15 Amazing Recipes to Make with Imitation Crab Meat

Imitation crab meat, also known as surimi, can be a budget-friendly alternative to pricey real crab. With its mild sweet flavor and flaky texture, this versatile seafood substitute works great in a variety of dishes. From appetizers and snacks to main courses and salads, read on for 15 delicious ways to use imitation crab meat in your cooking.

Imitation crab meat is a seafood product made from white fish that has been pulverized and shaped to resemble real crab meat. Also known as crab sticks, krab sea legs, or kanikama this popular ingredient consists of fish meat, starch, egg white, sugar, salt, and additives like crab flavoring or red coloring.

Though not as rich and succulent as real crab, imitation crab has a pleasant sweetness and costs a fraction of the price It holds its shape well when cooked, making it perfect for crab cakes, dips, stuffed recipes, sushi rolls, and more With a milder flavor that kids and picky eaters tend to enjoy, it can be used in a variety of family-friendly dishes.

When purchasing imitation crab meat, opt for a reputable brand and check the ingredients list. High-quality products will have Pollock, Cod, Alaskan Pollock, or Hoki as the first ingredient, followed by water, wheat starch, and various natural flavors. Avoid products with excessive filler ingredients. Store unopened imitation crab in the refrigerator and use within a week of opening.

Now let’s get to those recipes! Here are 15 delicious ways to put imitation crab meat to use in your kitchen:

1. Imitation Crab Salad

A crab salad makes a light and refreshing meal for lunch or a summer picnic. To make one with imitation crab:

• Shred or chop 1 lb imitation crab meat and place in a bowl.

• Add chopped celery, halved grape tomatoes, minced red onion, fresh dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

• Gently fold the ingredients together until combined.

• For an extra creamy salad, stir in some Greek yogurt or mayonnaise.

• Chill the salad before serving on a bed of lettuce or scooped onto crackers.

2. Imitation Crab Dip

Whip up this easy hot crab dip for your next party!

• Sauté 1 lb imitation crab with minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning.

• Transfer the crab to a baking dish. Top with shredded cheddar and Monterey jack cheese.

• Bake until bubbly and top with sliced green onions.

• Serve the hot dip with crackers, bagel chips, or raw veggies for dipping.

3. Imitation Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

These crab-stuffed ‘shrooms make a decadent appetizer.

• Clean and remove stems from large mushroom caps.

• In a bowl, mix imitation crab meat, cream cheese, bread crumbs, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.

• Fill each mushroom cap with the crab mixture.

• Bake until mushrooms are tender and filling is hot.

• Top with melted butter and parsley before serving.

4. Imitation Crab Quiche

You can easily sneak imitation crab into this brunch-worthy quiche.

• Line a pie dish with ready-made pie crust and pre-bake until lightly browned.

• In a bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half or cream, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and hot sauce.

• Stir in chopped imitation crab meat. Pour into the pie crust.

• Top with shredded Swiss cheese. Bake at 400oF until set.

• Let quiche cool slightly before slicing and serving.

5. Imitation Crab Rangoon

For an Asian twist, try these crispy crab rangoon using wonton wrappers.

• Mix together imitation crab, cream cheese, green onions, garlic powder, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

• Place a small spoonful of filling onto each wonton wrapper.

• Brush the edges with egg wash and press corners together to seal.

• Fry the wontons in hot oil until golden brown.

• Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

6. Imitation Crab Sushi Rolls

Creating homemade sushi is easier than you think, especially with imitation crab.

• Pat out some prepared sushi rice on a nori sheet. Layer with imitation crab sticks, cucumbers, carrots, avocado, etc.

• Roll it up tightly, pressing the filling together.

• Slice the roll into rounds and top with sesame seeds or roe.

• Mix up soy sauce and wasabi for dipping.

7. Imitation Crab Cakes

For a different spin on crab cakes, use imitation crab instead of the real thing.

• Gently mix together chopped imitation crab, minced bell peppers, panko bread crumbs, egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, and scallions.

• Form into patties and coat with additional breadcrumbs.

• Pan fry the crab cakes until golden on both sides.

• Serve with lemon wedges and remoulade or tartar sauce.

8. Imitation Crab Spring Rolls

Imitation crab also works great in these handheld Vietnamese-style spring rolls.

• Prepare rice paper wrappers according to package directions.

• Fill them with imitation crab, rice vermicelli, shredded lettuce, carrots, cucumber, and fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, and basil.

• Fold the wrappers burrito-style and dip in peanut or nuoc cham dressing.

9. Imitation Crab Salad Sandwiches

Layer crab salad between slices of bread for a satisfying lunch.

• Make imitation crab salad by mixing the crab with mayo, lemon juice, diced celery, halved grape tomatoes, minced onion, mustard, salt, and pepper.

• Scoop the salad onto toasted white or wheat bread.

• Top it off with lettuce leaves and another slice of bread to make a sandwich.

10. Imitation Crab Casserole

Use imitation crab as the star ingredient in this cheesy casserole.

• Sauté imitation crab with chopped bell pepper, garlic, and Cajun seasoning.

• Transfer to a baking dish. Top with sautéed spinach, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.

• Bake until hot and bubbly then sprinkle with sliced scallions.

• Serve with crusty bread or over cooked pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

11. Imitation Crab Pizza

Piling imitation crab onto pizza makes for a fun and delicious pie!

• Spread pizza sauce over a prepared crust. Top with mozzarella cheese.

• Arrange pieces of imitation crab over the cheese.

• Add any other desired toppings like mushrooms, peppers, pineapple, etc.

• Bake pizza until the cheese is melted and crust is crisp.

• Finish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

12. Imitation Crab Pasta Salad

Imitation crab adds substance to this pasta salad staple.

• Cook pasta according to package directions, rinse, and let cool.

• Toss with imitation crab, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced olives, diced cucumber, shredded carrot, fresh parsley, lemon vinaigrette, salt, and pepper.

• For extra flavor and creaminess, mix in some pesto or Greek yogurt.

• Chill before serving.

13. Imitation Crab Lettuce Wraps

For a fun and messy meal, try these Asian-style lettuce wraps.

• Sauté imitation crab in sesame oil with minced garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.

• Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin, and toasted sesame seeds.

• Scoop the mixture into leaves of bibb lettuce, butter lettuce, or iceberg lettuce cups.

• Top with sliced scallions, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, and hot sauce or sriracha.

14. Imitation Crab Omelet

Jazz up your morning omelet by adding imitation crab.

• Sauté imitation crab with diced bell pepper and onions.

• In a bowl, beat eggs with milk or cream, salt, and pepper.

• Pour the eggs into a hot pan with melted butter or oil. Cook until starting to set then place the crab mix on one half of the omelet.

• When the bottom is cooked, fold the plain half of the omelet over the crab filling.

• Slide omelet onto a plate and serve hot.

15. Imitation Crab Fried Rice

Stir imitation crab meat into fried rice for a quick protein boost.

• Cook white rice according to package directions. Spread on a sheet pan to cool.

• Heat oil in a wok or