Imitation Crab Salad

Imitation Crab Salad is a budget friendly favorite, that's a little bit fancy too! A favorite among Soviet and Russian salads, popular for New Years and celebrations. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish for your summer picnic or gathering.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Easy - just chop and mix, anyone can make this!
• Budget Friendly - have you seen the price of real crab meat? Eek!
• Versatile - personalize and make your own with many tips and variations, this isn't your usual crab salad!
• Perfect for Parties - from an intimate dinner, or double the recipe for a summer potluck bbq, it's sure to be a seafood crowd pleaser

Ingredients

• Imitation Crab sticks or Crab Flakes - can use fresh or frozen
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Onion - white onion and green onion
• Russian Mayo - super creamy, with easy substitute suggestions
• Garnish - fresh dill and red caviar

How to Make Imitation Crab Salad

1. Prepare Eggs - hard boil egg in advance and allow to cool. Peel, dice and set aside
2. Preparing Imitation Crab Meat - flake crab into bite size pieces, if using crab sticks, dice into bite size pieces
3. Combine - crab meat, eggs, diced onion, green onion and mayonnaise
4. Season - add salt and pepper to taste
5. Garnish - dollop with red caviar and garnish with fresh dill

How to Hard Boil Eggs - Easy Method

1. Prepare Pot - place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water (by about 1 inch).
2. Boil -bring to a boil, cover with a lid and turn off heat.
3. Sit - set a timer and let sit for 10-11 minutes until cooked.
4. Cool - place eggs in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes to cool, and to make peeling easier.
5. Peel - gently tap the eggs to crack the shell. Peel and rinse under running water and set aside.

Crab Sticks or Crab Flakes?

This recipe can be modified to use imitation crab sticks (sometimes called Surimi Sticks) or flake style imitation crab used for salads. The choice is up to you.

Crab Sticks Method

• Super easy, simply cut into bite size pieces. For this version, try to keep all the ingredients the same size so it's easy to eat and serve

Flake Style Imitation Crab Method

• Whole Flaked Pieces - results in a larger, chunky seafood salad
• Chopped Flaked Pieces - chop into bite size, uniform pieces
• Shredded Flaked Pieces - using your hands or a fork, gently flake into small pieces, without damaging the crab meat

Crab Salad Variations

The Soviets had so many creative ways to make hearty salads, and everyone had their own method to make it their own. Here are some favorites.

• Canned Corn - mix through 2 cans of drained, canned corn for flavor and texture
• Cooked Rice - extra carbs make this recipe hearty, filling and more like a meal
• Dill Pickles - add extra tang and crunch by dicing 3 dill pickles into your salad
• Cheese - for Crab Stick Salad mix in diced cheese, for Flaked Crab add grated cheese
• Chinese Cabbage - thinly slice ½ the cabbage and mix through (you'll need extra mayo for this one)
• Seafood - mix through shrimp or smoked Salmon (Gravlax)
• Cherry Tomatoes - add flavor and juiciness
• American Crab Salad - thinly slice celery, add shrimp and Old Bay Seasoning

Russian Mayonnaise Substitute

If you've never had modern Russian mayonnaise, you're in for a treat! Available in Russian stores and Eastern European delis, it's not like the American version! It's slightly more mustardy, and doesn't have the harsh oil after taste often found in American brands.

Specifically I like to buy a creamy version called Smetanniy Mayo (майонез сметанный) which is a blend of creamy Russian Mayo with Sour Cream (smetana). Of course you can mix 60% sour cream with 40% American mayo for something creamier, but here's how to make Russian Mayo at home. Mix together the following ingredients;

• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup mayo (like Hellmans or Heinz)
• ¼ teaspoon dry mustard powder (can substitute with Dijon mustard)
• ¼ teaspoon vinegar
• pinch of salt and white sugar

Serving Suggestions

• Side Dish - serve alongside your New Years celebration dinner, family feast or special occasion
• Inside a Roll - place imitation crab meat salad inside a bread roll, as a cheaper substitute for a Lobster Roll (perfect for any leftover salad)
• Cracker Topping - serve over crackers, an easy appetizer
• Summer Salad - perfect for bbqs and potluck dinners

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Be Gentle - when handling crab, be gently to maintain the texture (nobody likes mushy crab)
• Homemade Mayo - it really makes a difference in taste if you take the effort to make the sour cream mayo, it's light and creamy!
• Serve Cold - place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes for the salad to chill before serving
• Don't Skip the Caviar - supermarket caviar isn't very expensive, adds flavor and looks fancy when serving - perfect for holiday parties and celebrations
• Spice It Up - sprinkle chilli flakes, drizzle with Sriracha or add Chipotle Peppers

Can I Use Frozen Crab Meat?

Yes, imitation crab is often sold frozen. Allow to defrost before using.

Can I Use Real Crab Meat Instead of Imitation?

Sure, if you have the means, it's absolutely delicious. There was one New Years dinner in Russia where I enjoyed this with real crab meat, it was unbelievable. However, most will use the budget friendly substitute available in all supermarkets.

Can I Make Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! In fact, allowing it to chill in the fridge for several hours ahead of time allows the flavors to meld, making it taste even better. Best made in the morning, and enjoyed in the evening.

Storage

• Fridge - place leftover salad into an airtight container and keep refrigerated. Best enjoyed within 1 or 2 days.
• Freezer - not recommended. Mayo and Sour Cream do not freeze well, and previously frozen seafood shouldn't be frozen twice.

Salad Recipes You'll Love

• Olivier Potato Salad
• Herring Under a Fur Coat
• Layered Salmon Salad
• 7 Bean Salad for Large Parties
• Asian Coleslaw
• Texas Caviar Bean Salad
• Vinegret Beet Salad
• Achichuk Uzbek Tomato Salad
• How to Eat Caviar

This Seafood Salad is easy to make, budget friendly and still fancy! A simple recipe that allows you to be creative to personalize and make your own. This mouthwatering recipe will be a hit this holiday and summer season. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

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