Beef, Seafood

Smoked Crab Imperial

  • Preparation
    10 minutes
  • Cook Time
    40 minutes
  • Serves
    8 people
  • Difficulty
    3/10
Behind the Recipe

Crab Imperial. Royally Delicious.

For the uninitiated, Smoked Crab Imperial is a decadent (and dang easy to make) dish that features tender chunks of crab meat folded into a rich “imperial” sauce. This may sound fancy, but is really just a simple mixture of mayo, egg, and Old Bay seasoning. 


You can enjoy Smoked Crab Imperial on its own or atop a steak for the most flavorful surf and turf of your life. Either way, think of this dish as a creamy, unstructured version of a crab cake that’s smoked to impart a bonus layer of umami flavor. Try applewood chips for a light smoke that pairs beautifully with shellfish! 

If you have dietary restrictions, you’re more than welcome to substitute imitation crab here, but for most grillers, we recommend using the freshest jumbo lump crab meat available in your area. If you don’t have luck at the grocery store, try your local fish market!


Ready to impress your cookout with a dish that will win hearts, minds, and tastebuds? Get your claws on some quality crab and fire up this easy recipe for Smoked Crab Imperial today.


Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 450 grams of lump crab (fresh)
  • ½ cup of mayonnaise 
  • 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
  • ¼ onion, minced
  • 2 teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon of ground mustard
  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon of parsley, chopped for garnish

Preparation

  1. Set your Oakford Pellet Grill to the smoke cooking method at 150°C.
  2. Place your crab meat in a large bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix together the mayo, Worcestershire sauce, melted butter, and lemon juice. 
  4. Add the onion, seasoning, and ground mustard, and toss to combine. Then mix in the egg and parsley, and toss to combine. 
  5. Add the mayo mixture to the bowl with the crab and mix gently. Transfer the mixture to a small cast-iron skillet.


Cooking Instructions

  1. 1

    Cover and smoke for 30-40 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.

  2. 2

    Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

  3. 3

    Serve garnished with additional seasoning and chopped parsley.

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