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Vegan Taste Test: Gardein Crabless Cakes

July 10, 2017 //  by Di Hickman//  38 Comments

When I first started this blog I was vegetarian. One of my missions since going Vegan 4 years ago was to show people how easy it was to be fit and healthy on a plant based diet. I started doing recipes, nutrition posts and food reviews… then somewhere along the way I kinda, well, stopped. Recently I’ve had no less than 5 people in the last month as me about a plant based diet. So I’m bringing back the food reviews, recipes, nutrition, and yes the workouts. Basically more blogging in general and especially more videos! More on that soon, let’s kick off with a Vegan food review of the Gardein Mini Crispy Crabless Cakes.

gardein crabless cakes

As I mentioned I want to do more. My word for 2017 after all is “DO”, so what better time that midway through the year to step things up a notch. I know not everyone absorbs information the same so I am trying to do more videos too. I already posted the taste test video for these crabless cakes. I’ve embedded it below, but you can check it out on YouTube. Plus don’t forget to subscribe to my channel while you’re there!

Mock Meat Brands

It’s so easy these days to get meatfree replacements for just about anything, I’ve written about all the different companies offering meat replacements and one of the leaders over the last 5 years has been Gardein. The Gardein range includes, burgers, chicken replacements, fish, crumbles, strips and so much more. Like for instance crabless cakes.

gardein crabless cakes

Gardein Crabless Cakes

Touted on the Gardein Website as “swimming with flavor” (10/10 for puns) I was eager to try these. I don’t think I’ve ever had ‘real’ crab cakes. compare. The closest I’ve come is probably a generic fish cake. Crab isn’t something that’s eaten much in the UK where I grew up.  So obviously that means I cannot compare taste wise to the real deal. These Gardein Crabless Cakes are found in the frozen section of most supermarkets (I found mine in Ralph’s), and cost approximately $2.99 for a 250g pack. As you can see the cakes are pretty decent in size, maybe a little smaller than a golf ball.

gardein crabless cakes

gardein crabless cakes

Cooking directions

These crabless cakes are super easy to prepare. They literally take 10 minutes to cook in the oven. All you have to do is flip them over halfway to ensure even crispiness. You can cook them on the stove top too. Though that is the ‘preferred method’ according to the bag, I preferred them oven baked. Stove top cooking required using oil, and honestly I’m a lazy cook, so setting a timer for 5 minutes to turn them over was enough of a chore. After 10 minutes in the oven, they came out to crispy perfection.

gardein crabless cakes

Nutrition Stats

A serving size of these isn’t big, just 3 of the cakes (75g). That tallies up to 130 calories, with 6g fat, 11g carbs, and 9g protein. That’s a macro breakdown of 27% protein; 33% carbs; 40% fat. These crabless cakes by the way are non-GMO, and the protein comes mostly from soy and wheat.  They are also certified vegan, and dairy free so even if you have dairy allergies or shellfish allergies these might be a good alternative.

gardein crabless cakes

gardein crabless cakes

Taste Test

As I mentioned, I haven’t eaten real crab. Ever. Ok, I may have had some kind of crab sandwich paste as a child but I definitely haven’t had any fish or shellfish for 25 years! Holy Moly. Time flies. So, I’m not going to try and compare it to crab. Honestly that’s not something I think I should be doing when I haven’t eaten any animal in 25 years. Plus my hope is that these products stand alone for what they are, plant based alternatives. So how did they taste?

gardein crabless cakes

They were reminiscent of sushi (again non-fish sushi), and fish cakes I used to have as a child. Herby, and similar kind of texture too. They didn’t have an overwhelming flavor, it was subtle, and maybe a little ‘seaweedy’. I really liked the breading used, and would love to have that on more products. In all I enjoyed them but the real flavor came after I added some lemon juice, and this…

gardein crabless cakes

Adding Condiments…

I don’t know about you but it annoys me when people do taste tests and don’t add condiments. How often do you eat food without some kind of dressing, sauce, or even a drizzle of vinegar? Not very often if you live at our house. So I added some fresh lemon juice and then some Hampton Creek Just Thousand dressing. Seriously, just the lemon brought out the flavor so much more, and the Just Thousand, well that was the proverbial cherry on the top! I have a feeling these would have been amazing with the Just Tartar but our local Target hasn’t had that in for months… so that taste test will have to wait. Seriously, if you try these crabless cakes add lemon for more flavor.

gardein crabless cakes

So yep, definitely a double thumbs up for these Gardein Crabless Cakes. They would be a great starter at a dinner party. Especially as an alternative to prawn cocktails.  As an entree I’m thinking vegan ‘caesar salad’ with the crabless cakes or something like tacos and wraps. These are great for anyone vegan, dairy free, or allergic to shellfish. Delicious, and cruelty free… what’s not to love?

gardein crabless cakes

Questions:

What do you think of all the new meat replacement products available?

Comment below with your favorite sauces or dressing.

What’s your favorite dinner party starter?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nayantara Hegde

    July 14, 2017 at 10:15 am

    These look so cool. I have recently quit dairy and feeling really healthy. It has been on my mind to go completely vegetarian too. Sea food is one thing I would definitely miss if I did. It’s great that products like these exist then.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 14, 2017 at 1:14 pm

      definitely check out Gardein brand. THey do fishless filets too!

      Reply
  2. Rachel

    July 13, 2017 at 8:28 am

    This looks so good! I am a huge fan of seafood. I could really go for some crab cakes now. This post made me hungry. LOL.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 13, 2017 at 1:12 pm

      They were definitely tasty, and crabless!

      Reply
  3. Brittany

    July 12, 2017 at 11:15 am

    Oooh my kids are huge seafood lovers. They’re always asking me to make it but I never know how. This would be something they would absolutely love to try!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 12, 2017 at 4:10 pm

      Hahaha I just don’t have the time usually to make from scratch (or patience)

      Reply
  4. Jeanine

    July 12, 2017 at 8:23 am

    I love hampton creek! I am not a fan of crab so I think it would be neat to try crabless cakes! I wonder if I’d enjoy them. I’m super picky!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 12, 2017 at 4:10 pm

      Love hampton creek too! Amazing dressings!

      Reply
  5. Bonnie

    July 11, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    This looks like such a delicious vegan recipe! I love vegan food even though I’m not vegan, will have to check them out!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 12, 2017 at 4:09 pm

      Perfect for meatless mondays

      Reply
  6. Cassie Tucker

    July 11, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    I have never heard of these before but I would love to try them. I’ll have to look for them the next time I am at the store.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 12, 2017 at 4:09 pm

      Seems many of the big supermarkets are stocking them now!

      Reply
  7. Shannon Gurnee

    July 11, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    This sounds like an interesting recipe! I have to say that I’ve never had crabless cakes. I would give it a try though. 🙂

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 12, 2017 at 4:09 pm

      They are delicious!

      Reply
  8. katriza

    July 11, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    this looks really good! I want to try it, totally peaked my interest! Definitely something I think my family would enjoy!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:53 pm

      They were pretty tasty!

      Reply
  9. Cindy Ingalls

    July 11, 2017 at 12:00 pm

    I’ve made vegan crab cakes from scratch and they taste amazing, but are so time consuming. I would love to be able to whip up the recipes remolaude without have to make the actual cakes so this is a great alternative.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:52 pm

      Yep, as a lazy chef I agree lol!

      Reply
  10. Rhian Westbury

    July 11, 2017 at 6:58 am

    There’s so much more choice with meatless options now than there ever used to be and it’s great how nice some of it tastes x

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:52 pm

      I’m happy there are more choices that “stuffed peppers” now!

      Reply
  11. Terri Steffes

    July 11, 2017 at 5:54 am

    They sound good! I like that they are good for those who like shellfish but can’t have it. Nice alternative!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:52 pm

      Yep exactly!

      Reply
  12. Belle

    July 11, 2017 at 5:20 am

    Though I enjoy eating seafood; that actually looks amazing! I’m going to have to give this a try! I’m sure my husband and kids will love this as well!

    Belle

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:52 pm

      Yeah kids will like them, bitesize is always a hit with kids!

      Reply
  13. Jessica Joachim

    July 11, 2017 at 3:51 am

    Though I do eat meat, these actually sound pretty good. Crab cakes are one of my favorite foods. I have a lot of friends who don’t eat meat so this would be wonderful for them to try!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:51 pm

      Totally! Plus many are just allergic to shellfish so it’s a good alternative

      Reply
  14. Ana De-Jesus

    July 11, 2017 at 3:46 am

    I am a vegetarian so I am always looking for meat replacements and the meatless crab cakes sound delicious. I will have to check out their other range too x

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:51 pm

      They are great! I’m visiting in your country soon, I can’t wait to try all the yummy vegan food there!

      Reply
  15. Journa Ramirez

    July 11, 2017 at 12:38 am

    These are so tasty! I’m sure kids and adults of all ages will love these. Hope it’s available in our place

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:50 pm

      I got mine at a major supermarket so most likely!

      Reply
  16. Cecilia C. Cannon

    July 10, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    no joke, wish I wasn’t allergic to crabs cause I would try this. It might sound weird but I love white fish fish sticks so I figured this would be similar. looks delish.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:50 pm

      Cecilia, girl read the post again! It’s NOT crab! It’s vegan! no crabs consumed here!

      Reply
  17. Karen Morse

    July 10, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    It’s good to know that it tastes good. I’ve never had anything like this before but I do enjoy crab cakes. I think it’s good that we have a lot of meat replacement products to choose from as more and more people are switching to becoming vegan.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:48 pm

      Yes they are Karen! So many people lately asking me about switching to plant based diet!

      Reply
  18. Cassie

    July 10, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    What are they actually made of? I’m not a vegan or a vegetarian but I do limit my meat consumption significantly and practice meatless monday etc. I don’t use any meat substitutes though and always go for boosting up veggies, beans, legumes etc. From your post though sounds like these are a winner – cheap too!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:48 pm

      Full ingredients can be found here: https://gardein.com/products/crabless-cakes/

      Reply
  19. robin rue

    July 10, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    My sister in law had my husband and I over for dinner recently (she’s a vegan) and I was surprised at how good the food was. She will love these.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      July 11, 2017 at 12:47 pm

      It’s always surprising to me that people have some preconceived notion of vegan food being bland and boring. 😉

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Di. A yoga teacher with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. My mission is to give you information so you can be fitter, healthier, stress-free and happier (no, seriously).

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