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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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?
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…
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.
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?
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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Nayantara Hegde
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.
Di Hickman
definitely check out Gardein brand. THey do fishless filets too!
Rachel
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.
Di Hickman
They were definitely tasty, and crabless!
Brittany
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!
Di Hickman
Hahaha I just don’t have the time usually to make from scratch (or patience)
Jeanine
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!
Di Hickman
Love hampton creek too! Amazing dressings!
Bonnie
This looks like such a delicious vegan recipe! I love vegan food even though I’m not vegan, will have to check them out!
Di Hickman
Perfect for meatless mondays
Cassie Tucker
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.
Di Hickman
Seems many of the big supermarkets are stocking them now!
Shannon Gurnee
This sounds like an interesting recipe! I have to say that I’ve never had crabless cakes. I would give it a try though. 🙂
Di Hickman
They are delicious!
katriza
this looks really good! I want to try it, totally peaked my interest! Definitely something I think my family would enjoy!
Di Hickman
They were pretty tasty!
Cindy Ingalls
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.
Di Hickman
Yep, as a lazy chef I agree lol!
Rhian Westbury
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
Di Hickman
I’m happy there are more choices that “stuffed peppers” now!
Terri Steffes
They sound good! I like that they are good for those who like shellfish but can’t have it. Nice alternative!
Di Hickman
Yep exactly!
Belle
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
Di Hickman
Yeah kids will like them, bitesize is always a hit with kids!
Jessica Joachim
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!
Di Hickman
Totally! Plus many are just allergic to shellfish so it’s a good alternative
Ana De-Jesus
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
Di Hickman
They are great! I’m visiting in your country soon, I can’t wait to try all the yummy vegan food there!
Journa Ramirez
These are so tasty! I’m sure kids and adults of all ages will love these. Hope it’s available in our place
Di Hickman
I got mine at a major supermarket so most likely!
Cecilia C. Cannon
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.
Di Hickman
Cecilia, girl read the post again! It’s NOT crab! It’s vegan! no crabs consumed here!
Karen Morse
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.
Di Hickman
Yes they are Karen! So many people lately asking me about switching to plant based diet!
Cassie
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!
Di Hickman
Full ingredients can be found here: https://gardein.com/products/crabless-cakes/
robin rue
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.
Di Hickman
It’s always surprising to me that people have some preconceived notion of vegan food being bland and boring. 😉