Last updated on January 19th, 2025
As a Maryland born-and-raised, I know a thing or two about crab recipes. But being a little pricey nowadays, I’ve gathered this collection of healthy imitation crab recipes that are easier on the wallet.
Think healthy crab salad, crab-topped pizza, creamy crab pasta, and even crab rangoon. You won’t believe how simple and delicious these recipes are!
Why Use Imitation Crab?
If you’ve followed me for a while you know that I’m a Maryland girl who loves me some Maryland blue crabs! But we all know fresh crab meat can be downright expensive!
This makes real crab meat more of a special occasion type of ingredient versus it being in my weekly recipe rotation.
That’s why I’ve come around to using imitation crab meat, and you’d be surprised by how close it tastes to the real thing!
It is still seafood — it’s usually made from Alaskan pollock, and it’s already cooked so it’s super easy to work with. If you want to learn more, check out my guide to imitation crab meat.
Needless to say, I’ll always find a way to enjoy a good crab feast, indulge in a big honkin ‘crab cake, or dip into one of my favorite recipes in the entire world, hot crab dip!
13 Healthy Imitation Crab Meat Recipes
I’ve carefully selected these recipes with imitation crab. They’re all delicious, healthy, and easy on the wallet!
1. Healthy Imitation Crab Ceviche
First up is this absolutely delicious imitation crab ceviche. If you haven’t heard of ceviche, it’s a Latin American classic, made with lime juice, veggies, and seafood.
Traditionally, the seafood in ceviche is not cooked with heat but cured in citrus juice, like lime or lemon. But as imitation crab meat is already cooked, we don’t need to worry too much about this.
Undoubtedly, it’s such a fresh crab salad recipe you’ll want to make often! And best of all, it’s great for those of us (like me!) on a low-carb diet.
2. Baked Imitation Crab Rangoon Flatbread Pizza with Sweet Chili Sauce
Next, is this amazing baked imitation crab rangoon flatbread pizza with sweet chili sauce from Raspberries & Kohlrabi!
It’s loaded with imitation crab, creamy cream cheese, crisp green onions, gooey mozzarella, and crispy wonton strips.
It’s one of those faux crab recipes that makes for a great light lunch out on the patio!
3. Easy Baked Imitation Crab Sushi
Third, is this simple baked sushi recipe from Blackberry Babe.
Above all, it is everything you love about your favorite California roll, but in casserole form!
Drizzled with a delicious spicy mayo, you’ll want to make this often.
4. Seafood Lemon Garlic Pasta
Next up is this seafood lemon garlic pasta by Dancing Through the Rain.
Without a doubt, just by the picture, you can see it is a delicious and easy pasta to put together!
Blended with a light and flavorful sauce, this is a tasty dish that anyone can make!
5. Imitation Crab Dip
As an expert on all things crab, my imitation crab dip and hot crab dip are some of the most popular recipes on the internet.
They’re super easy, too! Really it’s just about mixing the right ingredients in a bowl — with some of that Old Bay Seasoning of course! It gets devoured very quickly!
I’ve even got a guide to what to serve with crab dip — sorted!
6. Imitation Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
One of my favorite appetizers is stuffed mushrooms, so when I found this recipe for crab stuffed mushrooms by Spend with Pennies, I had to include it in my list!
In a nutshell, (actually a mushroom cap), the mushrooms are filled with a rich, cheesy crab filling and topped with bread crumbs.
You can use any large mushroom. I love using portobello mushrooms to make really big ones.
7. Crab Rangoon
This crab Rangoon by Spend with Pennies is another healthy crabmeat salad recipe.
It’s a simple mixture of crab, cream cheese, garlic powder and other seasonings wrapped in a wonton wrapper and fried crispy with vegetable oil (or baked in the oven)!
Keep in mind, this recipe calls for the real deal (crab meat), but again, you can substitute imitation crab meat for it and it will still be delicious!
8. Air Fryer Imitation Crab Cakes
These air-fryer imitation crab cakes by Amanda’s Cookin’ are ultra appetizing and super easy to make with juicy lump crab meat OR imitation crab!
Stuffed into a crispy golden-brown crust along with bell peppers, onions, and lots of flavorful seasonings, this healthy recipe is definitely a crowd pleaser!
9. Homemade California Poke Bowl with Imitation Crab
This California poke bowl recipe by A Paige of Positivity is refreshing and simple with imitation crab as the main ingredient.
A poke bowl is a Hawaiian dish with marinated seafood, served over rice and topped with fresh veggies, sauces, and crunchy toppings.
I love to top them with creamy avocado, fresh cucumber, sweet mango, and a dash of tangy spicy mayo.
10. Rainbow Roll Sushi
This rainbow sushi rolls recipe by Masala Herb is prepared with imitation crab, avocado, cucumber and various toppings to make the sushi roll look just like a rainbow.
If you’ve never made a sushi roll before, she gives easy step-by-step instructions so there’s no need to be worried.
It’s a great recipe that’s very similar to California rolls — my favorite kind of sushi!
11. Surimi Salad with Curry Mayo Dressing
Another from Masala Herb, this surimi salad with curry mayo dressing is a unique recipe.
The curry mayonnaise dip is particularly good. It’s one of those easy crab salad recipes I could eat every day!
12. Thai Pomelo Imitation Crab Salad Avocados
Following is this Thai imitation crab salad avocados with pomelo by Healthy World Cuisine.
Imagine avocados filled with delicate pink juicy pomelo, creamy crab meat, and tossed with a simple spicy Thai salad dressing.
They’re served to look just like little avocado boats. So cute!
13. Imitation Crab Pasta with Pesto, Mushrooms, & Tomatoes
Finally we have this imitation crab pasta recipe by This Mama Cooks.
It’s gluten free and can be made with fresh crab or an imitation crab and pasta mix.
Using simple ingredients to make this recipe, you’ll have a delicious dinner whipped up in no time!
Before You Go…
If you’ve made any of these, I’d love to know about it — leave a message below!
For more delicious seafood recipes, click on over to:
- Easy Crab Melts – Quick, healthy sandwich with creamy crab meat and gooey melted cheese.
- Keto Shrimp Alfredo with Tofu Shirataki Noodles – Low-carb, creamy Alfredo dish. A great keto-friendly recipe.
- Maryland Crab Pizza – Pizza loaded with fresh Maryland crab, what could be better?
- Baked Crab Casserole – I think real crab is needed for this one. It’s truly a savoury sensation — check it out!
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