17 Imitation Crab Recipes

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A simple and affordable way to make dinner memorable is to try using imitation crab meat in your next recipe.

A combination of white fish and starches, imitation crab meat is a great way to introduce seafood flavors to your dinner menu. You’ll be amazed when you swap out your usual main ingredient with imitation crab meat.

From seafood dishes to some very unique offerings, our selection of imitation crab recipes will have you wondering why you haven’t tried these dishes before.

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17 Imitation Crab Recipes

Imitation crab meat comes in a variety of shapes and styles but they all offer a taste of shellfish. Make dinner special tonight and try one of these mouth-watering recipes.

1. Seafood Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is an undeniable favorite among children and adults alike. Why not give your meal something a little special and add imitation crab meat.

The briny flavor of the imitation shellfish goes great with mac and cheese, simply because seafood flavors are a common pairing with cheese. Diners will agree, this combo is worth adding to your dinnertime menu.

https://www.melissassouthernstylekitchen.com/crab-macaroni-cheese/

2. Crabmeat Salad

Salad recipes are abundant out there. Whether you like potato salad, egg, macaroni salad, or even a good pea salad, you should give crab salad a try.

Tossed in a similar combination of mayo, mustard, and spices of those salads listed above, imitation crab meat is a classy and unique way to do a traditional summer party side.

https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/crab-salad-recipe/

3. Hot Crab Dip

If you have yet to jump on the bandwagon of hot dips, start with this one! A hot-dip is always great with warm tortilla chips, bread, or crackers and should be a staple at every party.

Imitation crab meat gives your cheesy dip a seafood flavor that will impress your party guests and have them begging for more.

https://www.willcookforsmiles.com/hot-crab-dip/

4. Crab quiche

A quiche can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They’re usually packed with ingredients that melt in your mouth and are good for you.

For your next quiche creation try using imitation crab meat. Throw in some of your favorite veggies such as broccoli or spinach and add a good helping of cheese, we recommend swiss, or follow the simple recipe below.

https://theblondcook.com/easy-crab-quiche/

5. Crab topped fish filets

Wherever you live in the world, near a body of water or not, fish dinners should be at least a once-a-week occurrence. They’re packed full of goodness and give your mealtimes some much-needed variety.

Fish fillets stuffed and baked in the oven with a butter sauce and a squeeze of lemon will do the trick, but try adding some imitation crab meat and have a proper “show off to your neighbors” meal on your hands.

https://apriljharris.com/spicy-crab-topped-cod-fillets/

6. Creamy crab soup

Seafood soups and chowders are a great way to get your serving of fish. Most varieties come in either cream or tomato-based soup and are chock full of goodness.

If you want to stick to one type of seafood, try a creamy crab soup. The imitation crab gives your soup a shellfish flavor that harkens warm summer evenings by the bay.

https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/creamy-crab-soup/

7. Imitation Lobster Rolls

Lobster rolls are delicious but expensive and difficult to make. Swap out your lobster for some imitation crab meat, which has a very similar taste, and make “lobster” rolls a lunchtime favorite at half the price.

Follow a similar recipe to that of a lobster roll and serve your crab mixture in a flaky roll. Whether you are actually by the ocean or in the middle of the country, you’ll feel like you’re on a lobster boat off the coast of Maine when you indulge in this crab roll.

https://www.foxvalleyfoodie.com/imitation-crab-roll-recipe/

8. Crab fondue

Fondues are a great party food that allows people to gather around and enjoy a little decadence. Grab a fondue pot and a few simple ingredients to make this a night to remember.

Swiss or gruyere cheeses are great for fondue. Add some crab to the mix and you have a seafood party on your hands! Serve the cheese with hunks of French bread.

http://www.grouprecipes.com/65119/low-fat-hot-krab-fondue.html

9. Crab alfredo

Pasta night has never been the same! Grab your forks and dig into this deliciously creamy pasta recipe if you want dinner to disappear off the table.

Fettucine tossed in a cream sauce is good but adding imitation lump crabmeat to the mix is even better. It’s as simple as that. Add some parmesan cheese to your pasta and sit back and enjoy.

https://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com/crab-fettuccine-alfredo/

10. Crab bites

Bite-sized treats are a crowd favorite because they allow diners to have a taste and come back for more. Whether you’re preparing a simple meal or an appetizer for a party, this is a must-try this recipe.

With some simple ingredients that you can easily pick up at the supermarket, you can put together these baked goodies. The combination of cheese, phyllo dough, and imitation crab meat will give your “bites” a crunchy, creamy, seafood-friendly, taste!

https://mealplanningmommies.com/crab-delight-bites-a-delicious-crab-appetizer/

11. Shrimp and crab pizza

Pizza is always a favorite but if you’re aching to try something new, grab your imitation crab and make your pizza extra special tonight.

As mentioned, cheese goes especially well with shellfish. When you top your pizza with imitation crabmeat and serve it on a warm and crispy crust, you really can’t go wrong.

https://californiaavocado.com/recipe/avocado-crab-pizza-with-fireworks-sauce/

12. Crab cakes

If you ever wondered whether or not you can make crab cakes with imitation crab, the answer is yes! The more affordable option, imitation crab meat can taste just as great as the real stuff when made into a crabcake.

Combine your chopped crab meat with mayonnaise, lemon juice, and other ingredients, and shape into rounds before pan-frying with butter. No one will even notice you used imitation crab meat.

https://dizzybusyandhungry.com/crab-cake-on-a-bun/

13. Marisco

Having a party? Think big and try this amazing cocktail recipe that’s practically a meal! Cóctel de Mariscos or simply Marisco cocktail, is a drink made of seafood.

Served as a snack or as a pre-dinner cocktail, this mixture of seafood, including imitation crab, combines the flavors of tomatoes, limes, hot sauce, and other savory ingredients.

https://jennifercooks.com/goode-company-mexican-seafood-cocktail-campechana-de/

14. Seafood enchiladas

If you’ve never tried one, a seafood enchilada is just as delicious as a chicken or beef one. Seafood enchiladas, made with the same delicious ingredients, swap out your traditional meat for something a little lighter when you use imitation crab.

Imitation crab and other shellfish and seafood used as the center of your enchiladas will surprise you and your guests with its unique flavor.

https://madeinaday.com/seafood-enchiladas-with-imitation-crab/

15. Crab stuffed portabello mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are a favorite appetizer at parties across the country. Filled with a variety of fillings, mushroom caps are not only delectable, they’re easy to make.

If you’re looking to make a stuffed mushroom into a meal, try using large portabello mushrooms and stuffing them with a seafood mixture that includes imitation crab.

https://www.thesophisticatedcaveman.com/crab-stuffed-portobellos/

16. Crab Rangoon

A staple of Chinese take-out restaurants, crab Rangoon is a tasty little treat of imitation crab and cheese.

The combination of the cream cheese and crab makes for a fluffy yet filling center for this appetizer. The filling is placed in a wonton wrapper that is shaped into a flower or envelope and deep-fried. Do we need to say more?

https://dinnerthendessert.com/crab-rangoon/

17. California rolls

California rolls are one of the most popular items on the sushi menu. If you’ve had them and you love them but never thought you could make them, think again.

With the right ingredients, which include avocado, cucumber, and imitation crab, and the right tools, California rolls are fairly easy to make. Grab a recipe and your bamboo sushi mat and get rolling.

https://natashaskitchen.com/sushi-rice-and-california-rolls-recipe/#jump-to-recipe

There are plenty of imitation crab recipes to tempt your palate. Choose from one of the recipes above and get cooking. You will discover a new ingredient that your friends and family will be requesting for your next dinner party.

Wrap Up

Imitation crab meat is tasty and easy to use in many recipes. Seafood lovers won’t miss out when using imitation crab meat and will save time and money in the process.

From appetizers to mains, whatever you fancy, there’s an imitation crab meat recipe to tickle your tastebuds! Try some today, you won’t regret it.

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