Hot Shrimp & Crab Dip

This shrimp and crab dip is the perfect appetizer for any special occasion. It is creamy and loaded with shrimp and crab, then baked. It’s also very easy to prepare. But grab yours quick because it will be gone in no time!

How to prepare

This dip is easily prepared. It’s made with shrimp, lump crab meat and crab claw meat. You may ask, “why two different kinds of crab meat?” The answer is because although they are both forms of crab meat, the flavors are different. While crab claw meat has a strong, distinct flavor, lump crab has more of a sweet flavor. Also, the flavor claw meat isn’t easily lost in the seasonings. So, I’ve found that using both, gives this dip the best of both worlds.

This recipe calls for searing of the shrimp. I go that route because the shrimp drippings add more flavors of seafood to the dish. However, you can omit this step if you prefer. If you skip this step, then steam your shrimp, or buy shrimp already cooked. But I highly recommend you to sear your shrimp. I recommend a 10-inch cast iron skillet, but any 10-inch, oven-safe skillet can be used.

When it comes to the veggies, I use the “Holy Trinity”. If you are not familiar with what this is, it is simply equal parts of onion, bell pepper and celery. It is great for Cajun and seafood inspired meals. Hence, why it makes this dip so flavorful. While most people choose not to sauté their veggies for dips in general, I choose to sauté my veggies to bring out the flavors more. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I’m all about seasonings and flavors. After sautéing the veggies, you will add flour and heavy cream to make a simple roux for your dip.

Now finally, let’s make this dip. Mix mayo, cream cheese, lemon juice, Old Bay, salt, garlic powder, parsley, the crab meat, cooked shrimp, white cheddar and parmesan cheese. After mixing these ingredients together, you will transfer it to the same skillet as your roux, where you will mix everything together, and top with more cheese. Then viola! Your dip is ready for the oven! Next, you will bake the dip. After you let it rest for at least 10 minutes, it is ready to serve.

What to serve with hot shrimp & crab dip

I highly recommend toasted French bread. The sour flavors that are in French bread goes perfectly with this dish. If you don’t like French bread, or prefer something crispier, then tortilla chips goes great with it as well. You can also step outside of the box and use crackers.

If you make this dip, please tag me on IG, Facebook or Twitter. The links to these pages are linked on this website. I hope you enjoy!

Hot Shrimp & Crab Dip

Danielle Dunn

Hot, baked, creamy dip with crab and shrimp.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb medium or large shrimp, uncooked peeled, deveined, tail off
• 8 oz lump crab meat
• 8 oz crab claw meat
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery sticks, diced
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayo
• juice from one lemon
• dash of salt
• 1/2 tsp Old Bay
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp parsley, dried or fresh
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded white cheddar
• 1 cup shredded parmesan
• 3 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
• Old Bay for seasoning of shrimp

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a small bowl, season shrimp with a small amount Old Bay and mix until all shrimp are coated.
• Heat oil in a 10 inch, oven-safe skillet (cast-iron recommended), over medium heat. Add shrimp to skillet, and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Remove shrimp, and let cool for about 2 minutes.
• Add butter to same skillet. As butter is melting, add celery, bell pepper and onion. Sauté veggies until they are tender, approximately 5 minutes. Mix in flour, and stir. Add heavy cream, and stir until mixture is smooth.
• In a medium size bowl, add cream cheese, mayo, salt, Old Bay, garlic powder, parsley, lemon juice, crab claw meat, lump crab meat and shrimp. Mix together until all ingredients are combined.
• Add cream cheese mixture to skillet with vegetable mixture, along with half of white cheddar, and half of parmesan. Mix it all together, until thoroughly combined. Top with remaining white cheddar and parmesan. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
• Remove, and let rest for at least 10 minutes. Serve warm with toasted bread or tortilla chips.

Keyword crab, dip, Shrimp

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