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5 Minute Cold Crab Dip Recipe

Name: Cold Crab Dip Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lump crab meat or imitation crab (finely chopped); 8 ounces cream cheese (softened); 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1/3 cup sour cream; 1 cup pepper jack cheese (shredded); 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded); 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning; 1 garlic clove (minced); 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce or other hot sauce; Juice from 1 lemon; Salt and pepper (to taste)

4.70 from 10 votes

Posted by Andrea Updyke

on Jul 06, 2022, Updated Apr 03, 2023

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This easy cold crab dip recipe is a great way to enjoy the flavors of summer without a lot of work. Bring it to a party or cookout and share, or serve it with your favorite crackers and veggies for a light lunch.

It’s the perfect appetizer to have on hand when you want a little something special on a hot day.

Crab Dip Ingredients

Here are the ingredients to make this easy crab dip recipe.

These items can be easily found in your local grocery store and you may already have many of them in your pantry.

Lump crab meat or imitation crab meat, finely chopped
Cream cheese, softened
Mayonnaise
Sour cream
Shredded pepper jack cheese
Shredded cheddar cheese
Old Bay seasoning
Garlic clove, minced
Tabasco sauce or other hot sauce
Lemon juice
Salt and pepper

How to make Delicious Crab Dip

This is such an easy recipe, you almost don’t even need directions.

First, make sure your fresh crab meat or imitation crab is chopped into small pieces.

Then, add it to a medium mixing bowl with all of the other ingredients and use a spoon or electric mixer to stir well and combine.

add crab dip ingredients to large mixing bowl

Once your cream cheese mixture is combined, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight if you want to serve it the next day.

This will allow the flavors to really come together. You won’t be sorry!

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When you are ready to eat, transfer dip to a serving bowl or tray and enjoy!

Variations

This versatile creamy dip can be altered in a variety of ways depending on your preference. Here are a few ideas.

Cold Crab Dip in mini bowls with crackers

Use jumbo lump crab meat if you can find it in the seafood section.
Make a spicy crab dip by adding red pepper flakes, chili powder or by topping with Sriracha for a little kick.
Add fresh chives, green onions, or parsley to garnish.
For a crunchier dip, try mixing in a chopped red bell pepper or red onion.
Use small cooked shrimp to make shrimp dip if you don’t want to use crab.

If you love cold dips, try our Southwest corn dip next!

What to Serve with Cold Crab Dip

This easy dip is the perfect party appetizer for game days, a summer party, New Year’s Eve, or whenever you are in the mood for a tasty seafood dip.

It’s a great alternative to warm dips like sausage Rotel dip when you want something a little different.

You can serve fresh or imitation crab dip with tortilla chips, pita chips, chopped celery sticks and carrots, Ritz crackers or as a side dish with a little cocktail sauce.