The best ultimate Crab Dip made with three different creamy cheeses, fresh crab meat, and a touch of heat and spice. This scrumptious hot mess is one of our favorite appetizers with a minimal amount of ingredients and effort.
This hot dip is always a favorites at our parties. I love to serve it with Fried Zucchini, Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts and Korean Barbecue Chicken Wings. Are you always in a hurry? Just prepare the uncooked dip a day in advance, remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to baking, and bake up fresh for you and your friends or family to enjoy!
How to make hot Crab Dip
I like to use fresh cooked king crab but any lump crab meat will work. Make sure it is chopped fairly fine so there is a little bit of crab in every bite. Now in a large bowl using a hand held mixer beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, half of the cheddar cheese, half of the Pepper Jack cheese, Old Bay Seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire Sauce, lemon juice, and a few dashes of hot sauce until smooth. Next fold in the crab meat and green onions.
Spoon the mixture into a baking dish and top with the remaining cheddar and Pepper Jack. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the dish is heated through. Serve promptly with crostini, crackers, pretzel crisps or assorted vegetables.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- You can use fresh crab, canned crab or even frozen crab. I like to use fresh king crab which I purchase from Costco seafood department but everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to crab meat. Jumbo lump crab meat would be my second choice for this dip and it would make it an authentic Maryland crab dip.
- Watch how much salt you add to this recipe since crab meat is naturally salty.
- This recipe can be made up to 2 days in advance however do not bake it. Instead store it well covered in the fridge. Remove it 30 minutes prior to baking to bring it to room temperature. Then bake it up fresh for optimal taste and maximum enjoyment.
- I like to add a few dashes of hot sauce or a little cayenne pepper but if you have a sensitive palate reduce the amount or skip it all together.
- Serve warm with crostini, Ritz crackers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, pretzel crisps, cucumber slices, tortilla chips or bagel chips.
- Store leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- I do not recommend freezing this dip. Because of the high amount of dairy the texture will change in the freezing and thawing process.
Recipe additions and flavor variations
- Crab and Artichoke Dip: Add a 14 ounce can of artichoke hearts packed in water, drained and chopped.
- Cold Crab Dip: Omit the cheese, chill and serve cold. Just as delicious albeit a little different.
- Crab Rangoon Dip: Omit the Old Bay seasoning, Pepper Jack Cheese, and hot sauce. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar and serve with crispy homemade Baked Wonton Chips.
- Hot Shrimp Dip: Substitute cooked chopped shrimp for the crab meat.
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Best Hot Crab Dip Recipe
An easy to make hot crab dip filled with creamy cheese, cooked lump crab meat and a perfect blend of spices. All baked to golden perfection and served warm. Can you say delicious?
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: appetizer
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- 1/2 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3–4 dashes hot sauce
- 16 ounce crab meat cooked and finely chopped (see notes)
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Using a hand held mixer beat cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Pepper Jack cheese, Old Bay Seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire Sauce, lemon juice, and hot sauce until smooth. Stir in crab meat and green onions.
- Spoon the mixture into a baking dish and top with remaining cheddar and Pepper Jack. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the dish is bubbly and heated through.
Notes
- You can use fresh crab, canned crab or even frozen crab. I like to use fresh king crab which I purchase from Costco seafood department but everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to crab meat. Jumbo lump crab meat would be my second choice for this dip and it would make it an authentic Maryland crab dip.
- Watch how much salt you add to this recipe since crab meat is naturally salty.
- This recipe can be made up to 2 days in advance however do not bake it. Instead store it well covered in the fridge. Remove it 30 minutes prior to baking to bring it to room temperature. Then bake it up fresh for optimal taste and maximum enjoyment.
- I like to add a few dashes of hot sauce or a little cayenne pepper but if you have a sensitive palate reduce the amount or skip it all together.
- Serve warm with crostini, Ritz crackers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, pretzel crisps, cucumber slices, tortilla chips or bagel chips.
- Store leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- I do not recommend freezing this dip. Because of the high amount of dairy the texture will change in the freezing and thawing process.
Keywords: hot crab dip, crab dip with cream cheese, baked crab dip, crab meat dip
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Robert
hi- This looks delish- We have left over king crab knuckle meat (from Costco). Have you used this for your recipe?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can use that.
George Meade
I thought this was a good idea for Sunday football night. The only thing I did different, I added, shrimp and 30 year old aged Gouda cheese. Just a little red pepper flakes. ( Replaced instead of hot sauce).
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks George! Glad that you liked it. You can’t go wrong with shrimp and gouda!
Val
Can’t wait to try it but was wondering if I can cook it in a slow cooker to keep it warm longer.
Beth Pierce
Yes you can. Heat on low for about 2 hours.
Christina
What size baking dishes do we use?
Beth Pierce
Use an 8×8 or a 9×9
Heather Perine
Oh man I looooove crab dip. And this one was so delicious…everyone was gobbling this up! Thank you!
★★★★★
Tavo
Delicious. Super simple to make. Will make this again. 🙂
★★★★★
Kristen Wood
This was perfect for a family gathering! Thanks so much for the fabulous recipe!
★★★★★
Gina
Such a delicious dip that everyone loves!
★★★★★
Kushigalu
Never tried crab dip before. SOunds so flavorful and delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Melissa
Crab dip is my favorite and this recipe is the best!
★★★★★
Kara
Served it with veggies, bagel chips, and cubed french bread. So yummy! And I love that it can be prepped ahead of time!
★★★★★
Katie
I love how cheesy and flavorful this is. It’s definitely one of our favorites around here!
★★★★★
Tina
This dip is amazing. My whole family loved it
Beth Pierce
Thanks Tina! So glad that you and your family liked it!
Tawnie Kroll
This is my new go-to appetizer, so delicious and everyone loved it. Thank you!
★★★★★
Anjali
This crab dip would be a perfect addition to an outdoor picnic we’re hosting this weekend! Can’t wait to try it!!
★★★★★
Dannii
I am always looking for new dip recipes to try and this looks deliciously indulgent.
★★★★★
Angela
Amazing flavor in this crab dip. Comes together quickly and everyone loved it!
★★★★★
Irina
I made it today, and we enjoyed it as an appetizer while watching a movie. The taste is amazing, and my family asks for more. 🙂
★★★★★
Robert Stutzman
try adding horseradish to the crab rangoon that’s what I’m told is traditional Japanese rangoons
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip Robert!
Kimberly DeStefano
This dip came out so amazing! The only thing I noticed is it was quite oily. I sprayed the baking dish beforehand which might be part of it, but are there any tips for making it less greasey?
Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Lower fat cheese but then you might be sacrificing the creaminess and the wonderful flavor.
Marilyn
What an amazing crab dip!! Will definitely make again & again!! Thank You & Happy New Year!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Marilyn! I am so glad that you liked it! It is so yummy!
Deb Pellerin
I’m going to “Go All Out!” this years, it’d been a horrific 4-5 years and my retired/disabled hubby + self are very $$ conscience, not unlike millions of Americans, BUT, since I could get sick and not ever be able to try this, hubby and I actually SAVED EXTRA $$ and went without a couple things to buy ALL the food items we know we’d love,but have been too financially “Wasteful” to us….Yes, we are frugal! But, we didn’t buy “Real Crabmeat”, I’m going to use Imitation Crab meat/Lobster and hope for the best. Wish me luck! It’s our New Years’ gift to each other! I’ll let you know how it goes……..
Beth Pierce
Thanks Deb! I think you will be fine with imitation crab meat.
Tara
Oh yum! I can definitely see why this dip is a favorite at parties. Looks absolutely amazing. Would be perfect with fried zucchini.
★★★★★
Valerie
I love how nice and easy this sounds to make. I think my Mom will love this, on some bagel chips.
★★★★★
Nathan
Oh wow, I’m getting VERY hungry just looking at this. I love a good hot dip, and I’ll definitely need to whip this out next time I need a people pleaser!
★★★★★
Alina
This is so easy, cheesy and delicious. Perfect for a Game Day!
★★★★★
Chris Collins
I love crab dip so much and your version looks incredible! Can’t wait to try the recipe 🙂
★★★★★
Carolyn
Looks delicious. If serving cold without the cheese do you still bake it?
★★★★
Beth Pierce
You can most certainly serve this cold just make sure the crab has been cooked.
Janet Rusk
Recipe was amazing. Family loved it. Little too much salt for me I will rinse canned crab next time. Looking forward to making with crab and artichokes
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Janet! Glad that you liked it! I love artichokes!
Jacque Hastert
I love how cheesy this comes out! I love that you have incorporated crab into a delicious dip. Game days will be here soon and this will be getting served. Thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
Angela
I am saving this recipe for the upcoming holiday season. I did a test run and it came out great!
★★★★★
Toni Dash
An all time favorite dip at my house!!
★★★★★
Courtney
This is such a great dip! Perfectly cheesy and totally snackable. It was loved by all!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Courtney! I hope everyone enjoyed it!
wilhelmina
So creamy and full of flavor! This dip was the first thing to go, quite a hit!
★★★★★
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
We loved the little bit of heat in this!
★★★★★
Toni
We just made this again we loved it so much the first time!
★★★★★
Krystle
This was the crab dip I’ve been craving. So good there is none left me and the family devoured it all!
Lauren Kelly
I made this a few days ago for our cookout and this was the first appetizer that was finished! YUM!
★★★★★
Sara Welch
I love when I see crab dip on the menu when I eat out! So excited to try this out; looks better than any restaurant version, indeed!
★★★★★
Toni
This is such an amazing dip! My whole family enjoyed this!
★★★★★
Catalina
This crab dip is exactly what I need right now. Sounds so delicious!
★★★★★
Vikki
Beautiful crab dip!
★★★★★
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
I know for sure this Crab Dip would be a huge hit in my house!
★★★★★
Amanda
This has been a huge hit at parties, people couldn’t get enough!
★★★★★