Kitchen Divas

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Us
    • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Lunch

    Crab Cake Sandwich

    Published: Jan 28, 2022 · Modified: Oct 31, 2024 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Email
    Share
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    A homemade sandwich with crab cakes combines the delicate and yummy flavor of crab cakes with a delicious sauce and plenty of veggie toppings. This crab cake sandwich recipe is easy to make and is always an extra special meal for the family or guests.

    Crab cake sandwich on plate.

    I love crab cake sandwiches because they're so versatile and another way to enjoy a crispy, freshly cooked crab cake. All you need are some tasty crab cakes, delicious toppings, and a perfectly soft bun for a hearty sandwich meal you can serve up for lunch or dinner.

    Crab Cake Sandwich Recipe

    This was inspired by another crab cake recipe on this site and pairs well with this amazing asparagus side dish recipe.

    It is also one heck of a hot lunch sandwich, if I do say so myself. We created a list of other hot lunch recipes for you to check out and I'm sure that you will find something there that speaks to your tastebuds and your belly!

    If you're a big fan of crab like me, you might also enjoy trying this Smoked Crab Dip or these easy Crab Melts.

    Ingredients

    It only takes a few simple ingredients to make a sandwich with your favorite crispy crab cake. Of course, the crab cakes themselves take a few more ingredients, but those are also very simple.

    For the Sandwiches

    • Crab Cakes or Smoked Crab Cakes
    • Lemon Aioli Sauce or Truffle Aioli Sauce
    • Artisan buns

    For the Toppings

    • Arugula, baby spinach, baby romaine
    • Tomatoes
    • Red, yellow, white or purple onions
    • Red or purple cabbage
    • Coleslaw
    • Bean sprouts
    • Avocado
    • Cucumber
    • Sweet peppers, fresh or roasted
    • Jalapenos or your favorite hot pepper
    • Bacon or back bacon
    • Cheese
    • Dill
    • Chives
    • Green onions
    • Lemon wedges

    See the recipe card further down on the page for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

    Instructions

    Making the sandwiches themselves only takes a couple of steps and a bit of light prep work.

    The aioli sauce and crab cakes you choose take a bit more time to prepare if you need to make them fresh. I love making these sandwiches as a meal prep meal or a way to use up leftover crab cakes.

    Step 1: Make the Aioli Sauce of Your Choice

    Make the lemon aioli sauce or truffle aioli sauce and chill it in the refrigerator while you make the crab cakes.

    Step 2: Make the Crab Cakes

    Choose between either my Red Lobster crab cakes or smoked crab cakes. Make your favorite and then it's time to construct the sandwiches.

    Step 3: Make the Sandwiches

    Set the bottom of your bun on a plate and add your preferred greens. Then, add a crab cake. Next, top the crab cake with the aioli sauce you chose. Finally, complete the your sandwich by adding your favorite toppings and the top bun.

    Hint: I recommend making the aioli sauce the night before so it has plenty of time for the flavors to meld. You can also save some time by making the crab cakes in advance and then reheating for a quick meal during the week.

    Hand holding a crab cake sandwich ready to eat.

    Substitutions

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this seafood sandwich recipe.

    • Crab cake - You can swap out the crab cake for a fish cake or even salmon cake instead!
    • Aioli - Swap out the sauces for tartar sauce, remoulade sauce or even simply mayonnaise, ketchup or mustard. These all work well as a replacement for the aioli sauce.

    Variations

    Want to personalize making sandwiches with crab cakes? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Spicy - Add chili pepper flakes to the crab cake coating when you make them for a spicy kick. You can also get spiciness from adding a sprinkle of your favorite hot sauce to the finished sandwich.
    • Wraps - Serve these in a flour tortilla for a seafood wrap that's delicious.
    • Cheesy - Add a slice of your favorite cheese to the top.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these fried pork chop sandwiches, Cajun Chicken Sandwich or our Chopped Italian Sandwich.

    Storage

    Don't store the sandwiches once they are put together or you'll end up with a soggy, gross bun. The crab cakes can be stored for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, and the aioli can be stored for up to a week in the refrigerator.

    Tips

    I don't have many tips for this recipe. It's really just a simple matter of layering. I do have a couple, however, that can help you make sure you make the best sandwiches possible.

    • For the best flavor, serve these sandwiches with warm crab cakes. If you are using crab cakes you made in advance, simply lay them out on a tray and heat at 325° until warmed through.
    • Serve the sandwiches immediately to avoid a soggy bun.
    • Make the aioli you choose in advance so it has time to chill and the flavors meld together.
    Closeup shot of crab cake sandwich with bite taken out of it.

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about making sandwiches with crab cakes? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about them.

    How do I store these sandwiches?

    Never store them as completed sandwiches. Rather, store the ingredients separately. The crab cakes will last for 3 - 4 days in the refrigerator, while the aioli will last for about a week in the refrigerator.

    How do I reheat the crab cakes?

    Place the crab cakes on a baking sheet lined with foil and bake them for 10 to 15 minutes at 325 degrees.

    What do I serve with crab cake sandwiches?

    You can serve up your favorite burger sides with it! I really love making homemade french fries, coleslaw or even just a simple green salad to pair with it. For more ideas of what sides to serve, check out What to Serve with Crab Cakes.

    More Seafood Recipes

    Do you like seafood? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

    • Smoked Crab Dip
    • Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops
    • Smoked Lobster Tails

    If you're in need of ideas for what to serve with crab cakes you have come to the right place. Have we got an amazing list for you to have a look at.

    Crab Cake Sandwich

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Fully assembled crab cake sandwich on a plate ready to eat.

    Crab Cake Sandwich

    Karin and Ken
    Crab cake sandwiches are so easy to make and taste amazing!! All you need are crab cakes, a creamy aioli, and your favorite tasty toppings.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 people

    Equipment

    • plate
    • bread knife or knife with serrated edge
    • Sharp knife
    • cutting board

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 crab cakes
    • 4 artisan buns brioche or other sandwich bread
    • 1 cup aioli

    Crab Cake Sandwich Toppings

    • arugula, baby spinach, baby romaine
    • green, red or purple cabbage
    • coleslaw
    • bean sprouts
    • red, yellow, white or purple onions
    • tomatoes
    • cucumber
    • sweet peppers, fresh or roasted
    • avocado
    • Jalapenos or your favorite hot pepper
    • salsa
    • green onions or chives
    • dill
    • bacon or back bacon
    • cheese
    • lemon wedges
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Place the bun on a plate.
      Bun to make a crab cake sandwich on the counter.
    • Top the bottom of the bun with your greens of choice and place the crab cake on top of it.
      Bun is topped with leaf lettuce and a crispy crab cake.
    • Top the crab cake with aioli sauce and your toppings of choice.
      The crab cake patty is topped with a sauce, tomato and red cabbage.
    • Add the top of the bun.
      Then the top bun is added to the crab cake sandwich and it's ready to eat.
    • Serve.
      Hand holding a crab cake sandwich ready to take a bite.
    • Enjoy!
      A crab cake sandwich sitting on a plate with a bite taken.

    Notes

    • For the best flavor, serve these sandwiches with warm crab cakes. If you are using crab cakes you made in advance, simply lay them out on a tray and heat at 325° until warmed through.
    • Serve the sandwiches immediately to avoid a soggy bun.
    • Make the aioli you choose in advance so it has time to chill and the flavors meld together.
    • If you're in need of ideas for what to serve with crab cakes you have come to the right place. Have we got an amazing list for you to have a look at.
    These crab cake sandwiches are a totally awesome hot lunch idea, but if you want to switch things up a bit, check out this link of other hot lunch recipes. With so many great options to be found there, I'm sure that you will find one or two (at least) that speak to your heart and your tastebuds!
    Keyword crab cake sandwich, crab cake sandwiches
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Email
    Share

    More Lunch

    • Turkey club wrap served in two halves.
      Turkey Club Wrap
    • Big mac sloppy joes in a hamburger bun.
      Big Mac Sloppy Joes
    • A spoon scooping some enchilada meatballs.
      Enchilada Meatballs
    • Big mac taco being held in the air.
      Big Mac Tacos

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

    More about us

    Most Popular Recipes!

    • A fork holding pieces steak in crockpot next to mashed potatoes on a white plate, garnished with chopped herbs.
      Ribeye Steak in Crockpot
    • Air Fryer Haddock
    • A slice with a fork in it.
      Easy Hobo Casserole
    • A rack of beef ribs in the oven on a piece of parchment brushed with bbq sauce.
      The Best Beef Ribs Recipe

    Discover More Dinner Recipes ➡️

    Summer Favorites

    • A plate of pancake batter fried fish with sauce on the side garnished with lemon slices.
      Pancake Batter Fried Fish
    • A slice of Oreo delight on a white plate garnished with an Oreo cookie.
      No-Bake Oreo Delight
    • A slice of Funfetti ice cream cake on a blue plate.
      Funfetti Ice Cream Cake for Birthdays & More
    • A crispy fried tomato cut it half stacked on top of one other.
      Crispy Fried Tomatoes

    More Easter Sweet Treats and Side Dishes ➡️

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Kitchen Divas All Rights Reserved