Description
Crisp Maryland-style crab cakes blend sweet blue crab meat with zesty seasonings, creating a coastal culinary masterpiece. Delicate golden-brown edges and rich maritime flavors invite seafood enthusiasts to savor Baltimore’s legendary culinary treasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lump crab meat (fresh, not imitation)
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (or crushed saltine crackers)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Seasonings and Condiments:
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for cooking)
Serving Accompaniments:
- Lemon wedges
- Tartar sauce or remoulade
Instructions
- Delicately combine the crab meat with breadcrumbs, ensuring minimal disruption to the delicate seafood texture, while integrating egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, fresh parsley, and a splash of zesty lemon juice.
- Tenderly mold the seasoned mixture into elegant patties, avoiding excessive compression to maintain the crab’s natural integrity.
- Refrigerate the formed patties for half an hour, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and the cakes to firm up, which prevents potential disintegration during cooking.
- Select your preferred cooking method: for pan-frying, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, carefully positioning the chilled crab cakes to achieve a golden, crispy exterior.
- Alternatively, for oven preparation, arrange the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast at 400°F, flipping midway to ensure even, uniform browning.
- Cook until the exterior develops a beautiful golden-brown crust and the interior reaches a thoroughly heated state, typically 3-4 minutes per side when pan-frying or 15-18 minutes when baking.
- Transfer the perfectly cooked Maryland-style crab cakes to a serving platter, accompanied by vibrant lemon wedges and a complementary sauce like tangy tartar or zesty remoulade.
- Enhance the dining experience by pairing with a crisp side salad, creamy coleslaw, or roasted seasonal vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Gentle Mixing Matters: Handle the crab meat delicately to preserve its tender texture and prevent breaking apart the delicate chunks during preparation.
- Chilling Technique: Refrigerating the patties before cooking helps them maintain their shape and prevents falling apart during the cooking process.
- Versatile Cooking Options: Pan-frying creates a crispy golden exterior, while baking offers a healthier alternative with less added fat and easier cleanup.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free alternatives to make the recipe celiac-friendly, and use vegan mayo for a plant-based version that still maintains the classic Maryland flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg