How Imitation Crab is Made: The Complete Manufacturing Process

Imitation crab, often called surimi, is a popular ingredient in many dishes like California rolls and seafood salads But despite its name, imitation crab doesn’t actually contain any real crab meat. So what is it made of and how is it manufactured?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at the entire production process for imitation crab and reveal what goes into making this fishy imposter.

What is Imitation Crab Made Of?

The main ingredient in imitation crab is a paste made from fish called surimi. Surimi is a Japanese word that means “ground meat.”

To make surimi, white fish like Alaska pollock, cod, or hake are first caught or harvested. The fish heads, bones, skin, and fins are removed until only the lean muscle is left. This meat is then ground into a paste and mixed with additives like:

• Salt
• Egg whites
• Wheat flour
• MSG
• Sorbitol
• Artificial crab flavoring
• Red coloring

The resulting surimi paste is then shaped into blocks and tubes to resemble crab legs, lobes, and shreds A coating of liquid is applied on the outside to help mimic the texture of real crab shell

While it contains real fish meat imitation crab is much lower in nutrients compared to real crab. The grinding and processing strips away many vitamins and minerals.

The Manufacturing Process Step-By-Step

Imitation crab is produced in factories using an extensive mechanized process. Here are the key steps involved:

1. Catching the Fish

The manufacturing process starts with catching fish like pollock in large quantities. This occurs out in oceans or seas near Alaska, Japan, and other regions. The fish are caught using trawlers, longline fishing, or pots/traps.

2. Fillet Removal

Once the fish arrive at the processing facility, workers begin removing the fillets – the prime meaty portions. This is done either by hand with knives or by machines which quickly slice the fish into fillets.

3. Mincing the Meat

The fillets then undergo mincing to grind them into a fine paste. They are forced through cone-shaped Metal breaker plates with tiny holes that pulverize the meat into a smooth consistency.

4. Mixing in Additives

Next, workers add ingredients like salt, egg whites, and crab flavoring to the meat paste. Mixers combine everything into one surimi batter. Salt helps extract moisture and firm up the proteins. Egg whites also aid in binding.

5. Pumping into Molds

The surimi mixture gets pumped into molds of different shapes – sheets, shreds, lumps, legs. It is pressed tightly into the molds to take on the crab-like forms.

6. Cooking & Freezing

The molded surimi then undergoes cooking and freezing. First it is partially cooked by steaming at precise temperatures to set the proteins. Then the surimi is rapidly frozen for preservation.

7. Coating & Drying

Once frozen, the surimi forms go through a glazing process. They are dipped or sprayed with a coating of liquid that helps seal in moisture and improves texture. Many formulas also contain crab flavors and orange dye. The glazed products are dried to solidify the coating.

8. Packaging & Shipping

Finally, the imitation crab preparations are packaged, labeled, and shipped out to grocery stores, restaurants, and other buyers. The products may be packaged chilled or frozen.

Making Imitation Crab Shreds

One popular form of imitation crab is shredded and stringed strips that look just like picked crabmeat. Here is an overview of how these crab shreds are made:

• Surimi paste is extruded through a metal plate with holes that form long strands
• The strands are cut into shorter pieces to look like shredded crabmeat
• They are colored and coated in a crab-flavored solution
• The shreds are frozen in bulk blocks
• Prior to packaging, the blocks are pressed through grating machines to break up clumps
• The final fluffed shreds are weighed and packaged either refrigerated or frozen

How Surimi is Different from Real Crab

While surimi does contain real fish, it differs from whole crab in a few key ways:

• Less nutritious – Grinding and processing strips away vitamins, minerals, and healthy fish oils. Surimi is much lower in nutrients compared to real crab.

• Artificial ingredients – Imitation crab contains many additives like MSG, sugar, sorbitol, artificial flavor and dye to mimic real crab.

• Textural differences – The process alters the texture substantially compared to whole crab meat. Imitation can be rubbery.

• Cost – Surimi is designed as an inexpensive alternative to pricy real crab. It costs a fraction of the price.

So while it may look similar, surimi lacks the nutritional value, flavor complexity, and delicate texture of real high-quality crab.

Is Imitation Crab Healthy to Eat?

Imitation crab is safe to eat, but it is much less healthy than whole crab meat. Here are some key nutritional considerations:

• High sodium – Most surimi contains extremely high levels of sodium, with over 300 mg per serving. This can increase blood pressure.

• Additives – Numerous additives are used like MSG, artificial coloring and flavors. Some may cause reactions in sensitive individuals.

• Fillers – Fillers like whitefish and starch make up the bulk of imitation crab. It is not all high-quality meat.

• Low protein – Protein levels are far lower compared to an equal serving of real crab. Imitation has around 7 grams per serving versus over 16 grams in real crab.

While eating imitation crab occasionally or in small amounts is likely fine for most people, it may be best limited in the diet due to the highly processed nature and low nutritional value.

Common Brands of Imitation Crab

Some of the major brands and manufacturers that dominate the imitation crab market include:

• Trident Seafoods – One of the largest surimi companies located in the Pacific Northwest. They produce Flake Style Imitation Crab and also supply Costco’s Kirkland brand.

• Trans-Ocean Products – A major producer of crab sticks, shreds, and legs sold under Blue Harbor, Aqua Valley, and other brands. Based in Illinois.

• Great American Seafood Imports – Located in Washington state, they make imitation crab sold under the Sea Legs brand name.

• Russian American Fish Company – Located in California, this company exports a large volume of surimi to Japan. Brands include Red Chamber and littleneck.

• Sea Fare Pacific – A surimi company based in Washington that produces shreds, chunks, and other products. Sold under the Sea Fare name.

The Bottom Line

While it’s not actually crab, imitation crab surimi provides an affordable alternative in dishes like seafood salads and sushi rolls. The manufacturing process involves taking white fish like pollock, grinding it into a paste, mixing in additives like MSG and crab flavor, and molding it into crab-like shapes. While safe to eat, imitation crab lacks the rich nutrition of real crab. Overall, it can be enjoyed occasionally but is best limited in the diet due to the high sodium, additives, and processing. Checking the label and looking for brands with fewer additives can help when buying imitation crab.