If you have eaten at a sushi restaurant, chances are you have seen California Rolls with imitation crab. This artificial crab is cheaper than real crab, making it attractive for restaurants. Is imitation crab gluten free?.
Since so many people like sushi, this is important to know if you have celiac disease or are sensitive to gluten.
Crab legs are a delicious seafood treat that many people love to eat. But for those on a gluten free diet, enjoying crab legs may seem tricky. After all, some seafood contains hidden sources of gluten like additives and thickening agents.
The good news is that crab legs are naturally gluten free! The meat inside crab legs does not contain gluten. This makes crab legs a safe and delicious option for those avoiding gluten.
In this complete guide, learn:
- Are crab legs gluten free?
- How to find gluten free crab legs
- Hidden gluten ingredients to watch for
- Preparing gluten free crab legs at home
- Ordering crab legs at restaurants
Plus get answers to common questions about eating crab legs on a gluten free diet!
Are Crab Legs Gluten Free?
Yes, crab legs are 100% naturally gluten free! The meat from crab legs does not contain any gluten.
Crab legs come from crabs like king crab, snow crab, and Dungeness crab. The legs are removed from the body of the crab at processing plants. The meat is extracted from the hard shell of the legs.
The crab meat itself does not contain any gluten. Crabs do not produce or eat any gluten, so it is not present in their bodies. This makes the raw crab leg meat totally gluten free.
So you can eat crab legs on their own without any worries about gluten exposure. But some other ingredients served with crab legs may contain gluten.
How to Find Gluten Free Crab Legs
When buying pre-cooked crab legs, check the ingredients list for any added ingredients. Here are some things to look for:
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Broths or Sauces Pre-seasoned crab legs may be cooked or tossed in a broth or sauce Watch for additions like soy sauce, which contains gluten
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Stuffing: Some stuffed crab legs have a filler like breadcrumbs in the stuffing mix. Opt for plain crab legs without stuffing.
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Preservatives Crab legs with preservatives may contain malt vinegar or other gluten sources Look for additive-free options.
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Breading or Batter: Breaded crab legs or crab cakes contain gluten from breading. Avoid these options.
Your safest bet is to choose plain crab legs without any added ingredients. Then you can season them yourself at home with gluten free ingredients.
When buying fresh uncooked crab legs, no need to worry about hidden gluten. Raw crab legs only contain crab meat.
Frozen crab legs may have added water or preservatives, so check the ingredients. Opt for thawed uncooked crab legs when possible.
Hidden Gluten Ingredients to Watch For
When cooking or eating out, there are some common ingredients that can add gluten to otherwise gluten free crab legs:
Sauces and Condiments
Many dipping sauces and spreads contain gluten:
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Soy Sauce: Regular soy sauce contains wheat. Use tamari or coconut aminos instead.
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Fish Sauce: Some brands add wheat. Choose a gluten free fish sauce.
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Teriyaki Sauce: Often contains soy sauce, wheat, or malt vinegar. Opt for a gluten free brand.
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Tartar Sauce: May have fillers like breadcrumbs or malt vinegar. Check ingredients or make your own.
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Cocktail Sauce: Sometimes includes gluten-containing worcestershire sauce. Use gluten free worcestershire to make your own.
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Butter: Flavored butters can contain gluten. Opt for plain butter, ghee, or olive oil instead.
Thickeners and Starch
Watch for hidden thickeners:
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Flour: Wheat flour is sometimes used to thicken broths and sauces.
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Cornstarch: Can be contaminated with gluten during processing. Opt for tapioca or potato starch instead.
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Breading: Don’t eat breaded fried crab cakes or stuffed crab with breadcrumbs.
Imitation Crab Meat
Imitation crab meat or seafood extender contains gluten from fillers and starch. Avoid “krab” and opt for real crab.
Marinades and Rubs
Homemade and store-bought spice mixes may have gluten from:
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Soy Sauce: In teriyaki marinades and Asian spice blends.
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Malt Vinegar: Sometimes added to seafood seasonings.
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Flour or Breadcrumbs: Used as fillers in some seasoning blends.
Check all ingredients before marinating raw crab legs at home. Make your own spice rubs to control ingredients.
How to Prepare Gluten Free Crab Legs at Home
Preparing plain crab legs at home lets you control how they are seasoned. Here are some tips:
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Opt for raw crab: Buy raw, unseasoned frozen or thawed crab legs. This avoids any pre-made sauces or brines.
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Make your own sauces: Create gluten free dipping sauces using ingredients like olive oil, lemon, garlic, gluten free tamari, etc.
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Use clean utensils: Prevent cross-contact by using separate pots, pans, tongs, etc. to cook the crab legs if you handle gluten foods with the same ones.
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Skip the stuffing: Don’t stuff crab legs yourself, as most stuffings contain bread. Enjoy the crab meat on its own.
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Watch the grill: If grilling, make sure to clean the grill racks first. Avoid places that cook gluten-containing kabobs or other items right on the grill.
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Check shared oils: If frying crab legs, make sure the oil hasn’t been used to also cook breaded foods. Use fresh clean oil in your own pot.
With these simple precautions, you can safely cook delicious gluten free crab legs at home!
How to Order Gluten Free Crab Legs at Restaurants
Many restaurants serve crab legs, but not all options may be gluten free. Here are some tips for ordering:
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Ask how they are prepared: Request plain crab legs steamed or boiled without sauce. Avoid breaded/fried options.
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Verify no coatings: Confirm they don’t coat or season the crab legs with any flour or gluten-containing ingredients before cooking.
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Ask about shared fryers: If ordering fried crab cakes or calamari, make sure they use separate, dedicated fryers to avoid cross-contamination.
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Choose gluten free sides: Pair your crab legs with fresh steamed veggies or baked potato instead of pasta or breaded sides.
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Request gluten free sauces: Ask for olive oil or lemon wedges instead of tartar sauce or cocktail sauce made with Worcestershire.
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Check shared surfaces: Make sure they don’t use the same cutting boards or utensils to prepare wheat-based dishes without disinfecting first.
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Specify a gluten free meal: Ask the server to ensure your entire meal is prepared gluten free, including sides, utensils, and surfaces.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Servers should be knowledgeable about potential gluten exposure. Be picky to safely enjoy crab legs out.
Common Questions About Eating Crab Legs Gluten Free
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Are snow crab legs gluten free?
Yes, snow crab legs contain 100% natural crab meat with no gluten.
Can you eat soft shell crab on a gluten free diet?
Soft shell crab is safe if it is not breaded or fried in contaminated oil. Ask restaurants how it is prepared.
Is imitation crab gluten free?
No, imitation crab meat contains fillers and additives with gluten. Stick to real crab meat.
Are canned crab meat and crab cakes gluten free?
Check ingredients since additives are common. Best to use fresh crab meat and make your own crab cakes at home.
Is Old Bay seasoning gluten free?
Yes, Old Bay and most crab boil seasonings are gluten free! Just check labels to be safe.
What are good gluten free options for dipping sauces?
Try lemon butter, olive oil, or homemade sauces made with gluten free ingredients like tamari, vinegar, spices, etc.
Enjoy Delicious Gluten Free Crab Legs
When prepared properly without gluten-containing additives, crab legs are a tasty gluten free food you can feel good about eating. Follow these tips to safely order crab legs in restaurants or cook them yourself at home.
What Is Imitation Crab?
Imitation crab is crab made with non-crab ingredients. Imitation crab is used frequently at sushi restaurants because it is less expensive than real crab meat.
There is something a little strange about crab sticks made from white fish that has been ground up into a paste. This paste combines binding agents like egg wheat and other ingredients to form it into sticks.
White fish meat, like wild Alaska pollock, modified food starch, vegetable oil, and egg whites are common things that are used to make fake crab. These are mashed into a fish paste and then molded in stick form. These fish products also have artificial crab flavorings like monosodium glutamate (msg). It is filled with common additives and occasionally wheat flour or malt vinegar.
You can taste the difference between real fresh crab and imitation. I always opt for the real thing when I can. There is real crab meat available at some restaurants, but it costs more than fake crab meat.
You can often tell the crab is artificial by the name on the package. Krab is often spelled with a K instead of a C. Imitation crab is also uniform in size and shape, making all crab sticks identical. Real crab has color and size variations.
Imitation crab is used in crab cakes, sushi, seafood salads, crab rolls, crab rangoon, etc. Read Is Fish Sauce Gluten Free before you make the crab with any other Asian sauces.
Before you buy imitation crab, you should always read the label to make sure it is gluten-free. If you are new to gluten free living, this gluten-free guide will help you get started!.
Answer: Is Imitation Crab Gluten Free?
No, imitation crab is NOT gluten free. It is filled with gluten ingredients, including wheat. See below for a list of gluten free imitation crab brands. A few brands make gluten-free imitation crab, but not many. With all of its added ingredients, imitation crab is a bit like junk food. Many joke crab sticks are about as good as a hot dog.
Imitation crab is full of gums, coloring, and preservatives. It also often includes MSG, which many can not eat without a reaction.
This Is Sushi Gluten Free article can learn more about gluten and sushi.
