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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer Recipes

    Cold Crab Dip

    Published: Apr 28, 2023 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Cold Crab Dip recipe #seafood #crab #dip #party #appetizer

    This cold crab dip with cream cheese is effortless to prepare and loaded with real crab meat. This easy dip is the perfect party appetizer because not only can it be prepared in minutes, but it is also ideal for making in advance.

    Cold Crab Dip.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    • Cream cheese 
    • Mayonnaise - This dip would also work with sour cream.
    • Fancy lump crab meat - Fresh crab or canned lump crab meat works well. To equal the 12 ounces of canned crab meat called for in this recipe, you will need 9 ounces of cooked fresh crab. Otherwise, you can use imitation crab meat, but the flavor will suffer.
    • Green onions - Chives can be substituted.
    • Fresh lemon juice - Lemon zest can also be added.
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • Garlic powder - You can substitute a clove of garlic (minced).
    • Fresh ground black pepper
    • Franks Red Hot Sauce - You can substitute another similar vinegar-based hot sauce.
    • Table salt

    My easy crab dip recipe is a fantastic basic recipe that is perfect for adding your own personality to.  Dress it up your way by adding cajun seasonings, Old Bay seasoning, cheese, smoked paprika, or whatever flavor fits your fancy.

    How to make it

    To make this easy cold crab dip recipe simply add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix well to combine with a fork or hand mixer.

    Cold crab dip is the perfect appetizer to make in advance because it actually tastes better when the flavors are allowed to meld together in the refrigerator overnight. Otherwise, if you are pressed for time, it can be enjoyed immediately.

    How to make Crab Dip.

    How to Serve Crab Dip

    Crab dip can be enjoyed hot or cold. If I am making a hot crab dip I typically add mozzarella cheese to it for all of the melty goodness it provides. However, this crab dip recipe is ideal for serving cold, or at room temperature. If you wish to serve this dip hot, it can be microwaved until heated through.

    Since this is a dairy-based dip, I do not recommend letting it sit out at a party for longer than 4 hours, unless you can keep it chilled. Using an iced serving dish is a perfect way to extend the safety of the dip during longer parties.

    The choices for what to serve with your cold crab dip are only limited by your imagination. Tortilla chips and crackers are always safe choices, pita chips, in particular, are fantastic. Otherwise, a toasted baguette can be used to create a more refined appetizer. One of my favorite things for any dip is crispy baked potato skins!

    Serving cold crab dip with baguette.
    Cold Crab Dip

    Cold Crab Dip

    This cold crab dip is effortless to prepare and loaded with real crab meat. This easy dip is the perfect appetizer for your next party.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 136kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
    • 3 tablespoons mayo
    • 12 ounces canned fancy lump crab meat (drained)
    • 2 green onions (chopped)
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 dash Franks Red Hot Sauce (to taste)
    • 1 dash table salt

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix to combine.
    • Crab dip can be enjoyed right away, but the flavor is best if allowed to meld in the refrigerator overnight.

    Notes

    Serve this with pita chips, your favorite variety of crackers, or toasted baguette slices.
    Store leftover crab dip in an airtight container, or covered in plastic wrap, and keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 390mg | Potassium: 112mg | Vitamin A: 335IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

    This recipe was originally published December 18, 2018 here on FoxValleyFoodie.com.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon

      April 25, 2025 at 11:47 am

      I have been making this all the time for myself since I came across the recipe about two years ago. It is so good and easy. Now I make it for Mom and Dad as an appetizer with a seafood dinner. They then eat the left overs on crackers for lunch. Thank you guys!

      Reply
    2. Vanie

      January 07, 2025 at 3:46 pm

      If using fresh crab in this recipe does it need to be cooked cooked first?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        January 08, 2025 at 8:12 am

        Yes, you need to cook fresh crab meat so it isn't raw.

        Reply
    3. Virginia L Dryden

      July 03, 2019 at 5:25 am

      5 stars
      I have a recipe almost identical to this that I've had for YEARS and I can't remember where I found it. The only difference is, my recipe calls for a stick of butter and a teaspoon of Old Bay in addition to all of your other ingredients. It makes for a very rich and creamy dip/spread. I give it as a gift at Christmas and make it all year long for parties. I found it's best when served warm in a small crock pot with toasted crostini or other "bland" cracker so as not to take away from the crab flavor. It lasts for about 5 days in the fridge. Thanks!

      Reply
    4. Michael Wallen

      December 19, 2018 at 9:16 am

      5 stars
      I'm loving the flavor profile, do you think i could use this to stuff wonton wrappers with. Kind of a crab Rangoon?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        December 19, 2018 at 9:23 am

        Yes, I think that would work, but I would take the mayo out probably.

        Reply
    5 from 7 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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