Appetizing imitation crab recipes are both budget-friendly and delicious! Explore a variety of options, from sushi to pasta salads to crab cakes and pizza.
Imitation crabmeat recipes can be just as satisfying as the real thing; Although we love baked crab legs with garlic butter sauce or Cajun sauce when the budget allows.
If you want to know more about imitation crabs, check out our What is Kani and Kanikama guides! Both have everything you need to know about using this alternative.
Imitation crab meat recipes
Cane salad
Crab salad loaded with crabs, vegetables, panko breadcrumbs and cream sauce is ready in just 15 minutes!
Sushi baking
Sushi Bake is like a deconstructed California roll stew. It is loaded with crab (canny) and cream cheese and vegetables.
Nigiri crab imitation
Use imitation crab flakes or sticks to make nigiri sushi with our popular sushi and sushi rice.
Tamaki sushi
Simplify sushi night by making Temaki Sushi (Hand Roll Sushi). Just load nori sheets with shrimp, sushi rice and your favorite sushi fillings, and have yourself a party!
Imitation crab cakes
Imitation crab cakes are packed with crab, spices and the classic flavors you love in a crab cake.
Air Fryer Prawns Rangoon
Air Frying Prawn Rangoon using Kanikama! Crispy wonton wrappers filled with canni, cream cheese and green onions.
Crab Rangoon Dip
Shrimp Rangoon Dip with Crispy Wonton Fries! This Hot Imitation Crab Dip is the perfect party appetizer and easy to make!
Seafood pasta salad (crabs and shrimp) – foxes love lemons
Seafood Pasta Salad is like New England in a bowl! Pasta shells creamed with Old Bay, shrimp and crab, lemon, onion, celery and herbs.
California roll sushi bowls – Little Sunny Kitchen
California roll light sushi bowls feature perfectly cooked Japanese sushi rice, crab, bright greens and a spicy sriracha mayo sauce.
California sushi roll recipe [+VIDEO] 🍣 MasalaHerb.com
Make your own California roll at home from scratch in minutes! Easy healthy sushi. With how to video and flavor options.
Louis salad shrimp and crabs (Louis salad)
Shrimp and Crab Soy Salad (or Lewis Salad) is an iconic American classic filled with seafood, eggs and topped with a creamy dressing.
Crustless crab quiche bite
Crustless Shrimp Quiche Bites are made with shrimp, Swiss cheese, and simple spices, resulting in great flavor and a creamy texture. Super easy to prepare and perfect as a snack or appetizer.
Southern seafood salad
Creamy southern seafood salad filled with crab, shrimp and tons of flavors from the south!
Shrimp and crab pasta
This crab and shrimp pasta is made with cannibals, shrimp, garlic, and noodles tossed in a creamy butter sauce.
Bacon and crab pizza
Delicious bacon and shrimp pizza! Loaded with crab, crispy bacon, jalapeños and other favorite pizza toppings! If you haven’t had crab pizza before, you’re in for a treat.
Crab stuffed mushrooms
With a cream cheese filling and crab meat topped with crispy panko crumbs, these Creamy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms are classic enough for holiday entertaining and easy enough to make anytime!
Light crab bisque – rich and creamy!
Creamy crab bisque can be made with crab! Loaded with lots of spices, cream and seafood flavors. Come winter this is one of our favorite soup recipes.
Maryland Crab Cake Sandwich (with Old Bay)
Maryland Style Crab Cake Sandwiches! Use imitation crab for lump crab, along with old bay, and some fillers to make the best crab cake recipe.
Crab imitation recipes
The following recipes can easily be converted to Kani recipes. Just use equal parts crab to the seafood needed:
Mexican shrimp cocktail
Turn this authentic shrimp cocktail into a crab ceviche by using a cane. Turn it into a delicious seafood dish with pickled cannibals, tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeno and lime juice. Make it mild or spicy!
Squid ink pasta
Toss in imitation crab into the garlic butter sauce before tossing with squid ink noodles to turn this squid ink pasta dish into squid ink pasta with crab.
Additional resources and guides
The best wine with sushi
Sushi versus sashimi
types of sushi
*Note – All imitation crab recipes can be made using real crab using equal parts imitation crab. No other edits are needed.
