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Original Old Bay Crab Cakes Recipe

Original Old Bay Crab Cakes Recipe


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4.5 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 18 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Maryland’s beloved Original Old Bay Crab Cakes blend fresh lump crabmeat with classic seasoning, creating a coastal delicacy that whispers ocean memories. Crisp golden edges and delicate inner texture invite coastal comfort on your plate.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) fresh lump crabmeat, drained and picked over

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Wet Ingredients and Seasonings:

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons butter (for frying)

Instructions

  1. Gently fold crabmeat with breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, beaten egg, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, salt, ground pepper, and finely chopped parsley in a spacious mixing bowl.
  2. Carefully blend ingredients until uniformly integrated, avoiding overmixing to maintain delicate crab texture.
  3. Delicately form the seafood mixture into 8 uniform, compact patties using light hand pressure.
  4. Warm a large skillet over medium heat and melt butter until it coats the cooking surface evenly.
  5. Carefully place crab cakes into the heated skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust, approximately 4 minutes per side, ensuring internal temperature reaches 145°F for food safety.

Notes

  • Check the crabmeat carefully for any shell fragments before mixing to ensure a smooth texture and prevent unexpected crunch.
  • Use fresh lump or backfin crab for the best flavor and most authentic Maryland-style crab cake experience.
  • Gently fold ingredients together instead of overmixing to keep the crab cakes light and prevent them from becoming dense or tough.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 360 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 580 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg