Savory Tweaks: 5 Mayo Substitutes for Crab Cakes

Are you a seafood lover but don’t want to use mayonnaise in your crab cakes? Fear not.

Here, we provide you five alternative options to replace mayonnaise and still have a delicious plate of crab cakes.

Read on to find out more.

Why Use Mayo in Crab Cakes?

Crab cakes are a popular delicacy, but many people can be stumped by one difficult question when making them: why use mayo? It’s true that this addition may seem strange at first, but the truth is that there are several compelling reasons for adding mayonnaise to your crab cakes.

For example, it adds moisture and binds the ingredients together, acting like an edible glue to hold each crab cake in place.

Plus, it contributes a unique flavour to the dish and the richness of the mayonnaise works perfectly with its other ingredients.

In conclusion, using mayo in a crab cake recipe is an essential part of cooking this delicious entrée.

5 Mayo Substitutes to Use in Crab Cakes

Fortunately, there are several substitutes for mayonnaise that can be used to make crab cakes just as tasty, with just as much binding.

Let’s take a look at five mayo substitutes that are perfect for bumping up the flavor of your favorite crab cake recipe.

1 – Plain Greek Yogurt

Plain Greek yogurt is a popular mayo substitute for preparing many recipes, but especially crab cakes.

This type of yogurt is thick, creamy and tangy, making it perfect for binding the ingredients in a crab cake recipe.

Additionally, plain Greek yogurt contains probiotics, which are beneficial microorganisms that boost your immune system and help support gastrointestinal health.

The results you get with Greek yogurt will be similar to those achieved with mayo, with an added dose of health benefits.

To replace ¼ cup (59 ml) of mayo from your recipe, use 1/4 cup (59 ml) of plain Greek yogurt instead.

2 – Cashew Cream

Cashew cream is a great substitute for mayonnaise when making crab cakes.

Cashew cream is much healthier than mayonnaise because it is made from raw cashews, water and salt.

It provides the same creamy texture to your crab cakes without all the saturated fats found in traditional mayo.

One of the great things about using cashew cream in place of mayonnaise is that it can add some sweetness to the mix as well.

If you want to make healthier crab cakes that are still savory, this could be a good option for you.

In addition, cashew cream adds some added protein and minerals to each serving which will help you feel full longer and help provide additional nutrients with every bite.

3 – Aioli

Aioli is also a great substitute for mayonnaise in crab cakes.

It is a type of sauce made from garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and egg yolks and is generally used as a condiment.

It has a slightly creamy texture which makes it great for crab cakes.

Aioli can be easily prepared at home using the ingredients mentioned above or it can be purchased from supermarkets.

As long as you don’t use too much, the taste of garlic won’t overpower the flavour of crab.

To make your own aioli for your crab cakes, you can whisk together 1 minced garlic clove, 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 egg yolk until emulsified and creamy in consistency.

This recipe should yield approximately ½ cup of aioli which is enough to substitute the amount stated in most recipes which call for mayonnaise.

4 – Avocado

Avocado is a great option if you’re looking for something with a creamy texture.

It blends easily with all the other ingredients, and its mild flavor won’t overpower the crab flavors.

You can even mash it up and use it as a binder instead of breadcrumbs.

To use avocado in your crab cakes, cut an avocado into cubes and mix it with the other ingredients before forming the patties.

You may need to add more breadcrumbs to ensure that the patties hold their shape.

Alternatively, you can scoop out the flesh of an avocado, mash it up, and stir in some plain yogurt for a light and creamy alternative to mayonnaise.

5 – Hummus

Hummus can be an even healthier alternative to mayonnaise when making crab cakes.

It is a Mediterranean dip made from cooked and mashed chickpeas that is highly nutritious as it contains essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins.

Hummus can also be a great way to introduce more flavors into your crab cake without taking away the island-like taste it will have with the use of mayo.

Many people who opt for hummus instead of mayo will add some garlic, citrus juice, tahini, and spices to further enhance the flavor.

This ingredient has the added bonus of being vegan-friendly which makes it a great choice for anyone looking to try vegan crab cakes with all the flavor they’re accustomed too.

Conclusion

Choosing the right substitute for mayo in crab cakes can be a tricky proposition, and each recommendation comes with its own set of pros and cons.

No matter which ingredient you decide to incorporate into your crab cake recipe, these tasty morsels offer endless customization opportunities to serve up some delicious results.

Make sure you have the proper ingredients in stock before you head to the kitchen to begin your masterpiece meal.