Cajun Crab Dip

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This hot Cajun crab dip is rich, creamy and super cheesy. Like New Orleans jambalaya and red beans and rice, this NOLA favorite is deeply delicious with a Cajun kick. Quick and easy to make, it’s an ideal appetizer for parties.

📌 PIN HOT CRAB DIP

A spoonful of cheesy Cajun crab dip hot out of the oven with a green onion garnish.

🦀 WHY WE LOVE THIS HOT CRAB DIp recipe

  • PERFECTLY-BALANCED FLAVOR PROFILE: This savory dip is filled with crab meat, melted cheese, crisp green onions, a bright burst of lemon, and Cajun flavor. It easily earns its place on the appetizer table.
  • AUTHENTIC CAJUN TASTE: When you’re craving the authentic flavors of NOLA, this recipe really hits the spot.
  • QUICK EASY RECIPE: This simple appetizer comes together quickly. It’s ready to serve in just 30 minutes. Prep the recipe in 5 minutes, then bake for 25 minutes. So hassle free.
  • REAL CROWD PLEASER: Most everyone loves a warm delicious dip that’s super cheesy and packed with flavor. This Cajun crab dip has a lovely presentation and fabulous aroma. It’s perfect for gatherings.
Hot crab dip in a white oval baker served served with rustic crackers.

🛒 INGREDIENTS

  • Cream Cheese: This thick savory ingredient is the base of our hot crab dip. It’s creamy and tangy and provides this Cajon recipe with substance and richness.
  • Sour Cream: For additional creaminess and tanginess. It’s thinner consistency lightens up the dip.
  • Lemon: The acidity in lemon juice enhances the flavor of the other ingredients while giving the dip a bright fresh taste.
  • Cajun Seasoning: Has a bold spicy flavor with rustic earthiness. This spice blend originated in lower Louisiana. It’s what helps gives this hot Cajun crab dip an authentic flavor. If you can’t find it at the market, make it at home with this easy recipe for Cajun seasoning.
  • Crystal Hot Sauce: This is the signature hot sauce of New Orleans. It gives this recipe an authentic Cajun kick. But if you can’t find this brand at the market, feel free to use your favorite hot sauce instead.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. Kosher salt is not as salty as regular sea salt. So if you don’t have kosher salt on hand, add just a small pinch of salt and do a taste test. Add more if needed.
  • Monterey Jack Cheese: Melts fabulously well. It’s what makes our hot crab dip super cheesy. I recommend shredding the cheese from a block so it will melt easier and more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, which has additives that keep the strands from sticking together.
  • Colby Jack Cheese: A perfect pairing with Monterey Jack. It adds a savory orange color that looks and tastes delicious.
  • Green Onions: Adds freshness with a subtle onion flavor. It also adds a green pop of color that off-sets the yellow/orange tones of the dip.
  • Crab Meat: Fresh crab is always best. For today’s recipe we used lump crab meat. It’s a bit easier on the budget than jumbo lump.
Ingredients for hot Cajun Crab Dip recipe.

📖 RECIPE STEPS

RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

  • STEP 1: In a large bowl, add softened cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, and hot sauce.
  • STEP 2: Stir until blended. Sample the mixture. Add kosher salt to taste.
  • STEP 3: Add in 1/2 cup each Monterey Jack cheese and Colby Jack cheese. Sprinkle in the green onions. Mix to combine.
  • STEP 4: Add crab meat to the bowl. Gently mix to incorporate.
How to prep hot crab dip in 4 easy steps.
  • STEP 5: Do a taste test. If needed, adjust the seasonings: Cajun seasoning, hot sauce and kosher salt.
  • STEP 6: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. With the back of a spoon, level out the top so it’s a smooth even layer.
  • STEP 7: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the surface.
  • STEP 8: Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the crab dip is hot and bubbling. Garnish with sliced green onions. Serve hot Cajun crab dip with tortilla chips, water crackers or sliced baguette. Enjoy immediately or within the hour.
How to prep hot Cajun crab dip as a party appetizer.

🤔 RECIPE FAQ

These are the most commonly-asked questions for making the BEST hot Cajun crab dip, and the most helpful answers for recipe success.

Best type of crab meat for crab dip?

Most any type of crab meat can be used for crab dip – but fresh is best. Claw meat has a potent flavor that can hold it’s own among other ingredients. Special consists of small pieces of white meat from the body of the crab. Lump is a blend of broken pieces of jumbo lump and other crab meat. Jumbo lump is prized for its bright white color and incredible taste. It’s my favorite pick for crab dip, but it is quite pricey.

Is hot crab dip a make-ahead recipe?

Yes, you can make this appetizer the day before it’s needed. Just don’t add the second half of the cheese until just before baking. Store the unbaked crab dip in an air-tight container and refrigerate up to 2 days.

How to serve crab dip?

Serve with sturdy dippers like rustic artisan crackers, water crackers, crostini, bagel chips, sea salt crackers, pita chips, baby carrots, celery sticks, tortilla chips, Ritz crackers, and saltine crackers. Or serve with sliced baguette – just spoon or spread the crab dip on top.

How to keep hot crab dip warm?

Transfer it to a mini crockpot. Serve and enjoy within 1 hour.

Cheesy Cajun crab dip pulled hot from the oven and garnished with sliced green onions.

👩🏻‍🍳 MORE EASY PARTY DIP RECIPES

Need tasty dips for holiday parties and summer gatherings? These are some of our favorites. To save them for later, pin them to Pinterest.

A rustic cracker being used to scoop a portion of hot Cajun crab dip.

RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flavor testers rated this the BEST Cajun crab dip recipe. They loved the melted cheese, the subtle crab taste, the rich creamy texture, and the Cajun kick. It ticked all of the boxes for authentic NOLA flavor.

If you too enjoyed this delicious appetizer, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.

Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com
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A spoonful of Cajun crab dip hot out of the oven with melty cheese and a green onion garnish.

Cajun Crab Dip


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Description

This rich creamy crab dip is filled with crab meat, melted cheese, crisp green onions, a burst of lemon, and authentic Cajun flavor. It’s a perfectly balanced dip that earns its place on the appetizer table.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 package (8-ounce block) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 lemon (1 tablespoon), juiced
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Crystal hot sauce, or more to taste
  • 1 pinch kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  • 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
  • 1/4 cup thinly-sliced green onions, plus more for garnishing
  • 8 ounces crab meat (see recipe notes below)

Instructions

RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

  1. In a large bowl, add softened cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, and hot sauce. Stir until blended. Sample the mixture. Add kosher salt to taste.
  2. Add in 1/2 cup each Monterey Jack cheese and Colby Jack cheese. Sprinkle in the green onions. Mix to combine. Add crab meat to the bowl. Gently mix to incorporate. Do a taste test. If needed, adjust the seasonings: Cajun seasoning, hot sauce and kosher salt.
  3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. With the back of a spoon, level out the top so it’s a smooth even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the surface.
  4. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the dip is hot and bubbling. Garnish with sliced green onions. Serve with tortilla chips, water crackers or sliced baguette. Enjoy immediately or within the hour.

Notes

What type of crab meat to use? Fresh crab is always best. For large pieces of crab, use jumbo lump. For a more subtle crab taste, use lump crab (which is also easier on the budget compared to jumbo lump). For crab meat that almost melts into the dip, use claw meat or “crab special”.

About cheese: Pre-shredded cheese has additives that prevent the strands of cheese from sticking together. These additives also prevent the cheese from melting smoothly. It’s always best to buy a block of cheese and shred it by hand on a metal grater.

  • Prep Time: 5 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 Minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com

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Do you love cheesy, savory appetizers and dips? What do you think of this easy recipe? Are you salivating with delight? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.

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