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Maryland Crab Cakes


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  • Author: Molly
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 crab cakes

Description

Classic Maryland-style crab cakes packed with lump crab meat, lightly bound with panko and seasoned with Old Bay, Dijon mustard, and parsley, served with a quick homemade tartar sauce.


Ingredients

For the Crab Cakes:

2 large eggs

2½ tablespoons mayonnaise (best quality)

1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ cup finely diced celery (from one stalk)

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

1 pound lump crab meat (checked for cartilage)

½ cup panko breadcrumbs

Vegetable or canola oil, for cooking

For the Quick Tartar Sauce:

1 cup mayonnaise (best quality)

1½ tablespoons sweet pickle relish

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon minced red onion

12 tablespoons lemon juice, to taste

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste


Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet with foil. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay, salt, celery, and parsley.
  2. Add crab meat and panko, then gently fold until just combined.
  3. Shape mixture into 6 cakes (about ½ cup each) and place on prepared sheet. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
  4. Heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat with oil. Cook crab cakes 3–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Serve warm with tartar sauce.
  5. For tartar sauce, mix mayonnaise, relish, Dijon mustard, onion, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper; chill until ready to serve.

Notes

  • For baked crab cakes, cook at 450°F for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • Add hot sauce or cayenne for a spicy version.
  • Try dill or chives instead of parsley.
  • Make mini crab cakes for appetizers and reduce cooking time.
  • Use gluten-free panko for a gluten-free version.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
  • Cook Time: 6–10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Pan-Seared
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 crab cake with tartar sauce
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 710mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 7g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg