This Hot Crab Dip is rich, creamy, cheesy, and loaded with sweet lump crab meat, making it the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer for holidays, game day, parties, or anytime you need an easy dip everyone will devour.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
If there's one appetizer that disappears faster than anything else at a party, it's this Hot Crab Dip. It's warm, creamy, loaded with cheesy goodness, and packed with tender crab meat in every bite. The hardest part about making it is trying not to eat half the dish before your guests arrive.
I love recipes that look impressive but come together with almost no effort, and this one checks every box. Just mix everything together, bake until bubbly, and serve it with crackers, toasted bread, or tortilla chips. Whether you're hosting Christmas, New Year's, football season, or just having friends over, this dip is always one of the first things to disappear.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Loaded With Real Crab. Every bite is full of sweet, tender lump crab meat.
- Simple Ingredients. Everything mixes together in one bowl before baking.
- Perfect For Entertaining. Great for holidays, game day, cookouts, and parties.
- Make It Ahead. Assemble the dip earlier in the day and simply bake before serving.
Ingredients
Heres everything you'll need to make this delicious crab dip. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.
- Lump Crab Meat- The star of the recipe. Lump crab meat gives it amazing flavor without falling apart.
- Mayonnaise- Helps create the perfect consistency and adds flavor.
- Sour Cream- Adds tanginess while keeping the dip light and smooth.
- Cream Cheese- Creates a rich, creamy base.
- Worcestershire Sauce- Adds savory depth and richness.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese- Adds a slightly salty flavor while complimenting the crab beautifully.
- Garlic- Adds a savory aromatic depth.
- Scallions- Adds freshness and a mild onion flavor.
- Lemon Juice- Brightens the flavors.
- Sriracha- Contributes a mild kick.
- Salt & Pepper- Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Garlic Powder- Adds a subtle garlic flavor without over powering the crab.
How To Make It
Heres how to make this delicious appetizer. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.
Preheat the oven to 400°
1. Add all of the ingredients into a large bowl reserving some shredded cheese and scallions for later. Gently mix everything together. Try to keep the lump crab meat pieces as intact as possible. Add the mixture to a baking dish or small cast iron skillet.
2. Top it with a little more shredded cheese. Place it into the center rack of the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sides are hot and bubbly. Garnish with scallions and serve the dip with a nice sturdy cracker. Enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Gently fold in the crab meat so the large pieces stay intact.
- Let the cream cheese soften before mixing to avoid lumps.
- Fresh lump crab meat gives the best flavor, but refrigerated pasteurized crab works great too.
- For an extra golden top, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.
- Add a little extra mozzarella on top before baking if you love an extra cheesy finish.
Variations
- Spicy Hot Crab Dip
- Add diced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes, or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Bacon Crab Dip
- Mix in cooked crumbled bacon before baking.
- Artichoke Crab Dip
- Stir in chopped artichoke hearts for another layer of flavor.
- Extra Cheesy
- Mix in shredded sharp cheddar or
- Monterey Jack.
- Seafood Dip
- Add cooked chopped shrimp or lobster along with the
All Things Crab
I know how much you love my easy crab recipes just like this one! I've rounded up all the delicious crab recipes from my site so you can find them all in one place.
What to Serve With It
This hot crab dip is incredibly versatile. Serve it with buttery crackers, toasted crostini, sliced French bread, pretzel crisps, pita chips, tortilla chips, or crunchy vegetables like celery, carrots, and bell peppers. It also makes an amazing addition to any holiday appetizer spread alongside shrimp cocktail, stuffed mushrooms, spinach dip, or a charcuterie board.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through or microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals. I don't recommend freezing it since the creamy ingredients can separate once thawed.
Hot Crab Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Lump Crab Meat
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ Cup Sour Cream
- 8 Oz Cream Cheese (softened)
- 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 2 Tbs Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 Tbs Lemon Juice
- 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 Tbs Old Bay Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 Tbs Scallions (and some for garnish)
- Crackers like Wheat Thins or Bagel Chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°
- Add all of the ingredients into a large bowl reserving ¼ of the shredded cheese and some scallions for later. Gently mix everything together. Try to keep the lump crab meat pieces as intact as possible.
- Add the mixture to a baking dish or a small cast iron skillet and top with the rest of the shredded cheese..
- Place it into the center rack of the oven for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sides are hot and bubbly.
- Garnish with scallions and serve the dip with a nice sturdy cracker. Enjoy!
Video
Other Easy Crab Recipes
If you like super easy to make crab recipes like this one, you have to try The Best Crab Cakes, Easy Crab Bites & Snow Crab Legs.
Anonymous says
Looks delicious going to diffenently going to try
Thank You