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    Home » Mexican Recipes » Easy Mock Crab Ceviche Recipe

    Easy Mock Crab Ceviche Recipe

    Date: June 8, 2022 by Christian Guzman • This post may contain affiliate links. See Privacy Policy below.

    This Mock Crab Ceviche is easy and budget friendly with all fresh ingredients and imitation crab. You may want to have it all summer long.

    You can have this on your table in less than 30 minutes and don’t be surprised if you want to eat it for your entire meal.

    • What is Ceviche?
    • Is Ceviche Eaten with Chips?
    • How to Make Your Own Tostadas or Tortilla Chips
    • Secret Serving Tip
    • Recipe
    24Bite: Easy Mock Crab Ceviche Recipe by Christian Guzman
    Serve with fresh baked tortilla chips.
    Jump to Recipe

    What is Ceviche?

    Traditionally, Mexican Ceviche is made with raw shrimp or other seafood and fish, which is “cured” in lime juice. My version starts will fully cooked imitation crab which is less expensive and easier to use.

    Ceviche isn’t actually cooked, but it isn’t raw either. Think of it like you would something like prosciutto.

    Is Ceviche Eaten with Chips?

    Serve your mock crab ceviche with tortilla chips as an appetizer. It can be used in place of Pico de Gallo, another fresh appetizer.

    If you would like to eat this as more of a light meal, serve on tostadas or even as a taco with corn or flour tortillas.

    Have a browse at all
    24Bite recipes
    to customize your own search.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for imitation crab ceviche, displayed on a countertop

    It will take a little bit to get all these ingredients prepped and chopped, but it’s worth it!

    Imitation Crab. I like to use the flake style crab for this recipe. Instead of chopping, rip it into bite-sized pieces to retain the look of real crab.

    Cucumber. Remove the seeds. I like to cut it lengthwise and cut down the center to remove them. You can peel the cucumber or not, whatever you prefer.

    closeup of seeded, chopped cucumber
    You can either peel the cucumber or leave it unpeeled.

    Limes. Zest the limes first, before you juice them. If it’s difficult to juice them, try putting them in a microwave for 15 seconds.

    Jalapeno. I like to remove the seeds and membranes from the center. This removes most of the spicy heat. If you prefer a spicier version, try Serrano peppers instead.

    plate of birria tacos with link to recipe

    Pre-Made Salsa. This is an optional ingredient. You can add more to make the ceviche more liquid-y. Because traditional ceviche uses lime juice to cure the seafood, there is enough to cover the top. There’s more liquid.

    Because you’re not curing the imitation crab with this recipe, the lime juice is more for flavor. The salsa will help with that liquid. It’s a great opportunity to easily spice things up by using a spicier salsa.

    Red Onion. Consider deflaming the onion before adding to the dish. It helps tone down the sharpness.

    running water over chopped red onion in a colander
    Deflaming the onion in water is an easy way to tone it down.

    How to Make Your Own Tostadas

    If you want to serve this as a meal, I suggest freshly-made tostadas. You can buy tostadas already made, but they’re so often broken.

    Start by spraying both sides of yellow corn tortillas with olive oil. Place in a 400° oven for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway. The length of time depends on the type and thickness of your tortillas. Watch them carefully since they can burn easily.

    Often I’ve seen people put a thin layer of mayonnaise to the tostada before adding a couple of spoons of ceviche.

    You can make tortilla chips in the same way. Cut the tortillas into four triangles then bake them the same way.

    closeup of a tortilla chip with a good bit of mock crab ceviche on top

    Secret Serving Tip

    Don’t be alarmed! I’m going to share a secret to help make this dish go further. It’s not even close to traditional, but that’s okay. It’s just as good.

    After you’ve prepared everything, you can add some cooked pasta (rotini or elbows) and mix the entire bowl of ceviche and pasta with mayonnaise to make a cold pasta salad. Yes, I went there. You’ll love it!

    Recipe

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    Mock Crab Ceviche Recipe

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    5 from 39 votes
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 125kcal
    Author: Christian Guzman
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    This Mock Crab Ceviche is easy and budget friendly with all fresh ingredients and imitation crab. You may want to have it all summer long.

    For more information, be sure to check the recipe details in the attached 24Bite® post.

    Ingredients

    • ½ pound Imitation Crab, flake style
    • 2 Roma Tomatoes, or 4 small tomatoes or 1 large tomato
    • ½ English Cucumber, or whole regular cucumber
    • 2 small Avocados, or 1 large avocado
    • ½ large Red Onion, chopped
    • 1 Jalapeno, minced
    • 2 Limes, juice and zest
    • up to ½ cup Cilantro, chopped, optional
    • ¼ cup Salsa, pre-made, optional
    • Salt and Pepper, to taste

    Instructions

    • Rip apart the imitation crab into small pieces. (This retains the look of real crab meat.) Place in a large plastic or glass mixing bowl. Do not use a reactive bowl, like metal.
    • Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds. Chop tomatoes and add to bowl.
    • Cut the cucumber lengthwise into quarters then remove the seeds. Chop and add to bowl.
    • Remove peel and pit from avocados and chop. Add to bowl.
    • Remove seeds and membranes from the jalapeno and mince. Add to bowl.
    • Zest the limes then juice them. Add zest and juice to bowl.
    • If desired, lightly chop cilantro leaves until you have ¼ or up to ½ cup. Add to bowl.
    • If desired, add pre-made salsa. You can add more, if you like, for more liquid.
    • Add salt and pepper to taste.
    • Mix all ingredients gently.



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    Notes

    Serve immediately or put it in airtight container in the refrigerator to chill for an hour before serving.
    Makes 8 servings when used as a side dish. 
    Serve with tortilla chips or as a light lunch on tostadas.
    The calculated nutritional values do not include optional ingredients.
    Nutrition Facts
    Mock Crab Ceviche Recipe
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 125 Calories from Fat 72
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 8g12%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Sodium 218mg9%
    Carbohydrates 14g5%
    Fiber 5g21%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 3g6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Fusion, Mexican
    Keyword easy crab ceviche, faux crab ceviche, imitation crab ceviche, no cook crab ceviche
    ______________________



    Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. All amounts are estimates and 24Bite® takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier. Please calculate the amounts yourself based on package labeling if you have specific dietary requirements. 24Bite®, Kim Guzman or Christian Guzman shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on this website or actions you take as a result.

    © 2019-2023 Kim Guzman and Christian Guzman. All rights reserved. Subscribe to 24Bite email newsletters.



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    « Instant Pot Lima Beans
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    Appetizers and Side Dishes, Mexican Recipes, Salad Recipes, Seafood Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cathleen says

      June 13, 2022 at 3:05 pm

      5 stars
      I know what I’m making this weekend! I am so excited for this recipe, thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Christian Guzman says

        June 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm

        That’s great! I hope you love it as much as I do!

        Reply
    2. Luke says

      June 15, 2022 at 1:21 pm

      5 stars
      The perfect summer starters, we loved this with tortilla chips; it was delicious 🙂

      Reply
    3. Savita says

      June 16, 2022 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      This looks so delicious, Perfect side dish for my family grilling dinner night.

      Reply
    4. Linda says

      June 16, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      5 stars
      It was great. Made the macaroni salad the next day. Very good!

      Reply
      • Christian Guzman says

        June 16, 2022 at 7:40 pm

        That’s great! I love the pasta version too!

        Reply
    5. Danielle says

      June 17, 2022 at 3:55 pm

      5 stars
      This was such an easy and simple recipe to follow! My boyfriend loved it! thank you so much!

      Reply
    6. Gwynn says

      June 18, 2022 at 8:16 am

      5 stars
      This recipe was so delicious and so easy to make too. The flavors are fresh and everyone loved it!

      Reply
    7. Ann says

      June 19, 2022 at 8:15 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so refreshing! I love all of the colors in this salad! Excited to give it a try! Thanks for the share!

      Reply
    8. Veronika says

      June 19, 2022 at 9:46 pm

      5 stars
      I loved this ceviche! I don’t eat the classic one because I don’t like the idea of raw fish so this was perfect. Served it as an appetizer and everyone enjoyed it!

      Reply

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