-containing foods.
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Serve crab cakes on a gluten-free bun or salad instead of a regular roll or crackers.
With these helpful tips, gluten-free crab cakes can be a delicious addition to your menu! Just remember to pay close attention to labels and preparation to avoid cross-contamination.
Gluten-Free Substitutions
If a crab cake recipe calls for gluten-containing ingredients, there are many simple substitutions to make it gluten-free:
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Breadcrumbs – Use gluten-free breadcrumbs, almond meal, pork rinds or coconut flakes.
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Flour – Replace with tapioca, cassava, coconut, almond or chickpea flour.
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Panko crumbs – Use crushed gluten-free corn chips or rice cereal instead.
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Wheat germ – Substitute almond flour or meal.
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Soy sauce – Swap for tamari or coconut aminos.
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Worcestershire sauce – Use gluten-free Worcestershire or fish sauce.
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Beer – Replace with gluten-free beer, wine or chicken broth.
With some creative substitutions, you can adapt nearly any crab cake recipe to be gluten-free. Just remember to watch out for other potential sources of gluten like shared equipment and fryer oil.
Commercially Prepared Options
If preparing homemade crab cakes seems daunting, there are several brands offering pre-made gluten-free crab cakes you can purchase online or in stores:
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Phillips Foods – Gluten-Free Maryland Style Crab Cakes
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Mackenzie Limited – Gluten-Free Crab Cakes
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Chesapeake Bay Gourmet – Gluten-Free Crab Cakes
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Jack’s Gourmet – Gluten-Free Maryland Crab Cakes
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Crab Grab – Gluten-Free Mini Crab Cakes
Be sure to thoroughly read labels and preparation instructions since manufacturing practices can vary. Many brands also offer helpful gluten-free labels and guarantees for added assurance.
Crab Cake Safety
In addition to being gluten-free, proper handling and cooking of crab cakes is important to prevent foodborne illness:
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Only purchase fresh crab meat from reputable sources, keeping it chilled below 40°F.
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Avoid pre-cooked crabmeat which can harbor bacteria. Handle raw crabmeat carefully.
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Form crab cakes lightly and cook thoroughly until opaque in the center. Ideal internal temperature is 160°F.
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Cook crab cakes immediately after forming. Do not let sit at room temperature.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and reheat fully to 165°F. Discard if left out over 2 hours.
Following these food safety tips along with keeping crab cakes gluten-free means you can feel confident serving up this classic dish!
The Takeaway
For those managing gluten intolerance or celiac disease, crab cakes can still be an enjoyed option. Just take care in selecting ingredients and preparation methods to avoid any hidden sources of gluten. When dining out, make your needs clearly known. With proper precautions, fresh gluten-free crab cakes can be a delicious menu choice. A few simple swaps make it easy to adapt standard recipes as well. By being an informed consumer and cook, crab cakes can safely stay in your gluten-free diet.
More Gluten-Free Fish & Seafood Recipes!
Looking for more gluten-free seafood recipes for the whole family? Here are some fantastic options!
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How to Make Gluten Free Crab Cakes
The full recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post, here is a pictorial walk through of the basic steps.
Strain any visible liquid off crab meat, if applicable. Pick through meat to remove shells, discard any found. Set crab meat aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, eggs, and mustard until smooth.
Add Worchestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and rice flour, once again whisking until smooth and well incorporated.
Add green onions, chili, and crab meat, gently mix until well combined.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour. In a large fry pan / large skillet, heat 1-2 tablespoon oil over medium heat. As oil is heating, shape crab mixture into patties.
Note: I like to use a ⅓ or ¼ cup measuring cup to dole out consistent portions.
Use a metal spatula to gently transfer crab cakes to oil, being careful not to burn yourself – oil may spatter.
Pan fry crab cakes until browned – about 3-4 minutes on each side. (4-5 minutes for extra crispy!)
Serve warm, with lemon wedges and horseradish sauce (or tartar sauce), and a nice white wine, if desired.
While these crab cakes are fantastic on their own – maybe with a little lemon squeezed over them! – the horseradish sauce really kicks it up a bit!
This is super easy to make and only has 3 ingredients.
Youll want to make it at least an hour ahead, though – it really benefits from letting the ingredients mingle for a while!
½ cup sour cream 2 tablespoon mayonnaise 2 Tbsp+ prepared horseradish
Whisk together until well blended, chill for 1 hour. Taste, add more horseradish if youd like more bite.
How To Make Gluten-Free Award-Winning Crab Cakes! Fail Proof Kitchen | Ep.8
FAQ
Is there gluten in crab cakes?
Yes, crab cakes can contain gluten. Many recipes and pre-made crab cakes include breadcrumbs or other gluten-containing ingredients as a binder.
What are crab cakes made of?
Crab cakes are made by mixing lump crab with spices, eggs, mayonnaise, and breadcrumbs, then shaping them into balls and frying them until golden. They’re most often served as an appetizer, but I’ve also seen them tucked into sandwiches, just like I do in my crab cake sandwich recipe.
Why isn’t crab gluten-free?
Gluten typically comes into play when extra ingredients are added to rolls. For example, it’s best to steer clear of crab or krab. Actual crab meat, of course, is fine, but imitation crab often contains gluten, since it’s made with starch.
Are cakes normally gluten-free?
A gluten-free cake is different to a ‘regular’ cake because it’s made using gluten-free ingredients, while a regular cake will contain wheat flour that contains gluten. Rice flour, soya flour, and gluten-free oat flour are just some of the alternative ingredients that can be used in gluten-free cakes.