Description
Succulent cheddar bay crab cakes shine with coastal charm, bringing restaurant-quality flavor right to home kitchens. Zesty lemon butter drizzle elevates these golden-crusted delights, promising a luxurious seafood experience you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) fresh crab meat (preferably lump or jumbo lump)
- 1/2 cup cheddar bay biscuit mix (like the one from Red Lobster)
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Lemon Butter Drizzle Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft the crab cake base by delicately blending fresh crab meat with the Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix, ensuring minimal disruption to the delicate seafood texture. Incorporate mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, and aromatic herbs and spices to create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Tenderly shape the maritime mixture into elegant patties, maintaining a consistent size and thickness. Allow the formed cakes to rest and solidify in the refrigerator, which helps them maintain structural integrity during cooking.
- Prepare a luxurious lemon butter sauce by gently melting butter and infusing it with bright citrus notes. Enhance the sauce with a subtle seasoning of salt and pepper to complement the crab cakes’ rich flavors.
- Heat a skillet with olive oil, creating an ideal environment for achieving a golden, crispy exterior on the crab cakes. Carefully place the chilled patties into the pan, cooking each side methodically to develop a perfect caramelized crust.
- Monitor the crab cakes closely, flipping them with precision to prevent breaking and ensure even cooking. The goal is a beautiful golden-brown color and a thoroughly heated interior that maintains the crab meat’s delicate texture.
- Once perfectly cooked, transfer the crab cakes to a serving plate. Elevate the dish by drizzling the warm, citrus-infused butter sauce over the top, allowing the flavors to meld and create a truly sophisticated seafood experience.
Notes
- Gently handle crab meat to maintain large, tender chunks for a delicate texture that showcases the seafood’s natural flavor.
- Chilling the crab cake mixture helps bind ingredients and prevents falling apart during cooking, ensuring a perfect golden-brown exterior.
- Swap regular mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed version that keeps the cakes moist and adds a tangy twist.
- Gluten-free diners can substitute Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix with gluten-free breadcrumbs and add extra cheese for similar flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 382
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg