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
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.
Substitutions for Imitation Crab
If you can't find gluten-free imitation crab, there are a few substitutes you can use in its place.
- Fresh Crab
- Shrimp
- Tofu
- Jackfruit
- Canned tuna
- Canned salmon
- Cooked chicken breast
Summary
- 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
Suggested Reading
I hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions about whether or not imitation crab is gluten-free, please leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer it. I will update this list as new items are found.
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