Description
Luxurious ultimate creamy crab dip brings coastal elegance to your gathering with rich, tangy flavors. Seafood enthusiasts will savor each velvety bite of this irresistible appetizer that promises to delight and impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) fresh or canned crab meat (drained and flaked)
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) Old Bay seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) sour cream
Instructions
- Meticulously separate and inspect crab meat, removing any remaining shell fragments, then delicately flake into uniform pieces.
- Create a luxurious base by blending cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Tenderly incorporate crab meat into the creamy mixture, using gentle folding techniques to preserve delicate meat texture.
- For an enhanced flavor profile, integrate shredded mozzarella cheese, ensuring even distribution throughout the dip.
- If serving warm, preheat oven to 350°F and transfer mixture to a baking dish, allowing it to bake for 15-20 minutes until surface turns golden and edges become slightly crispy.
- When preparing a chilled version, refrigerate the dip for 1-2 hours, enabling flavors to harmonize and develop a rich, complex taste.
- Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped herbs like parsley or chives across the surface, creating a vibrant visual and aromatic garnish. Accompany with an assortment of crisp crackers, raw vegetable sticks, or lightly toasted bread slices for optimal dipping experience.
Notes
- Choose high-quality, fresh crab meat for the best flavor and texture, avoiding stringy or tough pieces that can ruin the dip’s smoothness.
- Consider using a mix of cream cheese types like regular and low-fat to balance richness and healthiness without compromising taste.
- Adjust seasoning levels based on personal preference, starting with less Old Bay and gradually adding more to prevent overpowering the delicate crab flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, serve with gluten-free crackers or vegetable sticks like cucumber, bell peppers, and carrot slices instead of traditional bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg