Crab Cakes
Crispy-edged, pan-fried crab cakes packed with lump crab and just enough binder to hold together — not a breadcrumb puck in sight.
Ingredients
- 1 lblump crab meat(picked over for shells, drained well)
- ⅓ cupmayonnaise
- 1 largeegg(lightly beaten)
- 1 tbspDijon mustard
- 1 tbspWorcestershire sauce
- 1 tspOld Bay seasoning
- ½ tspkosher salt
- ¼ tspblack pepper(freshly ground)
- 2 tbspfresh parsley(finely chopped)
- ½ cuppanko breadcrumbs(plus more for coating)
- 3 tbspunsalted butter
- 2 tbspneutral oil(such as canola or vegetable)
- 1 mediumlemon(cut into wedges, for serving)
Method
- 01
In a large bowl, whisk together the 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 beaten egg, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp Old Bay, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp parsley until smooth.
- 02
Add the 1 lb lump crab meat to the bowl and fold gently with a spatula — you want to keep the lumps intact, not shred them.
- 03
Sprinkle in the 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs and fold again just until the mixture holds together. Do not overmix.
- 04
Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a patty about 3/4 inch thick. Press the top and bottom of each patty lightly into additional panko for a thin coating.
- 05
Place the formed crab cakes on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes — this is what keeps them from falling apart in the pan.
- 06
When ready to cook, heat the 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 tbsp neutral oil together in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter foams and subsides.
- 07
Add the crab cakes in a single layer, working in batches if needed to avoid crowding. Cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes until a deep golden crust forms on the bottom.
- 08
Flip each crab cake once and cook for another 3–4 minutes until the second side is equally golden and the cakes are heated through.
- 09
Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain briefly, then serve immediately with lemon wedges alongside.
Adapted from public domain & community sources