Easy Sauce for Crab Cakes

This easy homemade sauce for crab cakes combines tangy Dijon, fresh herbs, and creamy mayo for the best seafood companion. Ready in 5 minutes, it’s better than any store-bought version and works with all your favorite dishes!

about this sauce for crab cakes

Crab cakes might be delicious enough on their own already, but when you pair them with this sauce, they are taken to a whole new level. This creamy, tangy remoulade sauce comes together in 5 minutes and makes every bite better.

The secret’s in the blend of mayo, Dijon, capers, and fresh herbs that adds zip without overpowering your seafood. A touch of hot sauce and creole seasoning really makes this version of the recipe stand out with a bit of heat in every bite. It’s lighter than traditional tartar sauce but packs way more personality. Plus, you can mix it up ahead of time – the flavors get even better after chilling in the fridge!

Don’t limit this sauce to just crab cakes though. It’s delicious on fish sandwiches, as a dip for shrimp, or even drizzled over roasted vegetables for your dinner menu. One batch makes enough for dinner tonight and plenty of tasty leftovers.

With just a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy sauce that makes everything it touches taste fantastic.

ingredients

mayonnaise. Use your favorite mayonnaise for this recipe. You can use full-fat or light mayonnaise.

mustard. Dijon mustard is preferred for the flavor in this sauce. Do not use yellow mustard.

lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice brings the best tart taste to the recipe.

garlic. A jar of minced garlic is in my fridge, always. It’s the best shortcut possible!

Worcestershire sauce. The tang of this sauce adds more depth to the creamy recipe.

hot sauce. You can use your favorite hot sauce! We usually use Frank’s Red Hot Sauce.

spices. For this recipe, you will need Creole seasoning (you can also use Old Bay seasoning), smoked paprika, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.

capers. These salty, briny, and savory little bites have a tangy and tartness. It helps bring out the briny flavors in the crab cakes.

chives. Fresh chives give a touch of herbaceous flavor. Alternatively, you can use green onion.

here’s how to this crab cake sauce recipe

whisk

In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the sauce.

chill

Cover the mixture and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

tips and tricks

fresh citrus matters. Yes, fresh lemon juice really does make a difference! Skip the bottled stuff and squeeze your own lemon juice. You can even buy seedless lemons to make juicing them that much easier.

too thick? If you think the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a splash of water.

don’t have chives? You can use chopped fresh parsley instead!

More sauces to elevate your cooking: Thai Peanut Dressing | Bang Bang Sauce | Bacon Aioli | Au Just Recipe

what can I use instead of mayonnaise?

If you prefer not to use mayonnaise, you can also use plain Greek yogurt. Using this type of yogurt does bring a little extra tang to the recipe, so we recommend adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey to the sauce to balance out the flavors. Add one tsp, taste, then add more if desired.

are there any other sauces I could use with crab cakes?

There are many other sauces that you can use with these crab cakes! Roasted garlic aioli and chipotle aioli are easy sauces that bring a big punch of flavor to the table.

how long will this sauce last?

This crab cake sauce will last for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, as long as it is made with store bought mayonnaise. If you are using homemade mayonnaise, it will last for up to 3 days in the fridge. Make sure to store the sauce in an airtight container.

do I have to chill the sauce before using it?

While you don’t technically have to chill the sauce, it is highly recommended that you do. Giving the sauce time to chill allows the flavors to meld together. It will taste even better after it has a chance to chill in the fridge. However, if you are in a rush, you can use it immediately.

Need some inspiration for appetizers? Check out my appetizer recipes page!

how to use this creamy crab cake sauce

While this sauce is typically served with crab cakes (like our baked crab cakes made with jumbo lump crab meat and little filler), you can also serve it with a variety of seafood! You can serve it with shrimp tacos, salmon cakes, your favorite grilled fish, and any seafood dish really. It can even be spread on sandwiches or use it as a dip for French fries!

how to store

Store. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

more tasty recipes where the sauce makes it a winner

The creamy dill sauce with this salmon sandwich is bright, light, and really makes the fish sing.

Pan seared scallops are served with a creamy and rich bacon cream sauce that is simply irresistible.

Crispy chicken tacos are served with a creamy and spice avocado tomatillo sauce for a simple weeknight meal.

Finally, if you make this sauce for crab cakes recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

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