High-Protein Carnivore Crab Cakes

Protein-packed crab cakes made without breadcrumbs, flour, or fillers for a gluten-free, keto-friendly seafood main.
⏱
Prep
15 mins
🔥
Cook
10 mins
🍽
Servings
6
🌾
Carbs
7.4g
💪
Protein
27.6g
🫒
Fat
13.2g

These High-Protein Carnivore Crab Cakes are rich, savory, and satisfying while staying gluten-free and keto-friendly. Instead of breadcrumbs or flour, they use egg, pork rind crumbs, and a little Parmesan to bind the crab together while keeping the texture tender and meaty.

Serve them with lemon wedges, melted butter, or a simple sugar-free aioli for a low-carb appetizer or protein-focused main dish.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds lump crab meat, picked over for shells
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup finely crushed pork rinds
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, avocado oil-based preferred
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or seafood seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional
  • 2 tablespoons butter or ghee, for cooking
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Add the crab meat to a large bowl and gently check for any remaining shell pieces.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour the egg mixture over the crab meat, then add the crushed pork rinds, Parmesan cheese, and parsley if using.
  4. Gently fold everything together, being careful not to break up the crab too much.
  5. Form the mixture into 12 small crab cakes or 6 larger crab cakes.
  6. Place the crab cakes on a parchment-lined plate or baking sheet and chill for 20 minutes to help them firm up.
  7. Heat the butter or ghee in a large skillet over medium heat.
  8. Cook the crab cakes for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and heated through.
  9. Transfer to a plate and serve warm with lemon wedges, melted butter, or a keto-friendly sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Entire recipe
Calories 980
Total Fat 79.2g
Total Carbohydrate 44.1g
  Dietary Fiber 5.7g
  Total Sugars 6.6g
Protein 165.5g
Sodium 4200.7mg
Calcium 1550.2mg
Iron 9mg
Vitamin C 59.9mg
Estimates based on USDA FoodData Central. Values are approximate.

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