Is Imitation Crab Vegan?
If you’re considering purchasing the ‘imitation crab’ products sold at Asian markets and restaurants, it’s important to note that these are not typically vegan-friendly. In fact, they usually contain some sort of flaky white fish, a starchy filler, red dye, small amounts of crab meat for flavor, fish oil, egg whites, and loads of additives. Based on these ingredients, we can conclude that traditional imitation crab is not vegan, vegetarian-friendly, or even healthy.
However, not to worry! There are plenty of vegan crab substitutes to curb your crab cravings. Keep reading and discover some of our favorites:
Vegan Store-Bought Crab Substitutes
Good Catch Plant-Based Crab Cakes
This brand has launched both New-England style vegan crab cakes, and breaded vegan crab cakes! At up to 20g of protein per serving, you won’t want to miss out on this ocean-friendly plant-based substitute.
Shop On:
Sophie’s Kitchen Plant-Based Crab Cakes
A seafood, gluten, and soy-free option for those with food sensitivities or allergies, Sophie’s Kitchen’s crab cakes were made for everyone to enjoy. At just 120 calories per serving, they’re the perfect healthy snack to enjoy with some dairy-free tartar sauce or mayo!
Shop On:
Gardein Mini Crispy Crabless Cakes
These yum crabless cakes are a vegan classic! Plus, they’re a great source of omega-3s, fortified with 400mg of ALA and 18mg of EPA/DHA per serving!
Additional Vegan Crab Imitation Products
If you’re on the lookout for a more natural, healthy DIY alternative, some plant-based ingredients typically used to recreate the texture and flavor or crab are:
King oyster mushrooms ( best as shredded crab meat, in sushi, or in crab cakes)
Hearts of palm (best in crab cakes)
Artichoke hearts (best in crab cakes, crab salads)
Jackfruit (best in crab cakes, crab salads)
Recommended Products To Make Your Own Imitation Crab
We hope these alternatives can help you stick to your animal-friendly diet, and inspire you to try new plant-based flavors and textures. Let us know which crab substitute caught your eye in the comments below, and check out even more vegan seafood substitutes here!
