Jump to Recipe
This Maryland-style hot crab dip recipe is one of my favorite appetizers. I've been eating Chesapeake Bay Maryland blue crab all my life, and this was an experiment I'm so glad I tried!
This simple recipe takes minutes to put together, 30 minutes in the oven, and it's scrumptious. Whenever we take this to a party, it is hands-down the favorite dish there!
If you love crabs and haven't had our Old Bay Crab Cakes recipe, it's one of the most popular recipes on this site. Everyone loves them! You also must try this Hot Butter Crab. I found the recipe in an old cookbook from Maryland and it's to die for!
You may know I've only been in Florida for a little over 12 years. I hail from Maryland, just outside our nation's capital. In fact, I was born in Washington, DC, but lived in Maryland all my life until we moved to Central Florida.
I share this to say I've been eating blue crabs since I was a young kid. We used to go crabbing in the Chesapeake Bay every summer. With that leftover crab meat, we made crab cakes and crab soup.
If you're a seafood lover, check out this recipe for Drunken Mussels and this clam and mussels recipe known as Cioppino. I'm betting you'll love this lemon and herb shrimp, too. They are all so good!
Why You'll Love this Crab Dip
We made this dip with lump blue crab meat, cream cheese, and the perfect blend of spices. You can make this to serve at home or easily put plastic wrap over it and take it to a party.
It can be served warm but is just as good at room temperature. It pairs well with a toasted sliced baguette or crackers. It's the perfect easy appetizer!
For more delicious party foods, you've got to check out my simple charcuterie board, this spinach dip from my list of cream cheese appetizers, or something from this list of appetizers for a crowd. All are perfect for holiday parties or football season!
What Goes in This Recipe
You'll only need seven ingredients to make this easy crab meat dip.
Key Ingredients
Fresh lump crab meat - you can usually find canned crab meat at the seafood counter at your local grocery store. Fresh crab meat is best, picked from the blue crab, but most refrigerated varieties are also good.
Old Bay Seasoning - this is our favorite seafood seasoning and the only one we use for crab recipes, including crab cakes and crab soup. We also steam shrimp in Old Bay and beer.
You could probably switch up the other ingredients, but you must have those two. I use a recipe that goes way back and could never make this delicious crab dip any other way!
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full printable ingredients list and directions.
How to Make this Hot Crab Dip Recipe
Preheat oven to 350º.
Mix softened cream cheese with mayonnaise, Old Bay Seasoning, and dry mustard in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.
Gently fold lump crab meat into the mixing bowl being careful not to break up the lumps.
Spoon mixture into an 18 ounce oven safe baking dish.
Sprinkle with cheeses.
Sprinkle with extra Old Bay Seasoning.
Bake for 30 minutes. Brown slightly under the broiler on low.
As the dish will be hot, use a trivet when serving.
Serve the creamy dip with crackers, tortilla chips, or toasted sliced baguettes.
An added bonus to this recipe is that it works for crab-stuffed mushrooms or served in phyllo cups as a pretty appetizer.
Variations
Some people add sour cream to their crab dip recipes. Many also add Worcestershire sauce. I've also seen fresh lemon juice and fresh parsley added. I don't personally think it needs another thing other than what I've listed in the recipe.
For a little heat, you could increase the Old Bay Seasoning or add a couple of dashes of hot sauce.
To crisp the top, you could add crushed crackers or bread crumbs. I'd probably use Panko to do that.
The only thing I add on occasion is sliced green onions. It makes the dish more festive and it does add a nice flavor boost. Maryland friends - don't judge me too harshly for that!
Top Tips
Lump crab meat can be pricey, but it really does make a difference in the flavor of this creamy crab dip. If you can't pay that much for crab meat, the regular variety will work. Don't use imitation crab meat.
Make sure to use a block of cream cheese and not a spread, and allow it to come to room temperature before mixing.
FAQ
Can I serve this Maryland crab dip recipe cold?
You can serve this as a cold crab dip. We like it warm, but it's delicious either way.
How long does this crab dip keep?
If it isn't gone the first day, I would eat it by the third day. Store it in an airtight container. You can also freeze it before or after it's baked for up to two months. If freezing after baking, make sure to let it cool before freezing.
What can I use if I can't find Old Bay seasoning?
You should be able to find Old Bay easily, but if you can't, Phillips Seafood Seasoning is a pretty good substitute.
More Delicious Appetizers
- Scallop and Shrimp Seafood Salad Recipe
- Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Dipping Sauce
- Savory Mini Tart Recipes
Crab Dip Recipe
This Maryland crab dip recipe is one of my favorite appetizers. I've been eating blue crabs all my life, and this is a recipe from years of eating crab dip!
5 from 43 votes
Print this Recipe Pin this Recipe Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 14
Calories: 69kcal
Author: Kelly Stilwell
Equipment
18 ounce oven safe baking dish.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese ½ package, softened. I used Neufchatel light cream cheese.
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise I used Kraft light version
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay plus more for topping
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- 8 oz crab meat lump
- 1 Tablespoon Gouda cheese shredded
- 1 Tablespoon cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350º.
Mix softened cream cheese with mayonnaise, Old Bay Seasoning, and dry mustard in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.
Gently fold in lump crab meat being careful not to break up the lumps.
Spoon dip into an oven safe dish.
Sprinkle with cheeses.
Sprinkle with extra Old Bay Seasoning.
Bake for 30 minutes. Brown slightly under broiler on low.
Optional: Top with sliced green onions.
Serve the crab dip with crackers, tortilla chips, or a baguette sliced and toasted.
Notes
Notes: Lump crab can be pricey, but it really does make a difference in the flavor. If you really can't pay that much for crab meat, the regular variety will work.
Make sure to use a block of cream cheese and not a spread, and allow it to come to room temperature before mixing.
To save calories, you can absolutely use light mayo and Neufchatel (light) cream cheese. I almost always use a lighter version if it's available and the taste is as good!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 136IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @kastilwell or tag #FFFP!
