Maryland Style Blue Crab Cakes – Finally, a crab cake recipe that everyone can get behind. Lots and lots of crab and ZERO pointless filler!
In my family it’s universally accepted that a good crab cake is pretty much one of the yummiest things a person can eat.
Every September, my WHOLE family (husband, kids, parents, sisters, grandparents) pack into a caravan of 3 cars and make our journey from Philadelphia down to Ocean City, Maryland for a week of beach bliss.
Our trip involves relaxing on the beach in the beautiful late summer weather, of course, and each night features family meals around a large wooden table with lively conversation. The cooks in my family ensure that it also involves some pretty darn good food!
It’s become a tradition for my husband and I to make a crab cake feast on one of those nights. There’s nothing more befitting than Maryland Style Blue Crab Cakes while on vacation in O.C. Maryland!
Let me just say, however, that if we were to treat all ten people to a crab cake dinner at a restaurant it would cost a small fortune… And it’s soon to be 11 this November, with baby Simple Seasonal on the way! That’s where making our own starts to sound more appealing. At about a quarter of the cost, everyone can eat crab cakes with reckless abandon (and without me cringing and running to protect my wallet).
In addition to being kind on a cook’s wallet, homemade crab cakes have the promise of no pointless filler. You know what I mean… Bread cakes. Blah! Any filler in my crab cakes is there for the sole purpose of adding flavor. Everything else is crab, crab and more crab.
Beyond the blue crab, the defining characteristic of a Maryland style crab cake is the zesty flavor of Old Bay seasoning. If a crab cake could be iconic, in my humble crab cake-loving opinion, it would be one made with blue crab and Old Bay.
I also add some zest and sweetness to these cake with a little green onion, lemon juice, and red pepper. The end result is sooo good. Seriously though – these are some good crab cakes!
There’s no denying that these babies are pretty much one of the yummiest things you could eat, whether you’re around a large wooden table with those you love at the shore or around your own kitchen table with your friends on a Saturday night!
Be sure to pair this recipe with my easy-peasy Homemade Tartar Sauce! Everything is better with a good sauce for dipping!
- 1 lb canned pasteurized blue claw crabmeat from the refrigerator section (if you must, lump crab works if you're unable to find blue)
- ⅓ C crushed golden round crackers*
- ½ C finely chopped red bell pepper
- 2½ Tbsp finely chopped green onion
- ¼ C mayonnaise*
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- dash of cayenne or to your heat preference
- ⅓ C flour for dusting
- 2 Tbsp safflower oil or other vegetable oil
- Drain the crab meat and carefully use your fingers to remove any hidden pieces of crab shell, then set aside.
- In a mixing bowl combine the crackers, red pepper, green onion, mayo, beaten egg, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, and cayenne. Mix to combine.
- Fold the crab meat in with the ingredients in the mixing bowl, taking care not to over work and break up the crab meat.
- Over medium-high heat, pre-heat the oil in a large frying pan. Once heated, measure the crab cakes into ¼ C portions and form them into patties with your hands or a measuring cup. Coat the crab cakes in flour, and then add them to the pan. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side, flipping midway so that both sides of the crab cakes are golden brown. If making a large batch of crab cakes you can place them on a foil-lined baking sheet and keep them warm uncovered in a 200º F oven, but they are best if they are served immediately
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Beth (OMG! Yummy) says
Wow – I haven’t made crab cakes in so long but there is nothing quite like it when they are made right – crispy on the outside, moist and flavorful inside with a touch of lemon and great tartar sauce. Yum!
Rachel says
Homemade crab cakes really are the best. Maryland crab season goes through December, so you have a few more weeks to get in on the crab cake goodness!
Lucy says
I love crab cakes, but I’m super particular about them. These look perfect, and the ingredient list is short and simple! Can’t wait to try. Best wishes for a happy and healthy delivery!
Rachel says
Thanks Lucy! Best of luck to you too! 😉
adina says
You’re talking about beach and here we have autumn at its worst… The crab cakes look delicious, I have never had crab in any form, it is not something we can easily find around here, too bad, I am sure I would like it. I wish you all the best for the birth of your child!
Rachel says
How disappointing that it’s difficult to find crab where you live! If you ever visit the U.S. be sure to order some crab cakes! And thanks for the well wishes.
Allen Wolf says
Real Md. crabcakes dont have half of those ingredients especially peppers and hot peppers, onions. I suggest you come to Md.and read some Md.cook books to get a real Md crabcake recipe.
Rachel says
Sorry you don’t like my Maryland Crab Cakes. I assure you I’ve been to Maryland almost every summer since I was a toddler… which is a lot… all to say, don’t expect to confess my age! Let’s just say, I’ve eaten my weight in Maryland Crab Cakes. I’ve had them at various restaurants with various degrees of seasoning. This recipe is reflective of the best I’ve had.