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Hot Crab Dip

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overhead shot of a bowl of Hot Crab Dip garnished with chives
This easy crab dip recipe offers a whole lot of creamy and cheesy flavors, making it the perfect party appetizer.
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Table of Contents
  1. Hot Crab Dip Ingredients
  2. How To Make This Hot Crab Dip Recipe
  3. How To Serve
  4. Storage
  5. More Recipes You’ll Love
  6. JUMP TO RECIPE

This easy hot crab dip appetizer is a whole lot of creamy, cheesy goodness, with a little bit more cheese on top, because you can never have too much cheese! This simple recipe is sure to get a resounding “yes” from your guests.

close up shot of a ritz cracker dipped into a bowl of Hot Crab Dip garnished with chives

Hot Crab Dip Ingredients

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You’ll need:

  • 12 ounces of crab meat
  • 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup mayo
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ¾ cup parmesan cheese (save ¼ cup to sprinkle on top)
  • ¾ cup cheddar cheese (save ¼ cup to sprinkle on top)

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

SPICE: You can also have fun dressing up this creamy dip recipe. Are you a fan of spicy? Try adding fresh jalapeños, a few dashes of hot sauce, or a few chili flakes. Or, if you like, you can try adding other spices and flavors, too!

SOUR CREAM: Greek yogurt is a common substitute for sour cream and will work fine in this cheesy crab dip.

CRAB MEAT: It’s easy to make adjustments to this simple recipe. If canned or fresh crab meat is not your thing, just replace it with imitation crab meat. Your family and friends won’t know or taste the difference.

How To Make This Hot Crab Dip Recipe

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

I often end up doubling or tripling this recipe because it disappears so quickly.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F.

STEP TWO: In a medium bowl, mix together the crab meat, cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, diced green chilies, and lemon juice. Stir well.

PRO TIP:

Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so that you don’t end up with lumps in your dip.

crab dip ingredients added to a bowl

STEP THREE: Add in the Worcestershire sauce and fresh chives.

Worcestershire sauce and chives added to the bowl of dip ingredients

STEP FOUR: Add in the Old Bay seasoning and paprika, as well as the parmesan and cheddar cheese. Make sure you set aside ¼ cup of each cheese.

cheeses and seasonings added to the bowl of dip ingredients

STEP FIVE: Spread the mixture inside of an 8×8-inch baking dish and smooth out the surface. Sprinkle on the remaining parmesan and cheddar cheese.

crab dip mixture spread into a baking dish then topped with cheeses

STEP SIX: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until bubbling. If the cheese isn’t melted or you want to brown it a little bit, feel free to broil for a couple of minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on the dip since it can burn easily under the broiler.

crab dip after being baked in a baking dish

STEP SEVEN: Garnish your cheesy dip with fresh chives or green onions and enjoy with tortillas or crackers.

How To Serve

This perfect appetizer is very versatile when it comes to what you dip in it. You can have a variety of crackers, tortilla chips, pretzels, and any other creative ideas for dipping! Even soft pretzels also make an interesting side.

As with most appetizers, this hot crab dip recipe is quick and easy to make. It goes great on a party table with some of our other hot dip recipes including spinach artichoke dip and cheese dip.

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Cover leftover crab dip with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

IN THE FREEZER: We do not recommend freezing this dip as it will become watery when thawed.

overhead shot of a bowl of Hot Crab Dip garnished with chives

One thing is for certain, this crab dip is bound to be a hit at any game day gathering or holiday parties and we won’t be surprised if it’s gone in a matter of minutes. Just don’t plan on having any leftovers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the best crab meat for this dip?

Fresh crab meat, canned crab meat, or imitation crab meat would all be delicious in this dip recipe.

Is this best served hot or cold?

This is best served when it’s hot! Once it’s cooled, it can be reheated and still tastes great. 

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

You can assemble this dip right up to the step before baking and store it in the fridge for up to a day. Bake it just before you are ready to serve this delicious appetizer.

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overhead shot of a bowl of Hot Crab Dip garnished with chives

Hot Crab Dip

5 from 3 votes
This easy crab dip recipe offers a whole lot of creamy and cheesy flavors, making it the perfect party appetizer.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces crab meat
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup mayo
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 4 ounces diced green chilies
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ¾ cup parmesan cheese (save ¼ cup to sprinkle on top)
  • ¾ cup cheddar cheese (save ¼ cup to sprinkle on top)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the crab meat, cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, diced green chilies, and lemon juice. Stir well.
  • Add the Worcestershire sauce and fresh chives.
  • Add in the Old Bay seasoning and paprika, as well as the parmesan and cheddar cheese. Make sure you set aside ¼ cup of each cheese.
  • Spread the mixture inside of an 8×8-inch baking dish and smooth out the surface. Sprinkle on the remaining parmesan and cheddar cheese.
  • Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until bubbling. If the cheese isn’t melted or you want to brown it a little bit, feel free to broil for a couple of minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on the dip since it can burn easily under the broiler.
  • Garnish your cheesy dip with fresh chives or green onions and enjoy with tortillas or crackers.

Notes

  • I often end up doubling or tripling this recipe because it disappears so quickly.
  • Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so that you don’t end up with lumps in your dip.

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 694mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 594IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 233mg | Iron: 1mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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  1. Cheryl says

    I don’t see parmesan, cheddar cheese and paprika listed in the ingredients. How much of each goes in? These are mentioned in the directions??

  2. Vanda Brown says

    5 stars
    Wondering if I add some plablano peppers should I give them a quick saute first.. This recipe is pretty bulletproof and I love it..

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