If you remember the crab meat Seafood Sensation Sandwich from Subway back in the day, you’ll love this copycat recipe!
Simple to replicate at home, this recipe provides a perfect alternative when you have a craving for the famous Subway sandwich. It’s definitely one of our easiest sandwich recipes and it’s perfect for a quick lunch idea too!
Inspired to try a few more crab recipes? You could try a simple Crab Salad as a tasty and simple light meal. Or combine crab with some pasta to make a Crab Pasta Bake for a heartier meal.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It uses a few ingredients: With only 5 ingredients, this recipe uses items that you may even have on hand.
- Make big batches: You can just increase the amount of crab meat you get to feed more people easily.
- No cook recipe: No need to turn on the oven or the stovetop for this recipe as there’s no cooking involved.
What is Imitation Crab Meat?
Imitation crab meat, also known as “krab” or crab sticks, is a type of seafood made from starch and finely pulverized white fish (surimi) that’s been shaped and cured to resemble the leg meat of snow crab or Japanese spider crab. It’s a popular choice in seafood salads, sushi rolls, and now as a star ingredient in our delightful Subway Crab Sandwich.
Despite its name, imitation crab meat doesn’t have crab in its composition, but it’s flavored to taste like crab, providing a cost-effective and readily available alternative to the real thing.
Ingredients Needed
I’ve highlighted a couple of simple ingredients with some relevant notes. Aside from this, the main ingredients needed are pretty basic.
- Crab meat – Choose a good quality imitation crab meat to get the best results from your sandwiches. We prefer using Crab Classic brand.
- Bread – Choose your favorite Subway-style roll for the sandwich as any type will work well.
- Cheese – Provolone cheese is a great option for this recipe to add a little creaminess.
Substitutions
Sometimes substitutions are necessary because of ingredients that are unavailable or needed for dietary restrictions. Here are some suggestions that can help:
- Imitation Crab Meat: If you prefer using real crab meat, it’s a great option for a more authentic seafood flavor. For a vegetarian option, you could use finely chopped hearts of palm or artichoke hearts, which have similar textures and can absorb flavors well.
- Provolone Cheese: If you’re not a fan of provolone, you can use any type of cheese that melts well. Cheddar and mozzarella both make great alternatives.
- Bread: If you don’t have a Subway-style roll on hand, French or Italian bread works just as well if cut into the proper sandwich size. We use wheat sandwich bread often too for these BLTs with Avocado, in case you have some of that on hand.
Variations
- Spicy Crab Sandwich: If you love a kick in your food, consider adding some sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. This tiny tweak can transform the sandwich into a fiery delight.
- Crispy Crab Sandwich: Fancy a bit of crunch? Add some crispy lettuce or thinly sliced cucumber. This is a great way to bring freshness and a satisfying crunch that complements the softness of the crab meat and bread.
- Avocado Crab Sandwich: For a creamy and healthy food twist, try adding some slices of ripe avocado. This will not only enhance the texture but also add a dose of healthy fats to your meal.
How to Make Subway Crab Sandwich
This copycat Subway crab sandwich is broken into 2 components:
- Mix the crab meat
- Put the sandwich together
Makes about 4 subs, depending on how much crab salad you put on each sandwich.
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*
STEP 1: Mix the crab meat. Place the crab meat in a medium-sized bowl and delicately separate any pieces that may be stuck together. (Alternatively, you can shred the crab meat if desired, but larger pieces will resemble the Subway sandwich more closely, as opposed to shredded crab.) (Image 1)
STEP 2: Add the mayo and salt. Combine mayo and salt, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Here you can add an optional ingredient of black pepper if desired
STEP 3: Make the sandwich. Place optional slices of cheese on the bread, then spoon generous spoonfuls of the seafood salad in equal portions onto the cheese for each sandwich. The quantity can be adjusted based on your preference for a hearty sandwich. (Image 2)
Recipe Pro Tips
- For a lighter option: Substitute mayonnaise for light mayonnaise or low-fat version of Greek yogurt. It’ll still give you the creaminess without all the calories. However this will alter the taste of the sandwich and it may taste different than the Subway version.
- Quality matters: Although imitation crab meat is used, don’t skimp on the quality. High-quality imitation crab meat will result in a tastier sandwich.
- Toasting the bread: For a toasty crunch, consider heating up your favorite bakery bread before assembling the sandwich. But remember, it’s not traditional Subway style to toast this particular sandwich.
- Adding extra veggies: Feel free to add extra veggies on top of the crab salad, like lettuce, tomato, red onion, red pepper, green peppers, white onion slices or cucumber slices for added freshness and crunch.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you absolutely can! Using real crab meat will give your sandwich a more authentic seafood flavor. Just make sure to properly cook and shred the crab meat before mixing it with the mayo and salt.
For a vegetarian version, you can skip the crab meat and use a combination of diced veggies or mushrooms sautéed with similar seasonings. Vegan seafood substitutes could also work.
To make this sandwich gluten-free, you just need to swap out the bread for a gluten-free option. Remember to check the labels of the other necessary ingredients to ensure they are also gluten-free.
While the traditional Subway style is to serve this sandwich cold, you can choose to heat it up if you prefer. You can do this by toasting the bread before assembly or by grilling the sandwich after it’s been put together. Keep in mind that heating may change the texture of the ingredients.
What to Serve with Subway Crab Sandwich
These Subway Crab salad Sandwiches are incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of sides to make a balanced meal. Here are some suggestions:
- Chips: A classic accompaniment for sandwiches. Choose from a variety of flavors to complement the taste of the crab sandwich.
- Salad: A fresh, side salad is a great, light side dish that pairs well with the richness of the sandwich. Opt for simple greens, a tangy slaw, or a hearty Caesar salad.
- Soup: Especially on a chilly day, a warm bowl of soup is perfect alongside this sandwich. Try a classic tomato soup, a comforting chicken noodle, or a creamy mushroom soup.
- Pickles: The tanginess of pickles makes them a perfect contrast to the creaminess of the crab sandwich, adding a bit of a crunch as well.
- Fruit: For a healthier option, consider serving a honey lime fruit salad or sliced fresh fruit on the side. The natural sweetness of the fruit pairs well with the savory crab meat.
- Fries: Whether you prefer regular potato fries, air fried sweet potato fries, or even zucchini fries, they all make a tasty side dish for the sandwich.
Storage
Subway Crab Sandwiches are best enjoyed immediately after preparation to fully appreciate the freshness of the ingredients. However, if you need to store them:
- Refrigeration: Assembled sandwiches can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Make sure to cover them tightly with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container to prevent the bread from drying out. It’s best to add any crispy vegetables you like just before eating to maintain their crunch.
- Freezing: While the crab salad itself can be frozen for up to a month, we don’t recommend freezing the assembled sandwiches. The freezing and thawing process can alter the texture of the bread and fresh ingredients. To freeze the crab salad, place it in a sealed container, leaving a bit of space for expansion. When you’re ready to enjoy your sandwich, thaw the crab salad in the refrigerator overnight and assemble your sandwich the next day.
More Sandwich Recipes You’ll Love
Got some of those Subway-style rolls left? Then why not try one of these sandwich recipes? This is definitely The BEST Egg Salad Recipe and you can use a Subway roll for it. Or keep it simple with Turkey Sliders for a filling lunch option.
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Recipe
Subway Crab Sandwich
Ingredients
- 14 ounces imitation crab meat
- 1 cup Hellmans Or “Best Foods” brand of mayo
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 6-inch Sub bread rolls
- Provolone cheese 2 per sandwich optional
Instructions
- Pour crab meat in medium sized bowl and gently pull pieces apart if stuck together. (You can also shred the crab meat if preferred but the bigger pieces are more similar to the Subway sandwich, instead of shredded crab.)
- Add mayo and salt, and stir until fully combined.
- Layer optional slices of cheese on bread, and spoon equal parts of crab salad on to cheese, on each sandwich. (Amount will depend on how hearty you prefer your sandwich.)
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Nikki says
My husband loves this recipe. I make his sandwich with red onion, jalapeño and pepper jack cheese… it’s his favorite! The recipe is super simple and just what we were looking for! Thank you!
Jessica says
Awww! I’m so glad, Nikki!! It’s one of my favorites too!! Thank you.