Maryland Crab Imperial is not only delicious, but it’s also simple to make. All you need are a few fresh ingredients and some basic cooking skills to whip up this tasty dish. Impress your friends and family with a classic seafood recipe, give Maryland Crab Imperial a try!
What is Maryland Crab Imperial?
You will need fresh crab meat, mayonnaise, and a variety of seasonings. Mix ingredients together and spread the mixture into a baking dish. Bake the dish until it is hot and bubbly and serve it as a main dish or appetizer. If you like crab cakes, you will love this recipe!
There are several Maryland Crab Imperial recipes to choose from. Some include cheese, bread crumbs, and a variety of seasonings, such as minced onions, and bell peppers.
What do you serve with Maryland Crab Imperial?
The Maryland imperial crab recipe is a main dish and appetizer and pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Some popular options include roasted vegetables, grilled asparagus, or a simple salad. Also try with a side of crusty bread, which is my personal favorite, or crackers for dipping.
Main ingredients needed
To make this crab imperial recipe Maryland-style, you will need the following ingredients:
- Jumbo lump crabmeat
- Mayonnaise
- Old Bay™ seasoning
- Egg
- Parsley
- Sugar
- Lemon juice
Can you freeze crab imperial?
Do not freeze leftover crab imperial. The texture of the crab meat may become mushy when defrosted. To prepare the dish in advance, store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it. If you do need to freeze the dish, it is best to do so before baking it. To thaw, transfer the frozen crab imperial to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw slowly. Once defrosted, you can bake it according to the recipe instructions.
Best Maryland Crab Imperial Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Jumbo lump crabmeat or lump
- ½ cup mayonnaise, Duke's
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp Old Bay™ seasoning
- ½ tsp sugar
- 1 tsp parsley, finely chopped
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- 1 pinch salt
- ½ tsp paprika, used to sprinkle on crab imperial before cooking
Instructions
- Blend mayo, egg, salt, sugar, Old Bay, lemon juice and parsley together.
- Carefully fold in jumbo crabmeat with sauce mixture. Do not to break up crab meat.
- Gently spoon crab mixture in a small baking dish of your choice. Brulee dishes are great for individual portions.
- Lightly dust top of crab imperial with paprika.
- Place in a 350-degree oven, and bake for 22 -25 minutes, or until top is golden-brown.
- Remove from oven, and let set for 15 minutes before serving.
FAQ
Jumbo lump crabmeat is best for this recipe. This is because it’s large, flavorful, and will give the dish a nice, chunky texture. However, you can use any type of crabmeat you have on hand.
Although imitation crab meat can work in a pinch, I recommend using fresh jumbo lump crabmeat is recommended for best results. Imitation crab meat is made from fish and doesn’t have the same flavor or texture as real crab.
Old Bay™ seasoning is a unique blend of spices. If you can’t find it, you can make your own blend using ingredients like celery salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and paprika.
Yes, the crab imperial can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. For best results, bake it just before serving for the greatest flavor and texture.
Mayonnaise is one of the key ingredients for this recipe. It binds everything together and adds creaminess. However, if you’re looking for a healthier alternative, you could try using Greek yogurt, but it might alter the taste.
While this recipe is designed for crab, I have substituted crab meat with lobster. However, this significantly changes the flavor of the dish.
