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A freshly prepared Maine crab roll on a toasted bun, garnished with a lemon wedge

Classic Maine Crab Roll

Indulge in the taste of Maine with this classic crab roll. Featuring fresh lump crab meat tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing and served in a toasted split-top bun, it's a simple yet incredibly satisfying seafood delight.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 rolls
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium-sized bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Rubber spatula
  • Large skillet or griddle

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound Fresh Lump Crab Meat (450g)
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise (60ml), good quality, full-fat
  • 1 stalk Celery finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (15ml), freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon Chives or Green Onion finely chopped (optional)
  • Salt To taste
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper To taste
  • 4 New England-Style Split-Top Hot Dog Buns
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (30g), melted

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Carefully remove any shell fragments from the crab meat and place it in a medium bowl.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, diced celery, and chives (if using). Season with salt and pepper, then adjust to taste.

Assembly

  • Gently fold the dressing into the crab meat, being careful not to break up the lumps. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors combine.
  • While the crab chills, melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Toast the split-top buns cut-side down for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and slightly crispy.

Serving

  • Remove the chilled crab mixture and spoon a generous amount into each toasted bun. Serve immediately.

Notes

For the best flavor, use fresh, high-quality lump crab meat. Do not overmix the crab salad to maintain the texture of the crab. Serving immediately ensures the buns remain crispy and the crab mixture stays chilled.