This authentic Maryland crab cake recipe is absolutely PACKED with crab meat! It’s made with very little filler so the crab flavor shines. Recipe includes a how-to video!
The Actual Best Crab Cake Recipe (From a Maryland Native)
Here in Maryland, crab cakes are a culinary staple. You’ll find them at just about every local restaurant or steakhouse, and of course, some are better than others. The worst ones are full of filler, fried, and dry. The best ones? They are loaded with crab meat, baked or broiled to perfection, and perfectly light and moist. This is exactly how I designed my own crab cake recipe!
Maryland Blue Crab is the star of this recipe (as it is in my Maryland crab soup). We’ll accent it with just a squeeze of lemon, Old Bay (of course!), and a bit of parsley. Keeping the ingredients simple is key here–there’s no need for a ton of flavorings when the crab tastes this good.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Very little filler! My crab cake recipe is made with mostly meat to allow the crab flavor to really shine! All of the additions support and add flavor to the meat, rather than overwhelm it.
- Authentic, Maryland-style recipe. We are known for our blue crab dishes (and our peach cake!) here in Maryland. As a native Marylander, I’m so proud of this recipe!
- Baked, not fried. This keeps the crab cakes lighter and more moist.
- Can be prepped in advance and baked later, if you prefer to make them one day and bake the next.
Ingredients
Besides the crab, my crab cake recipe uses just 10 additional ingredients. The crab is absolutely the star though!
- Lump crab meat. Jumbo lump blue crab meat is my preference for crab cakes, though you can also use lump or backfin crab meat if you absolutely cannot find jumbo lump. I talk more about this in the FAQ section below.
- Old Bay. You simply cannot make Maryland crab cakes without Old Bay! This seasoning is a staple in my cream of crab soup and just about every other Maryland crab recipe. It can be found on Amazon if you don’t have it in your local grocery store (I linked to it in the recipe card)
- Parsley. Fresh or dried will work. I include measurements for both, since fresh parsley is actually less potent than the dried version.
- Mustard. Today we’re using prepared yellow mustard. Just a teaspoon! Dijon mustard would also work.
- Filler. This helps to bind the crab cake together. I recommend plain panko or crushed saltines, though I find panko is a bit crispier. You could use breadcrumbs (I’ve even used my own breadcrumbs from sourdough bread), but I prefer the moister results that I get when using panko or saltines.
SAM’S TIP: Make sure to pick through your crab meat before using for any bits of shell.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe and video please scroll down to the bottom of the post.
How to Make Maryland Crab Cakes
- Whisk together all ingredients except the crab, panko, and butter.
- Gently fold in the crab meat and panko bread crumbs. Be careful not to break up the crab lumps, since we want those to remain intact!
- Scoop the crab mixture into a ⅓ cup measuring cup or scoop, then place on a buttered baking sheet. Do NOT flatten, we want them to be mounds.
- Dot the top of each crab cake with butter. You could do this after refrigerating, especially since the plastic wrap obnoxiously likes to stick to the butter, but every time I tell myself I’ll remember to add the butter later I always forget, so I do this step before refrigerating!
- Cover your crab cakes with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill. This allows the flavor to develop and the filler to do its job of helping to bind everything together.
- Bake until cooked through (remove the plastic wrap first, of course!), broiling at the end if desired for a lightly crisp exterior and golden color.
SAM’S TIP: Don’t over-bake! Over-baked crab cakes are dry and fall apart too easily. Once they are warmed through and have a golden brown exterior (the broiler helps with this part!), your crab cakes are ready to come out of the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t recommend it. If you follow my recipe, then your crab cakes should be very tender and almost falling apart. This is because they have very little filler and mostly meat.
If you’re trying to make a crab cake sandwich, you’re going to need more breading for sure. I’d love to know what alterations you make if you try it!
Jumbo lump crab meat is my preference here, but lump crab meat or backfin meat will also work in a pinch. You can find this in your grocery store’s seafood section pre-cooked and sold on ice. Sometimes you can also find it frozen; if you do, you will just need to thaw it overnight in the fridge before using.
Whatever you do, never, ever use imitation crab meat!
While these crab cakes taste wonderful on their own, they are also great with a squeeze of lemon and cocktail sauce or tartar sauce. You can also pair these crab cakes with sides like potato salad, coleslaw, fries or potato wedges, kettle chips, or any of my summer side dishes.
If you try my recipe, please let me know how you like it. As with all of my recipes, it underwent rigorous trials and taste-testing and I’m ultimately really so happy with how it turned out. I’d love to hear what you think, too!
Enjoy!
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Maryland Crab Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb (453 g) jumbo lump crab meat picked over, shells removed
- ½ cup (40 g) plain panko crumbs or crushed saltine crackers
- 6 Tablespoons (85g) mayonnaise
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay (or J.0. seasoning)
- 1 ½ teaspoons finely minced fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 Tablespoons salted butter cut into 8 pieces (plus additional for greasing pan)
- Tartar sauce for serving, optional
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Lightly grease a rimmed baking sheet with butter. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayo, egg, mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay, parsley, salt, and pepper until well combined.6 Tablespoons (85g) mayonnaise, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Old Bay, 1 ½ teaspoons finely minced fresh parsley, ¼ teaspoon table salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add crab meat and panko crumbs. Use a spatula to gently work the crab meat and panko into the wet ingredients (try not to break up the lumps of the crab meat, you want them to stay intact as much as possible).1 lb (453 g) jumbo lump crab meat, ½ cup (40 g) plain panko crumbs
- Scoop crab meat by heaping ⅓ cup (about 3.15oz/90g per, I use my ice cream scoop) into a large scoop or measuring cup. I pack the meat into the scoop to help encourage it to keep its shape, then transfer to buttered baking sheet. If the crab cake is trying to fall apart, use your hands to press any stray pieces back in and pack it more firmly into the scoop next time. Do not flatten. Space at least 2” apart on baking sheet.
- Place a small piece of butter on the top center of each crab cake.1 Tablespoons salted butter
- Cover baking sheet tightly with plastic wrap and transfer to refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours before baking.
- To bake: Preheat oven to 450F (230C). Once oven is fully preheated, remove crab cakes from refrigerator and remove plastic wrap.
- Transfer to center rack of oven and bake for 8-10 minutes/until baked through. For a browned exterior, switch oven to broil for the last 2 minutes and broil on high heat for 2 minutes (I do not switch my oven rack).
Notes
Crab meat
Look for fresh or frozen jumbo lump Maryland blue crab for best results (if frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator). Jumbo lump is my preference for best texture. Lump crab meat will work in a pinch and is less expensive. Do not use imitation crab meat.Panko
Plain panko or crushed saltine crackers will work well here. (Dried) breadcrumbs are not my preference but will work in a pinch.Making in advance
After forming the crab cakes they will keep for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator before baking. Keep tightly covered or in an airtight container so they do not dry out.Storing/reheating
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no longer than 3 days after baking. They may also be frozen. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator (if frozen) then cover with foil and warm in a 350F (175C) oven until warmed through, usually about 10-15 minutes. Uncovering for the last few minutes will help crisp the exterior.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Heather
I am so happy to see this recipe. I was born and raised in Maryland so anytime I see “Md crab cakes” I cringe because they’re nowhere near a real Md crab cake. This recipe here is exactly how we make them! These are awesome. Super delicious. On point. Many thanks for sharing a recipe for an authentic Maryland crab cake 🖤
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Heather! 🙂
Rhonda
I made this recipe tonight and it was the absolute best crabcakes I have ever made. Not too many ingredients and much of the ones required, so O was able to taste all the lime crabmeat!! Hands down recommend this recipe!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy it was a hit, Rhonda! Thanks for the review–we really appreciate it 🩷
Kristin
Delicious crab cakes. Loved the baking not frying. They looked and tasted perfect. This recipe is a keeper. Thank you!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Kristin! 🙂
Donna
Excellent!
KERRI
I DIDNT ACTUALLY MAKE THEM YET. I AM TRYING TO WRITE DOWN THE RECIPE. YOU WROTE 1 TBSP OF BUTTER CUT INTO 8 PIECES? IS THAT A TYPE OR THE SMALLEST PIECES OF BUTTER EVER? LOL EXCITED TO TRY THIS RECIPE. THANKS
Sam
Hi Kerri! I just cut the 1 tablespoon of butter into 8 little pieces for each crab cake. Enjoy! 🙂
ShellyV
incredibly easy and amazing. Followed recipe exactly as is. I did bake an extra minute as these are thick. definitely recommend to anyone. You can also make this recipe in hor d’oeuvre size by using 1TBS to make mini cakes. thank you million times over!!!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Shelly! 🙂
Carolyn
Do you put the baking sheet straight from the refrigerator into the oven, or does it need to come to room temperature first? Thank you!
Sam
Hi Carolyn! I just remove the baking sheet from the refrigerator, remove the plastic wrap and then into the oven. 🙂
Victoria Paris
I’ve been making crab cakes for decades with the recipe on the back of the Prince Crab can and it’s been great. But you have to fry it and that makes a mess. I decided tonight to use this. It’s FAR Better than the fried crab cake. We made it into burgers but will have it tomorrow with pasta.
Use this recipe, you’ll be amazed at the simplicity and the taste. It’s fabulous.
Sam
Thank you so much, Victoria! I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Mark Sadler
Sorry but Donna Sadler recipes for crab 🦀 cakes are the very best. She is a native of Tilghman Maryland has been cooking these over 60 years. The recipes are in the older Tilghman island recipe book. Not a bunch of fillers and that ruin the very best Maryland crab cake. Some people just don’ know what a real Maryland crab cake shot taste like. Had I tasted many others that claimed to be Maryland crab 🦀 cake I would not have wanted to eat anymore.aThis recipe let’s you taste the actual crab 🦀 and not just fillers. A native of Tilghman MD and one of the very best recipes around
Sam
Hi Mark! It sounds like you haven’t actually tried this recipe. There is very little filler which is what makes it so good. 🙂
Sam Hill
Sounds like Mark Sadler has a vested interest in pushing Donna Sadler recipes lol. I made these last night and they were a hit with my kids and especially the wife who isn’t really into seafood. Thanks for the recipe!
Howard Miller
I substituted speckled trout fillets that I had grilled on the Weber grill using a small amount of wood chips. This smokey flavor slightly comes through the crab cakes and they are delicious. You just shred the fillets to the texture of crab meat.
Matt A.
Fellow Marylander here. This is a great recipe with just the right level of seasoning and light on the filler. These came out nice and tender (using lump crab) and the butter on top allowed for a good browning under the broiler. Genius. I’ll be coming back to this often.
Sam
Thank you so much, Matt! I’m so glad you enjoyed them! 🙂
Doris Bain
wonderful
Sam
Thank you, Doris! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂