Stroll into just about any Maryland restaurant and also you’re sure to search out scorching crab dip on the menu. It’s our staple. Typically served on mushy pretzels and typically baked in a skillet, however all the time vital order. We eat it on rooster (normally referred to as “Hen Chesapeake”) or in quesadillas, however one of the best ways to serve scorching tacky crab dip is with recent bread, pita wedges, celery, and/or sturdy crackers.
Search the web and also you’ll discover tens of millions of crab dip recipes. They’re all centered round—you guessed it—crab, however the different substances can fluctuate. I’ve tasted dozens of crab dips (I’m surrounded by it!) and I do know what works, and what doesn’t.
The Finest Crab Dip Components
These are the 9 substances that you must make the perfect Maryland crab dip on the planet. And that’s not an exaggeration. I do know lifelong Maryland locals who swear by this one!!!!
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is the bottom of this dip. No substitutions right here.
Mayonnaise: I don’t like mayonnaise and I nonetheless love this crab dip. You don’t want a lot—simply sufficient to skinny out the cream cheese and add that essential creamy dip texture.
Bitter Cream: Some crab dip recipes name for simply mayo and cream cheese, however I like to interrupt down these heavier substances with tangy bitter cream.
Cheddar Cheese: You should use sharp cheddar or white cheddar if desired, however don’t use one other cheese that has a stronger taste since you don’t wish to overpower the crab.
Floor Mustard: A splash of mustard is a key ingredient in any Maryland crab cake recipe and we’re utilizing one thing related right here, too. Floor mustard is critical—and don’t fear, you don’t style mustard.
Lemon Juice: Contemporary, balancing taste!
Outdated Bay Seasoning: This salty spice is a staple in Maryland, the place it’s made, particularly with crab.
Worcestershire Sauce: A lot taste. You don’t want rather a lot—simply 2 teaspoons.
Lump Crab Meat: For the best possible crab dip, I like to recommend utilizing lump crab meat or a mixture of lump crab meat and backfin meat. Lump crab meat ensures these massive, mouthwatering bites of crab.
A splash of scorching sauce is scrumptious, too!
Find out how to Make Scorching Crab Dip
You’re solely about 30–35 minutes away from this bliss.
Beat the cream cheese first. You need it tremendous creamy and clean.
Beat in the remainder of the substances, besides the crab.
Gently fold within the crab meat. Keep away from utilizing a mixer for this step since you don’t wish to utterly break down the lump crab.
Gradual prepare dinner or bake. Gradual prepare dinner on low for 3–4 hours till scorching and creamy; or bake in a casserole dish, pie dish, or oven-safe skillet for 25 minutes, or till browned and bubbly across the edges.
The method is fast, easy, and foolproof so long as you’re utilizing the proper substances. A handheld or stand mixer is certainly useful and makes mixing simpler, however I’ve blended it collectively by hand earlier than too.
Serving Crab Dip
For serving, hold issues easy. You need the flavors from the dip to shine, so don’t serve with crackers or breads with overpowering flavors. Baguette slices, toasted artisan bread (pictured!), or sturdy crackers/pita chips are key so you’ll be able to scoop up all that lump crab.
Finest Crab Meat for Crab Dip
On the market, yow will discover canned, frozen, or recent (refrigerated) crab meat. Unrefrigerated canned crab meat doesn’t have the freshest taste (clearly). If that you must use canned, search for canned crab meat within the refrigerated part of your market. The more energizing the crab meat, the higher the crab dip will style.
Crab meat labeled “hand-picked” or “fresh-picked” is totally cooked and bought in plastic tubs by the butcher or seafood counter. That is what I all the time use for crab desserts and crab dip, and extremely encourage you to make use of the identical right here. It’s pricier than canned, however you have got a totally completely different (and recent) product. Don’t fear, all the opposite substances are fairly cheap, particularly if you buy store-brand or discover them on sale.
Ask your grocer the place to search out the freshest crab meat within the retailer. I buy recent crab meat bought in a 1-pound tub from the seafood counter.
For the perfect texture, use lump crab meat and every ingredient listed. No substitutions! Serve with crusty baguette, sturdy crackers, celery sticks, or pita wedges. For extra success ideas and to study which crab meat to make use of, see weblog publish above.
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
In a big mixing bowl utilizing a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high pace till clean and creamy, about 1 minute.
Add the mayonnaise, bitter cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, floor mustard, lemon juice, Outdated Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and scorching sauce (if utilizing). Beat on medium-high pace till mixed. Utilizing a spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold within the lump crab meat. In the event you used scorching sauce, style, then add extra scorching sauce if desired.
Switch to a 9-inch (or barely bigger) baking pan, pie dish, or oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese.
Bake for 25 minutes or till scorching and bubbly across the edges.
Serve heat.
Cowl and retailer leftovers within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Reheat within the microwave or in a 350°F (177°C) oven till warmed all through.
Notes
Make Forward & Freezing Directions: You possibly can totally assemble this crab dip, cowl tightly, and refrigerate for as much as 2 days earlier than baking/gradual cooking and serving. You may as well freeze the unbaked or baked (and cooled) crab dip for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge, then bake as directed; or, if already baked, thaw and warmth in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 25 minutes or till warmed all through.
Be sure you’re utilizing a block of cream cheese, not cream cheese unfold. I’ve used lower-fat substances with no drawback like reduced-fat (not fat-free) cream cheese, bitter cream, and mayo, however the dip clearly tastes richer with the full-fat variations.
Outdated Bay: Use 2 teaspoons for a spicier kick. (I normally do!)
Which Crab Meat to Use: For any questions relating to which crab meat to make use of, see Finest Crab Meat for Crab Dip within the weblog publish above. I extremely suggest recent (refrigerated) lump crab meat.
Gradual Cooker: Observe steps 2 and three. As a substitute of transferring to a baking dish, spoon into your gradual cooker (don’t add the 1/4 cup of cheese on high) and prepare dinner on low for 3–4 hours till scorching and creamy. Stir often because it cooks. Over the past half-hour, sprinkle 1/4 cup reserved cheddar cheese on high.
