What's the Deal With Imitation Crab?

There's a pretty good chance that you've had imitation crab (aka "crab with a k") in a California roll or crab dip, but there's also a pretty good chance you don't know exactly how the crabby carbon copy came to be, how it's made and what else you can do with it. Luckily for you, we have all of that info (and more). We quizzed Jade Silverstein, Sustainable Seafood Consultant and Sales Associate at Cold Spring Fish to discover the true tale behind imitation crab. 

What is imitation crab?

"Imitation crab is made of white fish, starch and other ingredients to create the texture and taste of crab meat," explains Silverstein. "The preparation of fish for imitation crab is actually a Japanese method called surimi, which is used not just for imitation crab but also to make fish sticks, fish cakes and other popular seafood dishes."

According to a 2007 article from Oregon State, Japanese chefs have been making surimi for hundreds of years by mixing leftover fish filets with salt to create a type of "fish gel" to preserve the extra catch. In the 1960s, a Japanese chemist realized that adding sugar to surimi could allow it to be stabilized and frozen, launching the international surimi industry and wider use of the ingredient. To make imitation crab, surimi is mixed with other ingredients, then heated and pressed into crab-like shapes. 

Does imitation crab taste like real crab meat?

"Yes," says Silverstein. "Imitation crab tastes like crab and is a good substitute for crab meat. It is especially a tasty and healthy option for kids who may not like the taste of crab meat."

"The common perception of imitation crab is that it is an artificial product because of the term 'imitation,'" says Silverstein, but it is important to remember it is made with fish. "The fish used in imitation crab are white fish such as pollock, cod or haddock, which are some of the most commonly consumed fish on the market."

She also adds that the starch in imitation crab is made with wheat, but each brand has a different mix of ingredients for their product, with some using actual crab meat and flavoring, which is why it's best to avoid imitation crab if you have any crab allergies.