Name: Ultimate Crab Dip Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature; ¼ cup sour cream; ¼ cup mayonnaise; 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning; 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; 2 teaspoons lemon juice; ½ teaspoon hot sauce; 1 pound fresh lump crab meat; 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided; ¼ cup finely chopped chives, plus more for garnish

If you’re on the hunt for a show-stopping party appetizer that’s both creamy and packed with flavor, you’re going to want to stick around. I’m sharing my Ultimate Crab Dip Recipe that always gets rave reviews at get-togethers. This dip is rich, tangy, and has just the right kick to keep everyone coming back for more. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to whip up — perfect for when you want something delicious without fussing too long in the kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy and Flavorful: The blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo creates a rich base that balances perfectly with the savory crab and spices.
Easy to Make: You don’t need to be a pro chef to pull this off—just mix, bake, and enjoy.
Crowd Pleaser: Every time I bring this to a party, my family and friends go crazy for it.
Versatile Serving Options: Pair it with crackers, veggies, or even use it as a spread—it’s a total winner.

A white oval dish filled with a creamy baked dip that has a melted golden-yellow cheese layer on top, sprinkled with small green chive pieces evenly spread over the surface. The dish is set on a white and black striped cloth on a white marbled background. Around the dish, there are light beige crackers on the left side and green celery sticks in a white bowl at the bottom. At the top right, there is a small white bowl with extra chopped chives. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting the right mix of ingredients really makes this Ultimate Crab Dip Recipe shine. The creamy elements blend beautifully with the fresh lump crab meat, while Old Bay seasoning gives it that classic salty-spicy twist that makes crab dips irresistible. When shopping, look for good quality lump crab meat—it’s worth it for the texture and flavor.

Cream cheese: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth dip.
Sour cream: Adds tanginess and keeps the dip light and creamy.
Mayonnaise: Brings richness and helps bind everything together.
Old Bay Seasoning: This iconic seasoning adds the perfect seafood-friendly flavor.
Worcestershire sauce: Gives a subtle depth and a touch of umami.
Lemon juice: Brightens everything up with a fresh zing.
Hot sauce: Just a little to give the dip a nice, gentle kick.
Fresh lump crab meat: The star of the show—use fresh or high-quality canned if necessary.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Adds a gooey, melty topping and a tangy punch.
Chives: Fresh chopped chives bring a mild onion flavor and pop of color.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile the Ultimate Crab Dip Recipe is—you can tweak it just about any way to fit your taste or dietary needs. Over the years, I’ve tried adding a little extra cheese or swapping in different herbs, and honestly, they all turn out delicious. Feel free to experiment!

Spicier Kick: Adding extra hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne makes it my go-to for spice lovers—my friends now expect it this way!
Dairy-Free Version: I once used dairy-free cream cheese and mayo for a friend—it was still creamy and tasty, just a slightly different texture.
Herb Variations: Swap chives for fresh dill or parsley for a fresh take that changes the vibe subtly.
Extra Cheese: More shredded cheddar on top creates an irresistibly crispy crust, which I often do for a dinner party.

How to Make Ultimate Crab Dip Recipe

Step 1: Whip up the creamy base

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Make sure your cream cheese is nice and soft—if it’s too cold, it won’t mix well and you’ll risk lumps. Into a big mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Old Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and hot sauce. I usually use a hand mixer here for a really smooth, even blend. Don’t rush this part; the goal is a perfectly creamy base without lumps.

Step 2: Fold in the crab and cheese

Next, gently fold in the fresh lump crab meat, half of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and chopped chives. Be careful not to overmix here because you want those beautiful chunks of crab to stay intact and visible. This is honestly my favorite part—seeing the rich creaminess speckled with crab and green chives is pure happiness. You’ll notice how the cheese blends in to enhance that rich flavor.

Step 3: Bake to bubbly perfection

Spread the dip out evenly in a 9-inch round baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese generously on top for that golden, melty crust. Pop it in your preheated oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, until the dip is hot, bubbly, and gorgeous on top. If your oven runs hot, keep an eye on it starting at 20 minutes to prevent over-browning.

Step 4: Garnish and enjoy!

Once out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes, then sprinkle with some extra chopped chives for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve warm with your favorite crackers, chips, or sliced veggies for dipping. Your guests will love it—trust me, I’ve watched many go back for seconds (and thirds!).

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Pro Tips for Making Ultimate Crab Dip Recipe

Softened Cream Cheese: This is key for a smooth texture—if it’s even a bit cold, lumps will form and ruin that creamy consistency.
Gently Fold Crab: Handle the crab meat carefully to keep those gorgeous chunks intact rather than shredding them.
Add Cheese in Two Batches: Mixing some cheese in the dip and saving some for topping ensures gooey melty goodness plus a golden crust.
Watch the Bake Time: Every oven is a little different; check on your dip around 20 minutes to avoid over-baking or drying it out.

How to Serve Ultimate Crab Dip Recipe

A white oval dish filled with a creamy dip topped with melted golden-yellow cheese scattered with small green chive pieces. The dip has a slightly textured surface with light brown spots showing through the cheese. A woman's hand is holding a triangular beige cracker dipped into the cheesy layer, showing stretchy melted cheese pulling back from the dish. The dish is placed on a white and black striped cloth, set on a white marbled surface. In the background, there are two white bowls with green leafy and vegetable contents blurred out. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love garnishing this crab dip with a generous sprinkle of fresh chopped chives because the green makes such a pretty contrast and adds a mild oniony brightness. Sometimes, I add a few lemon wedges on the side—because a little fresh squeeze of lemon just wakes up the flavors beautifully.

Side Dishes

This dip pairs wonderfully with a variety of dippers — crunchy gluten-free crackers for those with sensitivities, like Absolutely grain-free flatbreads or Crunchmaster multi-grain crackers, sliced cucumbers, carrots, celery sticks, or even toasted baguette slices if you want to keep it classic. For a heartier spread, I sometimes serve it alongside a fresh green salad or roasted veggies.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve had fun serving this dip inside a hollowed-out bread bowl for a rustic look. You can also bake it right inside individual ramekins for single servings that look super fancy. On holidays, I like placing the dish on a platter surrounded by colorful crudités that make the spread inviting and festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Whenever I have leftovers of this Ultimate Crab Dip Recipe, I store them in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best eaten within 3 to 4 days, especially since it has fresh dairy and crab. Keeping it cold is important to avoid spoilage. I don’t recommend leaving it at room temp for long periods as the seafood can get risky.

Freezing

I personally avoid freezing this crab dip because freezing can mess with the texture, especially the cream cheese and sour cream base, which can become grainy or watery upon thawing. If you do freeze it, expect a slight change in consistency.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I prefer using the oven. Just pop the dip into a 375°F (190°C) oven until it’s warmed through and bubbly again—usually around 15 minutes. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the texture a bit rubbery. Heating slowly in the oven keeps the cheese melty and the texture perfect.

FAQs

Can I use canned crab meat for the Ultimate Crab Dip Recipe?

Yes, you can absolutely use canned crab meat if fresh lump crab isn’t available. Just be sure to drain it well to avoid excess moisture in the dip, which can make it watery. The flavor will still be delicious, although fresh lump crab adds a bit more texture and sweetness.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

The dip itself is naturally gluten-free, but you should serve it with gluten-free crackers or veggies to keep the whole appetizer gluten-free. I often use Crunchmaster multi-grain crackers or other grain-free breads for this reason and they pair wonderfully.
Can I make the Ultimate Crab Dip Recipe ahead of time?

Definitely! You can assemble the dip up to 24 hours ahead, keeping it tightly covered in the fridge. When you’re ready, bake it straight from the refrigerator, adding a few minutes to the bake time. You can also bake it a few hours before your event and reheat just before serving.
How spicy is the dip?

The heat level is mild thanks to a small amount of hot sauce, making it approachable for most palates. If you love spice, feel free to add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne to amp it up. If you prefer it milder, simply reduce or skip the hot sauce.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how the Ultimate Crab Dip Recipe brings everyone together around the snack table with smiles and compliments. It’s such a comforting, flavorful dip that’s surprisingly easy to make but feels special enough for any occasion. Next time you want to wow your guests or enjoy a cozy night in with something indulgent yet simple, give this recipe a try—I promise you’ll be hooked like I am!