Green Chile Crab Cakes with Horseradish Sauce

Appetizers & Starters, Fish and Seafood, Green Chile
Easy crab cakes with roasted green chile and horseradish sauce | mjskitchen.com

Crab cakes are one of those foods that can range in texture from a dry, crumbly cake of mostly bread crumbs to a very soft mass of mayonnaise and crab meat – and I think I’ve had them all. Even though I make crab cakes at home, I still order them if they are on the menu because I love crab cakes! I was so disappointed with some cakes that I ordered the other night (they were the soft mass I referred to) that I had to come home and make mine just as a reminder of how good crab cakes could be.

I’ve been making these crab cakes for years, but the addition of green chile make them extra special. Since I know that some of you can’t handle spicy, the green chile is optional. WHOANelly!! Did I really say that the green chile is optional?!?! I know that my friend Kelly @ Inspired Edibles will get a kick our of my saying this because we just had a discussion on why on earth anyone would make green chile optional. 🙂 I guess what I’m trying to say here, is that these green chile crab cakes are delicious without the green chile. However, if you want a spicy kick to every bite, the green chile makes them extra special.

Green Chile Crab Cakes

Green Chile Crab Cakes with horseradish sauce | mjskitchen.com
Green Chile Crab Cakes with Horseradish Sauce Recipe
Prep
15 mins
Cook
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 
A New Mexico twist on the almighty crab cake.  Chunks of crab fried up with roasted green chile into a mouthwatering and spicy treat. 


“*” See Kitchen Notes for more information or links to special ingredients.


Course: Fish and Seafood, Main Course
Cuisine: American, New Mexico
Yields: 4 – 6 cakes
Recipe Author: MJ of MJ’s Kitchen
Ingredients
  • 1 ½ cup crab meat, chunky bits
  • 1 cup stale bread crumbs, run through blender until coarse*
  • ¼ cup minced onion
  • ¼ cup minced bell pepper, any color
  • ¼ cup roasted green chile, peeled and chopped*
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard
  • ½ tsp. red chile powder
  • 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
  • Dash of salt
  • 1 small egg, beaten lightly
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
  • ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • Canola oil for frying
  • Wedges of lemon or lime
Instructions
  1. Mix together all of the ingredients (except for the canola oil and lemon/lime) in a large bowl.
  2. Divide the batter to make 4 – 6 crab cakes* and shape cakes, pressing firmly and squeezing out excess liquid. Set in the refrigerator while you make the horseradish sauce and heat up the oil.

  3. Make the horseradish sauce (recipe below) and refrigerate. (This step could be done way ahead of time.)

  4. Pour about 1/4″ of oil in a skillet and heat over medium heat.
  5. When the oil is hot (~325ºF), fry the crab cakes about 4 minutes to a nice brown color, then carefully flip and cook another 4 minutes or until brown. (I like the exterior of my cakes a little crispy so I go for a rich brown.)
  6. When done, remove from the oil and place on paper towels or a paper bag to drain.
  7. Spread a little horseradish sauce on the plate and top with a crab cake. Squeeze juice from a wedge of lime over the crab cake. Enjoy!
Kitchen Notes

Breadcrumbs – I usually use the heals of a loaf of bread, but have also used panko breadcrumbs and even 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers.  Be sure to blend the bread crumbs to a medium texture.  You don’t want the bread crumbs so coarse to where you know there are breadcrumbs in the crab cakes, nor too fine to where it makes the cakes gummy.  You want them just right.

 

Green Chile – As I admitted with great hesitation earlier, the green chile is actually optional if you don’t like or can’t handle spicy food.  However, if you do want a little spice in your crab cakes, then you could add just about any type of chile that you want.  Just use your favorite chile pepper – raw or roasted – either way works.  Be sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible before adding to the crab cake mixture.

 

Size of the crab cake – The larger and thicker the crab cakes are, the longer it will take them to cook and the harder it is to turn them without having them fall apart.  I usually make 5 cakes from this batch which are the perfect size for Bobby and me.  You could make smaller cakes (6 to 8) for a dinner party’s appetizers.  Just keep an eye on them because they’ll cook pretty fast if they are thinner and smaller.

 

The Horseradish sauce (recipe below) – I’ve serve these green chile crab cakes with lots of different sauces, but the horseradish sauce is our favorite. You don’t have to use much because the cakes have enough flavor of their own.  However, a bit of sauce makes a nice finish.  Other ideas for a sauce include tartar sauce, a Thousand Island type dressing, remoulade sauce, my catfish dipping sauce, or what my SIL uses – a roasted pepper sauce.

 

Horseradish Sauce

Horseradish Sauc
Prep
10 mins
 

A easy, tasty sauce that is a wonderful complement with crab cakes, fried shrimp and fish, fritters of just about any kind, and many more foods that love to be dipped.

*See Kitchen Notes for more information.

Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American, Southern US
Keyword: condiment, horseradish, hot sauce
Recipe Author: MJ of MJ’s Kitchen
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 ½ tsp. Dijon or creole mustard
  • Juice from ½ lemon or more to taste
  • 1 heaping tsp. prepared horseradish or to taste
Instructions
  1. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl and serve with the crab cakes.
Kitchen Notes

Horseradish sauce – I’ve serve these green chile crab cakes with lots of different sauces, but the horseradish sauce is our favorite. You don’t have to use much because the cakes have enough flavor of their own. However, a bit of sauce makes a nice finish. Other sauces that could be used include tartar sauce, a Thousand Island type dressing, remoulade sauce, my catfish dipping sauce, or roasted pepper sauce.

Green Chile Crab Cakes with horseradish sauce | mjskitchen.com

If you are looking for some New Mexico green chile, which include Hatch chile, but you don’t want to roast or freeze it, then check Made in New Mexico’s Green Chile Products. Here you can buy roasted green chile and green chile by the jar, as well as a variety of other great New Mexico products.

An interesting study:

A recent mouse study found that experiences in the parent could possibly be passed from the brain to the genome, and eventually to future generations through changes in ones DNA. “During the tests they learned that that mice can pass on learned information about traumatic or stressful experiences – in this case a fear of the smell of cherry blossom – to subsequent generations. (RE: “Scientists Have Found That Memories Can Be Passed Down Through Generations In Our Genes“)

After reading this article I got to thinking if likes and dislikes with food could be passed down through our genes. I question this because of how my mother and I both have a passion for crab. We’ve always said “Let everyone else eat lobster, we’ll eat the crab.” 🙂 I know she would enjoy these Green Chile Crab Cakes.

Here are a few more recipes that use green chile in unexpected dishes.

92 Comments

  1. Done! I’ve cast my vote and my fingers and toes are crossed 😉 congratulations on your nomination MJ and all the best in the final selection of the Chile Challenge! (p.s. can we vote daily?) :D.

  2. Voted 🙂 These are so, so perfect, MJ. Good luck!

  3. I want a spicy kick to every bite I take! (I don’t believe when you say they are delicious without chile… sorry 😉 )
    I love chile even for breakfast and I see these crab cakes as a perfect late breakfast treat… I keep chile paste and powdered chile in my office just in case my lunch is not hot enough! I think I’ve already mentioned it but I have never tasted crab cakes.. Fresh carbs are horribly expensive here and canned ones have always been so disappointing… I stopped testing. I guess I should visit a more crab-friendly region 🙂
    I’m voting straight away and hope you will win! (Done!) I cross my fingers!

  4. Pingback: Green Chile Recipes - MJ's Favorites | MJ's Kitchen

  5. This is so innovative, MJ! I love crab cakes, green chile, and horseradish! I am definitely saving this recipe to make for a special meal! But I have to know… where do you buy your crab here in Abq??? I’ve never purchased any type of crab before!

    • Hey Stranger! So good to see you back. I hope you are doing well. So glad that you like this recipe. It’s one of our favorites. As far as where I buy my crab meat, I get it at Costco. You can find it in the cooler section back with the packaged smoked salmon and the cheeses. It is surprising good crab meat and makes a mean crab cake. I do hope you get a chance to make these. Let me know! Take care.

  6. Gorgeous! It is like food fusion with so much love. I love that you complimented horseradish with your lovely recipe! Just gorgeous, yum, Hugs, Terra

  7. We love crab cakes at home. Would love to try your recipe. Sounds and looks awesome!

  8. YUM! Great looking crab cakes! Green chile must adds a nice kick to this dish. I was easing such a spicy curry dish tonight at a restaurant and I thought Sissi and you would be very proud of me for my new tolerance level of spiciness. 😀

    • I’m so proud of you Nami!! Keep building up that tolerance to spicy. You’ll be glad you did. 🙂 With you love of seafood, I know you’ll love these crab cakes, with or without the chile. thanks!

  9. I’m with you about crabcakes, MJ. I want them to hold together without being all bready. Yours look like the perfect consistency. I’ve never had a crabcake with chili peppers, but I suspect it would be fantastic! You inspire me to add more heat to my cooking. Unfortunately, my partner is a lightweight when it comes to heat, so I have to use moderation. Great post!

    • Oh Bill – I love it that I’m inspiring you to use my chiles! You know chiles don’t have to be hot. You can get some pretty mild chiles from Hatch and other places in New Mexico so don’t give up. Plus “heat” can be an acquired taste. 🙂 Thanks for your comment!

  10. Love crab cake but haven’t made one in ages!The green chilies sound so good in here and love that lovely color you’ve got on these!

  11. Crab cakes have always been one of my favorite dishes. This green chile version sounds terrific.

  12. Your crab cakes look so golden and delicious!

  13. Oooh, crab cakes with a touch of spice! And so crispy! These look amazing, MJ!

  14. Green chilis are not optional, they are required for my boys who like it spicy and your cakes look crispy on the outside but I bet they are super moist inside. Guess what I made today? I prepared fresh horseradish. I made it in the food processor but when I took the lid off I was so taken away by the essence of the horseradish that my eldest son almost had to do a little CPR to bring me back. This stuff is potent! Great Recipe MJ, pinning this one to make it later.

    • I can’t even imagine the “fume” coming from freshly process horseradish. I’m sure is was quite overwhelming at a physical level. Glad your sons were there to rescue you. Unfortunately, I had to use bottle horseradish. I bet yours would be fabulous with these cakes!

  15. I’ve already printed it and put it in my to do things! They look super juicy and delicious! I would omit the chili though!

  16. I’ve only made crab cakes once but this recipe is intriguing…may have to brave it and try again! Love the addition of green chile.

  17. I have always wanted to make crab cakes but I was never daring enough since it’s not a meat I grew up with. So happy to have your recipe now MJ. I hope my husband will be able to enjoy them as well because he gets an itching in his throat when he eats crab. Cross fingers!

    • Thanks Helene! I hope you do get a chance to make them; however, if you husband gets an itchy throat, then I would hesitate to have him try them. Sounds like an allergy which is pretty common with shellfish. So please be careful.

  18. I saw these on FB and thought they looked so tasty and incredible. What a great list of ingredients – these must be full of flavour xx

  19. The crab and chillies caught my attention!

  20. I too absolutely love crab cakes but I seldom order them because I have been disappointed more times than I have been happy with them. I don’t make them at home for three reasons, crab is so expensive, the lump crab in the stores usually has a funny taste (I guess all those years in Grand Isle have me still spoiled), and I am the only one in the family who likes crab cakes. I wish I was there to eat yours! These sound amazing! I would think the green chile would be perfect in them. Since it’s crab season I may break down and try to find some fresh ones and make this all for myself.

    • Really? You’re the only one that likes crab!?!?! I did not know that. Well, I wish you were here to eat mine as well. The next time y’all come to visit, I’ll have to cook Jim a burger and the rest of us crab cakes. 🙂 Believe it or not, I can actually get some pretty good tasty crab meat from Costco. Sometimes I’ll splurge big time and buy King crab legs – enough to just eat and then some leftover for crab cakes. Hope you’re are having a wonderful Labor Day! XOXO

  21. Fantastic crispy crab cakes and that hit of chili clubbed with horseradish sounds awesome. My family is going to love this.

  22. These crab cakes look fantastic, MJ!

  23. Perfectly made and looks super delicious MJ!

  24. Oh! I totally adore your dish…. I’m so unhappy now… Today i have a plain chicken for dinner 🙁

  25. wow, looks delicious, the crab cake looks so tender and moist!!!
    hot and spicy…..

  26. You are a girl after my heart. Crab cakes and green chile? I am sold!

  27. I’m with you and Kelli—-green chile is a requirement!

  28. I was just in Maine this past weekend so I have crab cakes twice. One very good one so so. much better at home for sure, yours look great.

    • There seems to be 101 ways to make crab cakes, but you’re right – the ones cooked at home are always the best. 🙂 Thanks Evelyne!

  29. I crave crave crab cakes. I am fairly picky—considering where I live on salt water—about my cakes. Often I am disappointed. But I think this recipe looks like a winner. It has some zip in it without overpowering the crab. You brown them up admirably too.

    • Oh Carol – I am so envious of the availability of fresh seafood in your area! We can get it here “sometimes”, but it’s expensive, so I only get to splurge a few times a year. Thank you for your comment on the “browning” of my cakes. I do like the exterior of my crab cakes crispy and brown, so it’s good to that someone else does as well, especially a crab cakes lover like you. 🙂

  30. These sound so tasty. You really need to get the Chili Pepper cookbook from Melissa’s Produce, it’s right up your alley with so many great recipes. I love all your recipes. This one’s a keeper.

  31. I have some roasted and peeled hatch chilies in my fridge as I type. I can’t wait to come up with something for them… but these crab cakes are tempting me right now to make. I have never seen hatch chiles in my local grocery stores… this year they are everywhere. I’m going to keep buying the hatch chiles until they are out of season now… so excited. 🙂

    • Well, pull those chiles from the fridge and make something! I know you’ll come up with something very creative. Yep – I’m doing the same – buying chiles every week until there are no more to buy. Can’t wait until I start seeing the fresh red ones. Talk about a mix of sweet and spicy! Thanks Ramona and I hope you have a great weekend!

  32. Dear, MJ, I swear I didn’t know about crab cakes before publishing my today’s post… No, it’s not with crab (alas), but, well… it looks very similar 😉
    Crab is very expensive here and even “edible” canned crab costs a fortune, so I’m admiring from a distance, dreaming of being able to taste chile crab cakes, preferably with green chile, of course, which shouldn’t be optional! I also agree with Kelly about the cookery book. You already have fabulous photographs, great texts, useful kitchen notes… If you need a French translation, I’m here 😉

    • I do know what you mean about “canned” crab. YUCK! Even in the high desert, I’m able to find pretty good fresh crab chunks at one of the local warehouse stores. It’s not canned, but is sealed somehow in water and is packed with fresh tasting crab meat and it’s just at that expense level that I can splurge on it a couple times a year. I know…green chile should NEVER be optional! 🙂 I just know that I have some readers that can’t handle chile, so I just wanted them to know that these cakes are quite good without it. Of course I would never leave it out. 🙂 Thanks to you and Kelly (and others) for pushing me to write a chile cookbook. It’s definitely on my list of things to do, but unfortunately, right now, it’s not a priority. It is moving up however. 🙂 And yes, I would love a French translation! Thanks Darlin and hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!

      • After seeing your beautiful crab cakes I started to look voraciously at the live crabs my fishmonger sells all year long (it’s in a big shop for restaurant owners, so they have an amazing seafood/fish section). I’ll wait for a special price. This will be my first home-cooked crab!
        I cross my fingers for your cookbook! (By the way, I thought about you today: I bought a kilo of green and red chiles at an organic stall of my French market and thus discovered a spicy “bell” green chile! (I would have bought more but it was the end of the market 😉 ). I’ve just made the Italian fresh chile in olive oil and also Chinese salt-pickled chopped chile… (just salt and chiles, but once it ferments it’s a pure delight…). Tomorrow I’ll be pickling some in vinegar too… It was the first time I saw chiles grown in France… the French are usually unable to eat hot food (but we live in a very international area, luckily, and the farmers apparently start adapting…).

        • How exciting that you plan to make home cooked crab – finally! I used to catch blue crab as a kid every summer in the Gulf of Mexico. They would go straight from the ocean and into the boiling pot. I couldn’t wait for the first crab to come out of the pot. So good! How I wish I had been there to help you put up all of those chile peppers!!! I’m heading out tomorrow to purchase some more myself. What a fun time of the year – putting up fresh produce!

  33. Green chiles are the best, I absolutely love them! 😀
    And in your crab cakes? I bet they taste gourmet and wonderful!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  34. My goodness. I’m not a crab lover but even I started drooling when I looked at that first photo.

  35. Yum – I love the flavor that green chilies add to dishes – a kick of spice, and something else that just tastes “green” 🙂 These look so good!

  36. Oh yum – I love a little kick so I will be adding the green chilies – these crab cakes look and sound so delicious! And that horseradish sauce – WOW!

  37. These crab cakes are to die for! Crab cakes are one of my favorite ways to eat crab. I cannot wait to try your version.

  38. Your crab cakes look excellent – all golden-brown and crisp. And green chili and horseradish both sound like great compliments to the crab!

  39. Green chillies are a must! These crab cakes look fanfreakingtastic, MJ.

  40. Heeheeh, the green chile strikes again! You do realize that you have to publish a green chile cookbook now, don’t you? I see ‘compulsory’ somewhere in the title ;-). Truly though, I hope you do sometime, I think it would be great. Even crazier than the omission of green chile? I’ve never had a crab cake! But when I caught a glimpse of these lovelies on your Facebook page I needed no convincing. Crispy, golden deliciousness and that sauce… horseradish is one of those underutilized ingredients in my view. I’m glad to see it play a starring role here next to your crab cakes. I’m printing the recipe right now!

    • Oh Kelly Nelly – I wish I had time to work on a cookbook. Once I retire “again”, I’ll work on it. It’s good to know I already have the support and I do LOVE the idea of putting “compulsory” in the title! 🙂 I can’t believe you’ve never had a crab cake! But then, I’m sure you didn’t see much crab in Canada. Well, now you should be able to find crab cakes in just about any restaurant you go into. You should order them next time you see them on the menu or better yet – make these. 🙂 Totally agree about horseradish. I have to be careful with it because Bobby likes it in only limited amounts, but I do sneak it in when I get a chance. This sauce is so easy to make and a great complement to the crab cakes. I hope you do get a chance to make them and enjoy!

  41. Delicious crispy crab love this recipe, can you send me some.

  42. Mj, this sounds so delicious…beyond delicious! We love crab cakes and with roasted green chiles, these crab cakes are perfection. I have to try this recipe when we head to the coast, and I can get some fresh crab to make them. Love this…thanks for sharing!

  43. Green chile optional? Wash your mouth out with soap! Even though I don’t live in green chile country, I always try to add them (although too often I have to sub jalapeno peppers, which are nice but not really the right flavor profile). Anyway, I haven’t made crab cakes in ages. Was thinking of doing it this summer, but time just got away from me. Yours look wonderful — thanks.

    • My mouth is soapy! ha ha! I grew up on jalapeno, but haven’t eaten many of them since I discovered green chile in the 70’s. There’s really no substitute but that’s IMO. 🙂

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