Imitation crab

Imitation crab is a processed seafood product made primarily from surimi, a paste of minced white fish shaped and flavoured to resemble crab meat.

Imitation crab is a processed seafood product made primarily from Surimi, a paste of minced white fish shaped and flavoured to resemble crab meat. It is sold in forms such as sticks, flakes, and chunks, and is commonly used as a lower-cost substitute for real crab in dishes like Sushi and salads. In Canada, imitation crab is widely sold in supermarkets and sushi shops, where it is used in affordable seafood dishes and packaged prepared foods.

Composition

Imitation crab is primarily made from Surimi, which is fish flesh that has been deboned, washed, minced, and blended with other ingredients. It is usually made from white fish such as Alaskan pollock. Manufacturers add ingredients such as starch, sugar, salt, egg whites, flavourings, and colourings to mimic crab. The product generally contains no real crab meat, though some versions may include crab extract for flavour. The mixture is then heated and formed into shapes that resemble crab meat.

Preparation and appearance

Producers shape the fish paste into sticks, flakes, or chunks and colour the outside to resemble cooked crab. The product is designed to imitate the flavour, texture, and appearance of crab rather than to contain crab meat.

Uses in food

Imitation crab is widely used in convenience and restaurant foods where a crab-like ingredient is desired at lower cost. Common examples include Sushi rolls, crab salads, seafood sandwiches, and imitation crab appetizers. It is commonly used in California rolls, seafood salads, crab rangoon, and other dishes that call for a crab substitute.

Nutrition and processing

The product is considered highly processed and is generally less nutritious than fresh crab. It often contains added starches and sugars, which increase carbohydrate content compared with natural crab meat.