Description

This creamy and savory Shrimp & Crab Dip is a perfect appetizer that combines tender snow crab meat and succulent shrimp with a rich blend of cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and sharp cheddar. Seasoned with Old Bay and garlic, then baked until bubbly and golden, it’s an irresistible dish ideal for parties and gatherings, served hot with crackers or veggies.

Ingredients

Scale

Seafood

8 ounces cooked fresh snow crab meat, chopped into ½” pieces
8 ounces cooked medium shrimp, tails removed, chopped into ¼” pieces

Dairy & Condiments

8 ounces regular cream cheese, softened
¼ cup good quality mayonnaise
¼ cup regular sour cream
1 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese
¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

Produce & Seasoning

¼ cup chopped green onion
4 large cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Sliced green onion and chopped Roma tomato for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare Seafood: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Press the crab and shrimp between paper towels several times to remove as much moisture as possible, which helps prevent the dip from becoming watery.
Mix Base: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Add Cheeses and Seasonings: Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup of the Parmesan cheese, chopped green onion, minced garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon zest. Stir everything together until evenly incorporated.
Fold in Seafood: Gently fold in the chopped crab meat and shrimp into the cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution while maintaining the delicate texture of the seafood.
Prepare for Baking: Transfer the combined mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the top to create a flavorful crust.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Bake until the dip is bubbly throughout and the top is slightly browned.
Rest and Garnish: Remove the dip from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to firm slightly. Before serving, sprinkle sliced green onion and chopped Roma tomato over the top for a fresh, colorful garnish.
Serve: Serve the dip hot with a variety of accompaniments such as crackers, crostini, tortilla chips, celery sticks, or carrot sticks.

Notes

For the freshest flavor and best texture, use fresh cooked snow crab legs and shell them yourself instead of canned or pre-packaged crab meat.
Patting the seafood dry is crucial to avoid watery dip.
If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the cheese mixture.
This dip can be prepared a day ahead; just cover and refrigerate before baking.
To reheat leftovers, warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (approx. 1/2 cup)
Calories: 280
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 550 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0.3 g
Carbohydrates: 6 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Protein: 15 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg