Crab cakes are a delicious American classic, but grilling them can seem daunting for novice cooks. Mastering the art of how long to grill crab cakes results in tender, succulent seafood patties with a smoky, charred exterior. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to grill crab cakes like a pro.
Key Factors That Determine Grilling Time
Several variables impact how long crab cakes take to grill properly
-
Thickness and composition – Thicker crab cakes with more filler ingredients will require longer cooking than thinner, crab-heavy cakes.
-
Grill temperature – Medium heat around 350°F is ideal. High heat risks burning the exterior before the interior cooks through.
-
Fresh vs. frozen – Fresh crab cakes cook faster than frozen. Completely thaw frozen cakes before grilling.
-
Direct vs. indirect heat – Indirect heat is gentler for thicker crab cakes, reducing the risk of burning.
-
Type of grill – Gas, charcoal, and indoor grill pans all work but may require slightly adapted techniques.
Step-By-Step Grilling Instructions
Follow these simple steps for flawlessly grilled crab cakes every time:
Preparation
-
Preheat the grill to medium heat, around 350°F.
-
Pat fresh crab cakes dry with paper towels. Completely thaw frozen crab cakes in the refrigerator.
-
Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. This is especially important for delicate crab cakes.
Grilling
-
Place crab cakes on preheated grill. Allow enough space between cakes for air circulation.
-
Grill for 4-6 minutes per side, until golden brown. Gently flip halfway through with a thin spatula.
-
Insert a thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
-
Transfer to a platter once fully cooked. Let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Serving
- Serve crab cakes immediately while hot, along with desired sauces and sides. Enjoy!
Helpful Tips and Tricks
-
If using thicker crab cakes, utilize indirect heat to prevent burning.
-
Fold a sheet of lightly oiled aluminum foil over the grates as a non-stick barrier.
-
Resist the urge to press down on crab cakes as they cook. Doing so can make them mushy.
-
Add herbs, spices, or cheese to the crab mixture for extra flavor.
-
Pair with cooling sides like salad or tangy coleslaw.
-
Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven, not the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I grill 1-inch thick crab cakes?
1-inch thick crab cakes will likely need 6-8 minutes per side at medium heat to cook through. Rely on an instant-read thermometer for doneness.
What if my crab cakes are falling apart on the grill?
Ensure crab cakes are fully chilled before grilling. Use a thin spatula to gently flip only once halfway through cooking. Adding more binder can also help hold them together.
Can I grill frozen crab cakes?
Yes, but thaw completely first. Grilling frozen crab cakes risks burning the outside while the inside remains frozen.
What temperature should I grill crab cakes at?
Aim for a medium grill temperature around 350°F. High heat can overcook the exterior before the interior cooks. Lower heat may cause drying out.
How do I know when they’re done without a thermometer?
Check for an evenly browned crust on both sides. Crab cakes should feel firm but springy when gently pressed. Flaking and opaque interior meat are also signs of doneness.
What are the best crab cakes to grill?
Seek out fresh lump or jumbo lump crab meat rather than imitation crab. Binders like panko crumbs or mayo should complement the crab, not overwhelm it.
Grilling crab cakes may seem intimidating, but keeping these tips in mind will help you achieve crab cake perfection. With the right preparation and gentler grilling technique, you’ll be rewarded with restaurant-quality crab cakes off your own grill. Get creative with additions like herbs and spices to put your own spin on this seafood classic. The next time you fire up the grill, give grilled crab cakes a try – your taste buds will thank you!
Your cart is empty
Log in to check out faster.
WANT IT SHIPPED? 888-404-7454 (Mon-Fri 9-5 EST)
Outside office hours you can email us at [email protected].
Click here for our retail/food truck numbers.
- Gifts
- How it works
- Our story
Is it even possible to grill crab cakes? Will they crumble? Will they fall apart? Will they burn? Well… cue up the Mission Impossible theme music, we’re going to take on the “impossible” sounding task, and grill us up some crab cakes!
Challenge # 1…The best crab cakes contain more crab meat than filling (filling being the key to holding the crab cakes together), making them more susceptible to breakage if overly handled and sticking.
Challenge #2…Breading and bread crumbs can easily burn or get overly toasted. Bread crumbs are one of the ingredients used in the filling, so we need to be cautious and mindful to prevent burning.
Challenge #3… When moisture or drippings drop onto the coals or heat source, that causes flames to come up and over the grill grates (aka. flare-ups). That’s great for burgers, steaks, and chops, not so great for crab cakes.
So, taking into consideration our challenges, cooking directly on the grill grates, over open flame, is not the ideal way to grill our crab cakes. But! Hope is not lost, for each of our challenges we have an equally ‘grill-able’ solution.
(Crab cakes should always be cooked to 165°F)
Quick Note on Direct and Indirect Grilling
A key element to our crab cake grilling success is using both direct and indirect grilling. Direct grilling, or direct heat, is where you are cooking ‘directly’ over the flames or coals. Taking on the full heat.
Indirect grilling is when you cook away from the direct heat source, relying on the residual, circulating heat, to cook your food or cool things down a little when it gets too hot.
Setting up your grill for both styles is really easy. For a gas grill, turn on only half of your grill. One side will be for direct grilling, the other (turned-off side) will be for indirect grilling. Same goes for charcoal grills. Once the coals have been prepped, push them over to one side, creating the same direct and indirect effect.
Solution #1…Skillet Grilling! This is the safest way to grill your crab cakes while still being able to impart that smoky-char flavor. Cast iron skillets or skillets designed for use on the grill are ideal for this task. Preheat your grill and skillet over medium-high heat (350°F-400°F). Once hot, add your butter or oil to the skillet, and once melted, add your crab cakes and sear. Cook your crab cakes for about 6-10 minutes (depending on their size), flipping halfway through. If you notice that your crab cakes are browning faster than you’d like, use that indirect side of your grill to cool down your skillet.
Solution #2…Grill Pans & Baskets! These cool grilling gadgets might be marketed for veggie use. But! Trust me, they work just as well with grilling crab cakes. Since these pan and baskets are slotted or perforated, you’re going to want to avoid using butter or oil, that can cause flare-ups (you can lightly spritz your pans and baskets with cooking spay), and grill using a lower temperature, medium or medium-low (Medium Heat: 300°F-350°F, Medium-Low Heat: 250°F-300°F). This will help reduce the risk of your crab cakes burning while still achieving that grill-appeal. You always have that indirect side, just in case your crab cakes are cooking too quickly. This method may take a little longer than ‘skillet grilling’ (lower temperatures = longer cook time), about 8-12 minutes, depending on size, and flipping halfway through the cook time.
Solution #3…Grill Griddles! These are another clever contraption that can turn a section of your grill into a hibachi! For these you can use a little oil (might want to avoid using butter, since you won’t be able to relocate the griddle to an indirect side, and butter can burn pretty quickly), especially if your grill griddle has higher sides (keep the oil from dripping into your grill). Cook your crab cakes over medium to medium-low heat (Medium Heat: 300°F-350°F, Medium-Low Heat: 250°F-300°F), adjusting the temperature as needed and being sure to thoroughly preheat your griddle before adding the crab cakes. These will take about 8-12 minutes to cook, depending on size, and (as always) flip your crab cakes halfway through the cooking time.