Imitation crab meat, also known as surimi, is a popular seafood product made from fish paste and other ingredients like starch and egg white. It has a similar texture and flavor to real crab meat, but is much more affordable. If you love dishes like California rolls, seafood salads, or crab cakes but don’t want to splurge on real crab, imitation crab is a great alternative. Here’s a guide on where to buy imitation crab meat and how to choose the best products.
Grocery Stores
Most major grocery store chains carry imitation crab meat in the refrigerated seafood section. Here are some of the most common brands and products to look for:
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TransOcean – This brand offers imitation crab in flake, shred and leg/stick styles in 8 oz, 16 oz and 24 oz packages. Prices range from $3 to $5 depending on the size.
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Aquamar – Similar to TransOcean, Aquamar has flake and leg/stick imitation crab meat available in 8 oz, 16 oz and 24 oz sizes. Prices are comparable to TransOcean as well.
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Oceana – Oceana is a store brand imitation crab often found at Kroger affiliated grocery chains It comes in 8 oz and 16 oz packages for around $3 to $4,
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Fresh Seafood – Many grocers have their own store brand of imitation crab like Fresh Seafood which can be found at Hy-Vee stores in 8 oz and 16 oz sizes.
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Louis Kemp – Louis Kemp Crab Delights are a popular brand sold at retailers like Walmart in 8 oz and 16 oz packages for around $4 to $5.
When browsing the imitation crab selection, check the ingredients and nutrition facts. Good quality surimi will have Alaskan Pollock as the first ingredient. Also look for options with lower sodium and no artificial colors or flavors. The best imitation crab has a short, straightforward ingredient list.
Big Box Retailers
Major retailers like Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club and Costco have a wide selection of imitation crab products at affordable prices:
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Walmart – Great Value and TransOcean brands available for as low as $3 per 8 oz package. Larger club packs with 1 lb or more are around $7 to $8
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Target – Market Pantry and Good & Gather store brands range from $3 to $4 for 8 oz packages.
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Sam’s Club – Member’s Mark surimi in various sizes priced competitively from their regular seafood selection.
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Costco – Large club packs with multiple 1 lb packages of imitation crab for around $1.50 per lb. Higher quality Kirkland brand surimi is also available.
Check the weekly sales and coupons at these retailers to score the best deals on imitation crab. For convenience, order online and use store pickup or same day delivery options.
Online Retailers
Imitation crab can also be ordered online and shipped directly to your door:
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Amazon – Wide range of national brands like TransOcean plus AmazonFresh store brand options. Prices very competitive with grocery stores.
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Walmart – Order surimi for delivery or in-store pickup. Walmart+ members get free shipping.
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Thrive Market – Online natural foods store has premium Wild Planet and Trident Seafoods imitation crab products.
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eBay – Individual sellers offer deals on bulk cases of imitation crab. Sort by price + shipping lowest first.
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Seafood Online Shops – Sites like Seattle Fish Co and Fulton Fish Market have fresh surimi you can order in bulk.
When buying imitation crab online, try to find stores with fast 1-2 day shipping and free shipping thresholds to avoid high fees. Place orders early in the week to ensure timely weekend delivery.
Asian Grocery Stores
For the freshest quality imitation crab, shop at Asian supermarkets which stock surimi made in Japan, Korea and China. Brands to look for include:
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Hosui – This Japanese brand is known for premium surimi with minimal additives. Find it refrigerated or frozen.
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HanKook – Popular Korean imitation crab often sold in 1 lb frozen blocks. Has a mild sweet flavor profile.
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Lucky – Taiwanese brand Lucky is a good value with various imitation seafood like crab sticks and sheets.
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Cre-Li – Shanghai-based company producing crab flavored fish balls and other Chinese surimi products.
Depending on the origin, Asian imitation crab pricing can range from $3 per 8 oz up to $7-10 per lb for premium Japanese crab. Even the higher priced Asian brands are very competitively priced compared to real crab.
Wholesale Club Stores
For large quantities of imitation crab, shop at warehouse clubs like Restaurant Depot, Costco Business Center and Sam’s Club Plus:
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Restaurant Depot – Surimi sold by 5 lb blocks or 30 lb cases for prices under $5 per lb. Must have a valid business membership.
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Costco Business Center – Carries Kirkland brand imitation crab in 3-7 lb packages for around $4/lb for members.
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Sam’s Club Plus – Upgraded membership offers access to premium Member’s Mark crab meat in bulk.
Buying imitation crab wholesale ensures freshness and allows you to portion out servings in advance. Store extra blocks in the freezer up to 3 months.
Tips for Buying Imitation Crab
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Check the ingredient label – Good surimi contains fish, water, starch, egg white, sugar, salt, crab flavor and minimal preservatives. Avoid products with excessive fillers.
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Look for natural colors – Artificial coloring gives some imitation crab an unnatural neon red hue. Go for naturally derived colors from ingredients like paprika or turmeric.
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Get the right form – Flake style works well for seafood salads and dips. Leg or stick is ideal for sushi rolls and appetizers. Consider how you will use the crab.
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Focus on food safety – Refrigerated is best, but frozen surimi stored properly at 0°F is acceptable too. Quickly use opened packages within 3-5 days.
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Compare prices – Bulk savings on large packs can offer better value but plan usage to avoid waste. Price per ounce/lb determines the real best deal.
With so many grocery stores, big box retailers and online options selling it, imitation crab is easy to find and budget-friendly. Follow this guide to discover where to buy imitation crab at the lowest prices.
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
- Keeping an eye out for text messages and phone calls from your Instacart shopper
- Leaving helpful instructions for parking, gate codes, or other clues to find your home.
- Delivery fees start at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35. Fees vary for one-hour deliveries, club store deliveries, and deliveries under $35.
- Service fees vary and are subject to change based on factors like location and the number and types of items in your cart. Orders containing alcohol have a separate service fee.
- Tipping is optional but encouraged for delivery orders. It’s a great way to show your shopper appreciation and recognition for excellent service. 100% of your tip goes directly to the shopper who delivers your order.
With an optional Instacart+ membership, you can get $0 delivery fee* on every order over $35. *Service fees apply. Instacart pickup cost:
- There may be a “pickup fee” (equivalent to a delivery fee for pickup orders) on your pick up order that is typically $1.99 for non-Instacart+ members. Instacart+ membership waives this like it would a delivery fee.
- Pick up orders have no service fees, regardless of non-Instacart+ or Instacart+ membership.
- Find Best Match: By default, your shopper will use their best judgement to pick a replacement for your item.
- Pick Specific Replacement: You can pick a specific alternative for the shopper to purchase if your first choice is out-of-stock.
- Dont Replace: For items you’d rather not replace, choose “Dont replace” to get a refund if the item is out of stock.
- 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’s Really in Imitation Crab? (And How It Compares to the Real Thing)
FAQ
Can you buy imitation crab at the grocery store?
Simple to use. You can find imitation crab in the refrigerated or frozen section of stores. There are several types, including flake-style, chunks, sticks, and shreds. Since imitation crab is precooked, you can use it straight from the package for cold dishes, such as dips and salad, or add it to dishes you heat.
Is imitation crab still good for you?
Imitation crab is mostly made of Alaska pollock and it’s good for you because it is affordable, convenient, and nutritious.
Does Aldi have fake crab?
Fremont Brewing Leg Style Imitation Crab Meat Same-Day Delivery or Pickup | ALDI.
Where do sushi places get their imitation crab?
The kind of imitation krab you’re looking for is called Osaki Gold Surimi. You can usually find it at H-Mart or Uwajimaya or most Korean/Japanese markets.