Description
This warm, bubbly Shrimp and Crab Dip is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with real seafood. Perfect for sea food appetizers at parties, game day spreads, or cozy holiday gatherings—serve hot with crostini, crackers, or veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
- Seafood:
- 1/2 lb cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 1/2 lb lump crab meat (fresh or canned, drained well)
- Creamy Base:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Flavor Builders:
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning (or Cajun spice blend)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- Salt & freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- Toppings (optional):
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prep seafood: If using raw shrimp, sauté in a little oil 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Cool, then chop. Drain crab very well.
- Make the base: Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Mix in sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire, Old Bay, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until creamy.
- Fold in seafood & cheese: Gently stir in chopped shrimp, crab, mozzarella, and Parmesan—do not overmix.
- Bake: Spread into an 8×8-inch baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until golden and bubbling at the edges.
- Finish & serve: Garnish with parsley/chives and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot with crostini, crackers, baguette slices, pita chips, or veggie sticks.
Notes
- Use real crab (lump or claw) for best flavor; drain thoroughly.
- Soften cream cheese to avoid lumps; overbaking can cause separation.
- For a spicy kick, add cayenne or hot sauce; sauté shrimp in garlic butter for extra flavor.
- Make-ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance; bake when ready (add 5–7 minutes if starting cold). Reheat gently at 300°F.
- Serving ideas: Spoon into mini phyllo cups or stuff mushrooms for bite-sized appetizers.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days. Avoid freezing (dairy can turn grainy).
- Gluten-free friendly: Serve with GF crackers or veggies; verify seasoning blends.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 cup
Keywords: shrimp and crab dip, seafood dip appetizer, warm shrimp dip, baked crab dip, southern appetizers for parties, seafood recipes for a crowd, shrimp dips, seafood dips recipes appetizers