If you want to make these tasty crab cakes, you can use real crab meat or fake crab meat. The spices are just right for both kids and adults. They’re ready in 20 minutes and only need a few simple ingredients. If you are looking for imitation crab recipes, be sure to bookmark this one!.
My family couldn’t believe I made these myself because they taste like they came from a fancy restaurant. But they were easy to make and cook! You can eat these crab cakes right off the stove or on a bun.
Imitation crab meat, also known as surimi, can be a versatile ingredient for home cooks. Made from fish paste that mimics the flavor and texture of real crab, it provides a budget-friendly way to enjoy “crab” flavors. But what exactly should you make with it? Here are 17 tasty ways to use imitation crab meat.
Appetizers and Snacks
Imitation crab meat shines in crispy, creamy, and flavorful appetizers Set out a spread of these crabby snacks at your next party or game day get-together
-
Crab rangoon – Cream cheese and crab wontons are a classic starter, Fry or bake them crispy
-
Crab dip – Blend together imitation crab with cream cheese, spices, and veggies. Chill and serve with crackers or chips.
-
Stuffed mushrooms – Fill mushroom caps with a mix of imitation crab, breadcrumbs, cheeses, and seasonings.
-
Crab salad rolls – Make an easy salad with crab sticks, celery, onion, and mayo. Wrap in crescent rolls or croissants.
-
Crab melts – Top bread or English muffins with crab salad and melt cheese on top. Broil until bubbly.
Salads and Slaws
The chunks and shreds of imitation crab complement fresh, crunchy vegetables. Toss crab sticks into these light salads.
-
Classic crab salad – Mix imitation crab with mayo or Greek yogurt, celery, onion, lemon juice, and herbs.
-
Seafood pasta salad – Toss corkscrew pasta with imitation crab, shrimp, peas, Parmesan, and Italian dressing.
-
Crab slaw – Shred napa or green cabbage. Add shredded carrot, crab sticks, scallion, and rice vinegar dressing.
-
Kani salad – Japanese-inspired salad with imitation crab, cucumber, radish sprouts, avocado, and spicy mayo dressing.
-
Mexican crab salad – Imitation crab, tomatoes, bell pepper, avocado, cilantro, lime, and chipotle ranch dressing.
Hot Sandwiches
The sweet flavor of imitation crab complements hot sandwiches. Bake these crabby sandwiches until golden and melty.
-
Crab melt sandwich – Crab salad patty topped with sliced tomato and melted cheese on bread.
-
Crab cake sandwich – Make crab cakes with imitation crab and pan fry. Serve on rolls with remoulade sauce.
-
Crab po’ boy – Fry up crab sticks, mushrooms, bell peppers, and onion. Pile onto a hoagie with spicy mayo.
-
Crab grilled cheese – Slices of imitation crab with cheddar or havarti cheese between buttery, grilled bread.
Pasta Dishes
Chunks and shreds of imitation crab add rich flavor to creamy or tomato-based pasta dishes.
-
Crab Alfredo – Tossimitation crab with fettuccine, garlic, Parmesan, and alfredo sauce.
-
Cheesy crab pasta – Creamy sauce with imitation crab, peas, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and cheese.
-
Crab linguine – Tossed with lump crab meat, basil, white wine-lemon sauce, and Parmesan.
-
Crab mac and cheese – Fold chunks of imitation crab into cheesy baked macaroni. Top with breadcrumbs.
-
Crabby tomato pasta – Imitation crab with ziti, diced tomatoes, and garlic in tomato cream sauce.
Asian Fusion Dishes
Imitation crab sticks are versatile for Asian cooking. Add them to rice bowls, noodle dishes, soups, and more.
-
Crab fried rice – Scramble crab sticks, peas, carrots, eggs, and green onion with rice.
-
Crab lo mein – Sauté crab sticks with lo mein noodles, napa cabbage, bell pepper, and oyster sauce.
-
Miso crab soup – Fold imitation crab into hot broth with miso paste, tofu, mushrooms, and scallions.
-
Spicy crab ramen – Top ramen with imitation crab, boiled eggs, chili oil, and crisp veggies.
Hearty Mains
For a filling meal, add imitation crab to casseroles, skillets, or sheet pan dinners.
-
Crab enchiladas – Fill tortillas with imitation crab and top with red or green enchilada sauce and cheese.
-
Crab quiche – Bake eggs, imitation crab, spinach, and Swiss in a flaky pie crust.
-
Crab pot pie – Mix imitation crab with corn, peas, and white sauce. Top flaky crust and bake.
-
Cheesy crab skillet – Brown crab sticks, zucchini, and bell pepper. Mix with rice and cheese.
How to Pick Imitation Crab Meat
With so many uses for imitation crab, it’s worth buying quality crab sticks and shreds. Here are tips for choosing great crab meat:
-
Check the ingredients for “Alaska pollock” surimi – This fish makes the best-tasting imitation crab.
-
Seek out brands marked “Product of USA.” They’re typically higher quality.
-
Look for crab sticks with a translucent, glossy appearance without spots or blemishes.
-
Give shreds a sniff test. Good imitation crab smells pleasantly briny, like the ocean.
-
Avoid bargain bags of pure white crab meat chunks – This is often lower grade.
With the right recipe, imitation crab can be delicious in its own right. It provides versatility, convenience, and budget savings. Just open a pack and get cooking up these crabtastic dishes. Your family will be hooked on the crab favor!
Suggested Side Dishes
These tasty and easy crab cakes, whether they are real or fake, will definitely be the star of any meal you make. Here are some great ideas for tasty sides to go with them.
Cilantro lime dip is great with tortilla chips and margaritas, or you can put it on fish, chicken, or burgers to make them taste even better!
Quinoa Chickpea Salad: This dish is tasty and good for you. It can be a side dish or a light meatless main dish.
Parmesan Dill Dinner Biscuits: These tasty whole wheat dinner biscuits are spiced up with dill and parmesan cheese. They go well with almost any main dish or as a starter.
Chipotle Lime Cole Slaw: Whew! This simple cole slaw tastes SO good, you won’t believe it!
Hearty Homemade Corn Chowder – Cozy up to a big bowl of this homemade corn chowder! Easy to make with either fresh or frozen corn, it’s a great year-round soup!
To keep your crab cakes from falling apart, try adding some flour. You can start with a little bit and work your way up to ¼ cup. This will help to bind the ingredients together a bit better.
Types of Crab Meat
- This is the most expensive because there isn’t a lot of this kind of meat on a crab. However, it is also the most substantial!.
- Large lump crab meat is cheaper than the large lump crab meat, but it’s still very heavy and tastes great in crab cakes.
- This type of crab meat is a bit flakier than lump crab meat. Since more of it is on each crab, it costs less because it comes from the crab’s body.
- One of the real crab options is claw, which costs the least. There is a stronger taste to claw crab meat, and most people like jumbo lump, lump, or backfin crab meat for a good crab cake.
- Imitation crabmeat – this is the least expensive option. Since food costs so much these days, I’m more likely to pick this option.
What Can I Make With… Imitation Crab! | Cooking for Two | 4 Easy Recipes using Imitation Crabmeat
Are imitation crab recipes budget-friendly?
These imitation crab recipes are budget-friendly but rich in fresh, creamy flavor. Experience a range of dishes, from a beautifully simple seafood pasta salad to a deviled crab and cream cheese ball. Take your pick from 11 of our most satisfying imitation crab recipes.
What are the best imitation crab recipes?
Here are some of the best imitation crab recipes. Try spicy mango kani salad, an imitation crab salad popular at sushi restaurant classic. Crab rangoon, a hot imitation crab dip in crispy wonton wrappers, is another delicious way to use it and here are 70 more great crab recipes. Imitation crab works great in most recipes calling for real crab too.
How do you cook imitation crab meat?
Imitation crabmeat tends to dry out and lose it’s lovely texture if overcooked. Just a few minutes in the pan with butter or olive oil is perfect. The combination of garlic and Old Bay spice will give this recipe it’s nice golden brown color. If you often have fake crab meat in your fridge, there are lots of great recipes you can make.
What to eat with imitation crab meat?
You’ll love this one! It’s made with basic pantry ingredients. Mix in shredded imitation crab meat, mayonnaise, minced onions, celery, dill, salt, and pepper. Chill for an hour, and it’s ready to be served! This goes wonderfully with dinner rolls. You can even make it into a sandwich with lightly toasted white bread.