Description
This Spicy Maryland Crab Dip is a flavorful and creamy seafood appetizer perfect for game day or parties. It blends cream cheese, sharp cheddar, tangy sour cream, and a hint of heat from hot sauce and cayenne pepper, combined with succulent lump blue crab meat and Old Bay seasoning. Baked until bubbly and finished under the broiler for a golden top, it's served warm with crackers or toasts for a delightful start to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 5 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 1/4 cups), divided
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions, white and green parts (from about 2 scallions)
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as Crystal, or more to taste
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning, plus more for sprinkling on top
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
- 1 pound lump blue crab meat, picked over for shells
- Crackers or toasts, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and mix base: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, stir together cream cheese, half of the grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, scallions, mayonnaise, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper until very thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning if desired by adding more hot sauce, cayenne, or a touch more Old Bay seasoning carefully, keeping in mind the crab’s natural saltiness.
- Fold in crab meat: Gently fold in the lump blue crab meat using a silicone spatula, being careful not to break up the lumps of crab more than necessary to keep texture intact.
- Bake the dip: Transfer the mixture into a 1-quart baking dish and bake in the preheated oven until hot and bubbling, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Broil with cheese topping: Remove from the oven and switch on the broiler. Lightly sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and a dusting of Old Bay seasoning over the top of the dip. Broil approximately 4 to 6 inches from the heating element until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Serve hot: Transfer the dip to a serving platter and serve warm with crackers or toasts for dipping.
Notes
- For a milder dip, reduce the amount of hot sauce and cayenne pepper according to taste.
- Use lump crab meat over claw meat to keep the dip chunky and flavorful.
- If you prefer a tangier flavor, add a bit more lemon juice.
- Serve immediately for best texture and taste; leftovers can be reheated gently in the oven.
- This dip pairs well with sturdy crackers, toasted baguette slices, or crunchy pita chips.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 recipe
- Calories: 326 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 842 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 98 mg
