Contrary to what the name suggests, crab sticks do not contain crab meat. They are commonly known as imitation crab sticks, seafood sticks, and surimi. Instead, they are made with white fish, seasonings, eggs, and starch. You’ll usually find them in the Asian section or Seafood aisle.
Crab sticks carry the fishy taste of the ocean like their original counterpart. These delightful and tasty sticks can be used in various cuisines and dishes. Try and see for yourself what the hype is about with these 13 recipes with crab sticks that are easy and quick to make without any lengthy preparation.
1. Sweet and Spicy Crab Stick Salad
This tasty salad recipe has won our hearts with its fantastic flavor combination of sweet and spicy. This salad has got it all; shredded crab sticks, crunchy carrots, juicy cucumbers, tangy tomatoes, and hard-boiled eggs tossed with a smashing salad dressing made with fish sauce, chili sauce, white rice vinegar, ginger, and lime juice. The unity of juicy veggies combined with a delicious dressing results in a refreshing bowl of nutritious salad.
2. Fried Crab Stick Crackers
The ultimate 4-ingredient recipe that makes the best snackable, crispy, crunchy crackers that will leave you satiated. They are fast to prepare and incredibly easy to make. Plus, their flavor is absolutely delicious. You only need crabsticks, cornstarch, bay leaves, curry leaves, and oil.
3. Kani Salad
Kani salad is a popular item in Japanese restaurants. It makes for a fantastic side dish. This salad features crunchy vegetables like cucumber and carrots, first tossed with salt and then paired with glass noodles and crabsticks. A kick of lemon zest and juice elevates the freshness of the plate. The salad is mixed with mayonnaise and black sesame seeds, then served on lettuce leaves.
4. Krab Dippers
Craving for something fancy but easy to make? Try these krab diapers wrapped in a buttery and flaky puff pastry that are perfect for serving on special occasions. You only require a tub of cream cheese, crab sticks, eggs, puff pastry, and dried oregano to make the krab dipper. Grab aioli, mustard, olives, lemon juice, and some seasoning for the sauce. And you’re all set to make your own special holiday snack.
5. Russian Salad with Imitation Crab Meat
Looking for ideas to jazz up your parties? Serve Russian salad with imitation crab sticks. It’s a favorite and one that’ll have everyone coming up to you for the recipe. Sweet and delicious crab sticks paired with white rice and crispy Mais, eggs, and onions smothered in creamy mayonnaise and topped with chopped celery. Make sure you don’t overcook your rice.
6. Rice Crab Stick Salad
Refreshing salads are the best part of any meal. Try this creamy rice crab stick salad to serve at your dinner tonight and wow everyone with its exquisite flavors. Make your cold rice salad by cooking the rice and eggs first. Cut sweetcorn, dill pickles, crab sticks, and boiled eggs finely and toss white rice into the mix. Finally, add the mayo and sour cream mixture over the crab stick salad, and that’s it. Within 30 minutes, your creamy and cold rice crab stick salad will be ready.
7. Crispy Air Fried Crab Sticks Crackers
Why wait for Chinese New years to eat these crispy air-fried crab stick crackers when you can enjoy them any time of the year? Grab your crab stick meat, oil, garlic powder, paprika, and a little curry powder. Combine seasoning with oil and add to your air fryer with the crab sticks. Serve it with the finger-licking chili cheese sauce made with cream cheese, sweet chili sauce, and soy sauce.
8. Hot Imitation Crab Dip
This delightful imitation crab dip is the perfect companion to a wide array of crackers, chips, bread, and veggies. It comes together in 15 minutes and has fantastic flavors. Made with hot pepper sauce, you can also add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to kick the heat up a notch. You’ll need onion, garlic powder, cream cheese, crab meat, mayonnaise, and lemon juice to make this yummy dip. It is delicious and creamy and tastes best when served warm.
9. Imitation Crab Salad with Sesame Soy Dressing
Light and refreshing, this imitation crab salad with sesame soy dressing will leave you feeling replenished. It is loaded with nutrition and healthy protein. This salad only requires crab sticks, lettuce, glass noodles, cilantro, and cucumbers. It is topped and tossed with a brilliant sesame soy dressing made with brown sugar, rice vinegar, lemon juice, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Best of all, you only need 20 minutes to prepare this salad.
10. Korean Cucumber and Crab Stick Salad
You’ll often find crab stick salads served as an entrée in Korean restaurants, bringing bright, refreshing colors and flavors to the table. With only a few ingredients, you can easily make this amazing side dish. All you need are imitation crab sticks, cucumbers cut into julienne, chopped green onions, Japanese mayonnaise, rice vinegar, sugar, and some seasonings. All these ingredients are tossed together and served cold.
11. Crab Sticks Pate
This tasty appetizer is as good as they come. Made with simple ingredients like crab sticks, onions, garlic, eggs, parsley, and mayonnaise, it is incredibly simple to make and can be prepared in under 25 minutes. Serve it fresh with toast or bread slices and store it in the refrigerator for the best results.
12. Crab Sticks and Rice Salad
Fall in love with this hearty and refreshing crab sticks and rice salad loaded with salted kernel corn, green onions, rice, eggs, and surimi crab sticks. Mix in some mayo and top with fresh dills. The entire salad comes together quickly in a mouthwatering creamy blend of veggies.
13. Crispy Crab Sticks with Chili Sauce
When kids are screaming for a snack, and you have to whip up something quick, why not try these snack-able crab sticks served with chili sauce? It’s quick, it’s easy, and best of all; incredibly tasty. The crab sticks are first smothered in a batter made with flour, baking powder, salt, and ice-cold water and dusted with corn flour for extra crispiness. It is then fried in hot oil until golden.
