Big Johns Classic Crab Cakes Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Mix saltine crackers, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, seafood seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, egg, salt, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl.
• Stir in crabmeat until mixture is combined but still chunky. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Sprinkle breadcrumbs on a plate.
• Shape chilled crab mixture into 4 small thick patties; coat completely with bread crumbs.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium-heat; cook crab cakes until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side.

BIG JOHN'S CLASSIC CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, add all ingredients except flour and mix by hand until well combined.
• Melt butter to brown in pan over medium heat.
• Make 8 equally sized portions and form into cakes 2.
• 5" in diameter and 3/4" thick.
• Dust with flour.
• Fry cakes in butter over medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides.

MARYLAND CRAB CAKES WITH QUICK TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean-up.
• Combine the eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, Old Bay, salt, celery, and parsley in a large bowl and mix well. Add the crab meat (be sure to check the meat for any hard and sharp cartilage) and panko; using a rubber spatula, gently fold the mixture together until just combined, being careful not to shred the crab meat. Shape into 6 cakes (each about ½ cup) and place on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps them set.
• Preheat a large nonstick pan over medium heat and coat with oil. When the oil is hot, place the crab cakes in the pan and cook until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Be careful as oil may splatter. Serve the crab cakes warm with the tartar sauce.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, onion, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
• Make-Ahead Instructions: The crab cakes can be formed, covered, and refrigerated a day ahead of time before cooking. The tartar sauce can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance.
• Note: If you can only find jumbo lump crab meat, you may need to break the pieces up a bit. If the clumps are too large, the crab cakes won't hold together well.
• Note: The nutritional information does not include the tartar sauce.

CLASSIC CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the crab, bread crumbs, egg, mayonnaise, vegetables and seasonings. Shape into 8 patties. Broil or cook patties in a cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet in oil for 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. If desired, serve with lemon. Freeze option: Freeze cooled crab cakes in freezer containers, separating layers with waxed paper. To use, reheat crab cakes on a baking sheet in a preheated 325° oven until heated through.