Maryland Crab Imperial

Indulge in the rich, coastal flavors of Maryland with this classic Crab Imperial recipe, a true celebration of fresh lump crab meat elevated with creamy mayonnaise, zesty Dijon mustard, and a signature hint of Old Bay seasoning. This luxurious seafood dish is topped with golden panko breadcrumbs and a drizzle of butter for a perfect, crispy finish. Easy to prepare in under 40 minutes, it’s an impressive choice for an appetizer or main course, whether served in a casserole dish or elegant individual ramekins. Garnished with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon, Maryland Crab Imperial pairs beautifully with a crisp salad or tender steamed vegetables for a dinner party or a special night in. Keywords: Maryland Crab Imperial, lump crab meat, seafood recipe, easy appetizer, baked crab dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 37/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Lump crab meat
• 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
• 1 large Egg
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
• 0.25 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 1 tbsp Parsley (chopped, optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a small casserole dish or individual ramekins lightly with butter or oil.

Step 2

Carefully pick through the lump crab meat to remove any shell fragments, being careful not to break up the chunks. Set aside.

Step 3

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.

Step 4

Gently fold the lump crab meat into the mayonnaise mixture, being careful not to break apart the delicate crab pieces.

Step 5

Spoon the crab mixture into the prepared casserole dish or divide evenly among individual ramekins for single servings.

Step 6

Sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the crab mixture. Drizzle the melted butter over the breadcrumbs to ensure they brown evenly while baking.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the Crab Imperial is heated through.

Step 8

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. If desired, garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Step 9

Serve warm as an appetizer or main dish, paired with a fresh side salad or steamed vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	255.9 grams (255.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1258

Total Fat 120.60g	155%
Saturated Fat 22.70g	114%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 403mg	134%
Sodium 1816mg	79%
Total Carbohydrate 36.50g	13%
Dietary Fiber 0.70g	3%
Total Sugars 2.10g
Protein 8.80g	18%

Vitamin D 58IU	291%
Calcium 46mg	4%
Iron 2mg	11%
Potassium 146mg	3%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 85.7%

Protein: 2.8%

Carbs: 11.5%