• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
Home / Recipes

Cheesy Crab Dip

30 minutes
4.19 from 16 votes
2 Comments
Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 24
  • 9
by: Joanna Cismaru
07.21.20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

It’s time to dive into this Cheesy Crab Dip! With big, tender chunks of crab in each bite coated with hot, melty cheese, leftovers won’t be an option. While perfect to serve at parties, you may just want to bake a batch for yourself to enjoy on a quiet night in.

a hand lifting up a cracker that's been dipped in a cheesy crab dip in a skillet

I know cheese and seafood are a combination rarely spoken of, but stay with me here. The mild, buttery pieces of crab speckled through this tangy, cheesy, creamy dip is something dreams are made of. Fair warning: you won’t be able to stop at just a few dips! You might want to save extra room for this treat.

Warm, cheesy dips like this are typically reserved for entertaining guests or contributing to parties. I now know, from personal experience, that it absolutely can be enjoyed with a sliced, toasted baguette as an entire meal. I mean, we have so much stress, responsibility, bills. We deserve and entire pan of this hot crab dip for dinner every once in a while.

overhead shot of all the recipes needed to make hot crab dip

Ingredients

Keep scrolling down to the printable recipe card for FULL ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page!

  • Cream cheese – Make sure to give your cream cheese time to soften before starting.
  • Mayonnaise – Any type you like best.
  • Sour cream – Greek yogurt can be used instead.
  • Worcestershire sauce – Or soy sauce.
  • Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed.
  • Hot sauce – Any type you like best, or you can leave it out!
  • Old bay seasoning – Use seasoning salt instead if you prefer.
  • Cheddar cheese – Either from a block or pre-shredded bag. The sharper the better!
  • Crab – I used 3 4oz cans. You can use fresh crab instead.
  • Green onion – Chopped for garnish.
detailed process shots showing how to make crab dip

How to make cheesy crab dip

  1. Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 350F.
  2. Beat cream cheese: Add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, hot sauce, and old bay seasoning to a large mixing bowl. Beat until well combined and smooth.
  3. Stir in crab and cheese: Add 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and the drained crab meat to the bowl. Stir to combine evenly.
  4. Bake: Spread the dip into a small baking dish, about 8″ x 8″. I used an 8″ skillet. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and slightly browned.
  5. Finish: Garnish with green onion and chopped tomatoes and serve hot.
sideview shot of hot cheesy crab dip fresh from the oven and topped with freshly chopped tomatoes and green onions

What type of crab should I use?

I used 3 cans of lump crab meat weighing 4oz each. After draining the water, you’re typically left with 8 1/2oz of crab. This would be about half a pound.

While I used lump crab meat, you can use the regular canned crab. I just liked a few big pieces to be mixed into the dip! You can also use the same weight of fresh crab in this dip. Have a little more or less than what the recipe calls for? That’ll work just fine! Make it as crab-a-licious as you like.

The best type of crab to use for a recipe like this are snow, king, blue, and dungeness are all great varieties to choose from. They’re mild, tender, and will cook down so beautifully in this dip.

What type of cheese can I use?

While cream cheese is a must for the consistency of this dip to be perfect, you can switch out the cheddar cheese to try different flavors in your dip. Give these a try:

  • Monterey Jack
  • Colby Jack
  • Gruyere
  • Emmental
  • Red Leicester
  • Edam
  • Gouda
overhead shot of hot cheesy crab dip fresh from the oven and topped with freshly chopped tomatoes and green onions

Leftovers

You can keep the dip directly in the dish you baked it in covered with plastic wrap, or you can transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.

You can store this dip for 2-3 months in the freezer as well. If storing the dip in the dish you baked it in, wrap it well with both plastic wrap and foil to avoid freezer burn.

Reheating

You can scoop the leftovers into a bowl and reheat the dip in the microwave at 30 second intervals, until hot.

You can also reheat in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350F. Cover the dip, in the skillet, with foil. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.

If your dip has been frozen, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

sideview shot of hot cheesy crab dip fresh from the oven and topped with freshly chopped tomatoes and green onions

Did you love this cheesy crab dip? Try these:

  • Chile con Queso
  • Best Ever Spinach
  • Spicy Cheesy Corn Tomato Dip
  • Lasagna Dip
  • Baja Spinach Dip
  • Super Easy Taco Dip
  • Bacon Corn Dip
  • Crockpot Queso Blanco Dip

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

a hand lifting up a cracker that's been dipped in a cheesy crab dip in a skillet

Cheesy Crab Dip

4.19 from 16 votes
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 30 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 6
Print Pin Rate
It's time to dive into this Cheesy Crab Dip! With big, tender chunks of crab in each bite coated with hot, melty cheese, leftovers won't be an option. While perfect to serve at parties, you may just want to bake a batch for yourself to enjoy on a quiet night in.

Equipment

  • 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet
  • Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3 piece)
  • KitchenAid Hand Mixer

Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp hot sauce optional
  • 1 ½ tsp old bay seasoning
  • 1 ½ cup cheddar cheese
  • 12 oz lump crab meat 3 cans (4 oz each), drained

Garnish

  • 2 tbsp green onion chopped, for garnish
  • 2 medium tomatoes chopped
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 350F.
  • Beat cream cheese: Add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, hot sauce, and old bay seasoning to a large mixing bowl. Beat until well combined and smooth.
  • Stir in crab and cheese: Add 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and the drained crab meat to the bowl. Stir to combine evenly.
  • Bake: Spread the dip into a small baking dish, about 8" x 8". I used an 8" skillet. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and slightly browned.
  • Finish: Garnish with green onion and chopped tomatoes and serve hot.

Recipe Notes

  1. You can keep the dip directly in the dish you baked it in covered with plastic wrap, or you can transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 368kcal (18%)Carbohydrates: 7g (2%)Protein: 22g (44%)Fat: 28g (43%)Saturated Fat: 14g (88%)Cholesterol: 93mg (31%)Sodium: 952mg (41%)Potassium: 390mg (11%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 5g (6%)Vitamin A: 1059IU (21%)Vitamin C: 12mg (15%)Calcium: 329mg (33%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Course:Appetizer
Cuisine:American
Keyword:cheesy crab dip, crab dip
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

overhead shot of a plate full of cajun shrimp tacos with mango salsa
Previous Post
Cajun Shrimp Tacos
greek salad dressing in a dressing jar
Next Post
Greek Salad Dressing

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate Recipe Cancel reply

Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Patricia Dunkel says

    July 22, 2020 at 7:38 am

    Can I use imitation crab ?

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team 2 says

      July 22, 2020 at 9:31 am

      Certainly!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…
cover for the big book of jo's quick and easy meals.

My Cookbook

Pre-Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Dinner Recipes

a wooden spoon lifting a salisbury steak out of the skillet

Salisbury Steak

closeup of beef stew in a dutch oven with a ladle inside.

Beef Stew

overhead shot of zucchini lasagna in a baking dish

Zucchini Lasagna

a white bowl full with american goulash and a fork inside stacked on top of an empty bowl

American Goulash (Chop Suey)

two plate with sloppy joes and buns next to a greens salad

Sloppy Joes

beef barley soup in a white bowl with a spoon inside.

Beef Barley Soup

overhead shot of chicken broccoli and rice casserole in a pot

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

creamy chicken lazone in a skillet garnished with parsley.

Chicken Lazone

Popular Now

a hand dipping a chicken tender in ranch dressing

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

a fork stabbing a garlic butter steak bite in a skillet full of them

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

side view shot of a cinnamon bun with a bite taken out of it on a plate

Cinnabons Cinnamon Rolls

side view shot of a hand dipping a piece of naan bread into the bowl of chicken tikka masala

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

close up of the layers on the homemade croissant

Homemade Croissants

overhead shot of crusty bread loaf

No Knead Bread

side view shot of two halves of a chicken salad sandwich stacked on a plate exposing the centers

The Best Chicken Salad

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
honey soy chicken in a baking dish fresh out of the oven garnished with parsley.

Asian

closeup of italian mac and cheese in a white bowl with a big serving spoon.

Italian

a stack of homemade tortillas

Mexican

chocolate magic cake slices sprinkled with cocoa powder and garnished with garnish.

Romanian

a bunch of naan on a cutting board garnished with parsley.

Indian

red lentil hummus in a big black bowl garnished with a bit of smoked paprika.

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

a whole roast chicken surrounded by potatoes

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2021 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!

720shares
  • 24
  • 9