Description
Creamy joe’s crab shack crab dip brings coastal flavors to your table with rich, tangy ingredients. Seafood enthusiasts will savor this classic appetizer that combines fresh crab meat with smooth cream cheese and zesty seasonings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 oz (170 g) lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- ¼ cup (60 mL) sour cream
- 2 oz (56 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (60 mL) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp (15 g) butter, softened
- 4 teaspoons finely chopped yellow onion
- 4 teaspoons finely chopped green bell pepper
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) sliced green onion (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat: Warm the oven to 350F (175C), preparing a welcoming environment for the crab dip’s transformation.
- Blend Base: In a medium bowl, whisk cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and butter until achieving a silky, uniform consistency that promises creamy indulgence.
- Season Mixture: Sprinkle seasoned salt and paprika across the mixture, infusing the base with a subtle, aromatic complexity that elevates the dip’s flavor profile.
- Build Layers: Gently fold in yellow onion, green bell pepper, and mozzarella cheese, creating a textural landscape that promises rich, harmonious flavors.
- Incorporate Crab: Delicately introduce lump crab meat, using a tender folding technique to maintain the meat’s pristine chunks and protect its delicate structure.
- Prepare Dish: Lightly grease a shallow baking dish, then transfer the dip mixture, smoothing the surface to ensure even heat distribution and consistent cooking.
- Bake and Finish: Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing 10-14 minutes for the edges to bubble and the top to develop a tempting golden crust.
- Garnish and Serve: Immediately scatter freshly chopped green onion and parsley across the surface, then present the steaming dip alongside corn chips, crackers, or toasted baguette slices for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Notes
- Protect Crab Texture: Fold crab meat gently to maintain large, delicate chunks and prevent breaking or shredding during mixing.
- Enhance Flavor Balance: Use fresh, high-quality lump crab meat for maximum taste and ensure proper seasoning distribution by mixing spices thoroughly before adding seafood.
- Prevent Overbaking: Watch dip closely during final minutes of baking to avoid burning; golden edges indicate perfect doneness without drying out the creamy consistency.
- Customize Dietary Options: Substitute regular cream cheese with low-fat versions or use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for lighter, healthier alternative without compromising rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-14 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg