Who says you have to miss out on the flavors and textures you love by eating vegan? Not me! You can make a fantastic vegan version of an old seafood favorite tonight for dinner: crab cakes! Flaky and savory, these crab cakes taste authentic and are accompanied by a delicious vegan tartar sauce. Adapted from a recipe by veganhuggs.com, this recipe is especially good for those who have a shellfish allergy, so it is an absolute favorite in my household. It can also make for a romantic outdoor meal with your partner. 😉 Try this recipe out tonight!

Vegan Crab Cakes

• 1 15 oz. can chickpeas, drained (save the liquid!)
• 2 15 oz. cans of hearts of palm, drained
• 1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise
• 1 tsp A-1 steak sauce, -OR- vegan Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup celery, minced
• 2 tsp kelp granules – I use Maine Coast Sea Seasonings brand
• 1 Tbsp dried parsley
• 1 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil, for frying

1. In a large food processor, add the chickpeas and the hearts of palm. Pulse gradually to bring mixture together to reach a still lump consistency. Take care not to over-pulse to mush!
2. In a large bowl, whisk 4 Tbsp chickpea liquid until it foams. Add vegan mayonnaise, A-1, lemon juice, and all dry seasonings. Whisk well to combine.
3. Add the breadcrumbs, celery, and chickpea/hearts of palm mixture to the liquid mixture. Fold all ingredients together until just combined. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.
4. Optional step, though highly recommended: Place mixture, covered, into the freezer for 20 – 30 minutes. This will help form the patties more easily.
5. Using a flat-bottomed 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop out 1/4 cup amounts of mixture to form the patties. Gently pack the patties in your hands to get rid of any air gaps (this will help them stay together).
6. Using a large skillet, bring a pan to medium-high heat and add enough vegetable oil to barely coat the bottom of the pan. Once heated, add ~5 patties to a pan and fry for ~3 minutes each side. Chef’s tip: use new oil for each batch. Transfer to a paper towel on a plate.
7. Serve with a small side salad, lemon wedges, and tartar sauce. (Look below for the tartar sauce recipe!). Enjoy!

Vegan Tartar Sauce

• 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp dill relish
• 2 tsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tsp fresh dill, chopped fine

1. In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together until well combined. Taste and add ingredients to your preference. Serve with your favorite vegan seafood dishes, such as crab cakes or lobster rolls! Enjoy!

I certainly do hope you try this recipe! This is a great recipe to show off your vegan culinary skills and treat your loved ones to something special. Or you can make an entire batch for yourself: I certainly won’t judge! Cooking is a great form of self-care 😉 Thank you for visiting my page and I hope you enjoy my content. Stay tuned for more. Have a lovely day!