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Shrimp Dip Recipe

This shrimp dip is what party snack dreams are made of—rich, creamy, zippy, and packed with juicy shrimp in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ, holiday party, or just need something easy for game day, this cold dip is the one everyone will be asking for the recipe to.

📌 Save this creamy shrimp dip to your Appetizer Recipes or Party Food Ideas board so you can find it when you need an easy win. 📌
Ingredients You’ll Need

- 8 oz cream cheese
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise – Full-fat gives the best texture.
- 1 lb cooked salad shrimp – Be sure to thaw and chop finely.
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce – Optional, but it brings a nice kick
- 1 tablespoon green onion
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder – Low-key flavor booster
- + salt & pepper
Tips For Using Frozen Shrimp
If you’re using frozen cooked shrimp (which I often do!), just thaw them in the fridge overnight or pop the bag in cold water for a quicker fix. The key? Make sure they’re well-drained and patted dry—excess moisture is the enemy of a thick, creamy dip.
Ingredient Substitutions – Make It Your Own
- Want more spice? Add extra hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne.
- Not a parsley fan? Swap for dill or chives.
- Love citrus? Add lemon zest to brighten things up.
How to Make A Shrimp Dip Appetizer
1. Make It Creamy
Start with softened cream cheese—this is non-negotiable for that ultra-smooth base. Beat it with mayo until fluffy and smooth. Then mix in the seasonings, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and hot sauce.

2. Chop + Fold
Grab your pre-cooked salad shrimp, thawed and patted dry. Chop it finely—think small enough to coat a cracker without chunks sliding off.
Then gently fold it into the cream cheese base along with green onion and parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

3. Chill For Flavor
Once everything’s mixed, cover and refrigerate the dip for at least one hour—longer if you’ve got time. This gives the flavors a chance to meld and the texture to firm up, making it easier to scoop and way more delicious. It’s the kind of chill time that transforms a good dip into a great one.
How to Serve
When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap from the bowl and top the shrimp dip with a sprinkle of additional finely chopped parsley and green onions. You can also add a couple of the reserved whole shrimp for garnish to the dip.

- Serve your shrimp dip with crackers, crostini, or sturdy veggies like celery sticks.
- Pair it with a glass of chilled white wine or sparkling water with lime.
- Add to a party platter with pickles, olives, and sliced cheeses.
Store any leftover shrimp dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Stir before serving again. Freezing isn’t recommended as it can affect the creamy texture.

Shrimp Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound cooked salad shrimp (thawed and drained, very finely chopped) be sure to reserve 3 to 6 of the whole shrimp to use as garnish for the dip
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onions, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise. Beat on medium speed with a handheld mixer for 1-2 minutes or just until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix again on low just until fully combined and smooth.
- Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, fold in the finely chopped shrimp, finely chopped fresh parsley, and finely chopped green onions until all the ingredients of the shrimp dip are fully incorporated.
- Transfer the shrimp dip to a serving bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to overnight, to allow the flavors of the dip to blend and the dip to chill.
- When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap from the bowl and top the shrimp dip with a sprinkle of additional finely chopped parsley and green onions. You can also add a couple of the reserved whole shrimp for garnish to the dip.
Video
Notes
- You can buy the precooked small salad shrimp in the freezer section of your grocery store. Be sure that you thaw it according to the package directions for the best results. You will also need to remove as much excess moisture as possible from the thawed shrimp to keep from watering down your dip.
- I like to use full-fat cream cheese and standard full-fat mayonnaise for a nice thick consistency to the dip.
Comments
Layne Henderson says
YUM – I love shrimp and I can’t wait to try this delicious dip at our next gathering. Seems like the perfect appetizer!
Lori says
Can’t wait to try the recipe
Toni Thomason says
I love shrimp and this dip is perfect! Must have appetizer for get togethers.
Treena says
Wonderful idea! Love everything on the board and the shrimp dip is a great addition.
Kelly Stilwell says
I love the idea of putting shrimp salad on the board, and shrimp is my favorite food. Can’t wait to try this!
Deborah Willoughby says
This was amazing will share this recipe with others.
Thanks for the inspiration