Maryland Crab Cake Recipe (Little Filler Used)

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My Maryland crab cake recipe is the the gold standard of all crab cakes. They are loaded with sweet Jumbo Lump Crab Meat, almost no filler, and seasoned with Old Bay Seasoning.

When you’re looking for the best Maryland Crab Cakes recipe, look no further. This is the only crab cake recipe you’ll ever need.

The finished Maryland crab cakes recipe cut open showing inside on a white plate with tomatoes.

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When you want to learn how to make the best Maryland Crab Cakes, ask a chef who spent most of his life working at shore restaurants. I’ve learned a thing or two about making Maryland Crab Cakes that are packed with crab meat and just enough filler to bind the crab meat together.

I’ve been pleasing guests with my version of this Eastern Shore Classic for 40+ years, and now I’m sharing this amazingly simple crab with you.

Overhead shot of crab cakes on a white plate with tomato salad.

It’s made with simple ingredients: jumbo lump crab meat, Old Bay Seasoning, lemon juice, fresh chopped parsley, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and mayonnaise. The only filler is one egg and two-thirds cup of cracker crumbs.

My other Chesapeake Bay favorites are my Maryland Style Crab Imperial and Crab Dip Recipe.

My version of this Eastern Shore Classic is baked, not pan-fried or deep-fried, eliminating the need for added oil and calories. What you get is sweet, delicious crab meat, and lots of it!

My easy recipe can be pan-fried over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, but they will still need to be finished in the oven. You can also cook these in an air fryer.

Table of Contents:

Ingredients

Gather the ingredients to prepare our Maryland Crab Cakes recipe. Culinary professionals call this the “Mise en Place,” which means "everything in its Place."

Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also ensures you have all the necessary ingredients on hand to make the recipe.

Cracker crumbs make the best filler and best breading agent for seafood. You can’t always find cracker meal or cracker crumbs at the grocery store, but it’s easy to make your own out of saltine crackers or club crackers using a food processor or blender. You can also use panko bread crumbs as a substitute.

What type of crab meat should I use?

It's very important to use fresh, good-quality lump or jumbo lump crab meat. Fresh crab meat is usually sold in plastic one-pound containers; if it’s in a can, it’s pasteurized. The best crab meat comes from the Atlantic coast (Maryland being the best) and the Gulf waters.

Beware of crab meat from Asian countries, which is usually sold in cans (pasteurized crab meat). It’s not the same type of crab meat we have in the United States, and I often wonder about its origins and processing.

Asian crabs are blue swimming crabs, which have a different flavor than American blue claw crabs. But they try to confuse people with the blue in the name. They’re not blue claw, which are most prized for their sweet, succulent meat. And Maryland crabs are the best!

You can occasionally find pasteurized US crab meat, but check the top or bottom of the can for the country of origin before you shell out the big bucks for the less desirable crab meat.

Many of my West Coast friends love Dungeness crabs, but they’re not the same as East Coast Blue Crabs, which make the best crab cakes!

How to Make Maryland Crab Cakes

Follow along with my simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make Maryland crab cakes in your home kitchen.

Collage of six steps to make the recipe.

Place the mayonnaise, egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon juice in a large bowl.
Whisk the ingredients together to completely incorporate the egg into the mixture.
Add the crab meat to the mixture and gently fold it into the sauce. Don’t mix it in completely.
Add the cracker crumbs and parsley to the crab meat mixture and continue to gently mix the ingredients until the cracker crumbs are incorporated. Be careful not to break up the crab meat.
Cover the crab meat mixture and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Divide the crab cake mixture into six portions (you can use an ice cream scoop to portion the mixture). Form the crab cakes into round, slightly flattened cakes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Refrigerate the crab cakes until ready to bake.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Bake the crab cakes for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. (Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature.)

Served with with tomato salad on a white plate.

After one bite, I know you’ll agree that my Maryland crab cakes are as good as, if not better than, your favorite seafood restaurant. They’ll make a perfect main course for your next date night or dinner party!

Serve my Maryland Crab Cakes with tartar sauce or cocktail sauce and lemon wedges, along with your favorite sides.

Recipe FAQs

What makes a Maryland Crab Cake different?

Technically, a Maryland crab cake should be made with Maryland crabs, but the real difference is the small amount of filler used. A true Maryland crabcake will not have herbs other than parsley and will not contain onions, peppers, or any other additives. Mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and Old Bay are the only seasonings used.

Is it better to bake or fry Maryland crab cakes?

I prefer baking because you don’t add additional calories via the cooking oil. Baking crab cakes with little filler is also easier, and they are less likely to fall apart. Although frying crab cakes gives them crispness and a beautiful color, they can break apart while cooking.

What type of crab meat should I use for crab cakes?

The best crab meat comes from blue crabs, aka blue claws, and the best crabs are from the Maryland / Virginia shores. Other areas of the Atlantic coastline and the Gulf coastline also have excellent crabs. When possible, jumbo lump is my first choice for crab meat; lump crab meat is also a good choice.

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