Maryland Crab Cake

The Maryland Crab Cake is a beloved regional specialty from the Chesapeake Bay area, celebrated for its focus on the sweet, delicate flavor of fresh blue crab meat. The dish is traditionally prepared by binding lump crab meat with minimal ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard, and breadcrumbs, then pan-frying or broiling the patties until golden brown. It is often served on a bun, as an appetizer, or as a main course with sides like coleslaw and fries.

🍳 View the full Maryland Crab Cake recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

Maryland Crab Cakes are generally high in protein due to the crab meat, but can also be significant in fat depending on the amount of mayonnaise and oil used for cooking. A single serving typically provides around 300-500 calories, along with essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and selenium.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	175 kcal
Protein	16 g
Carbs	7 g
Fat	9 g
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	1 g
Sodium	380 mg
Cholesterol	55 mg
Vitamin B12	9 mcg
Selenium	30 mcg
Zinc	3.5 mg
Phosphorus	200 mg
Copper	0.6 mg
Omega-3 (EPA+DHA)	350 mg
Iron	1.5 mg

Per 1 crab cake (113 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, the Maryland Crab Cake is a point of immense local pride, with fierce debates over the 'perfect' recipe, often centered on the ratio of filler to crab and whether the cake should be fried or broiled. Nutritionally, it's interesting because it can be a relatively lean, high-protein meal when prepared with minimal filler, showcasing the natural sweetness of the blue crab, which is a unique and prized ingredient of the Chesapeake Bay.