Description
Joe’s Crab Shack Crab Dip is a rich and creamy seafood appetizer featuring tender lump crab meat blended with a flavorful combination of cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and cheeses. Seasoned with Old Bay and spices, then baked to bubbly perfection, this dip is perfect for parties and casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Ingredients
- 1 lb lump crab meat (cooked, drained, and flaked)
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning (or seafood seasoning)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
For Preparation
- 1 tbsp butter (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended to create a creamy base for the dip.
- Add Crab and Seasonings: Gently fold in the lump crab meat, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped green onions, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper if using, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix carefully to distribute the seasonings without breaking up the crab meat too much.
- Assemble the Dip: Spread the crab mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface for even cooking.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the dip for a golden, cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the dip is hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on top, indicating that all flavors have melded beautifully.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the dip from the oven and allow it to cool slightly to thicken and make it easier to serve.
- Serve: Serve the warm crab dip with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables for dipping, making it a perfect appetizer for gatherings.
Notes
- The cayenne pepper is optional and can be adjusted based on your preferred spice level.
- For best results, use fresh lump crab meat and drain thoroughly to avoid a watery dip.
- If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, a seafood seasoning blend works great as a substitute.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Serve with a variety of dippers like toasted baguette slices or pita chips for extra texture.
