Stroll into just about any Maryland restaurant and also you’re sure to seek out sizzling crab dip on the menu. It’s our staple. Typically served on soft pretzels and generally baked in a skillet, however all the time essential order. We eat it on rooster (often known as “Hen Chesapeake”) or in quesadillas, however one of the best ways to serve sizzling tacky crab dip is with contemporary bread, pita wedges, celery, and/or sturdy crackers.
Right here in Maryland, WE LOVE OUR CRAB DIP.
This Scorching Crab Dip Is:
- Made with jumbo lump crab, identical to crab pretzels
- Tacky dip meets crab cakes
- Irresistibly creamy
- Outdated Bay-seasoned
- Baked or gradual cooked, your selection
- Additional fast, no pre-cooking
- Nothing lower than an enormous hit, assured!
This does Maryland justice!
![hand holding baguette slice dipped in Maryland crab dip.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/crab-dip-2.jpg)
Search the web and also you’ll discover hundreds of thousands of crab dip recipes. They’re all centered round—you guessed it—crab, however the different elements can range. 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 Substances
These are the 9 elements you might want to make one of the best 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 needed creamy dip texture.
- Bitter Cream: Some crab dip recipes name for simply mayo and cream cheese, however I like to interrupt down these heavier elements with tangy bitter cream.
- Cheddar Cheese: You need to 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 touch 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- Outdated Bay Seasoning: This salty spice is a staple in Maryland, the place it’s made, particularly with crab.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 quite a bit—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 huge, mouthwatering bites of crab.
A touch of sizzling sauce is scrumptious, too!
![jumbo lump crab meat in glass bowl on gray backdrop with green linen in top left corner.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/lump-crab-meat.jpg)
The way 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 elements, 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 cook dinner or bake. Gradual cook dinner on low for 3–4 hours till sizzling 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 appropriate elements. A handheld or stand mixer is unquestionably useful and makes mixing simpler, however I’ve blended it collectively by hand earlier than too.
![overhead photo of crab dip in cast iron skillet shown without cheese and with cheese sprinkled on top.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/crab-dip-in-skillet.jpg)
![crab dip in cast iron skillet with toasted baguette slices around the edges.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/crab-dip-3.jpg)
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, you will discover canned, frozen, or contemporary (refrigerated) crab meat. Unrefrigerated canned crab meat doesn’t have the freshest taste (clearly). If you might want to 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 absolutely cooked and bought in plastic tubs by the butcher or seafood counter. That is what I all the time use for crab cakes and crab dip, and extremely encourage you to make use of the identical right here. It’s pricier than canned, however you’ve a totally completely different (and contemporary) product. Don’t fear, all the opposite elements are fairly cheap, particularly if you buy store-brand or discover them on sale.
Ask your grocer the place to seek out the freshest crab meat within the retailer. I buy contemporary crab meat bought in a 1-pound tub from the seafood counter.
![hot crab dip](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/maryland-style-hot-crab-dip.jpg)
This DOES NOT disappoint!
Even Extra Appetizer Recipes
![hand holding baguette slice dipped in Maryland crab dip.](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/crab-dip-2-265x265.jpg)
Crab Dip (Finest Maryland Fashion)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Prepare dinner Time: 25 minutes
Whole Time: 35 minutes
Yield: serves 8
Class: Appetizers
Technique: Baking
Delicacies: American
Description
For one of the best 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 sizzling sauce (if utilizing). Beat on medium-high pace till mixed. Utilizing a spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold within the lump crab meat. When you used sizzling sauce, style, then add extra sizzling 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 sizzling 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 absolutely assemble this crab dip, cowl tightly, and refrigerate for as much as 2 days earlier than baking/gradual cooking and serving. You too can 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.
- Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Glass Mixing Bowl | Electrical Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Wooden Spoon or Rubber Spatula | Oven-Safe Skillet
- Be sure you’re utilizing a block of cream cheese, not cream cheese unfold. I’ve used lower-fat elements with no downside 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 often do!)
- Which Crab Meat to Use: For any questions concerning which crab meat to make use of, see Finest Crab Meat for Crab Dip within the weblog publish above. I extremely advocate contemporary (refrigerated) lump crab meat.
- Gradual Cooker: Comply with 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 prime) and cook dinner on low for 3–4 hours till sizzling and creamy. Stir often because it cooks. Over the last half-hour, sprinkle 1/4 cup reserved cheddar cheese on prime.