Description
Succulent Maryland crab cakes blend sweet, delicate crabmeat with zesty seasonings and crisp breadcrumbs. Coastal charm meets culinary excellence in this classic seafood dish that will transport you straight to the Chesapeake Bay’s shoreline.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 1 pound (454 grams) fresh lump crab meat
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Herbs and Crumbs:
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 2/3 cup (41 grams) saltine cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Craft a zesty binding mixture by whisking egg, mayonnaise, parsley, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Delicately layer the crab meat atop the mixture, then sprinkle cracker crumbs across the surface. Using a silicone spatula, gently fold ingredients together, preserving the crab meat’s delicate texture and avoiding excessive breaking.
- Seal the mixture in the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 day, allowing flavors to meld and helping the cakes maintain structural integrity during cooking.
- Heat oven to 450°F. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by generously coating with butter or nonstick spray, or line with a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Portion the chilled mixture into 6 distinct mounds using a ½-cup measuring cup. Resist flattening the cakes. Carefully compact each mound to ensure cohesion, optionally brushing tops with melted butter for enhanced flavor and golden appearance.
- Roast for 12-14 minutes until edges and surfaces develop a light golden-brown coloration, indicating perfect doneness.
- Finish by drizzling fresh lemon juice over the crab cakes. Serve immediately with complementary sauces like tartar or cocktail sauce, accompanied by your preferred side dishes.
Notes
- Handle crab meat delicately to preserve its tender texture and prevent breaking during mixing, which ensures large, beautiful chunks in each bite.
- Use fresh lump crab meat for the best flavor and most authentic Maryland-style experience, avoiding canned or imitation crab products.
- Chilling the mixture before baking helps bind ingredients and prevents the cakes from falling apart during cooking, creating a perfect golden exterior.
- Adjust baking time based on crab cake size and oven variation, watching carefully to prevent overcooking and drying out the delicate seafood.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg