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    Home » Sides

    Hot Crab Dip

    Published: Dec 30, 2022 · Modified: Jul 20, 2023 by Kristin · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · Leave a Comment

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    Wooden board with a baking dish filled with fresh crab dip.
    Bread scoping out crab dip and a baking dish with veggies.
    Baking dish with a homemade crab dip topped with fresh crab meat.
    Bread scoping out crab dip and a baking dish with veggies.

    This hot crab dip recipe is so irresistible. Chunks of fresh crab meat mixed in melted cream cheese, cheddar, and pepper jack with some fresh lemon and chives.

    A wooden board with baking dish and a hot crab dip with a bowl of sourdough bread and bell peppers.

    Do you love crab? If you do, I'm sure you are just as obsessed with a fresh hot crab dip as I am!

    This dip is really simple to make and is always a hit. Takes only a few minutes to mix together and bakes for about 20 minutes in the oven until hot and bubbly. It really is that simple.

    Is a cold dip more your style? Be sure to check out this cold Dungeness crab dip.

    Since you are a crab lover be sure to check out my other crab recipes such as a crab risotto, crab bisque, crab deviled eggs and all my other fresh Dungeness crab recipes.

    Are you a dip fan? You may also enjoy this creamy baked clam dip or a smoked salmon spread.

    Jump to:
    • 🧀Ingredients
    • 🦀How to Make
    • 🍽Ways to Serve
    • ❓Recipe FAQs
    • 🐟Other Seafood Recipes
    • 📋Recipe

    🧀Ingredients

    Ingredients in prep bowls to make crab dip. Cheeses, cream cheese, spices, crab meat, Worcestershire sauce, and fresh lemon.

    Crab: This recipe calls for fresh crab meat, but a variety of options can also be used. Imitation and canned crab turn out great as well. Use what you have access to and enjoy!

    If you are using fresh crab that you either caught yourself or purchased from a market or grocery store, learn how to cook, clean and process fresh crab.

    This recipe calls for 8oz of fresh crab but you can use up to a pound. The amount used depends on how much of that delicious crab you want in each bite.

    Cheese: This is a three cheese dip. The base is a cream cheese and then a combination of cheddar and pepper jack. The pepper jack adds a nice little kick to this dip.

    If you prefer to use all cheddar that is perfectly fine as well.

    Chives: Fresh Chives go really well with this crab dip. If you do not have fresh chives, dried chives or green onions work just as well.

    Fresh Lemon Juice: This is a must. This dip can be really heavy with all the cheese, so adding a nice hint of fresh lemon juice really balances it out.

    I use this handy lemon press to get the most juices out of the lemon.

    See full information on ingredients and quantities in the recipe card.

    🦀How to Make

    This hot crab dip is really easy to make and only takes a few minutes to mix together.

    💡Pro Tip: It's important that your cream cheese is soft. Remove from the refrigerator about an hour before you want to make the dip.

    Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Four images of crab dip being prepreaed. Mixing the cream cheese, adding the herbs and cheeses, then the crab and being baked.

    Step 2: In a medium sized bowl, whip the cream cheese with a hand mixer. The cream cheese must be smooth and creamy with no lumps. (Image 1).

    Step 3: Add in the mayo, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, sea salt, chives and spices. Mix with the mixer until it's all combined. (Image 2).

    Step 4: Mix in the cheeses.

    Step 5: Next, gently fold in the crab with a spatula. This will give you large chucks of crab. If you use the hand mixer it will break it up into smaller pieces. (Image 3).

    Step 6: In a small baking dish, spread the dip in an even layer.

    Step 7: Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until it's hot and bubbly. (Image 4).

    A hot crab dip being scooped out by a slice of baugette.

    🍽Ways to Serve

    This crab dip can be served with all kind of things. Here are just some examples:

    • Homemade Sourdough Bread
    • Potato Chips
    • Tortilla Chips
    • Pretzels
    • Fresh Cut Veggies
    • Check out my entire list of different things to serve with crab dip.
    A large circular wood board with a hot crab dip in the middle with fresh produce, bread, chip and crackers around the dish.

    ❓Recipe FAQs

    Can crab dip be frozen?

    Since dairy does not freeze well, it is best to not freeze this dip.

    Can crab dip be made ahead of time?

    Yes! Just follow the instructions, leaving out the baking part, and cook right before serving.

    Can this crab dip be served cold?

    Yes, it can be served cold. Just make sure the crab you are using is fully cooked.

    Can I use imitation or canned crab?

    Yes! Any kind of crab will work great in this dip.

    🐟Other Seafood Recipes

    • A bowl of fresh crab dip with cream cheese and a lump of fresh crab meat on top.
      Cold Crab Dip
    • A wire cooling rack with pieces if smoked salmon.
      How to Smoke Salmon on a Pellet Grill
    • A bowl with fresh smoked salmon dip topped with chives and crackers topped with more dip.
      Easy Smoked Salmon Dip
    • A small cast iron pan with a clam dip, panko top and some fresh herbs.
      Baked Clam Dip

    Did you make it? If you loved this recipe or any others on Dirt & Dough, please leave a 5-🌟 in the recipe card below. Let me know how it went by leaving a comment below the recipe card. I love hearing from you!

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    📋Recipe

    A baking dish with a cheesy crab dip with fresh crab and chives on top.

    Hot Crab Dip

    Author: Kristin
    This hot crab dip recipe is so irresistible. Chunks of fresh crab meat mixed in melted cream cheese, cheddar, and pepper jack with some fresh lemon and chives. Serve hot or cold with a variety of dippers. 
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 People
    Calories 326 kcal

    Equipment

    • Hand Mixer
    • Citrus Press

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 oz Cream Cheese - Softened
    • ¼ Cup Mayonnaise
    • ¼ Cup Sour Cream
    • ½ Lemon freshly squeezed - Add more as needed.
    • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
    • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Paprika
    • ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Chives Chopped - See Notes
    • ½ Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Grated
    • ½ Cup Pepper Jack Cheese - Grated
    • 8 Oz Crab Meat See Notes - Can use up to a pound of meat.

    Optional

    • Add in your favorite hot sauce

    Instructions
     

    • NOTE: It's important that your cream cheese is soft. Remove from the refrigerator about an hour before you want to make the dip. 
    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Prepare a small baking dish with a little bit of cooking spray.
    • In a medium sized bowl, whip the cream cheese with a hand mixer. It must be smooth and creamy with no lumps.
    • Add in the mayo, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, sea salt, chives, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.
    • Mix with the mixer until it's all combined.
    • Taste and add more lemon or sea salt as needed.
    • Mix in the cheddar and pepper jack.
    • Next, gently fold in the crab with a spatula. This will give you large chucks of crab.
    • Place in the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until it's hot and bubbly.
    • Serve warm with a variety of dippers.

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes:
    Crab: This recipe calls for fresh crab meat, but a variety of options can also be used. Imitation and canned crab turn out great as well. Use what you have access to and enjoy!
    This recipe calls for 8oz of fresh crab but you can use up to a pound. The amount used depends on how much of that delicious crab you want in each bite.
    Cheese: The pepper jack adds a nice little kick to this dip. Feel free to use all cheddar if you prefer.
    Chives: Fresh Chives go really well with this crab dip. If you do not have chives, fresh green onions work just as well. Can also substitute for 2 teaspoons of dried chives.
    Fresh Lemon Juice: This is a must. This dip can be really heavy with all the cheese, so adding a nice hint of fresh lemon juice really balances it out.
    Storage
    Store any unused crab dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 326kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 14gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 932mgPotassium: 194mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 878IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 207mgIron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below.

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