Description
A rich and savory Spicy Maryland Crab Dip combining creamy cheeses, tangy sour cream, zesty Old Bay seasoning, and fresh lump blue crab meat, baked to bubbling perfection and topped with melted cheddar. Perfect as an indulgent appetizer for game day or any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese & Dairy
- 8 ounces (226 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 5 ounces (142 g) grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 1/4 cups), divided
- 1/4 cup (60 g) sour cream
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) mayonnaise
Seasonings & Sauces
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) hot sauce, such as Crystal, or more to taste
- 2 teaspoons (10 g) Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons (10 g) fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (6 g) Old Bay Seasoning, plus more for sprinkling on top
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
Produce
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions, white and green parts (from about 2 scallions)
Seafood
- 1 pound (454 g) lump blue crab meat, picked over for shells
Serving
- Crackers or toasts, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the dip evenly.
- Mix base ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, half of the grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, scallions, mayonnaise, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly until well blended.
- Taste and adjust seasoning: Sample the mixture to adjust spices as desired. Remember that the crab will mellow the seasoning, so feel free to add more hot sauce or cayenne for extra heat, but be cautious with salt due to the natural salinity from Old Bay and crab.
- Fold in crab meat: Gently fold in the lump crab meat with a silicone spatula, preserving the lumps as much as possible to maintain texture.
- Bake the dip: Transfer the mixture into a 1-quart baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until hot and bubbling.
- Broil for topping: Remove the dish from the oven, switch the oven to broil, and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and a dash of Old Bay on top. Place about 4 to 6 inches from the broiler and broil until the cheese melts, bubbles, and turns lightly golden, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Serve: Transfer the hot dip to a serving platter and enjoy immediately with crackers or toasts.
Notes
- This dip beautifully combines the creamy tang of cream cheese and sour cream with the bold flavors of Old Bay and hot sauce.
- Lump blue crab meat adds a sweet, fresh seafood element that distinguishes this dip from ordinary cheese dips.
- Adjust the spiciness by varying the amount of hot sauce and cayenne pepper according to your taste.
- Use fresh crab meat and check for shells to ensure a pleasant eating experience.
- Serve warm and fresh for the best texture and flavor, especially with crunchy crackers or toasted bread slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 326 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 842 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 98 mg
