The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) on the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of unrinsed surimi gels during heat treatment. The results revealed that the addition of CMC could significantly (p < 0.05) improve the gel strength, texture properties of unrinsed surimi gels and imparted better color perception compared with the control group showing lower gel strength and poorer water-holding capacity. The addition of 0.5 and 1.5 g/100 g CMC also promoted the formation of a more uniform and compact gel network structure of the unrinsed surimi gels, locking more water in the gel network, significantly improved the water holding capacity of the gels and enhancing their viscoelastic properties (p < 0.05). In conclusion, an appropriate amount of CMC can be added to unrinsed surimi as a food additive, and 1.5 g/100 g was the optimal addition amount obtained in this study, which provides important information for improved the gel properties of unrinsed surimi.
