Gluten-Free Homemaker

Helping you be gluten free

Handy Crab Cakes – Review & Giveaway


When I was contacted by Handy to review their gluten-free crab cakes, I was thrilled.  I hadn’t eaten a crab cake in many years because I never made them myself, and those I could purchase in stores or at restaurants were not gluten free.  Originally, these crab cakes were not dairy free, but the company listened to consumers and now they are!  Not only that, they are certified gluten free by the GFCO, which gave me confidence that they were safe to consume.

I’m happy to say that I really enjoyed eating these crab cakes.  They contain large chunks of crab meat, have nice flavor, and hold together well.

crab cakesThe crab cakes are shipped frozen, and the price listed on their site includes FedEx 2nd day air shipping.  They can also be found locally in some locations, which greatly reduces the cost.  The biggest drawback to these crab cakes is their cost.  Even with shipping, $69.99 for a box of 6 is out of most people’s price range.  If I’m going to spend that much money for a special treat, I would rather go to a restaurant and have some one else do the cooking.

My son who works at a university concession stand informed me that they charge $9.75 for a single crab cake on a bun, and the crab cake is smaller and not as good as these Handy crab cakes.  That does put it in perspective a little bit, but you are paying for the convenience and cooking in that situation.

Shirley of gluten free easily also reviewed these crab cakes.  She received a response from Kevin Voisin or Handy International regarding the pricing.  I would like to quote it here:

“Crab Cake Pricing

There is no doubt that the least expensive way and best way to enjoy our crab cakes is to buy them locally from a grocery store near you. Far from competition, we see local retailers as essential partners in supplying the gluten-free community with the great food products they want and need. You can find a list of retailers who carry the product near you by visiting http://www.glutenfreecrabcake.com/pages/buy-locally .

The shipping involved in getting the product direct to a consumer’s door certainly adds to the pricing, but we thought it was important to give the entire gluten-free community access to this product right away – even those located far from our retail outlets. We included shipping in the price of every package so there were no hidden costs to you.”

Another thing that surprised me about these cakes is that although the company is located in Salisbury, Maryland, they do not use Maryland crabs as I naturally assumed they would.  The crab cakes are a product of Thailand.  This issue was also addressed in the response Shirley received.

“Ingredients from Thailand

These cakes are made in Thailand where fresh blue crab meat is available year round which gives us the best flavor and also sufficient supply. Fresh blue crab meat is not available in the U.S. year round and the supply is limited.

We subject ourselves to independent testing by Silliker, a top inspection firm used by Whole foods and Costco. Handy’s plants have received Silliker’s gold certificate – an achievement only the top 10% of inspected companies achieve. Handy is also a founding member of the National Fisheries Institute’s Crab Council, a groundbreaking group focused on creating a more sustainable seafood offering, and works diligently to provide the most consistent high quality products the crab community has to offer.”

I am impressed with the communication this company has provided.  Kevin Voisin even responded to several comments in Shirley’s post.  The crab cakes they originally sent me were not dairy free, and they were quick to send me a package of the reformulated version.  They have been terrific to work with.

In conclusion, I thought the crab cakes were delicious, and I would happily eat them again, if the price was right.

The Giveaway
One winner will receive a Gluten-Free Taster package containing 6 gluten-free Handy Crab Cakes.  You must have a shipping address (no PO Box) within the continental US or Hawaii.

To enter, you must leave a comment on this post.  If you receive this post by email, you need to click over to my blog and leave a comment.  Leave a separate comment for each entry. Please include an email address in your first comment.  Up to four entries per person:

  • Leave a comment on this post.
  • Subscribe to my feed via RSS or email (or tell me you already do) and leave a comment
  • Like me on Facebook (or tell me you already do) and leave a comment
  • Follow me on Twitter (or tell me you already do) and leave a comment

The giveaway will end on Saturday, February 19th at 11:00 pm eastern time.  After the winner is contacted, I will announce the winner on my Facebook page.

Disclaimer:  I was provided with crab cakes free of charge.  The opinions in this post are my own.

Comments

  4. blankPalila says

    These look so tasty (and I also haven't had a crab cake in years!) palila at gmail

  9. blankKari says

    We just started GFCF as a family in order to help our two children who have neurological impairment, immune system difficulties and digestive problems. Those crab cakes look delicious!
    ~Kari
    http://www.coffeegfcf.blogspot.com
    email- kari loves coffee (at) hotmail dot com (take out spaces)

  10. blankJanet says

    I was interested in trying them (but unwilling to spend the $69.99 price tag). I recently tried the Blue Horizon GF crab cakes available at Whole Food. That's one product I would definitely NOT recommend.

    navoff@earthlink.net

  14. blankAnonymous says

    WOW! These look amazing and the company sounds like it is really on top of things as well. I'm always impressed with companies that are concerned about sustainability of our food sources, not to mention food safety and quality!! I read EVERY post on facebook! 🙂
    jncwick@embarqmail.com

  23. blankHolly Gee says

    I have not had their crab cakes yet, but I have had their whole crab. They sometimes carry it at our local Costco and if I remember right, I think it was about $20 for a box of crabs (they come lightly fried and frozen. They are really delicious. I was impressed how nicely they came packaged. The crabs were full and no broken pieces. They are easy to reheat..coming out nice and crispy, and make an awesome spider roll at home for a fraction of the cost of what it would be to order one at a sushi joint. I would love to try the crab cakes. I am sure they are as yummy as the whole crabs.

  25. blankAnonymous says

    Oh how I would sooooo love to win this!!!!! I have been craving crabcakes so much and have tried them twice in restaurants (very expensive) only to be soo disappointed. Would love to find a crabcake worth celebrating!! MLD618@aol.com

  26. blankCeliac Mami says

    Tried to subscribe-your system is down-
    Trouble at the mill!

    FeedBurner encountered some kind of error performing the task or displaying the page you requested. Fear not, this event has notified the appropriate people within FeedBurner and we will have this all ironed out soon.

    Our apologies for the temporary inconvenience. If you would like, you can also contact us directly about the problem you are seeing.

  27. blankCeliac Mami says

    Liked you on Facebook. Pick us! We have 5 of us gluten free and miss crab cakes SO much!

  31. blankShannon says

    My husband and I were just talking the other night about how crab cakes are one thing we miss terribly. These would be wonderful but agreed, the price is a little steep. But when you're treating yourself occasionally, who cares? 🙂

  33. blankJennifer says

    I'd LOVE to win these to try out! there are three os us in this house who cant' have gluten.

    jennifer @ toadhaven . com

  38. blankCandice says

    Too bad about the Soybean Oil as one of the first ingredients. If they'd switch to Coconut or Palm Oil I'd be all over these!

  41. blanklaurelvb says

    They sound too good to be true. I wonder what else is in them. Egg? Corn? Soy? I guess I'll be checking out their website. Great info. Thanks.
    laurel vanblarcum at sbc global dot net

  42. blanklaurelvb says

    I've just been to their website and besides the egg and soy (no surprise) they do list EVAPORATED MILK as an ingredient in the Bread Crumb mixture. Admittedly it's probably not much but there it is.

  43. blankAnonymous says

    I have been waiting to see these crab cakes arrive at Whole Foods in Arizona but so far, no joy. I'd love to try some. nicolecthomas [at] ymail [dot] com

  44. blankAnonymous says

    I already subscribe to your blog updates via email as well. nicolecthomas [at] ymail [dot] com

  47. blankJohanna B says

    I haven't had crab cakes in several years and these look very good.

  49. blankthemommybowl.com says

    I've never heard of that company, but I would never spend that much moola on something. I'd try 'em for free, though. 🙂

  50. blankArdis says

    This was helpful information. I would have liked more details about their source of crab and other ingredients as well as steps taken to have a pure product … free of contaminants.

    I look forward to trying them.
    ardisblanchard@usana.com

  51. blankPat @ Elegantly, Gluten-Free says

    Crabcakes sound sooooo wonderful! There's no easy way to get them for most of us, so I can understand the cost. It'd be the same as if I had tamales shipped overnight to me from Texas to Ohio 😉 Some things are just worth it!

  52. blankJanis says

    My son is lactose intolerant and loves crab- these would be great for him!

  54. blankLaura says

    i adore crab cakes… they are one of my faves and i have missed eating them. i most definitely could not afford to pay $70 for 6 of them, but i would love to be able to try them!

  57. blankEncore says

    I tried these for the first time a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed them!

  59. blankThe Chatty Housewife says

    These look so yummy! Thanks for the chance to get to try them out.

  63. blanksusitravl says

    I love good food and if there is crab involved, all the better.
    susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com

  65. blankdragonmooncreations says

    Oooh, those look great. Would my my dh especially happy. (and I follow you on FB)

  73. blankCarrie Elsass says

    Wow- sounds delicious, but sure wish they were more affordable!

  76. blankMembership says

    I have been gluten-free and dairy-free since I was 17 and have yet to try a gluten-free crab cake! These look delicious and I would be honored to have them. I like you on facebook too!

    stephrose29@hotmail.com

  78. blankAnonymous says

    I follow you via email, RSS and on Facebook. I love crabcakes, can't afford to buy any, but would review them on Examiner.com as I write for them. Would love to try them! Regardless, I enjoy following you, thanks for all you do!

  79. blankAnonymous says

    Yummy! (evontauffkirchen at yahoo.com)
    I saw this as a link to Rudi's on Facebook. I'll be fanning you now. Thanks for the opportunity to win some gf prizes! Very cool!

  83. blankCarol says

    Recently went totally gluten-free and feel fabulous. Look forward to trying these crab cakes. (Love crab cakes)

  88. blankHeather says

    I have gone without crabcakes for over a decade, since being diagnosed, even though I grew up on the eastern seaboard loving them. I cant wait to get my hands on these.

    heatherowens67@gmail.com

  90. blankElizabeth says

    I would love to try out these crabcakes! I too haven't had any crab cakes since I began eating gluten free nearly 2 years ago. Crab is one of my faves so this would be a real treat. Thanks for the giveaway!

    e_donaldson@sbcglobal.net

  91. blankgfe--gluten free easily says

    Not entering, Linda, although it would be fun to have some more of these crabcakes! Just wanted to say thanks for linking to my review and sharing the info. 🙂

    Shirley

  92. blankbeyondriceandtofu.com says

    I don't think I have ever had a crab cake. Boo. I know I like crab though! Thanks for the giveaway!

  93. blankbeyondriceandtofu.com says

    Forgot to leave my email address…and I follow you on FB already…

    rseuler (at) hotmail (dot) com

  95. blankAnna says

    yum! i used to love crab cakes, but like you, haven't had one in years (since going gluten free)!!… thanks for offering the giveaway!

  97. blankStephanie says

    Wow! I love crab cakes. What a great giveaway!

    When I visit my family, I always insist on going to my favorite little restaurant on the Oregon coast, that serves these babies (gluten free of course)! It's been a couple years though.

    I haven't had so much success making my own crab cakes…I'd love to have some of these.

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