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    The Cozy Plum » Recipes » Appetizers

    Imitation Crab Dip

    Published: May 16, 2023 by Callan Wenner · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe
    Imitation crab dip in a bowl with crackers, celery, and sub roll scattered around.

    Imitation crab dip is a cold salad that is salty, slightly sweet from the crab, creamy, and crunchy from celery. Mayonnaise brings it all together keeping it creamy and yet light since it is made without cream cheese. Eat this seafood dip with crackers, crunchy vegetables, or straight from the bowl for a perfect light lunch or cool snack on a hot day.

    Also called seafood salad, crab salad dip is a quick and easy homemade version of what you'll find around the seafood counter at your grocery store.

    Imitation crab dip in a bowl with crackers alongside.

    Unlike using fresh crab or other expensive seafood, this crab stick recipe uses artificial crab made from other less expensive fish that is more affordable and equally as delicious.

    If you'd like to use fresh crab meat, you can definitely do so! You should also try this Maryland Style Crab Pretzel and Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip if you're looking for recipes using real crab meat (blue crab).

    And, if you're looking to serve this with a summer staple, try it next to these Marinated Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Aioli!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • How to Make This Recipe
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Storage
    • More Easy Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers Recipes
    • 📖Recipe
    • Come Bake With Us!

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    Cold and creamy. Crab dip is perfect to eat in the warm months of the year because it is chilled and creamy with the perfect amount of crunch from chopped celery.

    Quick and easy. This recipe only requires a few ingredients and comes together in just four simple steps. You won't need any special equipment or to turn on the oven. Just chop and stir, and you're ready to eat!

    Imitation crab. If you've never had imitation crab, it is such a great and affordable ingredient. It is made from other, less expensive fish, but still tastes and feels like crab meat. It is sweet, reminiscent of the sea, and has that little bit of bounce when you bite into it. This is a great option so you can eat delicious seafood without breaking the bank.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for imitation crab dip.
    • Imitation crab sticks. Sticks are the best option to use, so look for those first. If you can't find crab sticks, use crab flakes or chunks.
    • Mayonnaise. This is the base of the imitation crab dip and creates a creamy texture for the dip.
    • Lemon. Freshly squeezed lemon helps to cut through the fat of the mayonnaise and pairs perfectly with the crab.
    • Celery. The celery will get very finely chopped to add texture to the crab salad.
    • Shallot. Very finely chopped for extra flavor. Red onion can also be used but will be a bit spicier.
    • Dried herbs and spices. Dried dill, garlic powder, and paprika are used in this recipe. Fresh dill can also be used.

    See recipe card for full ingredients list and quantities.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Use lime juice in place of lemon.
    • Substitute greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise for a slightly tangier version.
    • Use real crab meat in place of imitation crab if you're feeling fancy.
    • Add chopped fresh dill or parsley.
    • Make this into a handheld meal by scooping crab dip onto a roll like a crab salad sandwich.
    • Substitute 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh dill for the dried dill.

    How to Make This Recipe

    Chopped up imitation crab on a cutting board.

    One: Chop the imitation crab sticks, most into bite-sized pieces, and some into shreds. This allows for various textures in the seafood salad.

    Crab salad mayonnaise mix in a bowl.

    Two: Whisk together the mayonnaise, water, salt, lemon juice, spices, celery, and shallot.

    Imitation crab and dressing mixed in a bowl.

    Three: Add the chopped imitation crab and mix to combine. Refrigerate for one hour to allow the flavors to develop.

    Imitation crab dip in a bowl with crackers, celery, and sub roll scattered around.

    Four: Serve in a bowl with your favorite crackers, crostini, celery, or rolls and extra slices of lemon for squeezing.

    Serving tip! Turn this into a lunch or meal by adding the crab dip to a sub roll! It's exactly like the seafood salad you get at the deli counter.

    Seafood salad in a sub roll on a plate.

    Expert Tips

    • Add sriracha or old bay seasoning to change up the flavor profile.
    • Use both chunks and shreds of the crab sticks for varying textures in the salad.
    • Crab sticks work best in this recipe, otherwise crab flakes are the next best option.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can you eat imitation crab raw?

    Yes, the sticks of chunks of imitation crab are cooked prior to packaging, so it can be eaten directly after opening

    Can you eat imitation crab dip hot?

    While this specific recipe was developed to be cold, you could bake it in the oven until hot and bubbling, if preferred. You could also make this Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip.

    What do you eat with imitation crab dip?

    Crackers like saltines, water crackers, Triscuits, wheat thins, baguette slices, tortilla chips, or celery sticks.

    What is imitation crab meat?

    Imitation crab meat is a mixture of fish, egg, starch, and some additives. It is ground and shaped into sticks or chunks to look like crab meat. Often found in California rolls and other sushi, it is an inexpensive alternative to crab.

    Storage

    Store the imitation crab dip covered in the refrigerator for up to one week. This dip should not be frozen.

    More Easy Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers Recipes

    • Creamy Jalapeño Ranch Dip
    • Baked Brie with Fig Jam
    • Whipped Ricotta Crostini
    • Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tart

    Did you make this recipe? Share it with us! Tag @thecozyplum on Instagram & Facebook and leave a star rating ⭐️ below!

    📖Recipe

    Imitation crab salad in a bowl with crackers, celery, and lemon.

    Imitation Crab Dip

    Callan Wenner
    Imitation crab dip is a cold salad that is salty, slightly sweet from the crab, creamy, and crunchy from celery. Mayonnaise brings it all together keeping it creamy and yet light since it is made without cream cheese. Eat this seafood dip with crackers, crunchy vegetables, or straight from the bowl for a perfect light lunch or cool snack on a hot day.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Refrigeration 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 59 kcal

    Equipment

    • cutting board
    • sharp knife
    • Whisk
    • Large mixing bowl
    • rubber spatula or spoon

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
    • ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Dried dill
    • 2 tablespoons finely minced celery
    • 1 tablespoon finely minced shallot
    • 16 oz imitation crab sticks 8oz is one pack

    Instructions
     

    • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, water, salt, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, dill, minced celery, and minced shallot until combined and smooth.
      ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons water, ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon Paprika, 1 teaspoon Dried dill, 2 tablespoons finely minced celery, 1 tablespoon finely minced shallot
    • Cut ¾ of the package of crab sticks into 1 cm pieces and add to the bowl of wet ingredients. Cut the remaining sticks into fourths, then shred or cut the pieces into thin shreds. This allows for various textures.
      16 oz imitation crab sticks
    • Refrigerate for one hour to allow the flavors to mingle. Serve with crackers, celery stalks, or on a sub roll.

    Notes

    Use crab sticks rather than flakes or chunks. If you can't find sticks, flakes or chunks will suffice. 
    Store the dip covered in the fridge for one week.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 59kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 3gFat: 0.02gSaturated Fat: 0.003gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.003gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 466mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 21IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.1mg
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      About Callan

      I'm Callan, and welcome to The Cozy Plum! A photographer and recipe developer of all things sweet, savory, and delicious, I help cooks and bakers of any level gain the confidence to create restaurant-quality recipes in their own kitchen!

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