Maryland crab cakes
Lump blue crab cakes held together with as little filler as possible
AmericanAround Chesapeake Bay, from Baltimore's crab houses to the docks of the Eastern Shore, a proper crab cake is judged by how little holds it together: sweet lump blue crab, a spoon of mayonnaise and mustard, a little seasoning and just enough crumbs to bind. They are eaten as a platter with coleslaw or in a soft roll with tartare sauce through the summer crab season. Chef's tip: chill the shaped cakes for an hour; it firms them so they don't fall apart in the pan.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 16 oz lump crab meatpicked over for shell
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp parsleychopped
- 1 oz butter
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 lemon wedgesto serve
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Spread the 16 oz lump crab meat on a tray and feel through it gently for bits of shell and cartilage, keeping the lumps whole.
5 minStep 2: Whisk the 1 egg, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp Chesapeake-style seafood seasoning (celery salt, paprika, mustard, pepper), 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp parsley in a bowl.
2 minStep 3: Add the crab and 1 ⅜ oz crushed cream crackers or dry breadcrumbs and fold together very gently with a spatula. A common mistake is stirring hard, which breaks the lumps and makes a paste.
2 minStep 4: Shape into 4 thick cakes, about 6 cm across, set on a plate, cover and chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
60 minStep 5: Heat the 1 oz butter and 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the cakes for 4–5 minutes a side, turning once carefully, until deep golden and piping hot in the centre.
10 minStep 6: Serve straight away with 4 lemon wedges, tartare sauce and coleslaw.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 280 kcal
- Protein
- 24 g
- Carbs
- 8 g
- Fat
- 17 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does maryland crab cakes take?
- About 35 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of egg?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
- What can I use instead of lemon juice?
- Lime juice, same amount.
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