Maryland Crab Dip Recipe

maryland crab dip in a bowl with two glasses behind it.

5 from 1 vote

This ultra creamy, cheesy Hot Maryland Crab Dip Recipe is bringing you all of the best flavor that Maryland has to offer!

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Course: Appetizer, Game Day, Holidays, Party Food, Seafood

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 404kcal

Author: Britney

Equipment

9 inch baking dish
Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

1 lb Jumbo Lump Crab Meat
8 oz Cream Cheese (room temperature)
⅓ cup Mayonnaise
¼ cup Sour Cream
2 tbsps Dijon Mustard
1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp Hot Sauce
1 ½ tbsp Old Bay Seasoning
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tbsp Chives
1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
4 oz Colby Jack Cheese (shredded)
8 oz Cheddar Cheese (shredded)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Check crab meat for any shell fragments and remove them before using the crab meat in your dip. Drain off any excess liquid.
Mix room temperature cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and dijon mustard in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to whisk together all of the ingredients. Mix until fully combined and smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Then add in old bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, chives, and lemon juice. Continue to mix until combined.
Add half ot the sharp cheddar cheese, half of the colby jack cheese, and all of that fresh lump crab meat. Fold together with a rubber spatula and add to an oven safe baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake for 20 minutes, then broil for 3-5 minutes.
Allow the dip to cool for 10 minutes. Serve with crackers, toasted bread, or fresh vegetables.

Notes

Expert Tips

Be sure to check for any shell fragments and remove them before using the crab meat in your dip.
Use Quality Crab Meat: Use fresh or high-quality crab meat for the best flavor and texture. Lump crab meat or a combination of lump and claw meat works well for crab dip.
Drain Excess Liquid: If using canned crab meat, drain any excess liquid thoroughly before adding it to the dip. This helps prevent the dip from becoming watery.
Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Just before serving, sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs like parsley or chives on top. This adds visual appeal, freshness, and an herbal aroma.
Remember to taste as you go and adjust the seasonings according to your preference. Enjoy the process of making the dip and savor the delicious results!

Variations

Cold Crab Dip - prepare this recipe as instructed, just don't bake it. Place it in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
Cajun Crab Dip - replace old bay seasoning with cajun seasoning for a cajun twist on this delicious hot crab dip!
Imitation Crab Dip - if you can't find any fresh crab meat, you can use imitation crab meat instead. Use an 8 oz bag of the flake style or chunk style imitation crab for best results.
Serve in a bread bowl - hollow out a round bread loaf to create a bread bowl. Tear or cut the removed bread into pieces and use them, along with additional bread slices, to dip into the crab dip.
Crockpot Crab Dip - mix everything together in a crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours, until the cheese is fully melted.

What kind of crab meat should I use?

My #1 choice - Fresh jumbo lump crab meat is the premium choice for crab dip. It's known for its sweet and delicate taste, which is often preferred in dishes where the crab flavor is the star (like this one). It has large, solid pieces of crab that offer a satisfying texture and a pronounced sweetness. It consists of larger, meaty pieces from the crab's body and has a sweet and delicate flavor. It provides a nice texture and presents well in the dip.
Claw Crab Meat is also a good choice. Claw crab meat comes from the crab's claws and has a slightly stronger flavor compared to lump meat. It has a flakier texture and can add more richness to the dip
Backfin Crab Meat is a combination of lump and smaller broken pieces from the body and back of the crab. It has a good balance of flavor and texture and is often more affordable than lump or jumbo lump.

Blue crab, Dungeness crab, or king crab are all excellent choices. Some other options are imitation crab meat and canned crab meat depending on availability!

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