Description
This Shrimp & Crab Dip combines tender snow crab meat and juicy shrimp with creamy cheeses and bold seasonings for a flavorful appetizer. Baked until bubbly and golden, this dip is perfect for serving hot alongside crackers, crostini, or fresh veggies at your next gathering.
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
- 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 & Seasonings
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F to prepare it for baking the dip.
- Remove excess moisture from seafood: Press the crab and shrimp meat between paper towels multiple times until most of the moisture is absorbed. This prevents the dip from becoming watery.
- Combine dairy ingredients: In a large bowl, blend together the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add cheese and seasonings: Stir in the shredded cheddar, ½ cup of Parmesan cheese, chopped green onion, minced garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon zest to the creamy mixture, mixing well.
- Fold in seafood: Gently incorporate the crab and shrimp pieces, taking care not to break them up too much.
- Prepare for baking: Transfer the mixture into a suitable baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake the dip: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbling and the top is lightly browned.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the dip from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to set. Before serving, sprinkle with sliced green onion and chopped Roma tomato for freshness and color.
- Serve: Enjoy the dip hot with your preferred accompaniments such as crackers, crostini, tortilla chips, celery sticks, or carrot sticks.
Notes
- For the best flavor and texture, use fresh cooked snow crab legs and shell them yourself rather than using canned or pre-packaged crab meat.
- Removing excess moisture from the seafood is essential to prevent a watery dip.
- This dip pairs wonderfully with a variety of dippers like crackers, pita chips, or fresh vegetables.
- You can prepare the mixture ahead and refrigerate it, then bake just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
