Crab Dip with Cream Cheese is the perfect appetizer for any party. Make it as mild or as spicy as you’d like!
Original post: May 2015 | Updated: March 2021
I have mentioned before that we LOVE dips, like this Buffalo Chicken Dip and this Spinach Artichoke Dip. This dip is so ridiculously good and please no judging when I tell you that my husband and I have been known to polish it off in ONE HOUR. That. Good.
Serving hot dips at gatherings is a great option because they are simple and they feed a lot of people. You don’t want to miss out on this one!
HOW TO MAKE CRAB DIP WITH CREAM CHEESE
STEP 1
Preheat your oven to 400.
In whichever type of skillet you have, add corn, green onions, jalapeño peppers (optional), bell pepper, garlic, salt and pepper.
Cook for 3-5 minutes over medium heat.
STEP 2
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine sour cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise, crab meat, Worcestershire sauce and diced chiles (optional).
STEP 3
Add mixture to the skillet and remove from heat. If you are using a cast iron, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and pop it in the oven for 20 minutes. If not, add the mixture to a greased square baking dish first. Transfer to a serving dish, if desired, just before serving!
OTHER DELICIOUS PARTY FOOD RECIPES
- This is The Best 7 Layer Taco Dip you’ll ever meet! It’s the perfect appetizer and party food and it is always the first thing to get devoured.
- Classic Deviled Eggs are an American classic! Known best for their appearances at summer potlucks and Easter dinner, they are a delicious addition to any gathering.
- Pickle Roll-Ups are most perfect appetizer for any type of gathering! Only THREE ingredients, ten minutes of your time and guests will be raving! These pop in your mouth so easily and will be gone in no time.
- Balsamic Bruschetta – So much flavor in each small bite sized piece of french bread. Perfect little finger food for any gathering! Be ready to knock people’s socks off!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS DIP
- Tortilla chips or Baguette chips
- Naan or pita bread
- Breadsticks
- Veggies such as carrots or celery sticks
RECIPE NOTES: CRAB DIP WITH CREAM CHEESE
- If you love a little heat but don’t have a jalapeno on hand, use a hot sauce such as sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes to spice it up.
- In the Midwest, we don’t have fresh crab readily available so we use lump crab meat. Splurge if you can, but it’ll be good either way!
- Add a teaspoon of garlic powder or 2 minced garlic cloves to your dip if you love garlic!
- Add a half cup of crispy bacon chopped into the pan for a delicious addition!
- Squirt the entire dip with freshly squeezed lemon juice just before serving!
FAQ ABOUT CRAB DIP
Crab dip can be frozen in an air-tight container for up to 3 months.
When properly stored in an air-tight container, crab dip will remain fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
The cream cheese and sour cream make this a relatively fattening recipe. To slim it down, replace the sour cream with a low-fat variety and reduce the amount of cream cheese by half.
This dip can be made in advance using two different methods: 1 – Saute the veggies and let them cool, then refrigerate them. Assemble the ingredients from step 2 and put them in the fridge. Warm them together when you’re ready to serve. 2 – Follow the instructions for the recipe, allow it to cool, then refrigerate the cast iron pan covered with foil. When you’re ready to serve, warm it up in the oven.
While the amount of imitation would be the same for lump meat, imitation crab is a mix of ingredients that mimic crab and consist of fish parts. I would not recommend substituting this for this dip.
Crab Dip with Cream Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 bunch green onions sliced (white and light green parts only)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 oz diced green chiles (optional)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 6 oz lump crab meat
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Heat olive oil in a cast-iron or regular skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper, onions, garlic, corn, jalapeños (if using), salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, green chiles (if using), Worcestershire sauce and crab meat. Mix well and add to the skillet. Stir until combined.
- If using a cast-iron skillet, spread dip in an even layer, top with shredded cheese and remove from heat. If not using a cast-iron skillet, coat a square baking dish with cooking spray and add the contents of the skillet topped with shredded cheese.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips.
Notes
- If you love a little heat but don’t have a jalapeno on hand, use a hot sauce such as sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes to spice it up.
- In the Midwest, we don’t have fresh crab readily available so we use lump crab meat. Splurge if you can, but it’ll be good either way!
- Add a teaspoon of garlic powder or 2 minced garlic cloves to your dip if you love garlic!
- Add a half cup of crispy bacon chopped into the pan for a delicious addition!
- Squirt the entire dip with freshly squeezed lemon juice just before serving!
I think this sounds like a really great dip! We too love dips and I can't wait to try this one!! Thanks!!
This sounds amazing. I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.