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When I don’t have crabs in my refrigerator for my favorite crab salad, I always turn to this delicious and inexpensive alternative. Surimi resembles seafood, and I usually make Fishballs and Fish sausages with it too. Have you read “imitation crab meat” somewhere at your local grocery stores. Yup! That is Surimi. It is the white flesh of (pollock) fish processed to form a paste and shaped into long, thin strips.
So if you are craving a seafood appetizer, try this Japanese-style Surimi salad. You can add any one of your favorite fruits to the salad, I have added a mango because why not? The recipe is so easy and closely resembles my favorite salami pasta salad! Pair it up with some Honey Lemon Pepper wings and serve at the next family dinner.
Why would you like the recipe:
- A quick fix when you are running short of time to serve your guests.
- A creamy, refreshing, and delicious salad that you can enjoy as a complete meal or a side dish for a potluck.
- Use low-calorie mayonnaise and Keto yogurt to make it keto-friendly
- It is an ideal meal to include in a weight-loss diet.
- Serves at potluck dinners, festivities, beach parties, or Independence Day celebrations.
Ingredients For Surimi Salad
- 300 g surimi
- 2 cups chopped cabbage
- 1 mango cubed
- ½ cup corn kernels
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 serrano peppers
- Salt and Black pepper up to taste
Ingredient Notes And Variations
Surimi: Surimi is already mixed with other ingredients while it is being processed, so it doesn’t need much seasoning. Available in the shape of a long strip, you’ll need to chop or shred it before using.
Cabbage: Being a popular partner of veggie salads, cabbage lends its crunch and a variety of nutrients to this salad. Cut into cubes or chop finely.
Mango: I’ve added Mango because it is my favorite. However, you can also try Avocado, or Cucumber whatever suits you to improve its overall nutritious value.
Corn Kernels: In corn recipes, I always recommend using fresh corn, boiling it, and using its kernels. But if you can’t afford using fresh corn, you can substitute with canned sweet corn after removing its water.
Sour Cream: To make this salad creamy I’ve used sour cream, although it adds to the caloric count of the salad.
Mayonnaise: Like all salads, Mayonnaise makes the base of the salad dressing and holds all the ingredients together. However, you can replace regular mayo with the Vegan Mayo to check the caloric count.
Things You’ll Need:
- A Salad Bowl
- A Salad Mixing Spatula
How to make the Best Surimi Salad?
Step one: Preparation
- Thaw the surimi, and shred or roughly chop as required. Add chopped surimi to a salad bowl. Set aside.
- Remove the seeds from the serrano peppers and chop them finely. Deseeding them will keep the spice content in check.
- Chop cabbage finely and cut the mango into chunks.
Step two: Assembling
- Put the chopped serrano peppers, cabbage, and mango chunks into the salad bowl.
- Add corn kernels, mayonnaise and sour cream. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Mix well before serving.
- To present the salad nicely, serve this with crackers, Tortilla Chips or toasted Garlic bread.
Expert tips to make the Surimi Salad
- If you think the surimi has excess moisture, drain it first before shredding or chopping. You can also use a hand mixer to shred the meat.
- To make it more flavorful, saute chopped surimi in a bit of oil and chopped garlic for a while before adding it to the salad.
How to store the Surimi Salad?
If you have any salad leftovers, pack them in a zip-lock bag or an airtight container and then refrigerate. The surimi salad stays good in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
Since it is a cold salad, you can eat it straight out of the refrigerator without heating it. I will not advise keeping the salad at room temperature for a long time as the mayonnaise and sour cream develops a foul smell and may cause salad to rot.
How to Freeze the Surimi Salad?
My regular readers will know that I do not recommend freezing salads. They tend to get soggy and lose all their texture and freshness. But if it is too important to freeze, do so without adding the mayonnaise and sour cream. Freeze in an air-tight container.
When you need to thaw the salad, do so by placing it in the refrigerator for a night, or keeping it at room temperature for a few hours.
Alternative Ingredients you may Try for variation
- If you are on a weight loss diet and want your salad to be light, add greek yogurt instead of sour cream and use low-fat mayonnaise.
- Try adding any other fruit to this salad such as avocado, or pineapple. Avocado is loaded with nutrients, whereas Pineapple lends a more tropical flavor.
- To make the salad more protein-rich, Try adding boiled chickpeas in place of corn kernels. Kidney beans also taste well in salads and improve the nutrient content.
- Add chopped celery sticks and lemon juice to make it a Japanese-style side dish, which is usually served with sushi.
- Along with cabbage, you can also use cucumbers, carrots, or bell peppers to make salad colorful.
Recipe Alternatives
- Crab Salad Recipe
- Mango avocado cucumber salad
- French carrot salad
- Burmese tea leaf salad
- Keto Mock Crab Salad
- Creamy Shrimp Salad
- Seafood Pasta Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make surimi at home?
Take some boneless, skinless fish fillets and cut them into small pieces. Put them in a food processor. Add an egg white, salt, and a bit of sugar and process until you achieve a smooth mixture. Use a bit of corn flour to firm up the mixture. You can shape it up as required and wrap it in plastic cling film to store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Why is it called surimi?
Surimi is a Japanese word that means “Ground meat“. In Chinese, it is known as yu Jiang which means fish puree. Surimi involves processing the flesh of fish, most probably of wild Alaska Pollock, and some amount of crab meat to produce an inexpensive alternative to crab or lobsters. It is added to salads, California rolls, or other dishes which do not require much cooking.
What is surimi salad made of?
Surimi Salad is usually made out of a creamy dressing. It requires mayonnaise, sour cream, or greek yogurt, you can add any of your favorite fruit, but the most popular versions have an avocado and celery sticks along with chopped surimi. The salad is adaptable so you can add any other vegetables like chopped red onions, cucumbers, cabbage, etc.
Related Recipes You Can Try
Surimi Salad
Ingredients
- 300 g surimi
- 2 cup chopped cabbage
- 1 mango cubed
- ½ cup corn kernels
- ¼ cup sour cream or greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 serrano peppers
- Salt and Black pepper up to taste
Instructions
- Roughly chop the surimi. Deseed the peppers and chop them well. Add them to a mixing bowl.
- Add chopped cabbage, corn kernels, and mangoes. Pour the mayonnaise and sour cream and mix well.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and mix well. Serve fresh
