Description
Clara's classic recipe for authentic Baltimore-style crab cakes, featuring sweet lump crab meat with minimal filler and pan-fried to golden perfection.
Ingredients
1 large egg
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 lb lump crab meat
½ cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for frying
Lemon wedges, for serving
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: In a medium bowl, gently whisk together the large egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Old Bay seasoning until well combined.
Step 2: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
Step 3: Add the lump crab meat and breadcrumbs to the wet mixture. Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold the ingredients together. The goal is just to combine them without breaking up the crab lumps. Don't overmix!
Step 4: Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and gently shape them into patties, about 1-inch thick. Avoid pressing too firmly.
Step 5: Place the formed crab cakes on a plate, cover loosely, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is vital as it helps the cakes firm up and prevents them from falling apart during cooking.
Step 6: Heat the butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until melted and lightly bubbling.
Step 7: Carefully place the chilled crab cakes into the hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are beautifully golden brown and crispy. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Notes
For a lighter version, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes or air-fry at 370°F (188°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping once. Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite tartar or remoulade sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crab cake
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 130mg