25 Amazing Imitation Crab Recipes
If you don’t live near the ocean, chances are you’re a fan of imitation crab. It not only stays fresh for longer but also tends to be much less expensive. Imitation crab also happens to be easier to cook with, coming precooked and ready to go!
Imitation crab can make a fantastic substitute for anything you can dream of making with fresh crab meat, from crab cakes to rangoons.
Below, you’ll find 25 of our favorite imitation crab recipes that are sure to wow both you and your guests. We’re sure you’ll find something on this list that you’ll absolutely love!
Amazing Imitation Crab Recipes
Imitation crab sticks, also known as surimi or kani, are a life-saver for seafood lovers who don’t want the hassle of dealing with fresh crab meat.
Not only is imitation crab delicious on its own, but it also blends seamlessly into a wide variety of dishes and cuisines. We’ve searched and sorted to bring you some of the best recipes out there.
Not only are these recipes absolutely delicious, but they’re also so easy to make. Some don’t even require more than 3 ingredients!
So take a look! Trust us, your tastebuds will thank you.
1. Imitation Crab Cakes
Let’s start off with easily one of the most popular crab recipes in the world. Golden, crispy, and packed with savory flavor, these imitation crab cakes are perfect for any occasion!
This recipe comes together so easily and quickly, with only 5 minutes of prep time and 14 minutes for the cooking process.
It even includes a delicious and zesty dipping sauce made with such flavorful ingredients as Worcestershire sauce, dijon mustard, cajun seasoning, and lemon juice.
If you need a quick crab fix, there’s no need to look any further!
2. Crab Rangoon Dip
Here’s an even more delicious twist to an already iconic classic!
If you want to enjoy all the creamy, cheesy goodness that crab cheese rangoons have to offer but you’re trying to stay away from fried foods, this recipe is perfect for you.
This recipe even includes an explanation for baking wonton chips to dip into it, so you don’t have to do any experimenting with the best chips to dip.
3. Crab Rangoon Casserole
Speaking of crab rangoons, there are actually many recipes inspired by this classic crab dish, many of which made it to our list.
If you’re getting tired of plain casseroles, this one’s a must-try. Decadently cheesy and filling, this imitation crab rangoon casserole is the perfect way to turn your favorite appetizer into a full meal.
This recipe produces 12 servings, so the whole family can enjoy, and it’s so easy to throw together.
4. Crab Crescent Bites
Loaded with cheesy, creamy, savory goodness and sandwiched between crescent rolls, these bite-sized rolls make wonderful appetizers for parties and potlucks.
This recipe is incredibly easy; just mix your ingredients, lay them onto the crescent roll dough, lay another dough layer on top, bake, and serve! If you’ve got all the ingredients, you’re only 28 minutes away from buttery, flaky bliss.
5. Crab Rangoon Cups
Did you think we were done with rangoons? Not just yet. (We even have an air fryer rangoon recipe farther down this list, if you’re looking for the real deal!)
These crab rangoon cups look as good as they taste. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish, they make for a gorgeous presentation. This recipe is one of the easiest ways to look like a professional chef in minutes (28, to be exact)!
The shells in this recipe were made with mini tortillas, but you can also use traditional Chinese wonton wrappers.
6. Crab and Swiss Quiche
If you’re looking for some way to add seafood to your favorite breakfast foods, we’re sure you’ll love this imitation crab and Swiss cheese quiche recipe.
This quiche is ridiculously simple to make for something so good. All you have to do is whisk your ingredients together, pour them into a pie shell, and pop it in the oven for 30-40 minutes. And voila! A delightful seafood breakfast.
This recipe makes for the perfect show-stopper at brunch and a great offering at the neighborhood potluck.
7. Ketogenic Crab Salad
This one’s for our ketogenic dieters and health-conscious readers. We’re sure this recipe for keto imitation crab salad will quickly become one of your very favorite dishes.
This recipe calls for romaine lettuce heart, hard boiled eggs, roma tomato, and avocado. The dressing includes mayo, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and ground cayenne. With 2 servings, you can even save some for later.
Don’t be fooled by all these super healthy ingredients; this salad is delicious and full of flavor. That’s a win-win in our book!
8. Seafood Enchiladas With Imitation Crab
If you’re searching for a Mexican twist on imitation crab, these seafood enchiladas are sure to satisfy. This is another relatively easy recipe that may just become a new staple dish in your household.
Once you try this one you’ll always make sure you have the ingredients sitting around for the next time the cravings hit you.
This recipe is also customizable to your preferences for spice, as you can choose your own hot sauce.
9. Baked Imitation Crab Chimichangas
Here’s another Mexican fusion recipe for your imitation crab cravings. Creamy, rich, and wallet-friendly, these chimichangas include refried beans, cottage cheese, parmesan, a Mexican cheese blend, and Old Bay seasoning.
They’re just as easy to make as they are delicious!
10. Imitation Crab Macaroni and Cheese
Maybe you’re looking for something a little simpler and more familiar, and in that case, what can beat crab macaroni and cheese? Almost every kind of meat pairs well with some kind of cheese, and crab is no exception.
This recipe twists classic mac and cheese into a creamy, rich, and decadent seafood dish with such flavorful additions as shrimp soup and a pinch of mustard.
Once you give it a try, your only regret will be that you didn’t find this recipe sooner!
11. Mexican Crab Cocktail
One of the most refreshing summer dishes is crab salad, but why not with a Mexican twist? This imitation crab cocktail is where crab salad meets fresh salsa and ceviche. Not only is it a quick and easy meal, but there’s no heat required.
Fresh with a spicy kick, this recipe includes flavors of lime, Roma tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and cilantro. Once you get a taste of it, you’ll never want to be without the ingredients close by when summer rolls around.
It makes a perfect appetizer or side dish for summer picnics, margarita parties, and outdoor lunches.
12. Imitation Crab Bisque
This crab bisque is an easy way to impress your guests with minimal effort. It’s a creamy and satisfying recipe that can be made with real or imitation crab meat. It will turn out fantastic either way!
Including such ingredients as garlic, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Old Bay seasoning, and heavy cream, this crab bisque is bound to have your guests begging for the recipe.
The ingredients are simple and the prep time is short, but this bisque defies all expectations with its silky texture and well-balanced flavor.
13. Crab Rangoon Mozzarella Sticks
Two of our very favorite appetizers mixed into one? Yes, please!
This is a recipe for crab rangoon mozzarella sticks that are perfectly crispy on the outside and full of cheesy goodness with all the savory-sweet flavor of crab rangoons on the inside.
Dipped into sweet chili sauce, this appetizer is a sure-fire hit for the whole family! Cheese lovers especially will appreciate the ooey-gooey, creaminess of this perfect snack.
14. Quick Crab Alfredo
When it comes to crab, we’d really be letting you miss out if we didn’t talk about pasta.
And when this recipe says it’s quick, it’s quick, with only 25 minutes total of prep and cooking time. Just cook your pasta, saute your sauce ingredients together in another pan, and combine!
The whole recipe yields 8 servings for a big family or leftovers that will last through the week. But you may want to double that recipe anyway, because it’ll be gone before you know it!
15. Crab Linguini With Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
Did you think the pasta recipes were going to stop there? We can’t leave out linguini!
This recipe is quick, easy, and delicious all in one go, and we’re willing to bet you already have half of the ingredients in your kitchen! The pasta sauce includes flavors from garlic cloves, lemon juice, white wine, parsley, and sweet onion.
Lemon and butter are classic flavors to pair with crab, and the touches of garlic and white wine elevate this dish to a whole other level of mouthwatering flavor.
16. Snow Sushi Roll
Imitation crab is also well known in the world of sushi making. It stays fresh longer, tastes the same, and ends up being much cheaper and easier to work with. Imitation crab also comes pre-cooked and therefore safer for beginner crab cooks.
So if you’re interested in getting into homemade sushi, this recipe is a low-risk and high-reward option. Light and crunchy, this snow sushi roll is a refreshing twist on the popular California roll.
And if you’re just not a fan of raw fish, this pre-cooked imitation crab roll will change your mind on sushi for good.
17. Buffalo Crab Dip
If you love traditional buffalo chicken dip but may love the taste of crab even more, who says you can’t have both? Loaded with zesty flavor, this dip will be your new addiction.
It makes the perfect addition to parties and potlucks and will liven up the classic buffalo chicken dip you’ve been making forever.
This recipe even includes a link to a recipe for making your own buffalo sauce so that you can control the flavor and spice level.
18. Tempura Fried Crab Stick Bites
Still looking for an appetizer that really calls to you? How about these tempura-fried crab stick bites? They are perfectly sized for snacking and so easy to make with the help of Kikkoman’s Tempura Batter.
These delicious bite-sized morsels are perfect for potlucks and can be dressed up for fancier occasions as well, like weddings and dinner parties. Dipped into tartar sauce or cocktail sauce, these crab bites are to die for!
Although, we’re sure you won’t need any excuses to fry some of these up for yourself from time to time.
19. Crab-Stuffed Baked Potato
There are so many great recipes for tasty crab treats out there, but not all of them are as presentable as these crab-stuffed baked potatoes. They’re perfect as side dishes or appetizers, but be warned, they’ll probably steal the spotlight.
Besides imitation crab, these red potatoes are stuffed with ingredients like cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, green onions, mozzarella, and Italian seasoning.
There aren’t many dishes that these stuffed baked potatoes won’t go perfectly with, and they may even replace your regular baked potatoes.
20. Crab Rangoon Jalapeno Poppers
Another popular appetizer is jalapeño poppers, but what’s the one thing they’re lacking? Crab, of course! Have no fear, because that’s exactly why this recipe was made.
This is another simple and delicious recipe that won’t leave you disappointed but will absolutely leave you wanting more! It’s crunchy and creamy, a perfect combination for any occasion.
21. Air Fryer Crab Rangoons
We promised you a recipe for classic crab rangoons, and here it is, with a bit of a twist. If you have an air fryer at home, you’ll want to try this one out when you get the chance.
This recipe explains how to make crab rangoons and fry them to crispy perfection at the touch of a button. Forget having to order out every time the craving hits you; keep your ingredients on hand and make them whenever you want!
22. Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
If you’re grilling up some burgers or kebabs, why not toss a few crab-stuffed mushrooms on there while you’re at it?
Stuffed mushrooms really can go with anything, and these ones are stuffed with green onions, parmesan, fresh herbs, and mayo. This recipe doesn’t include breadcrumbs and is therefore gluten-free as well.
Bite-sized and presentable, they make a wonderful addition to any meal.
23. Imitation Crab and Avocado Spring Rolls
If you’re sick of crab recipe with loads of cheese, bread, and general calories, this recipe is for you. This 4-ingredient, super-simple recipe is one of the healthiest on this list.
With a delicate appearance and wholesome taste, they’re bound to please. The only ingredients in this recipe are spring roll skins, imitation crab, avocado, and red cabbage. All easy to find and easy to use!
24. Spicy Kani Salad
How about something healthy but with a little more kick? All you need for a satisfying meal are your kani (imitation crab meat or surimi), cucumber, carrots, mango, Japanese mayo, lemon, and salt and pepper.
It may sound simple, but this dish is full of refreshing flavor. Skip the line at your favorite Japanese restaurant and make this delicious side salad in the comfort of your own kitchen!
25. Imitation Crab Salad With Curry Mayo Dressing
If you’re a fan of seafood salad, this recipe is a fresh and flavorful twist on the classic summer dish.
Made with fresh cabbage, carrots, and scallions, It’s almost unbelievable that a dish so light and healthy could be so delicious! The curry powder and lime juice give the mayo dressing a delightful but not overwhelming kick of spice.
Crab Crescent Bites
Whether you’re looking for a main dish or a side salad, this one won’t disappoint. Made with simple ingredients in only 5 minutes, it’s an easy way to make a great impression.
25 Amazing Imitation Crab Recipes
1. Imitation Crab Cakes
2. Crab Rangoon Dip
3. Crab Rangoon Casserole
4. Crab Crescent Bites
5. Crab Rangoon Cups
6. Crab and Swiss Quiche
7. Ketogenic Crab Salad
8. Seafood Enchiladas With Imitation Crab
9. Baked Imitation Crab Chimichangas
10. Imitation Crab Macaroni and Cheese
11. Mexican Crab Cocktail
12. Imitation Crab Bisque
13. Crab Rangoon Mozzarella Sticks
14. Quick Crab Alfredo
15. Crab Linguini With Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
16. Snow Sushi Roll
17. Buffalo Crab Dip
18. Tempura Fried Crab Stick Bites
19. Crab-Stuffed Baked Potato
20. Crab Rangoon Jalapeno Poppers
21. Air Fryer Crab Rangoons
22. Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
23. Imitation Crab and Avocado Spring Rolls
24. Spicy Kani Salad
Ingredients
Instructions
- Choose your favorite recipe from the list.
- Gather your ingredients.
- Cook according to individual recipe's instructions.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Tell us how it went!
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