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Insanely Delicious Hot Crab Dip makes the perfect party appetizer. This delicious and addicting crab dip is ready in just 30 minutes and will instantly wow the entire crew!
Everyone loves a great dip, because we all love to play with our food sometimes. If you are looking for more incredible dips you have to try my 5 Minute Dip, Ranch Dip or this easy Rotel Dip!
Hot Crab Dip
Whether it is football season, baseball season, basketball season, party season, you get the idea, this dip has to be on your list of things to make! Hot crab dip is creamy, cheesy and full of flavor. It is super savory without being fishy. When I put this on the table it is one of the first things to disappear. Hand down one of the best appetizers EVER!
When it says hot crab dip, it is not spicy hot, but temperature hot. The dip is served and kept hot to keep all the cheese ooey and gooey and oh so delightful. You can definitely make it spicy if you prefer. Just add a bit of hot sauce to the mix. This crab dip is so quick and easy, it’s going to be one of your new go to recipes! If your worried about it being overly fishy, don’t be. This is the perfect way to eat crab and not even know it!
Ingredients for Delicious Crab Dip
Be sure to buy lump crab meat, and not imitation crab meat. There is a huge difference and you will be able to to taste it. Look for it in the canned meat section with the tuna.
- Cream Cheese: Soften the cream cheese by leaving it at room temperature for about half an hour or microwave it or 30 seconds.
- Sour Cream: Helps thin the cream cheese and adds a great bit of tang.
- Mayonnaise: Adds more creaminess and flavor
- Cheddar Cheese: Finely shredded
- Garlic Powder: Garlic is an impeccable flavor in the dish.
- Paprika: You will love the color and flavor it adds.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This adds depth and a great umami flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Helps balance the dish.
- Salt and Pepper: Add more or less to taste.
- Lump Crab Meat: Look for this in the canned meat aisle by the tuna.
How Do You Make Hot Crab Dip?
This couldn’t be any easier. Just throw everything into a bowl and stir and bake. Hot crab dip is so good but so easy it’s almost crazy.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix: In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir together until combined and fold in lump crab meat.
- Bake: Spread in a small casserole dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through and bubbly. Serve with a slice baguette or tortilla chips.
What Is Lump Crab Meat?
- Lump crab meat comes from the body of the crab. They are smaller than the Jumbo lump crab, but still sturdy. Lump crab meat is usually found in a can, although some butchers will carry it too. It is a blend of broken pieces of jumbo lump and a special grade of crab meat. You can mix it with a fork without worrying that it will break apart into mush. This is perfect in dip recipes, salads, casseroles, and crab cakes
- Imitation Crab: Imitation crab is just what it implies, not real, but fake. Imitation crab is highly processed food made by combining minced fish with starch, egg whites, sugar, salt and additives to mimic the flavor, color and texture of real crab meat. It’s not exactly what you want in your hot crab dip. Steer clear of it if you can.
- Can I Use Fresh Crab Meat? Yes, you can. Fresh crab meat is typically sold in plastic containers over ice at the market. These crabs have been steamed or boiled but will cost a little bit more.
Tips for Insanely Delicious Hot Crab Dip
Keeping it simple and keeping it easy makes this one of the best appetizers to try!
- Crab: Be sure to drain the crab well. If there is too much liquid left in the crab, it can make the dip watery and too thin. Check for any bits of shell as well. There are often some bits of shell that stow away in the canned crab and it’s unpleasant to bite into.
- Cheese: Use a medium or sharp cheese, but nothing that will overpower the wonderful taste of crab. Buy a block and gate your own. Using pre shredded cheese is usually coated in preservatives and anti caking agents which will prevent the cheese from melting nicely.
- Spicy: If you want to add a bit of a kick and some extra heat, add some hot sauce or diced canned jalapenos to the mixture.
- Keep it hot: If need the crab dip to stay hot for a long period of time, once it’s baked transfer it to a crockpot and keep it on low. You might lose some of that golden top, but it will stay warm and melty.
- Make Ahead: You can make this dip up to 2 days ahead of time. Mix altogether but do not bake. Cover tightly and keep in the fridge. Remove from fridge half an hour before baking.
- Serve it with: We love chips, buttery crackers, crostini, baguettes, celery, carrots and cucumbers.
- Leftovers: If you actually have leftovers, store them for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven. Do not freeze.
Looking For More Hot And Cheese Dips? Look No Further!
Dips are great, it gives all permission to play with our food. If you want to dunk, skim, scoop or just daintily dip your choice of finger foods in scrumptious, flavorful dips. I have the perfect ones right here! Dips are one of the best choices when it comes to appetizers, party foods, or snacks. They are customizable, portable and come hot, cold, spicy, mild, and even in sweet varieties. If you need a few ideas to get you started, these are some tried and true winners to try.
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Insanely Delicious Hot Crab Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounce cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 pound lump crab meat canned
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir together until combined and fold in lump crab meat.
- Spread in a small casserole dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through and bubbly. Serve with a slice baguette or tortilla chips.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is very similar to my recipe. Of course being raised in Maryland I had to add Old Bay! It is refreshing to see a recipe for anything crab without the addition of peppers onions etc. which we do not add in Maryland! Delicious!!!
How many can of crab meat
1 to 2 cans is perfect.
I made this for our quiet New Year’s Eve. It was absolutely delicious as written, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. Thank you for the recipe; we can’t wait to have it again!
That is awesome! Thank you so much for letting me know. Happy New Year!
This is the third or fourth time I’ve done this recipe and it’s always amazing I do add in chopped chives and scallions for appearance little bit of Parmesan and definitely paprika on top I’m a visual person but absolutely amazing every time thanks Alyssa!!
Definitely easy to make but not insanely delicious!! Will try another recipe next time! Made this exactly according to the recipe!
Can I use canned crab leg meat? We are totally land locked and this seems to be all I can find here?
It will alter the taste but that will work too.
Can you premake the dip & store overnight before baking?
Yes, this is great warmed back up.
I’m making this as an appetizer while my husband and I put up our Christmas tree 🎄and listening to Christmas music….and of course, a toddy! I used your recipe but added Old Bay and a layer of jalapeños while it’s baking. I’ll add a little more cheese on top (Parmesan) and sone green onion. My first attempt!
So easy and delicious. Will try to add Old Bay the next time.
Can I put in a little crockpot instead of oven?
Yes, that will work well. Keep it on low and stir often so it does not separate.
Hi! Can we leave out the Worcestershire Sauce or substitute it for something else if we don’t have it?
Yes, you can use soy sauce or teriyaki sauce in replace or leave it out all together.
Just made this- fabulous!
I added about 2 tablespoons of old bay!!
This was the first time I have made crab dip! Will def make again
From Baltimore so of course replace salt with 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning!!! Blue Crab recipes arent blue crab recipes without Old Bay!!
Amazing flavor and taste! Have made several times since finding this recipe & this is now my “go-to” recipe for appetizers!
The best hot crab dip! I love this recipe & so easy!
I made using imitation crab meat I can tell you that one pound (of the imitation) is way too much. I wonder if it should be one cup instead of one pound? Maybe one pound would be good with fresh or canned I don’t know.
I only cooked part of it. When it did not turn out, I mixed another batch of all ingredients ECEPT the crab and about a quarter cup of the original mix with the crab and it made all the difference in the world. Great recipe.