Description
This rich and creamy Shrimp and Crab Dip combines tender chunks of fresh snow crab and medium shrimp with a blend of cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and flavorful seasonings. Baked to bubbly perfection with a crispy Parmesan crust, it is garnished with fresh green onions and tomatoes for a delicious appetizer perfect for parties or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 8 ounces cooked fresh snow crab meat, chopped into ½” pieces
- 8 ounces cooked medium shrimp, tails removed, chopped into ¼” pieces
Base
- 8 ounces regular cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup good quality mayonnaise
- ¼ cup regular sour cream
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided (½ cup + ¼ cup)
Seasonings and Garnish
- ¼ cup chopped green onion
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Sliced green onion for garnish
- Chopped Roma tomato for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Seafood: Press the crab and shrimp between paper towels several times to remove as much moisture as possible, which helps prevent the dip from becoming watery.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the dip.
- Mix Base: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Cheeses and Seasonings: Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup of the Parmesan cheese, chopped green onion, minced garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon zest. Stir everything together until evenly incorporated.
- Fold in Seafood: Gently fold in the chopped crab meat and shrimp into the cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution while maintaining the delicate texture of the seafood.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the combined mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the top to create a flavorful crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the dip is bubbly throughout and the top is slightly browned.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the dip from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to firm slightly. Before serving, sprinkle sliced green onion and chopped Roma tomato over the top for a fresh, colorful garnish.
- Serve: Serve the dip hot with crackers, crostini, tortilla chips, celery sticks, or carrot sticks as accompaniments.
Notes
- Pressing the seafood to remove moisture prevents a watery dip.
- Use fresh seafood for best flavor and texture, but cooked frozen seafood can be used if fresh is unavailable.
- Allow the dip to rest after baking so it firms up and is easier to scoop.
- Try different cheeses like Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a twist on flavor.
- Pair with a variety of dippers to suit your guests’ preferences.
