Classic Crab Roll Recipes

CRAB ROLLS

Steps:

• Toss the crabmeat in the melted butter. Mix all the remaining ingredients except for the buns in a large bowl. Fold the crabmeat into this.
• Grill or toast the buns; you can spread some butter on the buns first if you'd like. Fill with the crab mixture. Serve with pickles and potato chips.

BROWN-BUTTER CRAB ROLL

Steps:

• Heat a medium skillet over medium. Spread 2 Tbsp. butter on cut sides of each bun. Toast buns, cut side down, working in batches if necessary, until golden brown, about 2 minutes per batch. Set buns aside and wipe out skillet.
• Melt remaining 6 Tbsp. butter in same skillet over medium heat. Continue to cook until butter foams, smells nutty, and turns caramel-colored, about 5 minutes. Add Old Bay seasoning, then gently fold in crabmeat and Worcestershire (mixture might spatter). Cook, stirring occasionally, until crabmeat is heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and salt.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer crab mixture to buns and top with chives. Serve with lemon wedges alongside.

CRISPY CRAB ROLLS

Steps:

• Crab filling: In medium bowl, combine the crab meat, white pepper, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, mayonnaise, egg yolk (reserving egg white), and lemon zest. Thinly slice the green part of the scallions (reserving the white part) on an angle, and add to the bowl. Stir the ingredients gently to combine, keeping the crab meat chunks as intact as possible.
• Dipping sauce: In a small bowl, blend the chile sauce, lime juice, sesame seeds, and a pinch of salt.
• In a large, deep skillet, heat oil to 375 F. In a large bowl, whisk together cornstarch, water, and 3 egg whites (reserving 2 egg yolks) to make a slurry. In another large bowl, combine the flour with a pinch of salt. Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice of bread. Arrange the bread with the short sides facing you. Spread a heaping tablespoon of crab mixture across the middle of each slice, leaving a ½-inch border at both sides. Use your finger to spread some of the reserved egg yolk along the top and bottom of the flattened bread. Roll and tuck the bread around the crab; press to seal the rolls. Let the rolls rest seam-side down for 5 minutes.
• Whisk the egg white mixture again to recombine any cornstarch that may have settled to the bottom. Dip each crab roll into the mixture, then dredge in the flour. Carefully transfer the rolls to the oil and fry in batches without crowding, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 8 minutes per batch. Transfer the crab rolls to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Finely slice the white part of a scallion and garnish the chili sauce. Slice the crab rolls in half and serve with the chile sauce.

CRAB ROLLS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, Old Bay, and cayenne. Gently fold in crabmeat.
• Heat a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium, about 8 minutes. Generously brush top and sides of buns with butter. Place buns, flat-side down, in skillet and toast, flipping halfway through, until crisp and golden on both sides, about 3 minutes. Line inside of buns with 1 to 2 lettuce leaves; divide crabmeat among buns. Drizzle tops with remaining melted butter; sprinkle with chives and more Old Bay. Serve, with lemon wedges and potato chips.