Classic Crab Cakes Recipe (Old Bay Seasoning) - Home & Plate (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in Old Bay crab cake mix? ›

BREAD CRUMBS (BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, DEXTROSE, SALT, AND YEAST), WHOLE EGG SOLIDS, SALT, SPICES (INCLUDING RED PEPPER AND PARSLEY), AND PAPRIKA.

CELERY SALT (SALT, CELERY SEED), SPICES (INCLUDING RED PEPPER AND BLACK PEPPER), AND PAPRIKA.

This method will give your crab cakes some buttery flavor without potentially becoming overwhelming. Ultimately, it is your decision how you choose to fry your crab cakes, as both oil and butter will work equally well depending on your taste and cooking preferences.

Celery salt and paprika are two of the main ingredients in Old Bay seasoning. If you happen to have these spices in your cupboard, then you have a good substitute. When substituting, mix 1/4 teaspoon of celery salt with 1/4 teaspoon of paprika. Use this for every 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning.

The Differences In Maryland Crab Cakes

For starters, they typically use more meat and less other filling compared to regular crab cakes. Of course, every recipe is different, but Maryland's versions really allow the crab meat to shine and only use enough fillers to hold the cakes together.

According to McCormick, Old Bay is a blend of 18 herbs and spices, making it versatile for use on fish, chicken, vegetables, and soup. The unique blend of spices includes (but is not limited to): celery seed, paprika, mustard, salt, red pepper, and black pepper.

THE MAIN FLAVOR INGREDIENTS IN OLD BAY CONSIST OF CELERY SALT, PAPRIKA, AND MUSTARD SEED.

Refrigerate Your Crab Cakes

There's actually a pretty easy fix for this common problem. Simply stick your crab cakes in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. The time they spend there will allow the crab cakes to solidify their shape.

I use a heavy-bottomed skillet with about 1/2″ of canola oil to fry them. Get your temperature to 350, then gently place 3 crab cakes in the skillet. After browning, gently turn them and continue to cook until evenly browned on all sides. Remove to a towel-lined plate, and repeat with the remaining cakes.

You will want a starch like mashed potatoes or rice, a nice saffron rice would go very well. You may want to serve any number of veggies like asparagus, brussel sprouts, fresh garden peas or wax beans. A nice salad with cucumbers, tomatoes and sliced mozzarella cheese.

Which is better Old Bay or Zatarain's? ›

I'm not fond of Old Bay for a crawdad or shrimp boil. (It's good for other dishes though) The seasonings just aren't the same. I like Zatarain's with additional cayenne to taste. The Louisiana crawfish boil that Cheez posted is good too.

Cajun Seasoning

Cajun seasonings share several common herbs and spices with Old Bay seasoning — such as paprika, pepper, and celery salt. While the combination of ingredients is slightly different, cajun seasoning can effectively stand in as a substitute for Old Bay seasoning.

Old Bay seasoning is not traditionally used in Cajun cuisine. It is actually a blend of herbs and spices that originated in Maryland and is commonly used in seafood dishes on the East Coast of the United States.

Join the discussion in the Ingredients Spotlight forum section! FAQ: What ingredients are typically found in crab mix? Crab mix typically contains a combination of imitation crab meat, which is made from a blend of fish, such as Alaskan pollock, and other ingredients like starches, egg whites, sugar, and seasonings.

Imitation crab is a highly processed food made by combining minced fish with starch, egg whites, sugar, salt, and additives to mimic the flavor, color, and texture of real crab meat. While it's significantly less expensive than real crab, it's also less nutritious.

Crab Meat: The leading role in the whole recipe. Cracker Crumbs: Drumroll please… the filler in this crab cake recipe is cracker crumbs. There is so much debate on what the best filler is and, trust me, some of the best crab cakes are made with CRACKERS!