Surimi

Preparation, uses, and tips

Use surimi in recipes calling for shellfish. It is good chilled, in salads. For other dishes, add it during the last few minutes and cook just until heated through. Cooking surimi too long will cause it to toughen.

Deep frying

Pour oil into a wok or deep fryer; it should be at least 1 1/2 inches (about 3.8cm) deep, and the cooker should be less than half full of oil. Heat oil to 375°F (190°C), using a thermometer to monitor temperature. Slip breaded surimi into hot oil. Cook until brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

Buying and storing tips

Different brands of surimi have varying flavours; try a few brands to find the ones you like best. When buying thawed surimi, check its smell; it shouldn’t smell sour or stale.

Wrap thawed surimi in plastic and store in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Frozen surimi will keep in the freezer for two months. To thaw slowly, unwrap, place surimi in a saucepan, cover, and leave for 24 hours in the refrigerator. To thaw more quickly, place surimi (wrapped in a watertight bag) in a sink with cool running water, allowing about 1/2 hour per pound (454g). For fastest thawing, use the defrost cycle of your microwave, allowing 2 to 5 minutes per pound (454g), with equal standing time in between zaps.

Varieties

Surimi comes in a variety of shapes, which resemble shrimp, scallops, crab, and lobster tail. It is available breaded or unbreaded, frozen or thawed.

Nutrition Highlights

Surimi, 3 oz. (85g)
Calories: 84
Protein: 12.9g
Carbohydrate: 5.8g
Total Fat: 0.76g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Selenium (23.8mcg), and Vitamin B12 (1.4mcg)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines.

Surimi (imitation crab) provides 0.612 grams of omega-3 fatty acids, derived from EPA (0.244g), DHA (0.361g), and ALA (0.007g), per 100 grams of surimi (imitation crab).

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The information presented in the Food Guide is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires August 2007.