Walk into pretty much any Maryland bar or restaurant and you’re bound to find hot crab dip on the menu. It’s our staple. Sometimes served on soft pretzels, sometimes baked in a skillet, always a must-have order. We eat it on chicken (usually called “chicken chesapeake”) or in quesadillas, but the best way to serve hot cheesy crab dip is with fresh bread, pita wedges, celery, and/or sturdy buttery crackers.
Search the internet or your cookbooks and you’ll find millions of crab dip recipes. They’re all centered around– you guessed it– crab, but the extras can vary. I’ve tasted hundreds of crab dips (I’m surrounded by it!) and I know what works– and what doesn’t.
These are the 9 ingredients you need to make the best Maryland crab dip on the planet. And that’s not an exaggeration. I have locals who swear by this one!!!!
The process is quick, simple, and foolproof as long as you’re using the right ingredients. A handheld or stand mixer is definitely helpful and makes mixing easier, but I’ve mixed it together by hand before too.
At the market, you can find canned, frozen, or fresh (refrigerated) crab meat. Unrefrigerated canned crab meat doesn’t have the freshest flavor (obviously). If you need to use canned, look for canned crab meat in the refrigerated section of your market. The fresher the crab meat, the better the crab dip will taste.
Ask your grocer where to find the freshest crab meat in the store. I purchase fresh crab meat sold in a 1 lb plastic tub from the seafood counter.
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Description
For the best texture, use lump crab meat and each ingredient listed. No substitutions! Serve with crusty baguette, sturdy crackers, celery, or fresh pita. For more success tips and to learn which crab meat to use, see blog post above.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (224g) block cream cheese, room temperature*
- 1/2 cup (120g) mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup (180g) sour cream
- 1 and 1/4 cups (155g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 and 3/4 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning*
- 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 pound fresh lump crab meat*
- optional: 2 dashes of hot sauce (or to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
- In a large mixing bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, ground mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce (if using). Beat on medium-high speed until combined. Using a spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold in the lump crab meat. If you used hot sauce, taste, then add more hot sauce if desired.
- Transfer to a 9-inch (or slightly larger) baking pan, pie dish, or oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly around the edges.
- Serve warm.
- Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350°F (177°C) until warmed throughout.
Notes
- Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: You can fully assemble this crab dip, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking, slow cooking, and serving. You can also freeze the unbaked or baked (and cooled) crab dip for up to 3 months. Thaw then bake as directed or, if already baked, thaw and heat in a 350°F (177°C) for 25 minutes or until warmed throughout.
- Make sure you’re using a block of cream cheese, not cream cheese spread. I’ve used lower fat ingredients with no problem like lower fat (not fat free) cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo, but the dip obviously tastes richer with the full fat versions.
- Old Bay: Use 2 teaspoons for a spicier kick. (I usually do!)
- Which Crab Meat to Use: For any questions regarding which crab meat to use, see Best Crab Meat for Crab Dip in the blog post above. I highly recommend fresh (refrigerated) lump crab meat.
- Slow Cooker: Follow steps 2 and 3. Instead of transferring to a baking dish, spoon into your slow cooker (do not add the 1/4 cup of cheese on top) and cook on low for 3-4 hours until hot and creamy. Stir occasionally as it cooks. During the last 30 minutes, sprinkle 1/4 cup reserved cheddar cheese on top.
Keywords: crab dip, crab, appetizer