The best ultimate Crab Dip combines three different kinds of cheese, fresh crab meat, and a touch of Old Bay Seasoning and hot sauce. This delicious hot crab dip recipe is the perfect party appetizer with minimal ingredients and effort.
Learn how to make a delicious and easy crab dip that will surely be a hit at your next party or gathering. With simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions, this crowd-pleaser appetizer will become a staple in your recipe collection.
This hot dip is always a favorite at our parties. If you are always in a hurry, you can prepare the uncooked dip a day up to 2 days in advance, remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking, and bake it fresh for you and your friends or family to enjoy! I love to serve this dip at our parties with toasted ravioli, classic sausage balls, and mini pigs in a blanket.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Cream cheese: Use full fat for the best flavor and consistency
- Mayonnaise: I love Duke’s mayo, but any mayonnaise will work
- Sour cream: Use full fat for the best flavor and consistency
- Cheese: I use cheddar cheese and Pepper Jack. Sharp, mild, or smoked cheddar all taste good in this dip.
- Hot sauce: Frank’s works and blends well
- Crab meat: Use any cooked crab such as fresh crab, canned lump crabmeat, or even frozen crab, but preferably not imitation crab meat. I like to use fresh king crab, which I purchase from Costco’s seafood department. Jumbo lump crabmeat would be my second choice for this dip, making it an authentic Maryland crab dip.
How to Make Hot Crab Dip
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
I like to use freshly cooked king crab, but any lump crab meat will work. Ensure it is chopped relatively fine so there is a bit of crab in every bite. In a medium bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese, mayo, 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 melts and the dish heats through. Serve promptly with crostini, crackers, pretzel crisps, or assorted vegetables.
Preparation Tips
- You can make this recipe up to 2 days in advance; do not bake it. Instead, store it well-covered in the fridge. Remove it 30 minutes before baking to bring it to room temperature. Then, bake it fresh for optimal taste and maximum enjoyment.
- I like adding a few dashes of hot sauce or a little cayenne pepper, but if you have a sensitive palate, reduce or skip it altogether.
- Serve warm with crostini, Ritz crackers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, pretzel crisps, cucumber slices, tortilla chips, or bagel chips.
Recipe 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. It’s 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 and add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftover crab dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave at reduced power.
I do not recommend freezing this dip. Because of the high amount of dairy, the texture will change in the freezing and thawing process.
More Party Recipes
Easy Crab Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- ½ tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ 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.
- In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld 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 make this recipe up to 2 days in advance; do not bake it. Instead, store it well-covered in the fridge. Remove it 30 minutes before baking to bring it to room temperature. Then, bake it fresh for optimal taste and maximum enjoyment.
- I like adding a few dashes of hot sauce or a little cayenne pepper, but if you have a sensitive palate, reduce or skip it altogether.
- Serve warm with crostini, Ritz crackers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, pretzel crisps, cucumber slices, tortilla chips, or bagel chips.
Nutrition
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Joannie
This hot crab dip was great for game night. My husband and our friends loved it. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Marie
This was amazing with the different cheeses and mayo. I bet this would be delicious with shrimp, too! I might even make this again for the big game.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Marie! So glad that you liked it!
Monica D
I love how extra cheesy this is, and that kick of heat really makes it pop. Great recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Monica!
Lavender
This was the perfect appetizer for a football playoff party! It disappeared so quickly, I will be making this again for my friends. They loved it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lavender! I am so glad that you friends loved it!
Marie
Omg! This is my favorite. We loved every bite. I made it for the football playoffs and it was a huge hit with family and friends!
Stacy
Was so tasty and easy to make. It was absolutely delicious with your crostini recipe! I will make it again, maybe for the superbowl!
Karen C
This crab dip is delicious! All our friends loved it. I served it for the playoffs and many of our friends asked for the recipe. I sent the recipe home with them!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Karen!
Nikki
This delicious dip is so easy to make. It’s perfect for a party or game day.
Jess
This dip is perfect for any occasion!
Dina Miller
Top asked for dip at any get together!
Anjali
This dip was delicious! We served it with some crackers and sliced cucumbers as an appetizer before dinner last night!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Anjali! So glad that you like the dip!
Nathan
This is a fantastic crab dip! I served it at a party and it was a huge hit, not a single scoop leftover. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Nathan!
Fransic verso
Great recipe! We always enjoy this dip. I made some for the big game and it was the first appetizer gone. Thanks for a delicious recipe, Beth.
Clarice
Wow! This looks really delicious. We’re planning to have a special homecooked meal this Valentines Day and I think this would be perfect. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Happy to know it’s quite easy to make. Appreciate the tips.
Kristy Bullard
This dip is so good and always a hit at any party! I love that I can make it in advance and just pull out of the fridge, heat it up, and enjoy!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kristy! We love how easy it is to prepare too!