Crab Imperial is a timeless dish in Maryland’s seafood cuisine, celebrated for its creamy, flavorful sauce paired with fresh, delicate crab meat. This baked dish is an excellent choice for a special dinner or family gathering, bringing the essence of Chesapeake Bay straight to your table.
Maryland Style Crab Imperial Recipe
4
servings10
minutes25
minutes284
kcal35
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
450 g 1 lb fresh lump crab meat
120 g 1/2 cup mayonnaise
60 g 1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 1 egg
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons parsley
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon butter
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs (optional)
Equipment
Mixing bowl- Whisk
- Baking dish
- Oven
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking dish or individual ramekins with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, and the beaten egg. Whisk everything together until you have a smooth, creamy mixture.
- Add the lump crab meat into the mixture, being careful not to break the large pieces. Fold it in gently to preserve the texture of the crab.
- Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper as needed. Then, spoon the crab mixture into the greased baking dish or ramekins.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle a light layer of breadcrumbs over the crab mixture. Drizzle the melted butter on top of the breadcrumbs.
- Place the dish or ramekins in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the Crab Imperial is golden brown and bubbling around the edges.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning, if desired. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness.
Notes
- Overbaking can dry out the crab. Keep a close eye on the dish during the final minutes of cooking and remove it from the oven once the top is golden and bubbly.
What is Crab Imperial?
Crab Imperial is a classic American seafood dish, especially popular in Maryland. It features fresh lump crab meat combined with a rich, creamy sauce made from mayonnaise, mustard, seasonings, and eggs. The mixture is then baked until golden and slightly crisp on top.
