Mardi Gras Crab Dip (Print version)
A creamy, spicy crab dish with bold Cajun flavors, served warm alongside crisp crackers for any celebration.
# What you need:
→ Seafood
01 - 1 pound lump crab meat, picked over for shells
→ Dairy
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1/2 cup sour cream
04 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
05 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
06 - 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
07 - 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Spices & Seasonings
09 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
10 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
11 - 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce or to taste
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ For Serving
14 - 2 cups assorted crackers
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Beat until smooth.
03 - Stir in cheddar cheese, red bell pepper, green onions, garlic, Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Gently fold in the crab meat, being careful not to break up the lumps too much.
05 - Transfer the mixture to a greased 1-quart baking dish and spread evenly.
06 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly with a golden top.
07 - Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm with assorted crackers.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- It comes together in just 15 minutes of prep, then the oven does all the heavy lifting while you mingle with guests
- The combination of creamy cheese base and sweet lump crab creates that luxurious restaurant-style dip people assume took hours to make
02 -
- Over mixing the crab meat is the biggest mistake you can make—treat those lumps like delicate flowers you're trying not to crush
- The dip continues to thicken slightly as it cools, so serving it while it's still bubbling hot gives you the creamiest consistency
03 -
- Pick through your crab meat over a dark colored plate so you don't miss any tiny shell fragments
- Letting the dip rest for 5 minutes after baking before serving helps it set slightly and makes scooping easier