Description
Signature Maryland crab cakes blend succulent blue crab meat with delicate seasonings and unexpected herbal notes. Crisp golden exteriors and tender interiors invite coastal dining experiences with pure Baltimore charm.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsps butter, for frying
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: Combine crab meat, mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a large mixing bowl, blending ingredients with a gentle, careful motion.
- Seasoning Integration: Incorporate Old Bay seasoning, black pepper, parsley, breadcrumbs, and lemon juice, mixing minimally to preserve the crab meat’s delicate structure.
- Cake Formation: Mold uniform patties using hands, ensuring compact shape and structural integrity, then chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes to enhance cohesion.
- Cooking Process: Heat skillet over medium flame, melt butter until golden and foaming, then carefully place chilled crab cakes with sufficient spacing to promote even browning.
- Final Searing: Cook each side for 4-5 minutes, monitoring color transformation to achieve a crisp, golden-brown exterior while maintaining succulent interior, then transfer to paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess cooking oils.
Notes
- Chill for Cohesion: Refrigerating crab cakes before cooking helps them maintain structural integrity and prevents crumbling during the searing process.
- Gentle Handling Matters: Use a light touch when mixing and forming patties to preserve the delicate texture of the crab meat and prevent tough, compressed cakes.
- Seasoning Sweet Spot: Old Bay seasoning is the quintessential Maryland flavor, but be cautious not to overpower the natural sweetness of fresh crab meat.
- Perfect Browning Technique: Medium heat is crucial for achieving a golden-brown exterior while ensuring the interior remains moist and tender without burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg