This creamy Shrimp and Crab Dip takes 10 minutes to make and is loaded with tender shrimp, succulent crab meat, and melty cheese for the ultimate seafood appetizer. It’s easy, cheesy, and loaded with Old Bay Bloody Mary mix for that iconic seafood flavor. Scoop it up with toasted baguette slices or crackers for a fun game day or party snack.
An Easy to Make Hot Seafood Dip Recipe
When seafood and cheese come together, it’s a match made in heaven. Throw Old Bay on top, and you’ve got yourself a true Southern classic.
This crab and shrimp dip is ridiculously easy to make. Just mix, bake, and serve. The Old Bay Bloody Mary mix gives it a unique tangy twist, and the hot sauce adds just enough zip without overpowering the dish. This is one of those easy appetizer recipes that is still delicious as it comes to room temperature, you can just put it out and forget about it.
The cream cheese and melty Colby Jack give this dip a creamy feel, while the corn, shrimp, and crab add some texture. The flavors are the perfect combination, great for shoveling into your mouth with veggies, chips, and crackers.
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Old Bay is a Southern seasoning that adds that special flavor to a seafood boil or marinated shrimp, so it just made sense to add it to a seafood dip. For this recipe it comes in the Bloody Mary mix. If this isn’t available in your neck of the woods, just add a tablespoon of Old Bay and you’ll get the same flavor profile.
It only takes three quarters of a cup of Bloody Mary mix so you’ll have plenty to make some of your favorite cocktails.
If you’re not a shrimp lover, try making a warm crab dip with Old Bay. It’s not quite as cheesy, but is rich and great smeared on crackers.
Everyone Loves This Seafood Dip
- Easy: This is an easy-to-make recipe; just dump everything together and bake.
- Make-ahead friendly: You can prep this appetizer ahead of time and bake it later, so it’s perfect for whipping up before guests arrive.
- Packed with flavor: The Old Bay Bloody Mary mix gives this dip that classic Southern flavor that pairs perfectly with the seafood.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cream cheese: You’ll need two 8-oz cream cheese blocks, not the kind that comes in a tub.
- Colby Jack cheese: Use a block of cheese and shred it yourself for the most melty, gooey cheese.
- Bloody Mary mix: We love Old Bay seasoning here in the South. It has that familiar seafood flavor that we love. If you use a regular Bloody Mary mix or tomato juice and add Old Bay to the mixture, about 1 tablespoon, or to your taste.
- Cooked shrimp: You can use fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw it completely before cooking.
- Lump crab meat: This doesn’t have to be super expensive. Just use whatever type of lump crab meat you can find.
- Hot sauce: Adds a touch of heat to the dip.
How to Make Hot Shrimp and Crab Dip
Step One: Mix the Base
Combine the cream cheese, shredded cheese, Bloody Mary mix, green onions, garlic, and parsley until smooth. Make sure everything is blended evenly for the best flavor.
Step Two: Add the Rest of the Ingredients
Gently fold in the shrimp, crab, and corn. Take care not to overmix so the seafood stays intact. Then, spread the mixture into an oven-safe baking dish.
Step Three: Add Cheese and Bake
Sprinkle cheese on top. Then, bake until the dip is bubbling and golden.
Tips & Variations
- Heat: You can omit the hot sauce or serve it on the side for guests to add to their dip. You could also use red pepper flakes or dice up some jalapeño and add it to the dip.
- Prep ahead: Assemble the dip and store it in the fridge for up to 1 day. Bake as directed. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
- Cheese: Swap out Colby Jack cheese for Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or sharp cheddar cheese.
- Flavor: Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce for a kick of umami flavor.
- Room temperature: Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so it blends easily and doesn’t create any lumps.
- Texture: The dip is runny when it first comes out but will thicken so that it’s easier to scoop after about 10 minutes.
- Veggies: Chop up some bell pepper and add it to the dip for a pop of color.
What to Serve with Crab and Shrimp Dip
- Baguette slices
- Crackers
- Tortilla chips
- Veggies
Proper Storage
Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days.
To reheat, add the leftover dip to a baking dish and pop it in the oven at 350ºF until the dip is warm again.
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Creamy Shrimp and Crab Dip
Ingredients
- 2 8 ounce packages cream cheese room temp
- 2 ½ cups Colby Jack cheese grated
- ¾ cups Old Bay Bloody Mary Mix
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- ½ lb cooked shrimp chopped
- 8 ounces lump crab meat
- 1 cup frozen corn thawed
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- In a large bowl, add the cream cheese, 1 ½ cups cheese, Bloody Mary Mix, green onions, garlic and parsley. Mix together until fully incorporated and there are no lumps of cream cheese.
- Add the shrimp, crab and corn and gently mix until combined. Place in a 2 quart baking dish and sprinkle with remaining ½ cup of cheese.
- Bake until bubbly around the edges and slightly browned on top. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- You can change up the cheese and use your favorite. Cheddar or Pepper Jack are good alternatives.
- This will be runny when it comes out of the oven but will thicken up as it cools.
Nutrition
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