Description
This Shrimp and Crab Dip is a creamy, savory appetizer perfect for seafood lovers. Combining tender snow crab meat and medium shrimp with rich cream cheese, cheddar, and Parmesan, this baked dip offers a flavorful blend enhanced by Old Bay seasoning, garlic, green onions, and a hint of lemon zest. Served hot and garnished with fresh tomatoes and green onions, it’s ideal for parties or casual gatherings.
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
Base
- 8 ounces regular cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup good quality mayonnaise
- ¼ cup regular sour cream
Cheese and Seasonings
- 1 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
- ¼ cup chopped green onion
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Garnish
- Sliced green onion
- Chopped Roma tomato
Instructions
- Prepare Seafood: Press the crab and shrimp between paper towels several times to remove as much moisture as possible. This step helps prevent the dip from becoming watery.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking.
- 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 until evenly incorporated.
- Fold in Seafood: Gently fold the chopped crab meat and shrimp into the cheese mixture, making sure the seafood is evenly distributed without breaking up the pieces.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the combined mixture into a baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese over the top to form a flavorful crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the dip is bubbly and the top is slightly browned.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the dip sit for 5-10 minutes to firm slightly. Garnish with sliced green onion and chopped Roma tomato before serving.
- Serve: Enjoy the dip hot with crackers, crostini, tortilla chips, celery sticks, or carrot sticks.
Notes
- Pressing the seafood dry is critical to avoid a watery dip.
- Letting the dip rest after baking helps it thicken for easier serving.
- Use fresh Old Bay seasoning for the best flavor impact.
- Best served warm but can be reheated gently in an oven or microwave.
- To make ahead, mix all ingredients except garnish and bake just before serving.
