This classic presentation of a timeless favorite is so easy to make it almost makes itself. And once you’ve tasted the decadent flavor of my crab imperial, it will become one of your all-time favorite recipes.
You don’t see Crab Imperial on the menu very often anymore, and it’s a shame. Besides being a classic restaurant dish, it’s a delicious way to serve lump crabmeat. And this is the same stuffing I use for my Stuffed Flounder.
Other than simply sauteing crabmeat in butter there is no better way to serve Jumbo Lump crabmeat than a golden brown baked crab imperial. Serve it with your favorite sauteed greens and roasted potatoes for a delicious restaurant-style dinner.
What is Crab Imperial?
Crab Imperial is a dish made up of crab meat mixed with an imperial sauce then baked to golden perfection.
You might call it Virginia Crab Imperial, Maryland Style, or Jersey Shore style, but no matter who claims this Eastern Shore Classic, you’re sure to call it delicious.
What is an Imperial Sauce?
An Imperial Sauce is a mixture of mayonnaise, whole eggs or egg yolks, and seasonings, usually including Old Bay. It’s really easy to make and can be used with every type of crabmeat including imitation crabmeat.
**Hellman’s Mayonnaise is best for this recipe, it holds up well to heat.
What ingredients do I need to make Crab Imperial?
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make this American Classic. In Chef Speak this is called the Mise en Place which translates into Everything in its Place.
Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
What Type of Crabmeat Can I Use?
The source of the crab meat can be from any part of the world that has crabs and includes varieties such as Blue Swimming, Dungeness, Snow, King and of course my favorite Blue Claw.
- Jumbo Lump
- Lump
- Backfin
- Claw
- Imitation Crabmeat
How do I make Old Bay Seasoning?
If you can’t find Old Bay at your markets it’s easy enough to make at home.
- 1 tablespoon celery salt
- 2 teaspoons ground bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- 1 pinch ginger
If you’d rather not make the seasoning, you can always use the recipe as a guideline and use seasonings that you enjoy eating with seafood.
Do you add peppers to crab imperial?
That’s a big no! This dish would never, ever contain bell peppers or onions.
How do I make imperial sauce?
The first step is making the Imperial sauce for the dish. Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
The next step is mixing the imperial sauce into the crabmeat…. gently! You don’t want to break up the crabmeat, so mix carefully.
**Don’t add all the sauce at one time. Reserve about ¼ of the sauce to add in if needed. The larger the pieces of crabmeat, the less sauce you will need. Smaller pieces will take more sauce. If you oversauce the mixture you can always add a tablespoon of bread crumbs if you can’t drain out the excess sauce. Let the mixture sit for 20-30 minutes and it will absorb some of the sauce, so the mixture isn’t as loose.
Then place the crab imperial mixture into a Scallops Shells or your choice of baking dish and place it on the center rack of your oven for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Should I top Crab Imperial with Bread Crumbs?
While the bread crumbs may add texture and color to the dish, they are just stealing flavor from the crab meat. So I would never top something as elegant and delicious as crab imperial with bread crumbs.
What Else Can I use Crab Imperial For?
This crabmeat mixture is perfect for stuffing Lobster, Shrimp, or Mushrooms. And if you love crab meat make sure to try my Famous Crab Cakes Recipe!
Wouldn’t you love to sit down to this delicious dish? My Maryland Style Crab Imperial was always a hit at my restaurant and one taste will make you understand why.
Cooking Tip:
Bake in a 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes (top will turn golden brown) or until a thermometer gets an internal reading of 165 degrees. This will ensure that the eggs in this recipe are fully cooked and safe to eat.
Using a digital insta-read thermometer will help you cook this dish to perfection and be a great help in your kitchen.
If you’re looking for an easy meal for a special occasion, or if you just want to treat yourself, do try this classic dish, you’ll be very happy you did!
Recipe FAQ’s
Crab Imperial is a dish made up of (any type) crab meat mixed with an imperial sauce. It’s then baked to a golden perfection
No, freezing crab meat is not a good idea. The imperial sauce is not enough to offer protection from freezing and you’ll be left with a very unsatisfying crab dish.
Crab Imperial has a sweet and savory flavor and is very similar to crab cakes without the addition of a filler. It contains many of the same ingredients as a traditional crab cake recipe, but crab imperial is a richer version of the dish.
My first choice will always be American Blue Claw crabmeat, Jumbo Lump is the best crabmeat for this dish, but lump crabmeat is also acceptable! It has the sweetest taste and richest flavor of all the crabmeat available, well worth the splurge.
And fresh crabmeat, generally found in plastic containers is the best crabmeat. Pasteurized crab meat comes from Asian waters these days and doesn’t have the same flavor.
More Recipes You’ll Love!
Maryland Style Crab Imperial
Ingredients
- 1 lb jumbo lump crabmeat or lump
- ½ cup Hellman’s Mayonnaise (Best foods or Dukes Mayo are also good)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon old bay
- 1 teaspoon Italian parsley finely chopped
- 1 large egg lightly beaten lightly beaten (for a richer version use two egg yolks)
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- old bay sprinkle on top of the finished crab imperial before baking
Instructions
- Mix mayonnaise, egg, sugar, old bay, lemon juice and parsley together and blend well, this is your imperial sauce.
- Gently fold crabmeat into, imperial sauce, being careful not to break up crab meat.
- place portions in the baking dish of your choice, using ramekins or small casserole dishes
- Spinkle tops of crab imperial with old bay or paprika.
- Bake in 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes (top will turn golden brown) or until a thermometer gets an internal reading of 165 degrees
- Allow to cool just a few minutes before serving, it will set and be more flavorful as it cools slightly.
Lauren @ Girls Gone Food
I’ve never had this before but I love crab cakes so I am sure that I will love it! It looks delicious and so easy to make!
Debi Siefert
Back in the day you could get crab imperial everywhere here (Pittsburgh). I had never had one I didn’t like, until I went to Maryland. This trip changed my world. I love shell fish and crustaceans. I’ve been looking for that crab imperial for thirty years. Either they’re to soupy or have no sauce. So Chef Dennis I am going to give this a try, it looks decadent,easy and delicious. I will be making it tomorrow, I will be sure to let you know how it rates. Thank you for sharing this recipe. Hope your feeling better. Oh I watched your video where you discussed knives. Your right you don’t need an expensive knife but you do need a sharp knife! Thanks again.
Chef Dennis Littley
Thanks for stopping by Debi! I also remember when crab imperial was king on the menus and I hope my recipe works well for you. I actually just picked up a pound of lump at Sam’s Club to make crab imperial at home. The crab meat is pasturized and not exceptional but at least its blue claw crab from American waters. So often the only crab you see is from other parts of the world, and its just not the same.
Mary
I am a newbie blogger [still finding my way around the blogging community] and came upon your site through Pinterest a few days ago. I was so pleased to see this classic recipe using our Maryland Blue Crabs. I live on the Eastern Shore where crabbing, as you know, is a major local industry which deserves to be promoted by chefs such as yourself. I have also added a link from my Facebook page [also new, although I have had a personal one for a couple of years] which reads : Used an almost identical recipe in my family pub/restaurant a few years ago, so I know this recipe is all that a Crab Imperial should be…and yes, it is a classic ! No additional frills or concoctions are needed to dress up our famous Maryland Blue Crabs…!! Thank you Chef Dennis for sharing this wonderful recipe.
Chef D
I’m so glad you stopped by Mary, and I’m happy to hear you like my crab imperial, it is quite simple because the crab should always be the star!
If i can ever be of any help don’t hesitate to ask!
DB-The Foodie Stuntman
Thank you for reintroducing this classic!
Chef D
You’re very welcome!
MaryKay@JustforCooking
You had me at crab. ;.)
Thank you for the nice words on Memorial Day. My husband is a vet and my nephew just got back from overseas.
Chef D
You’re very welcome, both my parents served in the Army, as did my brother and son. My brother was the only to escape combat, and thankfully everyone else got through it and home safely.
We need to always remember why we can sleep safely at night, it’s doesn’t happen by itself.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
alyce culinary thymes
Wow this sounds delish. Love crab.
Linda
I live in Baltimore,,,we have crab cakes at least once a week.
I never made crab imperial as every recipe I ever saw used green pepper.
That was a turn off,,, took away from the crab taste,,,somehow I never thought to leave it out.
This is the way Baltimore restaurants prepare it ,,,,,I only ever ordered it once..
Soooo, happy I stumbled on your site today. I will make this tomorrow.
We have a 57 year old son with CP fries and crab cakes are his favorite foods,,,This is why we have it at least once a week
Chef D
Thank you so much for stopping by Linda, I’m so glad you found my site today! I hope your son enjoys the crab imperial!
Palatable Jazz
Glad that you shared this recipe with us, Thank you. This helped me come up with an idea for girl’s night.
Chef D
You’re Welcome! I think the girls will be eating well!
Amelina Anak Nyalu
I one to follow you but I’m not really speak English….aspirations….n
Colleen
You need to try it with Smith Island Crab! A bit more expensive, but it is worth it – and is definitely Maryland Crab meat. Looks yummy!
Beth @ Good to be the Cook
This looks amazing! I saved it, can’t wait to try!
Peggy
I love all sorts of different variations on crab, but I must say – this sounds the tastiest!
Sandra's Easy Cooking
Lazy weekends are the best…
I love this dish, Chef! Beautiful and tasty! Congrats on top 9…
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
Sometimes ya gotta have a lazy weekend to catch up on sleep! I’ve never had crab Imperial either! It looks and sounds fantastic!
Happy When Not Hungry
This looks fantastic!!! I love anything with crab. Yum!
Larry
Sorry to hear you’ve been ailing but happy it resulted in your posting this recipe – it looks delicious.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time
Sometimes sleeping weekends are the best. Hubby and I dream of the day that we’ll be able to laze around in bed, if anything, at least past 7am. 😀
I’ve never had Crab Imperial and I have no idea why not. It looks absolutely amazing.