You can make sushi at home with this crab salad recipe. It’s so easy! All you have to do is make the simple sauce and add the chopped crab stick. You can shred or shop your fake crab sticks however finely you like. I like to cut mine to about half an inch long before shredding them.
Before you start making sushi, please read the Sushi Beginners Guide. It has all the basics, a frequently asked questions section, and information on where to find the ingredients you need. This site focuses on Americanized/Westernized sushi, check out the Types of Sushi page to learn more!.
If youre looking for a spicy version of this, check out my spicy crab salad recipe!
Sushi is a delicious Japanese dish that has become popular worldwide While you can buy premade sushi rolls at the grocery store or order them at restaurants, there’s nothing quite like rolling your own sushi at home. One of the most popular sushi fillings is crab mix, also known as kani or surimi Making your own crab mix allows you to customize the flavor and texture while saving money. Read on to learn everything you need to know about making crab mix for sushi!
What is Crab Mix?
Crab mix, sometimes called kani or kamaboko, refers to imitation crab meat used as a filling in sushi rolls and other Japanese dishes. It is typically made from minced white fish such as pollock or cod that has been processed to resemble the taste, texture, and appearance of real crab meat.
The fish is seasoned, colored, shaped into sticks or chunks, and cooked before being packaged and sold. While not as pricey as real crab, it provides a similar sweet, briny flavor at a fraction of the cost. This makes it a budget-friendly choice for homemade sushi night!
Benefits of Making Your Own
While you can certainly purchase ready-made crab sticks or salad. there are some advantages to preparing your own crab mix at home
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Cost savings – Making it yourself is cheaper than buying ready-to-use crab sticks or salad from the store.
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Control ingredients – You can tweak flavors to your taste by adjusting seasonings and spiciness.
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Custom textures – Blend to your desired chunkiness or creaminess.
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Versatility – Use in sushi rolls, seaweed salads, rice bowls, appetizers, etc.
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Fun activity – It’s an easy DIY project for at-home sushi night with friends or family!
Ingredients Needed
Making crab mix only requires a few simple ingredients:
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Imitation crab – Also called surimi; found in sticks, chunks or flakes.
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Mayonnaise – Adds richness and binds mixture; Japanese mayo like Kewpie is ideal.
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Seasonings – Rice vinegar, salt, sugar, sriracha, etc. to taste.
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Garnishes – Scallions, sesame seeds, avocado, etc.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these easy steps for delicious homemade crab mix:
1. Prep the Crab Meat
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If using crab sticks, slice into small pieces. For chunks or flakes, simply transfer to a bowl.
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For a finer texture, pulse in a food processor until broken down but not pureed.
2. Make the Dressing
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In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, rice vinegar, salt, sugar, sriracha, etc. to taste.
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For spicy crab salad, add more sriracha. For milder flavor, reduce or omit.
3. Combine and Season
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Add crab meat to dressing and fold gently to coat.
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Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Add more mayo for creamier texture.
4. Garnish and Serve
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Transfer to a serving bowl and top with sliced scallions, avocado, sesame seeds, etc.
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Serve crab salad over sushi rice, seaweed, cucumbers, or alone as a dip.
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Use as filling for sushi rolls, hand rolls, rice bowls, seaweed salads, and more!
Tips for the Best Results
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Use chilled ingredients for optimal texture.
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Be gentle when folding mayo into crab to prevent mushiness.
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For sushi rolls, don’t overfill or mixture will squeeze out.
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Chill crab salad thoroughly before using as sushi filling.
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Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
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For variety, add diced mango, carrot, cucumber, avocado, etc.
Putting Crab Mix to Use
Homemade crab salad has endless possibilities! Here are some delicious ways to eat it:
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Inside sushi rolls – California roll, spicy crab roll, cucumber crab roll, etc.
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Spicy crab hand roll – With seaweed, sushi rice, and spicy mayo.
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Crab salad wraps – Spoon into lettuce leaves for a low-carb option.
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Crab salad stuffed avocado – For a tasty appetizer or light meal.
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Seaweed crab salad – Fold through seasoned seaweed and cucumber.
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Crab sushi bowl – Over sushi rice with extra veggies and spicy mayo.
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Crab stuffed mushrooms – For a hot appetizer option.
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Crab salad dip – Serve with crackers, celery, bell peppers.
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Crab salad sandwich – On toasted brioche or croissant.
The possibilities are endless!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is imitation crab made of?
Imitation crab typically contains fish like Alaskan pollock or cod that has been minced, seasoned, and processed to resemble crab meat.
Can I use real crab meat instead?
You can substitute real crab meat for a more authentic flavor, but it will be more expensive.
What is sushi rice?
Sushi rice is a short-grain Japanese rice that gets seasoned with rice vinegar. It has a sticky texture perfect for shaping sushi.
Can I use other types of rice?
It’s best to use sushi rice. Long grain rices won’t have the right texture. But you can enjoy crab salad over any rice!
How long does homemade crab salad last?
Store crab salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Sushi rolls with crab mix will last 1-2 days.
Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Sushi at Home
Making your own crab mix is an easy, affordable way to enjoy delicious sushi and other Japanese dishes at home. Customize the flavors to suit your tastes. And get creative with how you use crab salad in appetizers, rice bowls, inside rolls, and more. With a little practice, you’ll be rolling sushi like a pro!
How do I make crab salad for sushi?
Crab salad is made by combining Japanese mayo, imitation crab sticks (or crab meat), and other flavoring. See the recipe below for more details!.
Is crab salad healthy?
Because it has a lot of mayo, which is high in calories, crab salad for sushi isn’t the healthiest choice. If you want to eat something less unhealthy, make a California Roll with just crab stick instead of crab salad.