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Ruth's Chris style crab cakes drizzled with lemon butter sauce on a plate

Ruth’s Chris Style Crab Cakes

Delightful crab cakes with a crispy exterior and tender, flavorful crab inside, served with a creamy lemon butter sauce.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings: 4 crab cakes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Crab Cakes
  • 1 lb jumbo lump crab meat
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Lemon Butter Sauce
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold & cubed
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 pinch salt

Method
 

Make the Crab Mixture
  1. In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning.
  2. Gently fold in the crab meat and panko breadcrumbs.
Form the Crab Cakes
  1. Shape the mixture into 4 large or 6 smaller crab cakes.
  2. Press lightly to ensure they hold together without being too dense.
Chill for Best Results
  1. Place the formed crab cakes in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
Sear to Golden Perfection
  1. Heat butter and oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Cook the crab cakes for 3–4 minutes on each side until they are deep golden brown and crispy.
Make the Lemon Butter
  1. In a saucepan, simmer the chicken broth for 2 minutes.
  2. Lower the heat and whisk in the cream.
  3. Gradually add in the cold butter cubes until the sauce is smooth and thick.
  4. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt.
Finish and Serve
  1. Plate the hot crab cakes and spoon the lemon butter sauce over the top for a rich and silky finish.

Notes

Be gentle when mixing the ingredients to keep the crab meat intact. Chilling the crab cakes helps them hold their shape during cooking. For extra flavor, add chopped green onions or bell peppers to the crab mixture. Adjust the seasoning to your taste, especially if you prefer a bit more spice.