Creamy Seafood Dip Recipe: Classic Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer

This Seafood Dip blends crab with flavorful seasonings for seafood lovers. It’s an ideal appetizer for parties, game days, or family gatherings.

Seafood Dip

Hot Seafood Dip with crab is quick to prepare and easy to serve. Combine the ingredients, bake until bubbly, and serve warm.

Here’s What You’ll Need for This Seafood Dip Recipe

• Cream cheese (softened), shredded cheddar
• Lemon zest (and optional lemon juice), cherry or diced tomatoes
• Mayonnaise
• Seasonings (Old Bay, salt, pepper, cayenne optional)
• Real lump or claw crab meat (drained)
• Chopped green onions for garnish

Here’s How You Do It

1. Mix the room-temperature ingredients (cream cheese, mayo, seasonings, tomatoes, lemon zest, garlic, hot sauce, and shredded cheddar) until well blended.
2. Gently fold in the crab meat to keep the lumps intact.
3. Transfer to a baking dish and bake until hot and bubbly, then garnish and serve.

Special Equipment

No special tools are required—just a 2-quart baking dish, a mixing bowl, a rubber spatula, and basic measuring cups and spoons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Seafood Dip

• Tomatoes add color and freshness; adjust the amount to taste. If not using cherry tomatoes, remove seeds and gel to avoid a watery dip.
• Bring cream cheese to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
• Lemon zest brightens the flavor; add a little lemon juice if you prefer more tang, but note it can loosen the dip.
• Choose a mayo you like—different brands affect flavor—but avoid substitutes that change texture drastically.
• Cayenne or hot sauce can be added for heat, but both are optional.
• Shred cheddar yourself for the best melt and flavor, though pre-shredded cheese will work in a pinch.
• Use lump or claw crab meat in large pieces and drain any excess liquid from the can before adding.
• Green onion is optional but provides a fresh finish and nice color contrast.

PRO TIP: Crab is delicate. Mix the other ingredients first, then gently fold in the crab with a spatula to preserve chunkiness and texture.

Substitutions

• Tomato – Optional for color and freshness. Use Roma or other tomatoes after removing seeds and jelly to prevent thinning the dip.
• Cream Cheese – Lower-fat cream cheese or Neufchatel can be used.
• Lemon Zest – If you prefer, substitute 1/4 cup lemon juice, but it may loosen the mixture.
• Garlic – Use 2 teaspoons pre-minced garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
• Mayo – Avoid Miracle Whip if you want the same flavor profile.
• Hot Sauce – Any variety will work or omit it entirely.
• Shredded Cheddar – A sharp cheddar gives the best flavor; milder cheeses will change the taste. Processed cheese products are not recommended.
• Old Bay – This seasoning contributes a classic seafood flavor and is recommended.
• Crab Meat – Real lump or claw meat is preferred; imitation crab can be used as a budget-friendly option.
• Green Onion – Optional garnish for color and brightness.

If You Enjoy This Seafood Recipe, You Might Also Enjoy…

• Crab cakes
• Grilled salmon
• Stovetop shrimp recipes

Watch Sarah Make This Seafood Dip

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Seafood Dip

This quick seafood dip comes together in minutes and bakes into a warm, flavorful appetizer your guests will love.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Seafood Dip

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 401kcal

Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

• ½ Cup Cherry Tomatoes, diced
• 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 2 tsp minced garlic)
• 1 Cup Mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
• 1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 Tbsp Old Bay Seasoning
• 16 oz Crab Meat
• 3 green onions, chopped

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
• In a large bowl, combine diced tomatoes, softened cream cheese, lemon zest, minced garlic, mayonnaise, hot sauce, salt, pepper, cayenne (if using), shredded cheese, and Old Bay. Mix until well blended.
• Gently fold in the crab meat with a rubber spatula to avoid breaking up the pieces.
• Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart baking dish and bake in the center of the oven for 20–30 minutes, until heated through and bubbly.
• Remove from the oven, let rest 2–3 minutes, sprinkle with chopped green onions, and serve hot.

Notes

• The amount of tomato is optional—add more for color and freshness or omit if you prefer.
• If using larger tomatoes, remove seeds and internal gel to prevent a watery dip.
• Room-temperature cream cheese mixes more easily and yields a smoother dip.
• Adjust lemon zest and juice to your taste, keeping in mind juice can thin the mixture.
• Choose your preferred mayonnaise brand for flavor; some brands perform better in recipes.
• Cayenne and hot sauce add heat—use them according to your preference.
• Shred cheddar for best melt and flavor; pre-shredded cheese is acceptable if needed.
• Use lump or claw crab meat and drain well. Add it gently to keep larger pieces intact.
• Green onion adds a fresh finish but is optional.

PRO TIP: Fold the crab in gently after the other ingredients are combined to preserve the texture of the crab.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Seafood Dip

Amount Per Serving

Calories 401Calories from Fat 324

% Daily Value*

Fat 36g55%

Saturated Fat 12g60%

Cholesterol 78mg26%

Sodium 853mg36%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Protein 16g32%

Vitamin A 685IU14%

Vitamin C 8mg10%

Calcium 167mg17%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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