This warm baked Crab Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion. Melted cheese, chunks of sweet, tender crab meat, and a creamy base to hold it all together make this seafood dip unbelievably delicious. Whether you’re hosting a party, bringing an appetizer to a potluck, or just enjoying some snacks with friends, this tasty dip will be the main attraction.
Seafood lover or not, this creamy crab dip is one of the best appetizers out there. Plus, it’s just as easy to make as it is fun to eat. It takes 15 minutes of preparing ingredients (mostly just mixing everything together), then the dip goes in the oven to melt into a scoopable, spreadable dip that you’ll want to smear on everything! Serve it hot or cold with bread, crackers, chips, or fresh veggies for the perfect snack.
Why You'll Love this Crab Dip Recipe
- Quick and easy. Dips are one of the best ways to whip up a delicious appetizer or snack for a last-minute gathering. All you have to do is mix the ingredients together and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Made with real crab. No imitations necessary — this crab dip is loaded with real lump crab meat for an unforgettable dish.
- Creamy and savory. As soon as you take the first bite, you’ll be in love with how creamy and savory this dip is. The mayonnaise and cream cheese create a creamy base that gets even better with tangy sour cream and sharp cheddar cheese. Add all that with the lump crab meat, and you’re in for a treat.
- Perfect for all occasions. Your next hors d’oeuvre doesn't have to be complicated. Baked crab dip is a perfect dish for hosting, whether you’re filling your home with extended family and friends, or just treating your partner and children to a delicious appetizer. Serve it for any occasion — a game day party, a girls’ night in, a picnic or potluck, or even bigger events like birthday parties, holiday dinners, and baby showers.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Crab Dip, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- crab meat - use lump crab meat which are larger, more meaty pieces for the best results. You can easily get either fresh (refrigerated), frozen, or canned from the supermarket. I prefer using fresh. You can substitute with chopped imitation crab meat if it’s easier for you to find.
- cream cheese - a rich and creamy base for the dip. Use softened for easier mixing. Feel free to substitute with ricotta if you prefer.
- mayonnaise - added to thin out the cream cheese and to help combine everything together while enhancing the overall creaminess.
- sour cream - for some tangy flavor that adds an extra layer of richness to the dip. You can use plain greek yogurt in place of the sour cream in this recipe.
- cheddar cheese - use either medium or sharp cheddar cheese. You can use pre-shredded cheddar or grate it fresh yourself.
- garlic powder
- paprika - a pinch will give your dip some color and a nice smoky flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce - enhances that deep umami flavor. You can use soy sauce in place of the worcestershire sauce if you don’t have any on hand.
- lemon juice - brightens up the dip and adds a nice citrusy flavor.
- green onion - for both the base and garnish.
- salt and pepper
You will also need measuring cups, a large mixing bowl, stand mixer (optional), casserole dish, and oven.
How to Make the Best Crab Dip
- Beat the dairy ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese and stir well or beat with a stand mixer until smooth. Add mayonnaise, sour cream, and ½ cup cheddar cheese. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Season. Stir in garlic powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, pepper and green onion.
- Mix in crab meat. Add crab meat and toss until evenly combined.
- Assemble. Transfer the mixture into a 1-quart casserole dish and top with the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese.
- Bake. Bake in a 375F preheated oven for 20 minutes until melted cheese is bubbly.
- Serve. Garnish with green onions and serve with French baguette slices or crackers.
Recipe Variations
- Serve it chilled. Prepare the dip ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it. A great option if you’re serving a crowd or don’t want to deal with heating up the dip right before serving.
- Add Old Bay seasoning. For a classic Maryland flavor, add a pinch or two of Old Bay to your dip. The crab will already have some saltiness to it so you won’t need too much. It adds a really nice flavor that will bring out the flavors of the crab even more.
- Mix in more seafood. Add some chopped shrimp or scallops for a heartier dip that’s perfect for special occasions.
- Make it spicy. Spice up the dip with a few dashes of hot sauce or red pepper flakes. You can also add chili peppers like jalapeños, poblanos, or serranos for a milder heat.
- Skip the canned crab. There’s nothing wrong with canned crab, but if it’s an extra-special occasion, try using fresh crab from your local market or seafood counter instead! The texture will be different and the crab will taste fresher, making an even better dip.
How to Serve
Enjoy this delicious Crab Dip with chips, crackers, or crusty bread as an appetizer. Some of my favorite things to dip in crab dip are:
- Garlic Breadsticks
- Veggie Tray
- Homemade Baked Potato Chips
- Baked Zucchini Fries
- Pretzel Bites
- Sweet Potato Tater Tots
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Balance the creaminess. Adjust the proportions of the mayonnaise, cream cheese, and sour cream to your desired level of creaminess. You want a nice balance of all three ingredients to create the perfect texture and flavor.
- Keep it warm. The crab dip has to remain hot while it’s served to follow food safety protocols. Leave it out for no more than two hours before storing or discarding it –otherwise you can keep it hot in a crock pot, under a food lamp, in a chafing dish or in the oven on a low setting.
- Make it ahead of time. This crab dip can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Repurpose the leftovers! Crab dip is for more than dunking crackers. Make a crab dip sandwich, use it to make rangoons or potstickers, or spread it on a wrap and load it up with fresh, crisp vegetables.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Cover tightly or transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
How to Reheat
Reheat the dip in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until it’s warm. You can also pop it in the oven at 375F for 10 minutes or until bubbly. Add a little bit of liquid if it’s too thick from storage and top it with more cheese and garnish.
How to Freeze
Keep the baked or unbaked dip in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight when it’s ready for consumption before baking or reheating.
More Cheesy Dip Recipes
- 20 Best Dip Recipes
- French Onion Dip
- Baked Spinach Dip
- Queso Mexican Cheese Dip
- Pizza Dip
- Whipped Ricotta Dip
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Recipe
Crab Dip
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This warm baked Crab Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion. Melted cheese, chunks of sweet, tender crab meat, and a creamy base to hold it all together make this seafood dip unbelievably delicious. Whether you’re hosting a party, bringing an appetizer to a potluck, or just enjoying some snacks with friends, this tasty dip will be the main attraction.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cream cheese (1 ½ cups), softened
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons green onion, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 ½ cups lump crab meat, canned or fresh
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- In a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese and stir well or beat with a stand mixer until smooth.
- Add mayonnaise, sour cream, and ½ cup cheddar cheese. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Stir in garlic powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, pepper and green onion.
- Add crab meat and toss until evenly combined.
- Transfer the mixture into a 1-quart casserole dish and top with the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes until melted cheese is bubbly.
- Garnish with green onions and serve with French baguette slices or crackers.
Notes
How to store: Cover tightly or transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
How to reheat: Reheat the dip in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until it’s warm. You can also pop it in the oven at 375F for 10 minutes or until bubbly. Add a little bit of liquid if it’s too thick from storage and top it with more cheese and garnish.
How to freeze: Keep the baked or unbaked dip in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight when it’s ready for consumption before baking or reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dip
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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