Description
Joe’s Crab Shack Crab Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful seafood appetizer that combines lump crab meat with a blend of cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and seasonings. Baked until hot and bubbly, this dip is perfect for parties and gatherings, served warm with chips or toasted bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
Seasonings & Flavorings
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheeses
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
Seafood
- 1 (6 to 8-ounce) can lump crab meat (drained and checked for shells)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the dip evenly.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Stir them together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, and hot sauce if using. Mix well to incorporate all the flavors uniformly.
- Incorporate Cheeses and Vegetables: Add the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, chopped green onions, and diced red bell pepper to the mixture. Stir everything together until evenly combined.
- Fold in Crab Meat: Gently fold in the lump crab meat, being careful not to break it up too much to maintain the texture and chunks of crab in the dip.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper according to your preference and mix gently.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spoon the mixture into a small baking dish or an oven-safe skillet, spreading it evenly for uniform cooking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly on top.
- Optional Broil: For an extra golden, crispy top, broil the dip for the last 1 to 2 minutes of baking, monitoring closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm with tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted baguette slices for a perfect party appetizer.
Notes
- For an extra golden top, broil the dip for the last 1–2 minutes.
- You can substitute fresh lump crab if available for a fresher taste.
- This dip can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.