Description
Maryland Crab Dip is a creamy, savory appetizer featuring lump crab meat blended with cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and flavorful seasonings. Baked to a golden bubbly perfection, it’s perfect for serving warm alongside crackers, baguette slices, or tortilla chips, making it an irresistible party favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 tablespoon grated white onion
Seasonings & Additions
- 12 oz lump crab meat
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning salt (e.g., Lawry’s Seasoned Salt)
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley
- Tabasco sauce, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For Serving
- Crackers, baguette slices, or tortilla chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the dip effectively.
- Mix the Base: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Stir these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, forming the base of your dip.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the grated white onion, all-purpose seasoning salt, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, finely chopped Italian parsley, Tabasco sauce, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute all the flavors throughout the dip.
- Fold in Crab Meat & Cheese: Gently fold the lump crab meat and half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture. Be careful not to break up the crab meat too much to maintain its texture and bite in the dip.
- Assemble & Bake: Transfer the prepared dip mixture to a lightly greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top to create a cheesy crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly with a lightly browned top.
- Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and serve the Maryland crab dip warm alongside crackers, baguette slices, or tortilla chips for dipping and enjoyment.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh lump crab meat if possible.
- If you prefer a spicier dip, increase the amount of Tabasco to your taste.
- This dip can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Use a baking dish that is approximately 8×8 inches for proper depth and cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
