Shrimp & Crab Dip Recipe

Introduction

This Shrimp & Crab Dip is a rich and flavorful appetizer perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in. Creamy, cheesy, and seasoned with a zesty twist, it’s sure to impress your guests and satisfy seafood lovers.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cooked fresh snow crab meat, chopped into ½" pieces
• 8 ounces cooked medium shrimp, tails removed and chopped into ¼" pieces
• 8 ounces regular cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup good quality mayonnaise
• ¼ cup regular sour cream
• 1 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese
• ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• ¼ cup chopped green onion
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Sliced green onion and chopped Roma tomato, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Press crab and shrimp between paper towels repeatedly to remove excess moisture, which prevents a watery dip.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth and creamy.
3. Step 3: Stir in cheddar cheese, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, chopped green onion, minced garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon zest until evenly combined.
4. Step 4: Gently fold in the crab and shrimp pieces to preserve their texture.
5. Step 5: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
6. Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the dip is bubbling and the top is lightly browned.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onion and chopped Roma tomato. Serve warm with crackers, crostini, tortilla chips, celery, or carrots.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a dash of hot sauce or smoked paprika to the dip mixture before baking.
• Use lump crab meat for a more decadent texture, or canned crab in a pinch.
• Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to add a mild spicy kick.
• Serve with toasted baguette slices or pita chips for a different crunch.

Storage

Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F until warm, or microwave in short bursts to avoid overcooking.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dip ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the dip a day in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Bake just before serving for best results.

What can I substitute if I don’t have Old Bay seasoning?

If you don’t have Old Bay, a mix of paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper can mimic its flavor.

Shrimp & Crab Dip Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 143 reviews

This creamy Shrimp & Crab Dip combines tender chunks of fresh snow crab meat and succulent shrimp with a rich blend of cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and sharp cheddar. Seasoned with garlic, Old Bay, and lemon zest, then baked to bubbly perfection with a golden Parmesan crust, it’s the perfect savory appetizer served hot alongside crackers, crostini, or fresh veggies.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: About 6 to 8 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood

• 8 ounces cooked fresh snow crab meat, chopped into ½” pieces
• 8 ounces cooked medium shrimp, tails removed, chopped into ¼” pieces

Dairy & Cream Base

• 8 ounces regular cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup good quality mayonnaise
• ¼ cup regular sour cream
• 1 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese
• ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

Flavorings

• ¼ cup chopped green onion
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Garnish

• Sliced green onion
• Chopped Roma tomato

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Seafood: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Press the crab and shrimp between paper towels repeatedly to remove as much excess moisture as possible, ensuring the dip will not become watery.
2. Mix Cream Base: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
3. Add Cheeses and Seasonings: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, half of the Parmesan cheese (½ cup), chopped green onion, minced garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon zest. Mix these ingredients well to infuse the dip with flavor.
4. Fold in Seafood: Gently fold in the chopped crab and shrimp ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the creamy mixture without breaking them down.
5. Transfer to Baking Dish: Spoon the mixture into a baking dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top to create a flavorful crust.
6. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and the top is browned and slightly crisped.
7. Garnish and Serve: Remove the dip from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle sliced green onion and chopped Roma tomato on top for freshness and color. Serve hot with crackers, crostini, tortilla chips, celery, and/or carrots.

Notes

• Removing excess moisture from the crab and shrimp is crucial to prevent a watery dip.
• This dip can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated; bring to room temperature before baking.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra Old Bay seasoning.
• Substitute regular cream cheese with a lower-fat version for a lighter dip, but it may affect creaminess.
• Use fresh lemon zest for the best citrus flavor rather than bottled lemon extract.

Keywords: shrimp dip, crab dip, seafood dip, creamy appetizer, baked dip, Old Bay seasoning dip, party appetizers, crab and shrimp recipe