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Maryland Style Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes

A Maryland-style jumbo lump crab cake is a classic dish that highlights the rich, sweet flavor of premium crab meat, particularly from blue crabs found in the Chesapeake Bay region. These crab cakes are known for their delicate texture and minimal binding ingredients, allowing the fresh crab to shine. The key components include:

  1. Jumbo Lump Crab Meat: The star ingredient, featuring large, tender pieces of crab meat with a sweet, slightly briny flavor. It’s typically hand-picked to ensure quality and large chunks.
  2. Light Binding: Unlike some crab cakes, Maryland-style versions use minimal breadcrumbs or filler. Instead, a small amount of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, egg, and Old Bay seasoning is used to lightly bind the crab meat together.
  3. Seasoning: Old Bay seasoning, a blend of celery salt, paprika, mustard, and other spices, is commonly added to bring depth and a mild heat to the dish, contributing to its distinctive flavor.
  4. Preparation: The cakes are gently formed into patties, being careful to keep the lumps intact. They are typically pan-fried or baked until golden brown on the outside while maintaining a tender, juicy interior.
  5. Serving: Often served with a simple garnish, such as a wedge of lemon, cocktail sauce, or a tangy remoulade. They may be paired with a side of coleslaw, fries, or a light salad.

Overall, Maryland-style crab cakes are celebrated for their balance of flavors, with the fresh crab taking center stage, enhanced by seasoning but never overpowered by filler.

✅ Quick Tips: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.

Cooking Method
Cuisine
Courses , , ,
Difficulty Intermediate
Time
Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 35 mins
Servings 6
Calories 381
Best Season Suitable throughout the year
Description

A Maryland-style jumbo lump crab cake is a classic dish highlighting the rich, sweet flavor of premium crab meat, particularly from blue crabsin the Chesapeake Bay region. These crab cakes are known for their delicate texture and minimal binding ingredients, allowing the fresh crab to shine.

Ingredients
  • 1 pound of jumbo lump crab meat (picked for shells)
  • 1 each of egg (grade "A", large)
  • 1/2 cup of mayonnaise (regular, not light)
  • 1/2 cup of Italian bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon of Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon of Fines Herbes (recommended: Penzey's Spices)
  • 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons of butter (unsalted)
Instructions

  1. Set the oven to low broil, with oven rack near the top 🔥.

  2. In a medium-sized bowl, carefully pick through the crabmeat for shells, being as thorough as possible, while taking care not to break up the large clumps.

  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and mix in the mayonnaise. Add the breadcrumbs and stir to combine. Add the Old Bay, Fines Herbes, garlic powder, mustard, Worcestershire, and stir until combined.

  4. Gently stir the wet mixture into the crabmeat, 1 tablespoon at a time. Take your time. Try not to break up the lump meat. Carefully hand-form 6 crab cakes and transfer them to a lightly greased baking sheet. Top each crab cake with a small piece of butter.

  5. Broil on low for 12-15 minutes, keeping a close eye to make sure they don't burn. DO NOT attempt to flip them! Allow them to broil on one side for the entire time. (This recipe doesn't have much filler, so they are very delicate). If it looks like they are starting to burn, lower the oven rack. The crabmeat is already cooked, but you want the cake to warm through and the egg to cook and set up.

  6. If the tops don't brown enough, turn the broiler to high for the last minute or two.

  7. Allow to cool slightly, and serve with your choice of lemon wedges, cocktail, or remoulade sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 381kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 18.1g28%
Saturated Fat 3.47g18%
Cholesterol 342mg114%
Sodium 780mg33%
Potassium 807mg24%
Total Carbohydrate 1.52g1%
Dietary Fiber 0.2g1%
Sugars 0.64g
Protein 50.42g101%
Vitamin A 159 IU
Vitamin C 6.8 mg
Calcium 259 mg
Iron 2.63 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

You can also make your own Fines Herbes blend at home with equal parts of Parsley, Chives, Chervil, and Tarragon.

Keywords: delicious, homemade
Read it online: https://sharpenedrecipes.com/recipe/maryland-style-jumbo-lump-crab-cakes/
Samantha Doe
Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I'm Samantha, a full-time food blogger, mother of 2 beautiful daughters and a lovely wife. I live in New Jersey with my family. Loves traveling, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family.