Description
At its heart, a warm crab dip recipe is an oven-baked, hot appetizer that pairs lump seafood with a baked cheese and cultured cream foundation. Cold seafood salads or chilled spreads differ greatly from this dish. Hot dip relies on gentle oven heat to melt cheeses and blend complex seasonings. This cooking process creates a thick, scoopable texture that coats every cracker or bread slice evenly.
Ingredients
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225 g (8 oz) crab meat, drained and picked over
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225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
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½ cup sour cream
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¼ cup mayonnaise
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tablespoons chopped green onions
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
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1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or seafood seasoning
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¼ teaspoon paprika
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven: Preheat to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a small baking dish.
2. Make the creamy base: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Mix until smooth.
3. Add seasonings: Stir in the garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, seafood seasoning, paprika, black pepper, and green onions.
4. Add the crab: Gently fold in the crab meat and ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Avoid breaking up the crab too much if you want larger pieces.
5. Transfer to the dish: Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup cheddar cheese over the top.
6. Bake: Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until hot, bubbling around the edges, and lightly golden on top.
7. Garnish and serve: Let the dip rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley if desired and serve warm with crackers, toasted bread, or vegetable sticks.
Notes
This warm crab dip is rich, creamy, and cheesy, with a hint of lemon and savory seafood seasoning. For a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few drops of hot sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup (approximately 60 g)
- Calories: 220 kcal
Keywords: hot crab dip, baked crab dip, cheesy warm crab appetizer, warm seafood dip