Description
These Maryland Style Crab Cakes are a classic dish featuring sweet, tender jumbo lump crab meat mixed with a light, flavorful batter and seasoned with Old Bay, mustard, and fresh parsley. Pan-fried to golden perfection and served with a side of tartar sauce, they’re a true taste of the Chesapeake Bay.
Ingredients
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1 lb (453 g) jumbo lump crab meat, picked over and shells removed
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½ cup (40 g) plain panko crumbs or crushed saltine crackers
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6 tablespoons (85 g) mayonnaise
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon yellow mustard
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1 teaspoon lemon juice
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1 teaspoon Old Bay (or J.O. seasoning)
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1 ½ teaspoons finely minced fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
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¼ teaspoon table salt
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¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
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1 tablespoon salted butter, cut into 8 pieces (plus additional for greasing the pan)
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Tartar sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions
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Prepare the crab mixture:
In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the crab meat, panko crumbs (or crushed crackers), mayonnaise, egg, yellow mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir carefully so the crab meat stays in large chunks. -
Form the crab cakes:
Divide the mixture into 6-8 portions, depending on your preferred size. Gently form each portion into a patty about 1-inch thick, being careful not to break up the crab meat. -
Chill the crab cakes:
Place the crab cakes on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps them hold together while cooking. -
Cook the crab cakes:
Heat a large skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, add the crab cakes to the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crisp. If necessary, add more butter to the pan for cooking. - Serve:
Once the crab cakes are cooked, transfer them to a serving plate. Serve with tartar sauce, if desired, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Notes
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For extra flavor, you can also add a dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of Worcestershire sauce to the crab mixture.
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If you want a gluten-free option, substitute the panko crumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or ground almonds.
- These crab cakes are delicious served with a side of coleslaw, fries, or a simple salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American