This scorching and tacky Maryland crab dip will get the stamp of approval from locals and out-of-towners alike. For the very best style and texture, use contemporary lump crab meat and the opposite 8 elements listed, together with cream cheese, Outdated Bay seasoning, and cheddar cheese. Gradual cooked or baked, that is essentially the most irresistible dip. Attracts a crowd each time I make it!
One reader, Jennifer, commented: “My sister and I grew up in Columbia, MD and now reside in Dallas, TX. I made this dip for NY Day soccer with our husbands. It was completely scrumptious! Everybody liked it, which you already know as a Marylander too -we are robust critics of crab dishes. ★★★★★“
Stroll into just about any Maryland restaurant and also you’re certain to seek out scorching crab dip on the menu. It’s our staple. Generally served on delicate pretzels and generally baked in a skillet, however at all times a must have order. We eat it on rooster (normally referred to as “Hen Chesapeake”) or in quesadillas, however one of the best ways to serve scorching tacky crab dip is with contemporary bread, pita wedges, celery, and/or sturdy crackers.
Right here in Maryland, WE LOVE OUR CRAB DIP.
This Sizzling Crab Dip Is:
- Made with jumbo lump crab, identical to crab pretzels
- Tacky dip meets crab muffins
- Irresistibly creamy
- Outdated Bay-seasoned
- Baked or sluggish cooked, your alternative
- Further fast, no pre-cooking
- Nothing lower than an enormous hit, assured!
This does Maryland justice!
Search the web and also you’ll discover hundreds of thousands of crab dip recipes. They’re all centered round—you guessed it—crab, however the different elements can fluctuate. I’ve tasted dozens of crab dips (I’m surrounded by it!) and I do know what works, and what doesn’t.
The Finest Crab Dip Substances
These are the 9 elements it’s worthwhile to make the very best Maryland crab dip on the planet. And that’s not an exaggeration. I do know lifelong Maryland locals who swear by this one!!!!
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is the bottom of this dip. No substitutions right here.
- Mayonnaise: I don’t like mayonnaise and I nonetheless love this crab dip. You don’t want a lot—simply sufficient to skinny out the cream cheese and add that mandatory creamy dip texture.
- Bitter Cream: Some crab dip recipes name for simply mayo and cream cheese, however I like to interrupt down these heavier elements with tangy bitter cream.
- Cheddar Cheese: You should use sharp cheddar or white cheddar if desired, however don’t use one other cheese that has a stronger taste since you don’t need to overpower the crab.
- Floor Mustard: A splash of mustard is a key ingredient in any Maryland crab cake recipe and we’re utilizing one thing comparable right here, too. Floor mustard is critical—and don’t fear, you don’t style mustard.
- Lemon Juice: Recent, balancing taste!
- Outdated Bay Seasoning: This salty spice is a staple in Maryland, the place it’s made, particularly with crab.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A lot taste. You don’t want quite a bit—simply 2 teaspoons.
- Lump Crab Meat: For the best possible crab dip, I like to recommend utilizing lump crab meat or a mixture of lump crab meat and backfin meat. Lump crab meat ensures these large, mouthwatering bites of crab.
A splash of scorching sauce is scrumptious, too!
Easy methods to Make Sizzling Crab Dip
You’re solely about 30–35 minutes away from this bliss.
- Beat the cream cheese first. You need it tremendous creamy and clean.
- Beat in the remainder of the elements, besides the crab.
- Gently fold within the crab meat. Keep away from utilizing a mixer for this step since you don’t need to utterly break down the lump crab.
- Gradual cook dinner or bake. Gradual cook dinner on low for 3–4 hours till scorching and creamy; or bake in a casserole dish, pie dish, or oven-safe skillet for 25 minutes, or till browned and bubbly across the edges.
The method is fast, easy, and foolproof so long as you’re utilizing the correct elements. A handheld or stand mixer is unquestionably useful and makes mixing simpler, however I’ve blended it collectively by hand earlier than too.
Serving Crab Dip
For serving, hold issues easy. You need the flavors from the dip to shine, so don’t serve with crackers or breads with overpowering flavors. Baguette slices, toasted artisan bread (pictured!), or sturdy crackers/pita chips are key so you possibly can scoop up all that lump crab.
Finest Crab Meat for Crab Dip
On the market, yow will discover canned, frozen, or contemporary (refrigerated) crab meat. Unrefrigerated canned crab meat doesn’t have the freshest taste (clearly). If it’s worthwhile to use canned, search for canned crab meat within the refrigerated part of your market. The more energizing the crab meat, the higher the crab dip will style.
Crab meat labeled “hand-picked” or “fresh-picked” is absolutely cooked and offered in plastic tubs by the butcher or seafood counter. That is what I at all times use for crab muffins and crab dip, and extremely encourage you to make use of the identical right here. It’s pricier than canned, however you will have a very completely different (and contemporary) product. Don’t fear, all the opposite elements are fairly cheap, particularly if you are going to buy store-brand or discover them on sale.
Ask your grocer the place to seek out the freshest crab meat within the retailer. I buy contemporary crab meat offered in a 1-pound tub from the seafood counter.
This DOES NOT disappoint!
Even Extra Appetizer Recipes
Crab Dip (Finest Maryland Type)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Prepare dinner Time: 25 minutes
Complete Time: 35 minutes
Yield: serves 8
Class: Appetizers
Methodology: Baking
Delicacies: American
Description
For the very best texture, use lump crab meat and every ingredient listed. No substitutions! Serve with crusty baguette, sturdy crackers, celery sticks, or pita wedges. For extra success ideas and to be taught which crab meat to make use of, see weblog publish above.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
- In a big mixing bowl utilizing a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high pace till clean and creamy, about 1 minute.
- Add the mayonnaise, bitter cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, floor mustard, lemon juice, Outdated Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and scorching sauce (if utilizing). Beat on medium-high pace till mixed. Utilizing a spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold within the lump crab meat. In case you used scorching sauce, style, then add extra scorching sauce if desired.
- Switch to a 9-inch (or barely bigger) baking pan, pie dish, or oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes or till scorching and bubbly across the edges.
- Serve heat.
- Cowl and retailer leftovers within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Reheat within the microwave or in a 350°F (177°C) oven till warmed all through.
Notes
- Make Forward & Freezing Directions: You may absolutely assemble this crab dip, cowl tightly, and refrigerate for as much as 2 days earlier than baking/sluggish cooking and serving. It’s also possible to freeze the unbaked or baked (and cooled) crab dip for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge, then bake as directed; or, if already baked, thaw and warmth in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 25 minutes or till warmed all through.
- Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Glass Mixing Bowl | Electrical Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Picket Spoon or Rubber Spatula | Oven-Secure Skillet
- Be sure you’re utilizing a block of cream cheese, not cream cheese unfold. I’ve used lower-fat elements with no drawback like reduced-fat (not fat-free) cream cheese, bitter cream, and mayo, however the dip clearly tastes richer with the full-fat variations.
- Outdated Bay: Use 2 teaspoons for a spicier kick. (I normally do!)
- Which Crab Meat to Use: For any questions relating to which crab meat to make use of, see Finest Crab Meat for Crab Dip within the weblog publish above. I extremely advocate contemporary (refrigerated) lump crab meat.
- Gradual Cooker: Observe steps 2 and three. As a substitute of transferring to a baking dish, spoon into your sluggish cooker (don’t add the 1/4 cup of cheese on prime) and cook dinner on low for 3–4 hours till scorching and creamy. Stir often because it cooks. Over the last half-hour, sprinkle 1/4 cup reserved cheddar cheese on prime.
