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How to Cook Premade Crab Cakes

The topic of the day is: how to cook premade crab cakes. Because these preformed bundles of crab are super flavorful and easy to prepare.

About premade crab cakes

Firstly, let’s talk about what premade crab cakes are. These are patties formed from precooked crab, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, eggs, and seasonings. You can buy them fresh from a seafood market or a grocery store with a seafood counter. You can also buy frozen premade crab cakes from places like Sam’s Club, Costco, and Omaha Steaks.

You can make crab cakes from scratch, but premade crab cakes are ideal when you are short on time or want to enjoy a delicious meal without having to prepare it from scratch.

How to cook premade crab cakes

Now, let’s talk about how to cook premade crab cakes. You can bake them, fry them, or grill them. Frying them usually gives you the best result, because you’ll get the crispy exterior that makes crab cakes so delicious.

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Notes:

  1. Always cook your premade crab cakes until they are at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), as measured by a meat thermometer.  
  2. The instructions below assume you’ve thawed frozen crab cakes in the refrigerator.
  3. Your cook times may be different if you are working with very thick or very thin crab cakes. Watch them accordingly.
  4. A dipping sauce is a worthwhile addition to premade crab cakes. Try Tiffany’s remoulade sauce for crab cakes.

Baking premade crab cakes

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the crab cakes on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 15 or until golden brown. Turn the crab cakes over halfway through the cooking time to ensure they’re cooked evenly.

Frying premade crab cakes

Heat a small amount of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the crab cakes to the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove the crab cakes from the pan and place them on a paper towel to remove any excess oil.

Grilling premade crab cakes

Premade cab cake on a serving tray.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates, then place the crab cakes on the grill. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Now that your crab cakes are cooked, it’s time to serve them. You can pair them with a variety of sides, including salad, roasted vegetables, or fries. For a more elevated experience, you can also top your crab cakes with a homemade sauce or garnish with fresh herbs. Or, try crab cake sliders for a fun party food.

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Cooking time for premade crab cakes

As a quick resource, the table below summarizes cook times for thawed and frozen premade crab cakes by cooking method.

Cooking procedureCooking time
Baking premade crab cakes15 minutes when thawed
30 minutes when frozen
Pan-frying premade crab cakes3 to 4 minutes per side when thawed
10 minutes for side when frozen
Grilling premade crab cakes3 to 4 minutes per side when thawed

An easy, delicious meal

Cooking premade crab cakes is a simple and delicious meal that can be enjoyed any day of the week. By following these cooking methods, you can ensure that your crab cakes are cooked to perfection and ready to serve in no time. So, go ahead and give it a try — your taste buds will thank you!