What To Do With Imitation Crab Meat: 25 Tasty Recipe Ideas

These tasty fake crab recipes are more than just crab salad, but they all have fake crab meat as their main ingredient.

Imitation crab meat, also called surimi, crab sticks, or kani, is a popular ingredient for adding affordable seafood flavor. Made from fish paste and shellfish flavoring, it resembles shredded crab meat. With its mild briny taste and flaky texture, imitation crab works great in many dishes. But what exactly can you make with this versatile product?

As a home cook who loves whipping up quick, budget-friendly meals, I rely on handy ingredients like imitation crab. Over the years, I’ve discovered countless ways to transform those bags of frozen crab sticks into appetizing lunches, dinners, snacks, and more for my family. Here are my top 25 recipe ideas for putting imitation crab meat to delicious use.

Salads and Starters

Imitation crab makes an excellent addition to chilled salads and fresh appetizers. Its light flavor complements crunchy vegetables leafy greens and zesty dressings.

Crab Salad – Shredded imitation crab, mayo, onions, and celery for a classic seafood salad.
Crab Dip – Hot and creamy imitation crab dip with cream cheese, spices, and green onions. Serve with crackers or chips.
Crab Rangoon – Cream cheese and crab wontons fried crispy, with sweet and sour dipping sauce.
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms – Fake crab mixes with cream cheese and breadcrumbs for a tasty stuffed mushroom
Crab Cakes – Formed into patties and pan-fried into crispy crab cakes, flavored with Old Bay seasoning.

Pasta Dishes

The shredded texture of imitation crab makes it a perfect topping for all kinds of hot pasta recipes. Get your seafood fix with these crab-enhanced noodles.

Crab Alfredo – Toss crab meat with fettuccine and rich, creamy Alfredo sauce for an elegant dish.
Crab Mac and Cheese – For an indulgent twist, add imitation crab to everyone’s favorite cheesy pasta.
Crab Scampi – Sautée crab with linguine, garlic, white wine, lemon, and parsley for restaurant-quality scampi.
Crab Lasagna – Layer lasagna noodles with imitation crab, ricotta, mozzarella, and marinara sauce.
Crab Carbonara – Sauté crab in bacon, eggs, parmesan, and black pepper for a seafood carbonara.

Asian Fusion Recipes

From sushi to noodle bowls, imitation crab is used in many Asian recipes. Embrace your inner chef with these East-meets-West crab creations.

California Rolls – Roll up crab sticks, avocado and cucumber in sushi rice and nori seaweed.
Crab Fried Rice – Toss crab meat with rice, eggs, peas, carrots, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Crab Rangoon Pizza – Top a pizza crust with crab and cream cheese rangoon filling for an inventive flatbread.
Crab Wonton Soup – Float crab-stuffed wontons in chicken broth with bok choy, scallions, and ginger.
Crab Rangoon Egg Rolls – For an extra crispy twist, wrap the crab and cream cheese mixture in egg roll wrappers.

Seafood Mains and Sides

Imitation crab also pairs well with fish and shellfish as part of a main course or side dish. Use it to add extra seafood goodness to these recipes:

Crab-Stuffed Fish – Stuff white fish like tilapia or cod with a crab and breadcrumb mixture, then bake.
Crab Topped Salmon – Top baked salmon filets with imitation crab and lemon pepper.
Crab Potatoes – Mix imitation crab with mashed potatoes or diced potatoes for a seafood twist.
Crab Stuffed Tomatoes – Scoop out cherry tomatoes and stuff with a crab salad mixture for a pretty side.
Crab Étouffée – Make a Louisiana classic with imitation crab, shrimp, and a spicy tomato-based sauce over rice.

Simple Snacks and Appetizers

Imitation crab also comes in handy for easy snacks, spreads, and bite-sized apps. Whip these up fast when guests come over or for a tasty lunch.

Crab Melts – Pile crab salad onto toasted English muffins or bread and melt cheese on top.
Crab Quesadillas – Sauté crab with onions and peppers, then stuff in a tortilla with cheese for quick quesadillas.
Crab Pinwheels – Spread crab dip onto tortillas, roll up, and slice for handy crab pinwheel snacks.
Crab Celery Sticks – Stuff celery stalks with creamy imitation crab salad.
Crab Lettuce Wraps – Spoon crab salad into lettuce leaves for a tasty handheld bite.

Creative Uses for Leftover Crab

Don’t let extra crab go to waste! Find fun ways to use up leftover imitation crab meat:

Add to seafood chowders or bisques for extra flavor
Mix into tuna or chicken salad for a crab twist
Fold into omelets, frittatas, or scrambled eggs
Top a baked potato along with bacon, cheese, and green onions
Make crab popsicles by blending with cream cheese and freezing

With so many possibilities, imitation crab meat is an amazing versatile and budget-friendly staple. This handy pantry item makes whipping up seafood meals and snacks quick and easy. What will you make with imitation crab next?

what to do with fake crab meat

Best Imitation Crab Recipes

This delicious crab twice-baked potatoes are the perfect side dish for any meal. Theyre made with simple ingredients like potatoes, butter, milk, sour cream, cheese, and crab. The potatoes are baked until soft, then scooped out and mixed with the other ingredients. After being piped back into the potato skins, the dish is baked until the cheese melts and bubbles. These potatoes are sure to be a hit at your next gathering!.

IMITATION CRAB SUSHI BAKE

This fake crab sushi bake recipe is a fun way to enjoy the flavors of sushi without all the work that goes into making real sushi. Its perfect for sushi lovers who want something quick and easy, with a cheesy, creamy twist.

This recipe’s easy-to-find ingredients make it great for a weeknight dinner or a get-together with friends on the weekend. This sushi bake is sure to become a new favorite. The top is golden brown and crispy, and the taste is savory and umami.

What Can I Make With… Imitation Crab! | Cooking for Two | 4 Easy Recipes using Imitation Crabmeat

FAQ

What is imitation crab meat used for?

In a pinch, you can use imitation crab in any recipe that calls for the real thing, and you’ll save money in the process. It cooks and tastes almost identical to real crab meat, so use it in salads, spreads, and sandwiches to taste a bit of the sea any time of the year.

Is imitation crab meat healthy?

It’s a highly processed food containing minced fillet, egg whites, salt, sugar, and other additives to make it look like real crab meat. It’s more affordable, but less nutritious, than fresh crab meat. The decision is yours to make as to which you’ll buy for dinner.

What is the best way to cook crab meat?

One of the most popular ways to cook a crab, especially in Maryland and along the eastern shore, steaming provides an even and gentle cook for the delicate meat. The extreme heat caused by the method brings exquisite flavor into it without as much of a threat of overcooking.