Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes Recipe

Recipe provided by Jimmy's

• Difficulty: Advanced
• Serves: 8
• Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 400, Total Fat: 18 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Carbohydrates: 39 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 26 g, Protein: 24 g, Cholesterol: 162 mg, Sodium: 1887 mg
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 min
• Preparation: 20 min
• Resting Time: 30 min
• Cooking Time: 15 min

Ingredients

• 2 pounds jumbo lump blue crab meat
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise or homemade aioli
• 4 teaspoons seafood seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)
• 6 scallions, finely chopped (about 3/4 of the green part)
• 3 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 large eggs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 to 6 tablespoons fine bread crumbs (just enough to help the mixture bind)
• Canola-olive oil blend, for cooking
• Cocktail Sauce (recipe below), for serving
• Flavored aioli (optional), for serving

Cocktail Sauce Ingredients

• 1 quart ketchup
• 2 tablespoons horseradish
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Carefully inspect the crab meat and remove any shells, working gently to preserve the lumps. In a separate bowl, combine mayonnaise, seafood seasoning, scallions, basil, eggs, salt, and pepper. Gently fold this mixture into the crab meat by hand until just combined.
2. Lightly sprinkle bread crumbs over the crab mixture and fold gently until the mixture just begins to hold together. Divide into eight portions and shape each into a cake using moist hands to prevent sticking.
3. Refrigerate the shaped crab cakes for at least 30 minutes until they're firm and hold their shape.
4. Preheat your oven to 400F.
5. Lightly brush each crab cake with oil and sear in a hot oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides, turning carefully to maintain their structure. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for approximately 5 minutes until cooked through.
6. Serve hot with Cocktail Sauce and/or flavored aioli.

Cocktail Sauce Preparation

1. Whisk all sauce ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.
2. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Chef's Tips

For a smoky twist, grill the crab cakes over hardwood briquettes such as mesquite using a specialized grill rack with small holes. Ensure the rack is well-seasoned to prevent sticking.

This recipe originates from a professional chef and has not been adapted or tested for home kitchens.

Recipe courtesy of Jimmy's, An American Restaurant