Description

Maryland Style Crab Cakes are a classic seafood dish featuring tender jumbo lump crab meat blended with a flavorful mix of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Old Bay seasoning. These crab cakes are gently formed, chilled, and pan-fried to a golden crisp, making a perfect appetizer or main course that highlights the delicate taste of crab with a buttery, seasoned crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Crab Cake Mixture

1 lb jumbo lump crab meat, picked over for shells
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 large egg
10 saltine crackers, finely crushed

For Frying

2 tbsp butter or neutral oil

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Instructions

Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, fresh parsley, and egg until fully combined.
Add Crab and Crackers: Gently fold in the jumbo lump crab meat and crushed saltine crackers, being careful not to break up the crab pieces to maintain their texture.
Form Crab Cakes and Chill: Shape the mixture into 6-8 even crab cakes. Place them on a plate and chill in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes to firm up and help the cakes hold together during cooking.
Heat the Pan: Warm 2 tablespoons of butter or neutral oil in a skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking.
Cook Crab Cakes: Carefully add the crab cakes to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust and are heated through.
Serve: Remove from the skillet and serve immediately with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or remoulade for added flavor.

Notes

Be gentle when folding in the crab meat to avoid breaking up the lumps and preserve texture.
Chilling the crab cakes before frying is essential to help them hold their shape.
Use a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil if you prefer over butter for frying to prevent burning.
Serve immediately for best texture; leftover crab cakes can be reheated in a low oven to avoid sogginess.
Old Bay seasoning is key to authentic Maryland flavor; avoid substituting for other spice blends.