It’s time to give imitation crab the main character energy it deserves. These recipes prove that you can create seriously delicious, craveable meals without a huge grocery bill. Welcome to your new favorite weeknight obsession.
1. Spicy Kani Salad
This spicy kani salad has an incredible flavor with a super easy preparation.
The creamy mayo and Sriracha dressing bring just the right amount of zesty fire.
This easy recipe can complement a flavorful homemade sushi dish. Whip up this tasty salad as a side for your next Japanese-inspired meal.
2. Seafood Macaroni Salad
Serve a seafood macaroni salad at your next barbecue, and watch it disappear before your eyes!
It’s the perfect way to offset those strong, savory, meaty dishes, and it only takes 15 minutes to get it ready.
Make it your own by adding black olives and extra shrimp. Remember to keep this macaroni salad nice and chilled for the greatest flavor!
3. Crab Rangoon
Did you know that crab rangoon, a Chinese restaurant classic, actually came from America?
Enjoy these crispy, deep-fried goodies with some sweet and sour sauce for the perfect flavor.
Mix imitation crab and cream cheese together, season with salt, and wrap it all in wonton wrappers before deep-frying. That’s all there is to it!
4. Cheesy Crab Pasta
If you’ve never mixed cheese and crab, prepare to have your mind blown!
Shell pasta are ideal for this dish, as those little curves grasp onto the rich but zesty crab sauce, delivering an amazing seafood taste in every bite. Get ready to enjoy this easy-to-make dinner.
5. Crab Rangoon Crescent Rolls
Prepare to enjoy another crab rangoon recipe that you won’t be able to live without!
For this version, you’ll be using the cream cheese and crab mixture to fill up buttery crescent rolls. Tender, flaky crust and a creamy, hot filling combine into one of the most sensational appetizers you could ever imagine. Try to eat just one; I dare you.
6. Imitation Crab Sushi Bake
Need to feed a hungry group of sushi lovers?
Instead of rolling a ton of rolls, just put together this casserole. Each bite is loaded with imitation crab, sushi rice, cream cheese, green onions, soy sauce, and a ton of other awesome flavors that will wow everyone. You might find people asking you for the recipe!
7. Spicy Crab Salad Sushi
Spicy crab meat makes creating sushi at home a snap!
These tasty sushi rolls are nearly identical to the ones you get at your favorite restaurant.
When you first start making your own sushi, the rolls probably won’t look as pretty as they could. It just takes a little practice. Making California rolls with imitation crab is another great option!
8. Crab Alfredo
Whenever I’m in the mood for pasta, I always go for alfredo sauce!
It wasn’t long after discovering how well imitation crab went in alfredo that I became completely hooked on this recipe!
Mix in mushrooms, onions, and chicken broth to your usual alfredo sauce. Toss in the imitation crab and whatever pasta you want for an unforgettable and delicious meal!
9. Imitation Crab Cakes
There’s really no wrong way to enjoy a crab cake, but this recipe is by far my favorite!
You won’t even be able to tell that it’s imitation crab meat. Old Bay seasoning and lemon come together perfectly, and the crab cake holds its shape.
Serve them on their own or as a seafood burger! They are perfect for special occasions.
10. Creamy Crab Bisque
This is just another recipe where you can easily swap out the real crab for imitation crab.
You’ll adore this bisque’s creamy, velvety texture and its rich flavor.
While it makes an excellent, heavy appetizer, you can also serve it as a main dish. For an unforgettable taste, try adding a dash of sherry on top.
11. Cream of Crab Soup
Picture this: It’s a chilly, rainy Sunday, and you’re curled up with a warm bowl of cream of crab soup.
One taste, and you’re transported to soup heaven! Cream of crab soup is one of my personal favorite appetizers, especially when it’s part of a meal featuring other seafood dishes.
You can also serve it as a light lunch with a fresh salad!
12. Seafood Enchiladas
These seafood enchiladas are just the thing for a seafood craving!
It’s time to make good use of those imitation crab sticks.
The recipe calls for a few extra steps, but it’s well worth it for this filling meal. These seafood enchiladas are so delicious that you’ll be glad you put in the extra effort!
13. Crab Pasta Salad
If you’re looking for your new go-to dish for potlucks, you’ve come to the right place.
This crab pasta salad takes a traditional pasta salad and infuses it with an amazing seafood flavor. This recipe is so creamy and dreamy, making it the perfect dish for summertime get-togethers.
14. Hot Imitation Crab Dip
This hot imitation crab dip makes the perfect partner for toasted bread, crackers, tortilla chips, and even vegetables such as carrots or celery.
Preparing it is a snap, thanks to its simple ingredients!
Combine mayonnaise, cream cheese, your favorite spices, and imitation crab. Microwave it for a couple of minutes, and you’ll be digging into creamy crab bliss. It also works great as a sandwich filling!
15. Copycat Crab Casserole
This creamy, cheesy crab casserole makes the perfect dish for any potluck.
The recipe is a copycat version of the crab casserole at Hunan Chinese Buffet, a beloved lunch destination in Mississippi.
Making this creamy, delicious casserole is easy, taking less than an hour. Serve with some fresh vegetables to complete the meal!
16. Chinese Buffet Crab Casserole
You might want to give this Chinese-style crab casserole a shot!
The taste is certainly not lacking, but it isn’t creamy.
You’ll only need imitation crab, mayo, green onions, and mozzarella cheese to prepare your own crab casserole with imitation crab. It’s so simple to make and such a treat to eat!
17. Imitation Lobster Rolls
True lobster roll fans understand how frustrating it can be when fresh lobsters are nowhere to be found!
Thankfully, imitation crab meat makes it easy to prepare imitation lobster rolls at home.
Simply mix shredded imitation crab with mayo, green onions, garlic powder, and pepper. Pile it on a lightly toasted bun, and you can enjoy imitation lobster rolls in 15 minutes!
18. Crab Salad
If you’re craving a creamy, rich seafood salad, you’ll definitely love this recipe made with staple pantry ingredients.
Blend some shredded imitation crab, minced onions, mayonnaise, celery, dill, salt, and pepper. Chill for an hour, and you’re ready to serve.
This recipe goes really well with dinner rolls, or you can make a sandwich using lightly toasted white bread.
19. Mel’s Crab Salad
Anyone who adores seafood salad will absolutely enjoy this sweet and creamy recipe.
The main ingredients in this salad are crab and celery, but the dressing is where the magic happens!
The dressing is a blend of ranch with a mix of mayo and soybean oil that’s uniquely homemade. The perfect combination of sweet, creamy, and tangy will have you hooked on this salad!
20. Crab Rangoon Pizza
Strangely enough, you can actually get everything you love about crab rangoon right on top of a pizza!
The combination of flavors with this oddball recipe just works.
It all comes together with a cheesy spread, imitation crab, gooey mozzarella, and a sweet chili dipping sauce that’s just too good to pass up. Give it a try!
21. Golden Corral Crab Salad
There’s a good reason Golden Corral is one of the most popular buffet-style restaurants; their food is excellent!
This recipe for their take on a crab salad is definitely a favorite of mine. The taste and texture are both heavenly.
This seafood salad goes wonderfully with steak, fish, or fried chicken, making it ideal for parties and potlucks!
22. Crab-Stuffed Salmon
You can easily swap out the real crab meat for imitation crab in this recipe.
With buttery crab meat stuffed in flavorful salmon, there’s really nothing more luxurious.
Since this recipe involves baking, cleaning up is a breeze, even though it looks like something straight out of a fancy restaurant.
23. Crab Delight Bites
These crab delight bites are guaranteed to wow your friends and family, making them the perfect appetizers to serve to guests.
They feature crab meat, garlic, cream cheese, and jalapenos served on mini phyllo cups. These creamy, slightly spicy bites are sure to vanish in an instant, especially when it’s game day!
24. Vegan Crab Cakes
You might be shocked to learn that there’s actually a vegan alternative to crab meat in the form of hearts of palm.
You can recreate the taste and texture of crab cakes, when combined with the right amounts of Old Bay seasoning, panko breadcrumbs, and dill.
You might even trick staunch seafood lovers with this dish!
25. Shrimp and Crab Pasta
Seafood is not typically viewed as a meal kids love, but that may change with this shrimp and crab pasta.
You can use spaghetti or your favorite type of long pasta to quickly prepare this simple and delicious dish in under 30 minutes.
This olive oil-based pasta is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Remember to top with plenty of parmesan cheese!