Maryland Crab Cakes
Maryland Crab Cakes highlight jumbo lump crabmeat gently mixed with mayonnaise, Old Bay seasoning, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, scallions, and crushed saltine crackers. This mixture is formed into cakes that are chilled to hold shape, then pan-fried in butter until golden brown. The cake’s tender, lump-filled interior contrasts with the crisp exterior. Serving with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce complements the savory, seasoned crab flavor. This recipe emphasizes delicate handling to preserve large crab pieces and balanced seasoning for authentic taste.
Ingredients
- 1 egg large
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 scallions green parts only, very thinly sliced
- 8 saltine crackers crushed into crumbs
- 1 lb jumbo lump crabmeat carefully picked for shells (but leave lumps intact)
- 3 tablespoons butter plus more as needed, salted
- cooking spray only if baking
- lemon for serving, wedges for lemon
- cocktail sauce for serving, wedges for lemon
Instructions
To Pan Fry:
To Bake:
Notes
- Thoroughly pick through the crab meat to remove all shells while preserving large lumps.
- Mix the crab gently with other ingredients to maintain lumps and avoid breaking them up.
- Chill formed crab cakes for at least 30 minutes before cooking to ensure they hold their shape.
- Use an ice cream scoop (about ½ cup) for uniform portions and shaping.
- For smaller appetizer-sized cakes, bake rather than fry and reduce cooking time accordingly.
- Baking provides a texture alternative to frying and may better preserve smaller cakes.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings (8 cakes)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 413
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 413kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 14g | 82% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 123mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 1306mg | 54% |
| Potassium | 323mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 486IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 10mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 85mg | 9% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.