Crab Dip Recipe: Elegant Seafood Appetizer Served Hot or Cold

This elegant crab dip combines rich cream cheese, fresh jumbo lump crab meat, and classic seafood seasonings to create a luxurious appetizer that's easy to prepare and perfect for entertaining. Serve warm, chilled, or in a slow cooker for effortless hosting.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Servings: 10 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Calories: 210

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
1.5 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 whole lemon, juiced
1/2 tsp hot sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
1 lb fresh jumbo lump crab meat, picked over

Equipment

Mixing Bowls
9-inch pie dish or baking dish
Spatula
Hand mixer (optional)

Method

Soften cream cheese, mince garlic, chop green onion, squeeze lemon juice, and shred cheddar cheese. Pick through crab meat to remove shell fragments.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch pie dish or similar baking vessel.
In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese until completely smooth.
Add mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, green onion, Old Bay, salt, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and hot sauce. Stir until fully combined.
Stir in 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
Gently fold crab into the mixture, keeping lumps as intact as possible.
Spread mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese on top.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and lightly golden around the edges.
Let the dip rest 5 minutes before serving warm with bread, crackers, or vegetables.

Notes

For cold crab dip, skip baking and refrigerate until serving. Jumbo lump crab is recommended for best texture and flavor.

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