Quick & Creamy Crab Imperial Recipe: A Luxurious Seafood Delight

Imperial crab dishes embody elegance and sophistication in seafood cuisine.

Delicate maritime flavors dance across refined palates with remarkable subtlety.

Rich, creamy preparations showcase the luxurious potential of delectable ocean treasures.

Maryland’s culinary heritage influences this magnificent seafood delicacy with traditional techniques and passionate cooking approaches.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the intricate balance of textures and seasonings.

Masterful combinations of fresh ingredients elevate ordinary meals into extraordinary dining experiences.

Each carefully crafted bite promises a symphony of maritime sophistication and culinary craftsmanship.

What Makes Crab Imperial Rich and Unforgettable

• Burst with Luxurious Seafood Flavor: Crab Imperial delivers rich, decadent taste that transforms an ordinary meal into a gourmet experience with its blend of succulent crab meat and zesty seasonings.
• Master a Restaurant-Quality Dish at Home: This recipe allows home cooks to create a sophisticated seafood classic without complex techniques, making fancy dining accessible and stress-free.
• Quick and Effortless Preparation: From mixing ingredients to baking, this dish takes just 30 minutes total, perfect for weeknight dinners or impressive last-minute entertaining without requiring advanced culinary skills.
• Customizable Coastal Comfort: The recipe offers flexibility with seasoning adjustments, allowing personal touches while maintaining the essential deliciousness of traditional crab Imperial.

Ingredients Required for Crab Imperial

• Crab Meat: Sweet, delicate seafood that forms the heart of the dish, preferably fresh lump or backfin for best texture and flavor.

• Mayonnaise, Egg: Creamy base that helps hold the crab mixture together and provides rich, smooth consistency.
• Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, Hot Sauce: Adds depth, tanginess, and subtle spicy notes to enhance the crab's natural flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, citrusy element that cuts through richness and heightens seafood taste.

• Old Bay Seasoning: Classic seafood spice blend that brings signature Maryland-style flavor.
• Parsley, Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Fresh herb and zesty seasoning that adds brightness and aromatic complexity.
• Salt: Minimal seasoning to balance and enhance overall taste profile.

Cooking Instructions for Traditional Crab Imperial

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F, getting it ready for a delicious seafood adventure.

Step 2: Create Creamy Flavor Base

• Mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard
• Old Bay seasoning
• Beaten egg
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Worcestershire sauce
• Louisiana-style hot sauce
• Fresh squeezed lemon juice
• Salt-free lemon pepper seasoning

Blend until the mixture becomes silky smooth and inviting.

Step 3: Fold in Delicate Crab Meat

Gently incorporate the tender crab meat into the creamy mixture, taking care to preserve those beautiful, delicate lumps of seafood.

Step 4: Transfer to Baking Dish

Carefully spread the crab mixture into a small casserole dish, creating an even layer that promises delightful bites.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.

Step 6: Create Golden Topping

Switch the oven to broil and let the top turn a gorgeous golden brown for an additional minute.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve alongside bright lemon wedges for an extra burst of freshness. Enjoy your homemade Crab Imperial straight from the oven!

Crab Imperial Cooking Tips That Help It Shine

• Protect Delicate Crab: Use a gentle folding technique to maintain large, intact lumps of crab meat for the best texture and presentation.
• Select Premium Seafood: Choose fresh lump or jumbo lump crab meat for the most authentic and high-quality Crab Imperial.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Adjust Old Bay and hot sauce to personal taste, but avoid overwhelming the delicate crab flavor.
• Prevent Overcooking: Watch closely during the final broiling minute to achieve a golden top without drying out the dish.
• Serve Immediately: Enjoy Crab Imperial right after cooking to preserve its creamy texture and optimal temperature.

Best Storage Methods for Leftover Crab Imperial

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Crab Imperial in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Reheat Oven: Preheat oven to 325°F, place crab in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, preventing moisture loss.
• Microwave Caution: Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring gently between each to maintain crab's delicate texture and prevent rubbery consistency.

Ideal Sides for Serving Crab Imperial

• Complement Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc with bright acidity to balance the rich, creamy crab imperial and cut through its luxurious texture.
• Pair with Buttery Side Dish: Serve alongside roasted asparagus or garlic-herb risotto to enhance the delicate seafood flavors and provide a complementary vegetable element.
• Match with Zesty Salad: Create a light citrus-based mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to refresh the palate and provide a contrasting taste to the decadent crab dish.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Offer warm, artisan sourdough or French baguette slices to help guests soak up the delicious imperial sauce and add a delightful textural component to the meal.

Creative Variations of Crab Imperial You’ll Like

• Spicy Seafood Kick: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the mayo mixture for a fiery crab imperial with extra heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Blend: Replace parsley with fresh dill, oregano, and thyme, then mix in crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Creamy Cajun Style: Incorporate Cajun seasoning instead of Old Bay, and mix in some cream cheese for a richer, more decadent crab imperial with a southern flair.
• Coconut Crunch Topping: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the crab before broiling to create a crispy, tropical-inspired crust that adds texture and subtle sweetness.

Crab Imperial Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 31 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Maryland crab imperial brings coastal elegance to your dinner table. Rich lump crabmeat bathed in a creamy sauce showcases pristine seafood flavors you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Seafood Ingredient:

• 1 pound (454 grams) jumbo lump crab meat

Binding and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 egg
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce

Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt-free lemon pepper seasoning

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Instructions

1. Prepare your culinary workspace by heating the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking the delicate crab dish.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, whisk together the creamy mayonnaise, tangy mustard, aromatic Old Bay seasoning, beaten egg, chopped parsley, robust Worcestershire sauce, zesty hot sauce, bright lemon juice, and fragrant lemon pepper seasoning until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Tenderly incorporate the delicate crab meat into the seasoned mixture, using a gentle folding technique to preserve the precious lumps of succulent seafood.
4. Elegantly transfer the maritime blend into a petite casserole dish, ensuring an even distribution that promises uniform cooking and maximum flavor in every bite.
5. Slide the prepared dish into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for a precise 20-minute duration, which will gently warm and meld the ingredients.
6. For a final touch of culinary artistry, activate the broiler and let the top caramelize to a golden-brown perfection, creating an appetizing crisp surface that will tantalize the senses.
7. Complete the presentation by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the top and accompanying the dish with bright, citrusy lemon wedges to enhance the seafood’s natural flavors.

Notes

• Handle delicate crab meat with care to maintain large, succulent chunks for an authentic texture and premium dining experience.
• Opt for fresh lump or jumbo lump crab meat for the most luxurious and melt-in-your-mouth imperial style.
• Check crab meat for any hidden shells before mixing to ensure a smooth, safe eating experience.
• Avoid overmixing the crab meat to preserve its natural, tender structure and prevent a mushy consistency.
• Serve immediately after broiling to enjoy the crispy golden top and maximum flavor intensity.
• Pair with a crisp white wine or light salad to complement the rich, creamy seafood dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 21 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg