Seafood Enchiladas with Imitation Crab
Looking for a great imitation crab Mexican recipe? My Seafood Enchiladas with Imitation Crab is the closest thing to my fav restaurant version. For more recipes see my Recipe Index page.
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Today I am sharing another family favorite recipe, seafood enchiladas with Imitation crab! Of course, if you are not into imitation crab, you can use real crab, shrimp or scallops in this dish and it would still be great.
When I was younger, my family would always go to Chi-Chi’s Mexican Restaurant. They had this amazing dish called Chi Chi’s Crab Enchiladas or “The Cancun’. It was made using real crab meat, it was so rich you could hardly eat all of it. That became my favorite Mexican food dish!
The restaurant is now closed but finding a similar recipe was my goal and many years ago I found this one. It isn’t exactly the same as the Chi Chi’s one but we love it.
I have no idea where I found the original recipe, but that doesn’t matter because I have changed it anyway. I will tell you though if you do not love imitation crab then buy real crab meat or saute shrimp for this dish.
What is Imitation Crab?
Imitation crab is actually cooked fish. If you read the package it will usually read that it is made from a fish, usually Pollock. The fish meat is pressed and shaped it into what looks like crab meat.
Imitation crab is used to make Surimi sushi, which is cooked fish sushi, not the raw fish sushi.
If you have been afraid to try sushi, just know you can order the ‘cooked” fish or imitation crab, like California Rolls without the fear of raw fish allergies.
How to cook Imitation Crab
You can eat imitation crab right out of the package. But I like to sauté it.
Fish disguised as a crab can be quite bland so seasoning it up a bit and cooking it in real butter really brings out a rich crab taste.
I have grown to love imitation crab more than real crab and I hope you will too!
Seafood Enchiladas with Imitation Crab
Add the Filling to the center of a burrito or corn tortilla, fold and place in pan fold side down.
Pour enchilada sauce over the wraps and top with cheese. Here is the full recipe.
Shop these fun kitchen ideas!
MAKE AHEAD: Make sure the enchiladas are completely cool. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
FREEZER: Place in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in a microwave or in the refrigerator overnight. Bake on 350 for 25 minutes or microwave for 5 minutes on high.
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Seafood Enchiladas with Imitation Crab
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Imitation Crab
- 2 cups Four Cheese Mexican Blend
- 1 large can or 2 small cans Old el Paso Enchilada Sauce
- Large burrito wraps or corn wraps
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp butter
- 1 small onion diced small
- ½ tsp Cilantro
- Hot sauce to taste
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in deep skillet on medium heat.
- Add onion, crab meat, salt, pepper and saute until onions are clear.
- Add cilantro, sour cream and 1 cup cheese.
- Blend and reduce heat to low.
- Add few shakes of hot sauce and blend.
- Separate crab mix evenly into 4-6 servings in pan.
- Place one section of filling down middle of burrito, then wrap and fold.
- Add to the dish fold side down and repeat.
- Pour enchilada sauce over center of wraps and top with cheese.
- Bake 25-30 min.
- Serve with sour cream & green onions for garnish.
NOTES
Nutrition
The nutrition info provided is only an estimate. See my nutrition disclaimer for more info on how the data is collected for recipes.
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I remember Chi Chi’s seafood enchiladas. They were deep fried and then baked long enough to melt the Mexican cheese on top. I’m looking forward to trying your recipe to see how it compares.
Deborah, mine are made with imitation crab this recipe is not a rich tasting as the Chi Chi’s version. You can however use real crab meat if you like. I have made this recipe using shrimp and they are really good too. Enjoy!
Made this tonight and definitely my new favorite way to use imitation crab. The only deviation is I added a small can of diced green chilies and added some hot taco sauce to the enchilada sauce.
It’s really good. Would add a bit more hot sauce. Spray the pan next time. Leftovers for another day
My kid will definitely love this!! Great post
Made these tonight and loved them!! Thanks for a great recipe!
I am super impressed! I kind of doubted this dish because it didn’t have the typical creamy sauce.
However, I am SO pleased with it!
I only made a couple of adjustments;
I used part Peperjack cheese and part cheddar. I also used my own enchilada sauce.
This was SO friggen yummy that I kept spooning out little bites from the corners before I even served it!
These turned out excellent! We love imitation crab! Not much on onions so I annexed them and used some tomato basil wraps but the recipe was delicious! Definitely will be making these again. ?
I am making this with a creamy cheese sauce, because my 16 year old son and I don’t like enchilada sauce. My husband and 14 year old will eat anything so they won’t care. It looks so yummy.
Ok,,,I officially love you haha. I am a cajun girl that does NOT like seafood (strange unicorn I know haha). I DO enjoy, every once in awhile, a good imitation crab sushi. I had some imitation crab and i needed to use it. So i made these. I used what cheese i had on hand and let me tell you….LOOOOOVVVEEEEEE IT!!!!! Thank you tons!!!!!
Hi Janice,
I’m so glad you liked this recipe as much as I do!! I would make it once a week if my family would let me. We serve it with black beans and rice. Thanks for letting me know.
Kim
I don’t see any temp listed for baking.
Hi Ariel,
I changed recipe apps recently and some info didn’t transfer over. Thanks for letting me know. The oven temp is 350 degrees.
Kim
We love seafood enchiladas. Brilliant idea to use imatation crab! =)
I always use imitation crab to make sushi, but this sounds really good. I never thought of using imitation crab to make enchiladas…yum!
Imitation crab taste really good and I love it .
Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.
Imitation Crab sounds funny! But this looks so delicious!