Imitation Crab Salad with Cucumber and Tomato
Imitation crab salad is made with surimi, a prepared fish product, rather than assuming the package contains crab meat.
Imitation crab salad is made with surimi, a prepared fish product, rather than assuming the package contains crab meat. Its mild sweetness works with crisp cucumber, drained tomato and a little garlic in the dressing. Removing tomato seeds helps keep the bowl lightly creamy instead of watery. Check the product label for fish, shellfish, egg and wheat allergens because formulations vary. Keep the salad cold and assemble close to serving for the best vegetable texture.
Recipe at a glance
Yield: 4 servings. Prep: 20 minutes. Cook: 0 minutes. Total: 20 minutes, including 0 minutes of additional resting, cooling, chilling or draining where stated. Times are estimates; follow the doneness checks.
Equipment
Knife, sieve, whisk and mixing bowl
Ingredients and directions
Recipe card
Imitation Crab Salad with Cucumber and Tomato
Title and article identify the actual surimi-based dish; do not imply fresh crab in the base recipe.
Equipment: Knife, sieve, whisk and mixing bowl
Ingredients
Instructions
Check the surimi
Use a ready-to-eat product within its label date and storage instructions. Chop into small pieces.
Prepare vegetables
Wash produce, dice cucumber and seed tomatoes. Drain tomatoes in a sieve 5 minutes.
Dress
Whisk mayonnaise, lemon, garlic and pepper. Fold through surimi, cucumber, tomato and spring onion.
Keep cold
Serve immediately or refrigerate covered until needed; do not leave on a warm buffet.
Doneness checks
Helpful tips
- Check ready-to-eat labelling.
- Read surimi allergens.
- Drain diced tomatoes.
- Keep the dressing modest.
Troubleshooting
- Surimi is usually a processed white-fish product; check the label for any crab ingredients and allergens.
- Drain diced tomatoes.
Serving ideas
- Serve in lettuce cups.
- Pair with toast.
- Offer with boiled potatoes.
- Add as a chilled lunch bowl.
Substitutions
Use safely cooked picked crab meat for a different, more delicate seafood version; check carefully for shell.
Variation
Add 1 tbsp chopped dill before serving.
Make ahead
Mix dressing ahead and refrigerate. Chop and assemble vegetables on the serving day.
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate up to 2 days or the surimi package limit, whichever is shorter. Do not freeze the dressed salad.
Food safety
Use ready-to-eat imitation crab and pasteurized-egg mayonnaise. Keep chilled; check the surimi label for fish, shellfish, wheat and other allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is imitation crab actual crab?
Surimi is usually a processed white-fish product; check the label for any crab ingredients and allergens.
Why does the salad release water?
Cucumber and tomato naturally release liquid. Drain tomatoes and assemble near serving.
Tips
- Check ready-to-eat labelling.
- Read surimi allergens.
- Drain diced tomatoes.
- Keep the dressing modest.
Troubleshooting
- Surimi is usually a processed white-fish product; check the label for any crab ingredients and allergens.
- Drain diced tomatoes.
Substitutions
- Use safely cooked picked crab meat for a different, more delicate seafood version; check carefully for shell.
Variations
- Add 1 tbsp chopped dill before serving.
Serving suggestions
- Serve in lettuce cups.
- Pair with toast.
- Offer with boiled potatoes.
- Add as a chilled lunch bowl.
Make ahead
Mix dressing ahead and refrigerate. Chop and assemble vegetables on the serving day.
Storage
Refrigerate up to 2 days or the surimi package limit, whichever is shorter. Do not freeze the dressed salad.
Food safety
Use ready-to-eat imitation crab and pasteurized-egg mayonnaise. Keep chilled; check the surimi label for fish, shellfish, wheat and other allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is imitation crab actual crab?
Surimi is usually a processed white-fish product; check the label for any crab ingredients and allergens.
Why does the salad release water?
Cucumber and tomato naturally release liquid. Drain tomatoes and assemble near serving.
More recipes to try
Spotted a detail that needs correcting? Contact the FeastDelights editors.