• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Onion Rings & Things

Recipes, Crafts and More

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Freebies
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • Nav Social Menu

Home » Appetizers and Party Fare » Mexican Crab Cocktail

Mexican Crab Cocktail

Last updated on November 2, 2020. Originally posted on August 31, 2018 by Lalaine. Leave a Comment

228shares
  • Share
  • Email
Recipe Print

Mexican Crab Cocktail with imitation crab in a spicy tomato juice cocktail. This coctel de jaiva is loaded with fresh flavors and makes the perfect appetizer served with saltines or tostadas.

coctel de jaiva in a clear glass bowl
Mexican Crab Cocktail

Coctel de camaron is my favorite appetizer to make for Summer parties. It’s refreshing and delicious with loads of juicy shrimp, crispy veggies, and a spicy tomato juice cocktail.

Unfortunately, this Mexican cocktail is not always a smart option.

kani, Clamato, ketchup, onions, limes, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno

It can get costly at $7.99 and up per pound for good-sized shrimp, especially when serving a large crowd. And of course, there’s the peeling and deveining. Who’s got time for that?

Enter: Mexican crab cocktail. Made of the more affordable imitation crab, you get all the seafood cocktail flavors you love at half the price and half the work!

shredded kani in a white bowl

Imitation crab meat

Imitation crab meat or kani is made of surimi, a gelatinous paste composed of white-fleshed fish (most often pollock), seafood extracts, and a starch binder.

Shaped and cured to resemble real crab meat in taste and texture, it is a popular and cheaper alternative for lump crab meat in many dishes such as sushi, salads, and soup.

diced tomatoes, chopped jalapenos, diced cucumbers, chopped onions, chopped cilantro in a clear bowl

The best part of using imitation crab in this Mexican cocktail recipe is that there’s no cooking involved. Kani is fully cooked, and the only prep it needs is to shred the large chunks into smaller strands coarsely.

However, I do like to generously drizzle the shredded crab meat with lemon or lime juice and let stand for a few minutes before adding the rest of the coctel ingredients to take off some of the fishy taste.

pouring Clamato juice to a bowl of Mexican-style crab cocktail

Serving suggestions

This seafood cocktail is delicious as an appetizer or a light Summer meal. Like the shrimp version, it’s best enjoyed with saltine crackers or tostadas.

I personally like to use it as a dip for crisp tortilla chips and then gulp down the refreshing tomato caldo when all the solid goodies are gone. So good!

Mexican Crab Cocktail in a white bowl with corn chips on the side

How to store

  • For food safety, do not leave the crab cocktail at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
  • Do not freeze as the vegetables will lose their texture from the freezing and thawing.
Mexican Crab Cocktail in a white bowl with corn chips on the side
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Mexican Crab Cocktail

0 from 0 votes
Coctel de Jaiva loaded with fresh yet bold flavors you'll love with saltine crackers or tostadas. Made with imitation crab, tomatoes, cucumber and a refreshing tomato juice, this Mexican seafood cocktail is seriously addictive!
Prep Time20 mins
Total Time20 mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: coctel de jaiva, Mexican Crab Cocktail
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 201kcal
Author: Lalaine

Ingredients

  • 1 pound imitation crab, coarsely shredded
  • juice from 2 limes
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • 1 onion, peeled and diced
  • 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
  • 2 Jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
  • 1/2 bundle cilantro, stemmed and chopped
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 cups Clamato juice

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine crab and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let stand for 3 to 5 minutes., 
  • Add tomatoes, onions, cucumber, jalapeno, and cilantro. 
  • Add ketchup and stir to combine.
  • Add Clamato juice.
  • Season with salt to taste. Gently stir to combine.
  • Refrigerate for about 10 to 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 8g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 1123mg | Potassium: 597mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1665IU | Vitamin C: 56.2mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Tried this recipe? I'd love to see what you made!mention @Onionringsandthings and hashtag photo with #onionringsandthings

 

More Good Food

Chorizo-Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salad
Homemade Pico de Gallo

Filed Under: Appetizers and Party Fare, Fish and Seafood Tagged With: Clamato juice, imitation crab

<< Triple Treat Chocolate Caramel Candy Bars
Upcycled Snowman Wooden Board Decor >>
Lalaine from The Recipe Pot

Hello! My name is Lalaine and Welcome to Onion Rings and Things where you’ll find comfort food recipes, crafts, and printables. Read more...

Subscribe

Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.

Subscribe

Get new posts delivered directly to your inbox...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I’m Lalaine!

Welcome to Onion Rings and Things where you’ll find hundreds of comfort food recipes, crafts, and printables. Browse around and make something fun or tasty today! Read More…

Never Miss a Recipe!

Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.

Never Miss a Recipe!

Get new posts updates via email

Trending Recipes

  • cherry trifle dessert on a serving plate Heaven on Earth Cake
  • Fried Rice with shrimp, eggs, and green peas in a wok How to Make the Perfect Shrimp Fried Rice
  • Plump and pillowy, these IHOP Pancakes copycat are just as tasty and delicious as what you'd find in the restaurant yet cost a fraction of the price. You can easily double the recipe to feed a large crowd or add chopped fresh fruits to the batter for another layer of yum. IHOP Pancakes Copycat
  • bacon ranch chicken sliders in a glass baking dish Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

Fall Favorites

Pork Pozole Rojo with radish, cabbage,and onions in a bowl

Pork Pozole Rojo

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole topped with french fried onions in a white serving bowl

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

turkey and white bean chili topped with shredded cheese in a white bowl

White Lightning Turkey Chili

Tamale Pie

Easy chicken tortilla soup recipe loaded with all the good stuff. With moist chicken, black beans, corn, and crisp tortilla strips, it's hearty and delicious!

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Caldo de Res made with beef shanks, potatoes, corn, and vegetables. This Mexican beef soup is hearty, delicious and the perfect comfort food!

Caldo de Res (Mexican Beef Soup)

Footer

↑ BACK TO TOP | HOME | ABOUT | PRIVACY POLICY | Copyright © 2021 Onion Rings and Things, LLC

MENU
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Freebies
  • About
    • Contact Us