Is Imitation Crab Gluten-Free? (Updated 2023)

If you are on a gluten-free diet, you may be wondering if imitation crab is gluten-free. The answer is... it depends. There are a few brands of gluten-free imitation crab out there, but not all brands are safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

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Quick Facts

The majority of imitation crab brands are NOT gluten-free
Do not eat imitation crab meat at a restaurant
There a safe options for gluten-free imitation crab meat at home
Read labels thoroughly, when in doubt use one of our listed substitutions

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Quick Facts
What is Imitation Crab Made of?
Brand Review
How to Use Imitation Crab in Recipes
Substitutions for Imitation Crab
Summary
Suggested Reading
⭐Reviews

What is Imitation Crab Made of?

Ingredients vary by brand but imitation crab is typically made from surimi. Surimi is a type of minced fish, usually pollock, that has been treated with alcohol and then formed into a paste.

All the bones and other yucky bits and pieces have been removed. And imitation crab does not contain actual crab meat, hence the name.

This paste is then mixed with other ingredients like salt, egg whites, fillers, and flavorings to create the final product which tastes like crab. I

These fillers often contain gluten, but not always.

Brand Review

The following are consumer brands. All brands that were for food service only contained wheat. For this reason, it is not recommended for anyone on a gluten-free diet to eat imitation crab when dining out.

Certified Gluten-Free Imitation Crab Brands

The following brands are labeled gluten-free:

TransOcean- All their products are certified gluten-free. You can purchase them online but they are available at most grocery stores. They have an easy-to-use product locator on their website to help you find specific products at stores in your area.

No Gluten Ingredients

The following brands are not certified gluten-free but contain no gluten-free ingredients. They are generally considered safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

Kroger Crab Select- Available at Krogers and Albertsons

Classic Creations- Walmart's in-house brand

Dyna-Sea- Available at HEB

Marusui- I see this one at our Asian grocery and it also has no gluten-containing ingredients.

Brands to Avoid

The following brands produce imitation crab that contains wheat or other gluten-containing ingredients.

Great Catch- Sold at HEB, Walmart, and other national retailers.

Kanimi Seafarer Treasures- I often see this listed as no gluten- ingredients but all the varieties I have personally seen in the store do contain wheat. Specific ingredients are not listed on their website. Best to avoid.

Trident Seafood- This is primarily a wholesale food service line under the names Leg-A-Sea, Seafest, Sealegs, Pacific Mate, Jac's, Sea Shells.

Louis and Kemp - Available nationwide

Sea Best- Available nationwide

Sea Queen - In-house brand for Aldi

Aquamar- Available nationwide at Walmart

Hilos Amano Kanikama- Available nationwide at Walmart

Signature Kitchens - In-house brand for Safeway and Tom Thumb

These brands should be avoided if you are on a gluten-free diet.

When in doubt, always read the labels of any product you are considering purchasing. If the label does not explicitly state that the product is gluten use caution or refer back to the list.

How to Use Imitation Crab in Recipes

Imitation crab can be used in a variety of recipes. Imitation crab is used in recipes when the chef or home cook wants to save money or when the recipe has deep flavors that overpower the delicate flavor of real crab.

It is often used as a sushi filling (i.e. California rolls) or in Kani salad. We always use GF imitation crab meat in our spicy Kani salad recipe.

You can also use imitation crab in poke bowls, pasta dishes, casseroles, and soups.