Where to Buy Imitation Crab: Your Guide to Finding the Best Brands

Imitation crab, also known as surimi, crab sticks, or krab, is a popular seafood product made from processed fish With its crab-like flavor and shredded texture, it makes a convenient addition to various dishes and snacks. But finding a high-quality brand can be challenging when you’re faced with the dizzying freezer section options at your local grocery store This guide will provide tips on where to buy the best imitation crab so you can easily locate a brand you’ll love.

Checking the Freezer Section at Your Local Grocery Store

The freezer section of your grocery store is the most convenient and budget-friendly place to find imitation crab. Most major supermarkets will carry a few different brands to choose from Some of the most common nationwide brands you’re likely to encounter include

Chicken of the Sea
Louis Kemp Crab Delights
Aquamar
Trans-Ocean
Beaver Street Fisheries Sea Best
Gorton’s

When evaluating freezer section options, check the ingredients list and nutrition facts. Look for brands made from fish like Alaskan pollock or Pacific whiting from sustainable fisheries. The fewer filler ingredients like excessive starches or phosphates, the better. And aim for brands with lower sodium levels if that’s a concern for you.

It can take some trial and error to see which freezer aisle brand has the best flavor, texture, and quality to suit your preferences. Ask seafood counter staff for recommendations of their top-selling imitation crab brands. And don’t be afraid to try a few until you land on a favorite.

Venturing to Asian Grocery Stores

For more variety and authentic Japanese-style surimi, visit an Asian grocery store. You’ll discover imitation crab options and brands you won’t find at a typical mainstream supermarket, often at budget-friendly prices. Explore the frozen section as well as refrigerated deli case areas.

Some top brands to look for include:

Marutama
Osaki
Yamasa
Shirakiku
Kanikama

Shopping at an Asian market allows you to find imported brands made from fish like cod, pollock, and real crab extracts. You can also discover unique ready-to-eat packages of seasoned surimi.

Ask staff members in the seafood department for their recommended imitation crab products. And if you have a favorite brand, don’t be shy to request they carry it if not already in stock. Most markets aim to cater their selection to community needs and tastes.

Purchasing from Online Seafood Companies

Can’t find the imitation crab brand you want nearby? Turn to online seafood retailers and subscription services. Companies like Thrive Market, Wild Alaskan Company, Sitka Salmon Shares, and Vital Choice let you order top surimi brands for delivery straight to your door.

Benefits of online purchasing include:

Wider selection of brands like Dyna-Sea and Trans-Ocean
Frozen shipping ensures optimum freshness
Delivery right to your home
Bulk purchasing options to save money
Sustainable sourcing practices

Check the reviews and return policies before ordering. And opt for overnight shipping if possible, especially during warm weather months. Pro tip: Place surimi packs in your refrigerator as soon as they arrive before transferring to the freezer for optimal quality.

Things to Look for When Buying Imitation Crab

Ingredients: Look for real crab or seafood extracts, not just “artificial crab flavor.” Quality brands will primarily contain fish, not starches.
Texture: The shredded meat should feel tender and moist. Avoid any with a mushy or rubbery texture.
Smell: Surimi should have a pleasant, mild seafood scent without any “fishy” odor.
Color: Opt for a natural light pink or white color, not bright neon red which indicates dyes.
Packaging: Resealable, undamaged packaging keeps moisture in. And sustainable options like aluminum are eco-friendly.

By doing a bit of research and shopping around, you can find amazing imitation crab to suit your preferences and budget. Ask seafood clerks for recommendations, browse international grocery store offerings, or order online for the widest selection. With quality surimi on hand, you’ll be ready to add crab flavor to everything from sushi rolls to salads any night of the week.

where to buy imitation crab

Imitation Crab Near MeBuy your favorite Imitation Crab online with Instacart. Order Imitation Crab from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.

Turning on notifications for the Instacart app
Keep an eye out for calls and texts from your Instacart shopper.”
Giving people helpful directions on how to park, gate codes, or other ways to find your house

Delivery fees start at $3. 99 for same-day orders over $35. There are different prices for deliveries within an hour, to club stores, and for deliveries under $35.
Service fees depend on where you are and the number and types of items in your cart, among other things. Orders containing alcohol have a separate service fee.
Tipping is optional but encouraged for delivery orders. You can show your customer how much you appreciate and thank them for great service. There is 10% of your tip that goes directly to the person who delivers your order.

With an optional Instacart+ membership, you can get $0 delivery fee on every order over $35 and lower service fees too. Instacart pickup cost:

There may be a “pickup fee” of $1 for your order, which is the same as a delivery fee for pick-up orders. 99 for non-Instacart+ members. Instacart+ membership waives this like it would a delivery fee.
No matter if you are a member of Instacart or not, there are no service fees for pick-up orders.

Find Best Match: If nothing else is chosen, your shopper will use their best judgment to choose a replacement for your item.
Pick Specific Replacement: If your first choice is sold out, you can choose a specific alternative for the customer to buy.
Choose “Dont Replace” for items you don’t want to replace. If the item is out of stock, you’ll get your money back.

Missing items
Incorrect items
Damaged items
Poor replacements
Early/late orders

If an order never came, or you get someone else’s order, you can reach out to Instacart Customer Experience. Yes! You can get Imitation Crab products delivered same-day in as fast as one hour from stores near you using the Instacart app or website.

What Is Imitation Crab Meat Actually Made Of?

FAQ

Can you buy imitation crab at the grocery store?

More often than not, you’ll find imitation crab at grocery stores that sell “fresh fish.” You should see it either in the frozen section or in the refrigerated aisle. Look for packaging that says “imitation crab,” “crab-flavored seafood,” or “surimi seafood.”

Is imitation crab still good for you?

Being a highly-processed, additive-rich, and less nutritious alternative to real crab, imitation crab has some of these drawbacks: Health concerns. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assigned a “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) status to many of the additives that are used in imitation crabs.

What is another name for imitation crab?

Most imitation crab products will be labeled as “imitation.” However you may see it go by many names, both in grocery stores and in restaurants, including “crab sticks,” “crab-flavored seafood,” “surimi seafood,” “krab,” and in Japan it is known as “kamaboko.”

How to get imitation crab?

You’ll find imitation crab in seafood salads, sushi rolls, hotpots, and more on restaurant menus, and you can shop for it in the refrigerated or frozen section of your supermarket.