Shredded artichokes and seaweed with lots of fresh veggies make for the most delicious Vegan Crab Cakes! These are full of flavor and served with a vegan aioli, they make the perfect meatless dinner!
VEGAN CRAB CAKES WITH AIOLI
It’s summer and what does that usually mean? Barbecue season! Growing up in Texas, my dad made a lot of barbecue, a lot. I’m no stranger to all the yummy homemade bbq fixins’ which is why many of you know that bbq is my all-time favorite flavor. The smells, the smokiness and of course my favorite, barbecue sauce.
So, when Linda with Veganosity asked me to review her cookbook, Great Vegan BBQ Without A Grill, I was excited to check it out! It is written and created by Linda and her daughter, Alex, and it’s full of every imaginable barbecue dish you can think of.
The book is broken into 7 chapters with about 75 recipes (no dessert section):
- Meat-Free BBQ To Satisfy Meat Eaters
- Burgers and Sandwiches: From Way Up North to the Deep South
- Stick Food: Because Eating Food Off A Stick Is Fun!
- Stuffed, Foiled and Smothered: Delectable Entrees For A Cozy Dinner
- Sides and Salads That Go With A Barbecue
- BBQ Dips to Bring to the Party
- Keeping It Saucy: BBQ Sauces and Rubs
What I love about this book is that there is a photo for every single recipe. I don’t like it when I can’t see what the food should look like, afterall, we eat with our eyes first. I also really loved the creativity Linda and Alex did. There are so many amazing variations of burgers and sandwiches and so many delicious side dishes, my mouth was watering flipping through it. Some delicious ones that stand out…
Mom’s BBQ Cauliflower Stuffed Peppers, BBQ Buffalo Chick’n Pizza, Kentucky Bourbon BBQ Quesadillas, Wisconsin-Style Grilled Bratwurst, Take Me to Texas Southwestern Burgers.
Drooling!
But for today, Linda is graciously allowing me to share her delicious crab patties and vegan aioli. Both were so delicious! The crab patties have a wonderful kick of heat, not too much and a lovely crab texture. The aioli was to die for!
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE VEGAN CRAB CAKES
- flaxseed
- artichoke hearts
- seaweed snacks
- jalapeno pepper
- red bell pepper
- green onions
- hot sauce
- mustard
- Old Bay Seasoning
- garlic powder
- panko breadcrumbs
The mixture is pretty easy to put together too, you just process it the seaweed snacks and artichokes in the food processor and then add the remaining ingredients in a bowl. Form into patties and grill.
I also provided a baked version that I tested which were equally delicious, for those without a grill or avoid oil.
The flavor of these was amazing. Even though there is hot sauce and jalapeno in these, they honestly did not taste too spicy at all to me. So, unless you are really sensitive, I think these could work for most people. I’m a huge spicy food lover, as you all know, so bring on the heat to me, haha. I added some of my own cajn seasoning and cayenne pepper to the aioli since I love a spicy sauce with crab cakes (like I did back in the day).
I hope you all give these a try and especially make that aioli. The whole meal was so yummy! I was sent this book for review but all opinions expressed here in the post are of my own will.
You can order Linda and Alex’s book here and also enter the giveaway below!
Vegan Crab Cakes with Aioli
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (14g) ground flaxseed
- 1/4 cup (60g) water
- 2 12oz {340g} cans quartered artichokes hearts, in water
- 1/4 cup (3g) seaweed snacks
- 1 jalapeno pepper minced
- 1/4 cup (44g) minced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup (25g) chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon (15g) hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon horseradish mustard
- 2 teaspoons (10g) Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- sea salt to taste
- 1 1/2 cups (188g) panko breadcrumbs use gluten-free if needed
VEGAN AIOLI
- 1 cup (112g) cashews, soaked overnight in 1 cup water
- 4 cloves garlic, THINLY SLICED
- 1/4 cup (60g) lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sea salt
- 2 to 3 tbsp olive oil or water (I only used water to get the consistency I desired)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk the flaxseed and water until it forms a sticky paste. Set aside.
- Drain the artichokes and rinse them well. Now, pulse the seaweed snacks in a food processor until they look like small flakes. Remove them from the food processor and place in a large bowl. NOTE: All my seaweed flakes were completely stuck to the processor bowl and would have been impossible to remove them all, so I did not remove them and it all worked out just perfectly in the end.
- Place half the artichokes in the food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Put the other half of the artichokes in the food processor and pulse ten times, or until they break up into small chunks. Add to a large bowl with the pureed artichokes and seaweed flakes.
- Mix the artichokes together in a large bowl with the flax mixture, jalapeno, bell pepper, green onion, hot sauce, horseradish mustard, old bay seasoning, garlic powder and salt. (Mine was plenty salty so I did not add any). Add the breadcrumbs and mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into 1/2 cup patties.
- Heat a grill pan or skillet on medium-high heat. Brush the cakes on both sides with the olive oil. I skipped this step from her book and just lightly sprayed my nonstick grill pan. See NOTES below for baking instructions. Grill the cakes for approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until grill marks appear and they're golden brown. Serve with cocktail sauce, aioli and lemon wedges.
- For the aioli, this is a very, very thick sauce, so even with a Vitamix I strongly urge you to soak the cashews overnight. Drain the cashews and rinse, then put in the blender with the garlic, lemon juice and salt. Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape the sides if necessary. Add 2 tablespoons (30g) of the oil or water and blend until it's fully combined. If you want it to be thinner, add the additional oil or water. Blend well. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cashews will cause the aioli to thicken, so add a bit of water and stir until you get the desired consistency.
Notes
- OIL-FREE OPTION: I did not use the olive oil listed to brush onto the patties since I do my best to cook without oil. I simply used my nonstick grill pan.
- TO BAKE: I also tested a few in the oven for those who don't have a grill pan. I baked them at 400°F on parchment paper for 15 minutes on the first side and then flipped them over and cooked another 10 minutes. They were still very yummy this way.
Enter the giveaway below. You must be 18 years old and either reside in the US or Canada. You also must be subscribed to my blog in order to enter. All entries will be verified.
Robyn
Is there a substitute for seaweed snacks. Don’t know what they are & what’s in them. Thanks
brandi.doming@yahoo.com
Hi Robyn, I don’t believe there would be a direct substitute for the seaweed snacks. They are basically thin sheets of dried seaweed that impart a bit of seafood flavor to the patties. I got mine from Krogers but believe Sprouts and Whole Foods also sell them. Also, Amazon sells them.
Elizabeth
You can actually buy nori sheets which is simply dried seaweed sheets used to make sushi. There is no added salt or oil used in the preparation and you can still enjoy the taste of the sea. As with most sea vegetables, there is a small bit of naturally occurring salt but the other gorgeous minerals such as iodine, calcium, potassium, etc. is well worth it. I often use dulse flakes as well for my plant-based seafood recipes. These products are usually found in the Asian foods aisle of many stores. Enjoy!
Daryl Grant Lindsay
Thanks SO MUCH for your information Elizabeth! Yes, I’ve used Nori sheets before, for various recipes, but was thinking I needed to find the “Seaweed Snacks” listed in this particular recipe because I always try, at least for the FIRST time preparing a recipe, to use the PRECISE ingredients listed (whether the recipe is Brandi’s creation or someone else’s which she is promoting, as in the case of these crab cakes). I had never even heard of Seaweed Snacks prior to this recipe, so I researched them a little bit, initially, just on Amazon and discovered most have oil(s), added salt, and sometimes other ingredients. Along with Brandi’s comments to my initial question, and after reading YOUR comment, I now feel confident to go ahead and use Nori sheets (I actually already have some in my pantry!), reassured that the recipe should taste pretty much the same as the original recipe. I used to ADORE real crab cakes, and, actually, have been in the process of developing my own recipe; but I always love learning from other chefs and cooks in the plant-based “cooking world”. We all have so much to offer each other! I’ve learned so many wonderful tips and tricks from Brandi’s extensive experience and talent. I ALWAYS trust her instincts on flavors and combinations. Even when I “think” she may be wrong about something, she always turns out to be CORRECT. (Never doubt a genius!!!…haha!) So thanks again for YOUR input as well, Elizabeth. It was truly helpful!……..Love, Daryl Grant Lindsay
Name*
My pleasure, Daryl. I am thrilled to have found this site and have passed it on to many friends who wish to find some easy and well put together meals! I hope your crab cakes were a delicious success!
Best regards,
Elizabeth
Jexelli
Hi Robyn,
I had the same concern!
Just use heart of palm in place of the artichoke & seaweed snax.
It’s got similar texture to the artichoke & naturally tastes like seafood.. some people even use it to make vegan calimari! 😉 ♥
Linda from Veganosity
Thank you so much, Brandi! This is a wonderful review and we’re so happy that you enjoyed the crab cakes and aioli. We also loved that you baked them to give your readers another option. Off to share your review with our readers, they’re going to love it!!!
Annette
LOVE this recipe.
Annette
My favorite BBQ side dish has always been baked beans
Shira
Looks like a great cookbook! I always love simple grilled veggies!
Sue Ellen
My favorite BBQ side is roasted corn on the cob with miso.
Myeshia
I cannot wait to try these! My husband really misses seafood so this is right in time! My favorite side is pasta salad. Sometimes I add black beans and corn and then it becomes the main dish!
Scott
My favorite BBQ side dish is baked beans.
Alice
Can’t wait to give this recipe a try! My favorite BBQ side dish is baked beans! Yum!!
Nicole Gutierrez
Omg these look amazing! I really miss crab cakes and havent had any since I switched to a vegan/vegetarian diet . I will be trying these for sure. I also live in Texas and the memorial day weekend wasnt bad! I Ate grilled romaine with some olive oil salt and peppa for the first time it was great with the grilled corn on the cob!
brandi.doming@yahoo.com
Wonderful Nicole! I hope you love these, they are really delicious!
Carolyn
Looks like a great recipe. Would like to try it.
What are seaweed snakes?
brandi.doming@yahoo.com
Hi Carolyn, it is just seaweed in the form of sheets. Here is one. You can also find them in the Asian section in grocery stores.
https://amzn.to/2L4uywn
Daryl Grant Lindsay
Hi Brandi . . . I’m confused about the seaweed snacks . . . So far (today) I’ve only learned about them by checking out several different brands on Amazon. There appear to be many different brands and ALL of the ones I checked out on Amazon contain some kind of oil and other ingredients. I never even heard of them until I checked out this recipe here on your site. I don’t like to add oil (or sodium either, for that matter) unnecessarily, so I am wondering if there are any “seafood snacks” out there which do NOT contain oil or other ingredients (such as added salt, etc.). Do the ones you used contain oil? The only place I checked so far was via Amazon, and all the ones I saw contain oil(s). ALSO: The AMOUNT used in this recipe says 1/4 c. (3 g.) . . . . I primarily cook using WEIGHTS (one of the MANY things I ADORE about YOUR recipes, by the way, that you list the weights….SOOOO much more accurate!!!), and I noticed on the Amazon descriptions of seaweed snacks that most of the SERVING SIZE weights was 4 or 5 grams, just for one serving!….Anyway, sorry to make so much of this issue, but I always try VERY HARD to prepare recipes using as close to the precise ingredients in a recipe (either your recipes OR other people’s recipes!) as I can get, at least the first time I make them. Any help you can offer this “slightly compulsive” cook (me!) would be greatly appreciated! Love, Daryl
brandi.doming@yahoo.com
Hi Daryl! Hope you are doing well 🙂 Yes, when I purchased them, I assumed they were oil-free but after blending them I could see a slight oily texture in the processor. Honestly, the crab cakes are so delicious, that if you want to 100% avoid oil, I would just omit them. The seasoning and veggies provide plenty of flavor. This was my 1st time trying them as well so I have no idea if there is an oil-free brand. I wanted to make the recipe as written from her cookbook, so that is why I followed the exact ingredients. Don’t worry too much about it, just omit them.
brandi.doming@yahoo.com
Hey Daryl, you can find these in the Asian section in the grocery store and apparently there is also some on Amazon with no oil. Here is one!
https://amzn.to/2L4uywn
Daryl Grant Lindsay
Hi again Brandi. Thanks so much for BOTH of your comments (and the Amazon link!…gonna check that out too!) After your comments, and after reading ELIZABETH’S comment as well, up above, about Nori sheets), I feel ready to try this recipe, and I can hardly wait!!…(I have some Nori sheets in my pantry!…YIPPEEEEE!!!)…….as always, I absolutely ADORE your site, your wonderful recipes and all the spectacular knowledge and experience (and healthier DELICIOUSNESS!) you impart to us! I can never thank you enough for what you do! And, by the way, just as SOON as I get paid (next week!) I’m gonna be purchasing your book! I’m so excited, I CAN’T WAIT!! Incidentally, I have a Twitter account and I’m following you there…..I only have a few followers currently, but WHENEVER I see anything about you or your book, etc., on Twitter, I will DEFINITELY “re-tweet” the info! (I’m not currently on FB, nor on Instagram, but will, most likely, join the fun at some point.) I’m trying DESPERATELY to finish my own cookbook project and get it out there before the end of this year. My “GOAL DATE” is 11.1.18, but I don’t know whether or not I’m gonna get it done by then….it’s more complicated than most cookbooks because I’m including a CD (or the “e-version”, whatever that will be) of music which will be attached to the cookbook. (I’m gonna be presenting myself as “Daryl Grant Lindsay, ‘The Cabaret Cook’ “.) That CD will be comprised of all original vocal songs (lyrics, music, piano and vocals by me!), several of which are about food, cooking, health, etc., and a few even directly related to some of my recipes, plus some other, “cabaret-style” songs I’ve written, thrown in as a bonus. And all that has DRASTICALLY affected my getting this cookbook finished and “out there”. The recipes are all completed and tested and re-tested (with only about 2 exceptions!)….now the main thing is just getting it all together, along with the CD (which I started recording last summer, but it’s SO EXPENSIVE for regular professional studio time!). Anyway, I’m DETERMINED to get this blasted project completed before I do the ol’ dirt dive…hahaha!…..But I digress (as usual!)…..so THANK again SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH for your comments, your recipes and all you do in this world of plant-based cooking! I’ll let you know when I get your cookbook! I’m fit to be tied until I do!!!!….Hope all else is well in your life and with your family!………love, Daryl
Analia
I’ll be making this tonight using the air fryer, however I’ll omit/replace the spicy stuff, we don’t like spicy food very much at home, but this all sounds delicious.
I make ones similar to this, but instead of artichokes, I put palm hearts and garbanzo beans, very good too!
thanks for sharing this!
Stacey
Hi,
Is the 1/4 cup of seaweed snacks comprised of the ALREADY PULSED seaweed? Or should I just hand crumble them to get the 1/4 cup and then pulse that? Since they come in sheets, I wasn’t sure how to measure the quantity.
Thanks! I look forward to trying this recipe!
brandi.doming@yahoo.com
Hi Stacey! I just used the sheets to measure out the 3 grams she listed so if you have a scale, that is what I would do. You measure it before you process it, which is tricky to measure a 1/4 cup of seaweed sheets, so I used the scale to make it easier. I believe I used 4 of them.
Jacqui
Since I’m a Texas girl, anything can go on a grill! My favorite side is usually potato salad, but I love grilled squash and asparagus. I really need this book! Thanks for the giveaway.
brandi.doming@yahoo.com
Oh yes, love potato salad!
Melissa K.
I have to agree: BBQ baked beans are a favorite!Going to try this recipe as soon as I have the ingredients!
Melissa K.
I also love BBQ baked beans. I am going to try this recipe as soon as I get the ingredients. Looks really yummy!
Rita
I love all your inventive and delicious recipes.
Chelsea m
Bbq jackfruit sandwiches
Zayn
This recipe looks awesome
Linda
I love a side of grilled zucchini with balsamic at bbqs.
Julie
I love the title of their book, because I don’t own a grill! As for sides, I really enjoy a not-too-sweet side of baked beans!