Whole30 + Keto Maryland Crab Cakes
These Whole30 + Keto Maryland Crab Cakes are a healthier version of the classic Eastern Shore favorite. They are gluten free, dairy free, paleo, and made with very little filler!
This post is a long time coming! After living in Maryland for the last 20+ years (minus a brief stint in Charleston, SC), crab cakes have become one of my favorite foods. Crab cakes & football – it’s what Maryland does! The Eastern Shore is the ONLY place to get a good crab cake. I’ve ordered them in other cities (pre-Celiac diagnosis), and nothing compares! Since having to eliminate gluten from my diet, it’s been tough to find a crab cake that I can actually eat. Most are made with bread or bread crumbs, which help to bind everything together. I decided to create a recipe that is not only gluten free, but completely Whole30 compliant and Keto-friendly, too!
What type of crab should I use for these Whole30 + Keto Maryland Crab Cakes?
This is definitely going to depend on where you live and what is available at your grocery store! Make sure to look for “hand-picked” or “fresh-picked”, and to use the freshest crabmeat you can find. I use a combination of lump crab and backfin, which I found in a plastic container at the seafood counter (at Safeway). I would not recommend using canned crab meat (unless it is the type that is refrigerated at the seafood counter) or any fake crab meat for this recipe. Jumbo lump crab meat is going to be the most expensive, followed by lump, and then backfin.
What ingredients do I need for these Whole30 + Keto Maryland Crab Cakes?
- Crab meat, lump or backfin – the most important ingredient and star of the show
- 1 egg
- Mayo – my favorite Whole30 compliant brand is Sir Kensington’s Avocado Oil Mayo. I get a big jar at Costco.
- Fresh parsley
- Old Bay Seasoning or Primal Palate New Bae Seasoning
- Dijon mustard
- Coconut aminos
- Almond flour (you can also sub coconut flour – just use 1 tbsp).
- Fresh lemon juice
- Ghee
That’s it! These are so simple to make and take no time at all. If you want, you can mix up a simple Whole30 Cocktail Sauce for dipping. Combine compliant ketchup, lemon juice, horseradish, and coconut aminos! Tastes SO GOOD! (recipe below). And if you’re looking for a good Whole30 Tartar Sauce, check out this recipe for Whole30 Fish & Chips!
Now that I’ve made these twice in 2 days, I want to keep making them all the time! Unfortunately that would become an incredibly expensive habit, LOL.
It’s important to not over-mix your batter. You want the lump crab to remain in tact so you get those delicious juicy chunks in every bite!
If you make these Whole30 + Keto Maryland Crab Cakes, make sure to tag me on Instagram @maryswholelife so I can share it!
Looking for other crab recipes? Check out my Whole30 Maryland Crab Soup!
*This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something using one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Mary’s Whole Life!
Whole30 + Keto Maryland Crab Cakes
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh lump crab meat, look for hand-picked at your seafood counter/refrigerator section.
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup mayo, I like Sir Kensington's avocado oil mayo
- 1 tsp Primal Palate New Bae Seasoning , or Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 3 tbsp almond flour, can sub 1 tbsp coconut flour for nut free
- 2 tbsp ghee, melted
Whole30 Cocktail Sauce
- 1/2 cup compliant Ketchup
- 1 tbsp prepared horseradish
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp coconut aminos
Instructions
- Whisk egg, mayo, seasoning, lemon juice, coconut aminos, dijon mustard, and parsley in a large bowl. Add crab meat and almond flour and use a spatula to gently fold the mixture together. You want to be careful not to break the crab pieces apart.
- Chill the mixture in the fridge for minimum 20 minutes (up to overnight) - this will ensure it stays together when you form the cakes!
- A few minutes before you are ready to bake the crab cakes, preheat the oven to broiling. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy clean up. Brush 1/2 of the melted ghee onto the baking sheet.
- Use a 1/3 measuring cup to scoop the mixture into 6 cakes and place on the baking sheet. Use your hands to shape them/gently press down and secure any loose pieces of crab. Mine were about 1.5 inches thick and 3.5 inches wide. Brush the top of each one with the remaining melted ghee.
- Broil for 9-11 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the sides are crispy. Serve with a wedge of lemon and Whole30 cocktail sauce, if desired. Enjoy!
Whole30 Cocktail Sauce
- Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Serve with the crab cakes. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
58 Comments on “Whole30 + Keto Maryland Crab Cakes”
These are the BEST! Maryland-born crab snob here… I buy my crab at Costco though and it’s delish. These are simply the best I’ve ever made myself and I’ve tried several recipes over the years. Chilling the crab mix helps with prep too. The broiler gets nice crispy edges. I’ve made this version several times now and shared with many friends. it’s a winner!
These are amazing! Ever since becoming gluten free I was so scared I was going to miss out on one of my favorite delicacies crab cakes until I started to follow Mary! These are now a staple in my house thank you for sharing all these yummy recipes with us!
Made these tonight for a fam irk vacation meal along with a shrimp and crab leg boil and they were SO good! Easy, flavorful and perfect for my sister in law who has several dietary restrictions! Someone even said “I don’t want to finish my crab cake because then it would be gone.” And another family member said, “It’s so healthy, we might as well call it a vegetable!” Thank you, so delicious!!!
Can’t wait to try these!!! I haven’t had a crab cake since my celiac diagnosis 3 years ago – so glad I found your site.
I have to limit my sodium intake. Which ingredients are responsible for such a high sodium content? Maybe I could substitute or omit some ingredients. I’ve never made crab cakes but I often order them in restaurants. You have so many rave reviews that I am excited to try your recipe! Also, is ghee safe for people with a dairy allergy?
Can I fry these in a pan instead of baking? For how long on each side?
The best crab cakes ever.
Amazing!! These are phenomenal. I can’t wait to make again! I’m going to attempt them as appetizers for Easter.
Thank you Katie! I hope they worked out!
Have you ever made these with an egg substitute? (like flax egg)
I haven’t so I can’t say for sure if it will work or not unfortunately!
These turned out great and pretty easy! I had a half pound so cut the recipe. Didn’t have coconut aminos so did without. Also didn’t have ghee and just used butter instead. Turned out great! This is how all crab cakes should be, lump meat with very little filling! Delicious and low carb!!!
Thanks Kimmie! So glad you enjoyed them!
I made these crab cakes last night and was blown away by how good they were. Restaurant quality with basically no filler and so much healthier for you. It was my first time making crab cakes at home and I was pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy they were to put together. Will definitely make again!
Hello,
Is there anything I can use instead of egg? My son is allergic to egg.