Chef John's Crab Cakes

Ingredients

• 8 saltines crackers , finely crushed
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 0.5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 0.5 teaspoons seafood seasoning , such as Old Bay
• 0.25 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 egg , beaten
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper , Optional
• salt to taste
• 1 pound fresh crabmeat , well drained
• 0.25 cups dry bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

1. 1

   Mix crushed crackers, mayonnaise, Dijon, seafood seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, egg, cayenne, and salt together in a large bowl. Add crabmeat and stir until combined but still chunky. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

2. 2

   Sprinkle bread crumbs onto a plate. Shape chilled crab mixture into four small, thick patties. Coat patties completely with bread crumbs.

3. 3

   Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add crab cakes and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side.