• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Dinner at the Zoo

  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food

Home » Appetizers » Crab Dip Recipe

Published: December 13, 2018 Last Modified: March 6, 2019 By Sara 46 Comments

Crab Dip Recipe

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Crab Dip Recipe | Hot Crab Dip | Seafood Dip #dip #crab #seafood #appetizer #dinneratthezoo #cheese

This hot crab dip is a mixture of crab, cheese and spices, all baked together to form a creamy dip that’s bound to get rave reviews. A super easy make-ahead appetizer that is always a crowd pleaser!

I love to serve dips at parties, they’re easy, most can be made in advance, and people go crazy over them. Some of our favorites include BLT dip, jalapeno popper dip, and this decadent crab dip.

Crab Dip Recipe | Hot Crab Dip | Seafood Dip #dip #crab #seafood #appetizer #dinneratthezoo #cheese Crab Dip Recipe | Hot Crab Dip | Seafood Dip #dip #crab #seafood #appetizer #dinneratthezoo #cheese

Hot crab dip in a skillet topped with tomatoes and green onions.

I serve at least one dip at every party; they’re easy to make, feed a lot of people, and there are so many different flavor possibilities! The star of this crab dip is a hefty dose of real crab, which is served up in a creamy base with plenty of cheese.

How do you make crab dip?

This dip is made with real crab meat, mayonnaise, cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, green onions and spices. Everything gets combined, then goes into a skillet to bake to gooey brown perfection. Add a sprinkling of fresh tomatoes and green onions and you’ll be ready to eat!

Crab, cream cheese, mayonnaise, green onions and spices in a mixing bowl.

Tips for Crab Dip

  • Splurge a little and use real crab here. I used frozen crab meat, but you can also buy refrigerated crab meat in cans in the refrigerated area of the seafood counter. In a pinch you can use imitation crab, but it won’t have the same flavor.
  • I use Monterey Jack cheese because it’s a mild, creamy cheese that melts well and doesn’t overpower the flavor of the crab. Other cheese options include mozzarella, cheddar or fontina.
  • Green onions are a fairly standard addition to crab dip – if you don’t have them on hand, you can try parsley instead.
  • My recipe calls for smoked paprika – it’s definitely worth purchasing this spice if you don’t already have it in the pantry.
  • This dip can be made in an oven safe skillet or in a baking dish, whichever you prefer.
  • Serve your crab dip with baguette chips (crostini), vegetables, breadsticks and crackers.

Crab dip in a skillet ready to go into the oven.

Can you make crab dip ahead of time?

You can assemble your crab dip up to 8 hours before you plan to serve it. Simply cover the dip and refrigerate it, then place the crab dip in the oven right before you’re ready to eat. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time since you’re starting with a cold dip.

Shredded Monterey Jack cheese sprinkled over a skillet of crab dip.

Crab Dip Variations

Crab meat doesn’t need a whole lot added to it to make it special, but here are a few ways to jazz up your basic crab dip if you’re looking for a new flavor combination.

  • Spicy: Add minced pickled jalapenos.
  • Artichokes: Add 1/2 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts.
  • Seafood: Use 4 ounces of crab meat and 4 ounces of salad sized shrimp.
  • Bacon: Add 1/2 cup of cooked crumbled bacon on top of the baked dip.

No matter how you decide to serve your crab dip, it’s sure to be a hit. Crab can be expensive when it’s not in season, so I save this dip for a special occasion and my guests are always so happy and impressed!

A hand scooping out some crap dip with a crostini toast.

More fabulous dip recipes

  • Dill Pickle Dip
  • White Queso Dip
  • Bacon Ranch Dip
  • Shrimp Scampi Dip
  • Brat & Beer Cheese Dip

Crab Dip Video

Hot crab dip in a skillet topped with tomatoes and green onions.
Print Pin
5 from 25 votes

Crab Dip Recipe

This hot crab dip is a mixture of crab, cheese and spices, all baked together to form a creamy dip that's bound to get rave reviews. A super easy make-ahead appetizer that is always a crowd pleaser!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 298kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces crab meat
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions divided use
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese divided use
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a small baking dish or oven proof skillet with cooking spray.
  • Place the crab, cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, 1/4 cup green onions and 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese in a bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Spread the crab mixture evenly into the prepared dish. Top with the remaining cup of cheese.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until dip is bubbly and cheese is melted. Broil for 1-2 minutes until cheese has started to brown.
  • Top with remaining 1/4 cup green onions and tomatoes, then serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 532mg | Potassium: 142mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 610IU | Vitamin C: 3.4mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 0.6mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DinnerAtTheZoo or tag #dinneratthezoo!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Appetizers

FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

    ​
    ​

    Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

    « Chocolate Covered Pretzels
    Cherry Bars with Vanilla Glaze »

    Comments

    1. Robert slagle says

      September 25, 2021 at 1:29 pm

      Making it now with artichoke hearts. Easy recipe.

      Reply
    2. Lima Ekram says

      March 15, 2021 at 6:45 pm

      5 stars
      I haven’t had crab in a while – what a great idea!!! Will try this weekend!

      Reply
    3. Journa says

      March 15, 2021 at 6:31 pm

      5 stars
      Love this crab recipe! Looks so easy and quick to make!

      Reply
    4. Biana says

      March 15, 2021 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      This Crab Dip looks delicious! Will be making it very soon.

      Reply
    5. Jamie says

      March 15, 2021 at 5:38 pm

      5 stars
      I love how creamy and cheesy this is! It goes perfectly with the crab and makes a great appetizer!

      Reply
    6. Kim Guzman says

      March 15, 2021 at 4:34 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, that looks incredible. I love crab and I’m drooling right now. I’m going to add some crab to the grocery list. I’m going to be craving this until I can pick some up. I like the one in the refrigerator section the best and I’m always looking for new recipes so I can use it.

      Reply
    7. Marilyn says

      December 26, 2020 at 5:24 am

      5 stars
      Very simple and delicious crab dip – I’m Pinning this one in my “tried and true” folder! Great Christmas Eve appetizer – love the Christmasy garnish (I used green onion and red pepper)

      Reply
    8. Maggie says

      February 19, 2020 at 12:20 pm

      Do you think canned crab meat would work?
      Difficult to get crab meat in other form where I live.

      Thx

      Reply
      • Sara says

        February 20, 2020 at 9:50 pm

        Yes that will work!

        Reply
        • Maggie says

          February 21, 2020 at 5:19 am

          Yay!
          Thank you for responding.
          Have a wonderful weekend 😊

          Reply
    9. Ta'Mesha S Jenkins says

      February 12, 2020 at 9:15 pm

      Attend a girls night in on the 22nd & everyone has to bring a dish..and this recipe will be mine❤

      Reply
      • SJ says

        February 20, 2020 at 5:09 am

        Haha! Ditto ! Same date and everything!

        Reply
      • Melanie V. says

        February 22, 2020 at 12:57 pm

        Another girl’s night with same date. We are doing a Mardi Gras theme.

        Reply
    10. Billie Marie Andreotti says

      January 28, 2020 at 2:28 pm

      Any one ever throw baby shrimp in? I was thinking abou adding along with some old bay.

      Reply
    11. Daniel says

      December 20, 2019 at 8:01 am

      Do you use real mayo or can you use Miracle Whip? Also, just on general principles, I would add some Old Bay seansoning if I made this. Sounds yummy yummy, and easy to make, and who doesn’t love a good crab dip. I plan on trying this recipe at our Christmas Eve get together with 15 guests, so I’ll probably double the recipe.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 20, 2019 at 1:41 pm

        Yes Miracle Whip should work just fine!

        Reply
        • Sam says

          January 5, 2020 at 8:58 am

          Miracle whip will change the flavour as it is sweeter than mayo. People think they are interchangeable, but they are not.

          Reply
    12. Alyssa says

      December 5, 2019 at 3:01 pm

      Can this be prepared and kept in the fridge to be cooked later?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 5, 2019 at 3:04 pm

        Yes that’s fine!

        Reply
    13. Jessica says

      October 6, 2019 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious!! I added a little old bay and fresh lemon and it was a huge hit!!

      Reply
    14. Debbie says

      June 15, 2019 at 10:48 am

      5 stars
      This was really yummy! I used the fresh refrigerator section of crab out of the shell so it was easy to make. We had it as a meal with a nice salad.

      Reply
    15. Deedee says

      June 15, 2019 at 10:17 am

      Crab dip is one of my favorites and this one sounds delicious. I think I’ll make it for our Father’s Day BBQ.

      Reply
    16. Courtney says

      December 17, 2018 at 8:59 pm

      Omg can we say yum?!? I just love crab! Must give this recipe a try

      Reply
    17. Megan says

      December 16, 2018 at 8:38 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds like the perfect recipe! I have to try it out one night for the family.

      Reply
    18. natalie says

      December 16, 2018 at 7:28 am

      5 stars
      I don’t eat a lot of crab but I don’t know why as I really enjoy it!! Thanks for the recipe inspiration.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More

    Winter Soups

    A bowl of Italian wedding soup with meatballs, carrots, spinach and pasta.

    Italian Wedding Soup

    A bowl of chicken pot pie soup with a biscuit on top.

    Chicken Pot Pie Soup

    A bowl full of slow cooker chicken tortilla soup with avocado, sour cream and tortilla strips.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

    A pot of Olive Garden minestrone soup loaded with vegetables, beans and pasta.

    Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

    A pot full of cabbage roll soup garnished with parsley.

    Cabbage Roll Soup

    Italian meatball soup with beef meatballs, ditalini pasta and vegetables in a tomato broth.

    Italian Meatball Soup

    More Posts from this Category

    Featured Recipes

    General Tso's chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, then topped with sesame seeds.

    General Tso’s Chicken

    Pineapple chicken stir fry in a skillet, topped with sauce, sesame seeds and green onions.

    Pineapple Chicken

    Grilled chicken salad with bacon, veggies and blue cheese.

    Grilled Chicken Salad

    A hand putting a piece of bread into artichoke dip.

    Artichoke Dip Recipe

    FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

    Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

      ​
      ​

      Categories

      Sites I am featured In
      PRIVACY POLICY ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT © Sara Welch and Dinner at the Zoo® LLC, 2015-2022.
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • RSS
      • Twitter
      • About Me
      • Contact Me
      • All Recipes
      • Dinner
      • Appetizers
      • Dessert
      • One Pot Meals
      • Slow Cooker
      • Asian Food