Description
Joe’s Crab Shack Crab Dip is a rich and creamy baked appetizer featuring a blend of cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and three cheeses combined with tender lump crab meat and subtle seasonings. Perfectly baked until bubbly and golden, it’s served warm with crackers or toasted bread, making it an irresistible seafood party dip that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 can (6 ounces) lump crab meat, drained and picked over
- ¼ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
- Crackers or toasted bread for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the crab dip.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy to ensure even consistency.
- Add Seasonings and Cheeses: Stir in the Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, lemon juice, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to incorporate all the flavor components evenly.
- Fold in Crab and Vegetables: Gently fold in the drained lump crab meat, finely chopped red bell pepper, and thinly sliced green onions to maintain the texture of the crab while distributing the vegetables uniformly.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the mixture into a small baking dish or oven-safe skillet, spreading it out evenly to promote even cooking and browning.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly with a lightly golden top, signaling it is cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and, if desired, sprinkle with chopped parsley for color and added freshness. Serve warm with crackers or toasted bread.
Notes
- For a spicier dip, add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
- Substitute fresh crab meat for canned crab for a more luxurious and fresh flavor.
- This dip can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving for convenience.
