A quick and easy recipe for Hot Cajun Crab Dip! Cajun seasoning, lump crab meat, and a blend of cheeses harmonize together to make the ultimate party dip served hot in under 30 minutes. Spice up your life with this crabby appetizer delight. Step-by-step instructions and serving ideas are included.
Fall is my favorite season for many reasons. Cooler weather means cozy jackets, the return of football season, and cooking fall-inspired dishes!
Over the years, I’ve developed my share of touch-down-inspired treats. Supreme Chicken Nachos and Buffalo Chicken Dip are always crowd-pleasers. But this hot Cajun Crab Dip recipe really kicks the tailgate party is where it’s at.
It’s a creamy and crabby seafood dip with a bold, authentic Cajun zing. A bit of Louisiana right from your home kitchen. Did I mention it’s baked to be served hot and has a crispy, yet melty cheese layer? Yum!
What You Will Need
Here is an overview of the ingredients you will need to make the dip along with any substitution notes.
Crab Meat – You can use 1 lb. of canned crab meat or about 2 cups of canned or fresh crab. I have not used imitation crab with this recipe.
Parmesan – my favorite slightly nutty cheese. If you prefer, you can also use an Asiago, Grana Padano, or even a sharp cheddar cheese for a slightly different taste. Cheddar is especially interesting.
Green Onions – This lends a zesty flavor that is different from other onions, so I recommend sticking to the green onion. However, you can add green pepper, sauteed yellow onions, or celery for more veggies.
Cajun Seasoning – You can use a pre-made mix from the grocery store such as Old Bay seasoning mixed with cajun seasoning or make your own using our blackening seasoning recipe.
Cream Cheese – You can use either reduced-fat or regular cream cheese.
Sour Cream – The recipe works well with both light and regular sour cream varieties.
Hot Sauce – Hot sauce is completely optional. Use your favorite hot sauce, but not buffalo sauce.
Dipper Ideas
This dip pairs well with just about any kind of dipper. I recommend crusty bread, crackers, pretzels, green bell or red snacking peppers, carrots, celery, or tortilla chips. You can even do shrimp or chicken bites if you wish. The recipe is so delicious, that you may actually have to restrain yourself from spooning bites directly into your mouth!
Storage Directions
Serve: Because of the dairy, you can keep the dip at room temperature for up to 2 hours before it needs to be refrigerated. I would recommend keeping it in a mini crock pot or a steamer. Love our little 6-inch cast-iron skillet? We do too! Get your very own small cast iron skillet here.
Refrigerate: I’d be surprised if there are any leftovers, but they should be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly or in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.
Freeze: I have not and probably don’t recommend freezing this because of the mixture of sour cream and mayo.
Make Ahead: It’s easy to make ahead for a party. Mix all of the ingredients up to the day before, and store in the refrigerator. Pop it in the oven 30 minutes before you are ready to serve.
Recipe Tips
- Sprinkle that extra bit of cheese on top. It really wows and gets nice and bubbly.
- Use any oven-safe dish to bake. I usually use a small cast iron pan or a small ceramic baking dish.
- Crockpot Directions. It won’t have the melty cheese topping, but it will still taste glorious. Mix ingredients the same (plus the cheese topping) and add to the slow cooker over low heat. Heat until the cheese has melted, stirring every 15 minutes; about 1 hour. Once the cheese has melted, set the slow-cooker to warm and stir about every 30 minutes or so.
- Do not use a food processor to mix together. Use a large bowl and a spatula for the best results. This will lead to every bite having a nice juicy lump of crab meat as opposed to a mashed together blend.
- Use Minced Garlic. While you can use garlic powder (not garlic salt!), the taste is a little different and I prefer fresh garlic when paired with seafood.
FAQs
I don’t recommend softening cream in the microwave for every recipe, but this one is very forgiving. For an 8-ounce block of cream cheese, place the completely unwrapped cheese on a microwave-safe plate and microwave it on high for 15 seconds. Add 10 seconds for each additional 8 ounces of cheese or as needed until you have softened the cream cheese.
This dip pairs well with any kind of dipper. I recommend crusty bread, crackers, celery, green or red pepper strips, or tortilla chips.
There certainly isn’t anything in the cooking method to prevent you, but it will taste quite different from the original recipe. I have not personally tried using imitation crab, so comment and let us know how it turned out if you do!
Absolutely! While hot crab dip is typically enjoyed warm, you can definitely eat it cold if you prefer. The cream cheese flavor will be more pronounced than with the hot version.
Not Sure
What's For Dinner?
Signup for recipe updates and get a free cookbook of Easy Weeknight Supper Solutions!
More Delicious Dip and Appetizer Recipes
PS. If you make this recipe, leave a COMMENT AND A STAR RATING in the comments section at the bottom and be sure to take a photo and tag it #cravingcreative on Instagram! I appreciate you for taking the time to read about me and my family recipes.
Cajun Crab Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz Cream Cheese Softening makes mixing easier, but it isn't necessary.
- ¼ cup Sour Cream
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice or squeeze a half a lemon
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Paprika optional – mostly for color
- ¼ cup Green Onion, sliced
- 1 lb Lump Crab Meat, canned
- 1 cup Parmesan, shredded divided
- 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine 8 oz Cream Cheese, ¼ cup Sour Cream, ¼ cup Mayonnaise, 2 cloves Garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice, 1 ½ teaspoon Cajun Seasoning, ½ teaspoon Paprika, and ¼ cup Green Onion, sliced. Fold in ¾ cup of parmesan cheese and 1 lb Lump Crab Meat, canned. Taste to see if you would like more hot sauce.
- Spread in a small oven safe dish or cast iron pan and sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup of parmesan cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
- Garnish with more green onions if you like. Serve with a slice baguette, crackers, or tortilla chips.
Recipe Notes
- Mix ingredients the same (plus the cheese topping) and add to the slow cooker over low heat. Heat until the cheese has melted, stirring every 15 minutes; about 1 hour.
- Once the cheese has melted, set the slow-cooker to warm and stir about every 15 minutes.
Catherine says
This crab dip is AMAZING! Definitely will make this again, although it is kind of expernsive
Sharon says
This turned out great. Used Dungeness crab otherwise followed the recipe.
Debra says
Added two teaspoons cajun seasoning instead of the 1.5 in the recipe. So cheesy and delicious!