You will love how refreshing and delicious this spicy kani salad is. It’s super easy to make, too.

Spicy Kani Salad

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

I can’t stress enough how much I love a spicy kani salad.

I was first introduced to them by Auntie Amanda on Tik Tok about a year ago.

The more I saw her eating them the more I wanted to try one.

Let me tell you something, I was hooked from the very first bite.

Since then I can not order sushi without a spicy kani salad to go alone with it.

The ingredients are simple but they all play a part to make this salad really special.

I know if you try this spicy kani salad recipe, you’re going to love it, too!

What’s a spicy kani salad made of?

A kani salad is usually made up of shredded imitation crab meat and a Japanese mayo based dressing.

“Kani” in Japanese means “crab”.

Japanese mayonnaise is generally more rich and tangier then American mayo, too, by the way.

I’ve had kani salads with shredded cucumber, mango and carrots also.

Another additions I really like are tobiko and panko breadcrumbs.

What exactly is imitation crab?

Imitation crab or crab sticks are made to look just like real snow crab or slider crab legs but they’re not.

They’re typically made of finely minced white fish formed into the shape of the crab legs.

They tastet just like the real thing though!

Does this kani salad have to be spicy?

If you’re not really into heat don’t worry.

You can easily eliminate the spice out of this salad.

Instead of using sriracha mayonnaise just use regular mayonnaise instead.

Still mix it with the vinegar and you’re good to go!

Can I used regular crab meat?

You can but it’s not recommended.

A real kani salad uses the imitation crab meat or crab sticks.

I’d try it this way before switching to real crab first.

What to serve a spicy kani salad with

Kani salads can be served as a side dish, snack or main course.

It is a Japanese food so I usually get it with sushi. But when I make it at home like this the options are endless.

I usually go with something like chicken teriyaki, orange chicken or skirt steak and a vegetable like roasted broccoli.

Any protein and veggie combo would work just fine.

Spicy Kani Salad Ingredients

• Sriracha mayonnaise
• Vinegar
• Imitation crab
• Shredded cucumber
• Shredded carrot
• Sesame seeds (optional)
• Avocado (optional)

Instructions

First, pull apart the imitation crab or slice it into shreds then add it to a medium sized bowl.

Now add the shredded carrots.

I get them in a bag preshredded to save myself the hassle but if you want to shred a carrot yourself go for it.

Then using a peeler, peel the cucumber from the outside into the center leaving the seeds.

Take those cucumber shreds and slice them thin using a knife and add them to the crab and carrots.

After that make the dressing by mixing spicy mayonnaise with a little white vinegar.

Add the spicy mayo dressing to the kani salad and toss it to combine.

Add sesame seeds and sliced avocado if you want.

Serve cool and enjoy.

Spicy Kani Salad Recipe Video