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Four thick baked Maryland garlic butter crab cakes made with jumbo lump crab meat on a speckled ceramic plate.

Maryland Garlic Butter Crab Cakes

Thick, domed Maryland-style crab cakes loaded with sweet jumbo lump crab meat, Old Bay, fresh garlic, and lemon, baked until golden brown with a rich butter glaze.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course, seafood
Calories: 310

Ingredients
  

  • - 1 lb 450g fresh jumbo lump crab meat, picked through for shells
  • - 1 large egg
  • - 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • - 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning plus extra for dusting
  • - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • - 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
  • - 2 small garlic cloves finely minced or grated
  • - 1/3 cup panko or crushed saltine crackers
  • - 1 tbsp melted butter
  • - 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Method
 

  1. Pick through the fresh jumbo lump crab meat to ensure all shell fragments are removed. Drain any excess moisture without breaking up the lumps.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, fresh lemon juice, finely minced garlic, and chopped parsley until smooth.
  3. Add the 1/3 cup panko or crushed saltines to the wet binder and stir until evenly combined.
  4. Add the jumbo lump crab meat to the bowl. Using a flexible rubber spatula, gently fold the crab into the binder without breaking up the large lumps.
  5. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape gently into tall, thick, rounded mounds. Do not flatten into thin patties.
  6. Place the crab cakes on a parchment-lined plate, cover loosely, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
  7. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and transfer the chilled crab cakes onto the sheet.
  8. Mix the melted butter and extra-virgin olive oil together, then drizzle evenly over the crab cakes. Dust lightly with extra Old Bay.
  9. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the tops are deeply golden brown and sizzling.
  10. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges.

Notes

- Chilling is mandatory to prevent low-filler crab cakes from spreading or breaking in the oven.
- Do not flip the crab cakes during baking; high oven heat browns the tops evenly while keeping the centers juicy.