Hot Crab Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful appetizer made with lump crab meat, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and various seasonings, baked until bubbly and golden brown. It’s typically served warm with crackers, bread, or vegetables for dipping.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or other seafood seasoning)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 pound lump crab meat, picked over for shells and cartilage
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions or chives
- Optional: Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine Creamy Base: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using) until smooth and well combined.
- Fold in Crab Meat and Green Onions: Gently fold in the lump crab meat and chopped green onions (or chives) into the cream cheese mixture. Be careful not to break up the crab meat too much; you want to keep some of the nice lumps.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Transfer the crab mixture to a shallow oven-safe baking dish (as shown in the image).
- Add Cheese Topping (Optional): If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese over the top of the crab dip.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is hot, bubbly around the edges, and the top is lightly golden brown. If you added cheese on top, it should be melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the hot crab dip from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with extra chopped green onions or a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning, if desired. Serve warm with crackers, baguette slices, tortilla chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or any other dippers you enjoy.
Tips and Notes:
- Crab Meat: Use good quality lump crab meat for the best flavor and texture. You can also use claw meat if it’s more readily available, but the texture will be different.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with other cheeses in the dip or as a topping, such as Gruyere or a blend of Italian cheeses.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce to increase the spice level.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the crab dip mixture ahead of time, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if starting with a cold dip.
- Serving Suggestions: Hot crab dip is a great appetizer for parties, gatherings, or game days.
Enjoy this delicious and easy Hot Crab Dip!