What to Cook with Imitation Crab Meat: 20 Delicious Recipes

Imitation crab meat, also known as surimi, can be a budget-friendly alternative to pricey real crab. Made from white fish that is pulverized and shaped to resemble flaky crab meat, it provides a mild sweet flavor and tender texture at a fraction of the cost. If you have a package of imitation crab meat in the fridge or freezer but aren’t sure how to use it, this article provides 20 delicious recipes to inspire you.

Benefits of Cooking with Imitation Crab Meat

There are several advantages to using imitation crab meat in cooking

• Cost-effective – Real crab can be expensive, so imitation crab is a wallet-friendly alternative. A 1 lb package of imitation crab costs $3-6 versus $15-20 for real crab meat.

• Mild flavor – While it doesn’t have the true crab taste imitation crab has a pleasant sweetness that works well in seafood dishes. Its mild flavor also allows other ingredients to shine.

• Low calorie – With only 43 calories per 2 oz serving, imitation crab is low in calories compared to other proteins sources. It’s high in protein too with 10g per serving.

• Easy to find – Imitation crab meat can be found year-round in the refrigerated or frozen seafood section of most major grocery stores.

• Versatile – It can be used in a variety of dishes like appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pasta, and more.

Tips for Cooking with Imitation Crab Meat

• Thaw frozen imitation crab overnight in the fridge before using.

• Drain any excess liquid from imitation crab before adding to recipes.

• Flake the imitation crab meat into small pieces for easier incorporation into dishes.

• Add extra seasonings like Old Bay, lemon juice or sesame oil to boost the flavor.

• Avoid overcooking to prevent imitation crab from becoming rubbery.

20 Delicious Recipes to Make with Imitation Crab Meat

Appetizers

Kick off a party or meal with these fun imitation crab appetizers:

• Crab Rangoon – Cream cheese and crab wontons are fried crisp and served with sweet and sour sauce.

• Crab Dip – Hot and creamy dip with imitation crab, cheese, sour cream and spices, perfect for dipping crackers and veggies.

• Crab Cakes – Formed into patties and pan fried, crab cakes are a popular appetizer. Breadcrumbs and egg help bind the imitation crab.

• Stuffed Mushrooms – Large mushroom caps baked with a cheesy filling of imitation crab and Parmesan.

Salads

Light and refreshing salads starring imitation crab:

• Imitation Crab Pasta Salad – Macaroni, imitation crab, celery, onion mixed with a mayo dressing makes an easy salad.

• Kani Salad – A Japanese-inspired salad with imitation crab called kani in Japan, cucumber, and sushi rice.

• Crab Louie Salad – Greens topped with imitation crab, hard boiled egg, avocado, cucumber, and tomatoes.

• Crab Mango Avocado Salad – Mix imitation crab with mango, avocado, red onion, cilantro and lime for a tropical twist.

Sandwiches

Imitation crab is tasty in these sandwich recipes:

• Crab Salad Sandwich – Flaked imitation crab bound in a creamy dressing and served on bread or a croissant.

• Crab Roll – Wrapper in rice paper with imitation crab, cucumber, carrot, lettuce and dipping sauce.

• Crab Salad Wrap – Filled with imitation crab salad, tomato, avocado, cheese, lettuce and ranch dressing.

• Crab Melt – Open faced sandwich with imitation crab salad topped with cheddar and broiled.

Soups & Stews

For heartier dishes, add imitation crab to chowders and stews:

• Crab Corn Chowder – Rich and creamy soup with imitation crab meat, corn and potatoes.

• Crab Bisque – Smooth pureed bisque made from a seafood stock base and flavored with sherry.

• Gumbo – The Louisiana stew cooks imitation crab in a savory broth along with okra, shrimp, chicken and sausage.

• Crab Fried Rice – Chinese-style fried rice tossed with imitation crab, egg, peas and carrots.

Pasta Dishes

The sweet flavor of imitation crab complements all kinds of pasta:

• Crab Alfredo – Fettuccine is coated in a rich alfredo sauce and tossed with crab pieces.

• Crab Mac and Cheese – Elbow macaroni in cheesy sauce mixed with chunks of imitation crab.

• Crab Cakes with Linguine – Mini crab cakes served over a bed of linguine noodles.

• Lasagna Roll Ups – Lasagna noodles stuffed with a ricotta, spinach and crab mixture.

Baked Dishes

From puff pastries to stratas, imitation crab is tasty in these baked dishes:

• Crab Quiche – Eggs, cream and Swiss cheese quiche baked with a crab meat filling.

• Crab Pot Pie – Flaky puff pastry over a creamy crab sauce with potatoes and carrots.

• Crab Strata – Layered casserole with bread, crab, cheese, spinach and artichoke hearts.

• Crab Stuffed Shells – Jumbo pasta shells filled with a ricotta, parmesan and crab mixture.

With its versatility, mild flavor and budget price point, imitation crab opens up many possibilities in the kitchen. This collection of 20 recipes offers crave-worthy ways to enjoy imitation crab meat in appetizers, salads, sandwiches, soups and entrees. So grab a pack and start cooking up some delicious crab dishes on the cheap!