Crabsticks recipes
Despite the name, crab sticks contain no crab. They are highly processed, imitation crabmeat made from surimi, finely pounded white fish flesh. The individual sticks are artificially coloured bright pink on the outside, with the white meat on the inside enhanced by crab flavouring. They have a rubbery texture and slightly salty taste and are often found as a replacement for crab in seafood salads or other dishes.
Buyer's guide
Since crab sticks are cooked during the curing process, they can be eaten without further cooking.
Other considerations
Crab sticks were first produced and patented in Japan, but as they do not always contain any crabmeat they are often called ocean sticks, seafood sticks or other similar names instead.