This warm, bubbly Crab Shrimp Cheese Dip pairs sweet seafood with gooey cheeses and bright tomato and green onion. It melts into a smooth, creamy dip with a hint of heat from jalapeños if you like spice. It smells savory and rich as it bakes and the top turns golden. Serve with tortilla chips for a party snack that disappears fast.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving, based on 8 servings)
- Calories per serving: 240 kcal
- Protein: 16 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fat: 19 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
Notes: These are estimates. Actual values will vary with brands, using canned vs. fresh seafood, and how much salt you add.
Why Make This Crab Shrimp Cheese Dip
This dip is quick and impressive. It combines tender crab and shrimp with familiar melty cheeses for a rich, savory flavor. The tomato and green onion add brightness and a fresh bite. It bakes in under 30 minutes, making it great for last-minute guests, game day, or a cozy snack. The texture is creamy and slightly chunky from the seafood — a crowd-pleaser.
How to Make Crab Shrimp Cheese Dip
You’ll blend soft cream cheese with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack, fold in seafood and seasonings, then bake until bubbly and lightly golden. The oven brings out a toasty cheese top and warms the crab and shrimp so each bite tastes fresh and comforting.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup crab meat
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced green onions
- 1/4 cup diced jalapeños (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortilla chips for serving
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If your cream cheese is cold, let it sit for 10–15 minutes to soften. Chop the cooked shrimp, dice the tomatoes, green onions, and jalapeños.
Step 2: Mixing
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and shredded Monterey Jack. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Fold in the crab meat, chopped shrimp, diced tomatoes, green onions, jalapeños (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Step 3: Transferring to Bakeware
Transfer the blended mixture into a small to medium baking dish (about 8×8 inches or similar). Spread it into an even layer so it heats through evenly.
Step 4: Baking
Place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly and the top begins to turn lightly golden. Remove carefully — the dish will be hot.
Step 5: Finishing and Serving
Let the dip sit for 3–5 minutes to cool slightly and set. Garnish with extra green onions or a sprinkle of paprika if desired. Serve warm with tortilla chips.
How to Serve Crab Shrimp Cheese Dip
Serve warm in the baking dish or transfer to a shallow bowl. Offer sturdy tortilla chips, toasted baguette slices, pita chips, or crudité like celery and bell pepper strips. For a party, place alongside fresh lemon wedges and extra chopped green onions. The tang of lemon brightens each bite.
How to Store Crab Shrimp Cheese Dip
- Refrigerator: Cool completely, cover tightly, and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, or microwave in short bursts, stirring often.
- Freezer: I do not recommend freezing this dip. The texture of cream cheese and seafood can become grainy after thawing. If you must freeze, freeze before baking in a tightly sealed container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently, but texture may change.
Expert Tips for Perfect Crab Shrimp Cheese Dip
- Use fresh or high-quality lump crab for the best flavor. Imitation crab works in a pinch but changes texture and taste.
- Let cream cheese soften at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother dip.
- If your shredded cheese is clumpy, toss it with a teaspoon of cornstarch (per cup) to prevent clumping and promote even melting.
- Drain excess liquid from crab or thawed shrimp to avoid a watery dip.
- Taste before baking. Adjust salt and pepper, but remember cheeses add salt too.
- For a bubbly, golden top, switch the oven to broil for the last 1–2 minutes—watch closely to avoid burning.
- To make it lighter, substitute half the cream cheese with low-fat cream cheese and use reduced-fat cheeses; note the texture and richness will change.
Delicious Variations
- Spicy Cajun: Add 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1/4 tsp cayenne, and a squeeze of lemon. Top with chopped parsley.
- Bacon & Crab: Fold in 4–6 slices of cooked, chopped bacon for smoky depth.
- Southwestern: Add 1/2 cup corn, a dash of cumin, and swap jalapeños for roasted green chiles.
- Herby Lemon: Mix in 1 tbsp chopped dill and 1 tsp lemon zest for a fresh finish.
- Beer Cheese Twist: Replace half the Monterey Jack with a sharp beer cheese or a stout-infused cheddar for a richer, more savory profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use canned crab meat?
A: Yes. Canned crab is convenient. Drain it well and pat dry to remove excess liquid. Flavor may be slightly different from fresh crab.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Mix the dip and store it unbaked in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving. This keeps the texture fresher.
Q: Is it safe to use raw shrimp?
A: No. Use cooked shrimp only. If you use raw shrimp, cook it fully first (sauté or boil) and then chop before adding.
Q: How can I reduce sodium?
A: Use low-sodium or no-salt-added versions of cream cheese and cheeses. Use fresh crab and shrimp rather than canned or imitation seafood. Skip or reduce added salt and use more fresh herbs and lemon for flavor.
Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Yes. Mix ingredients and heat on low for 1–2 hours until warm and bubbly. Stir occasionally. Cover when serving to keep warm.
Q: Will the dip be grainy if I refrigerate and reheat?
A: It can become slightly grainy after refrigeration due to the creams and cheeses. Reheat gently and stir well. Adding a splash of milk or a tablespoon of cream while reheating can help restore creaminess.
Q: What chips or dippers work best?
A: Sturdy dippers work best: thick tortilla chips, pita chips, toasted baguette slices, or raw vegetable sticks. Thin chips may break under the weight of the dip.
Conclusion
This Crab Shrimp Cheese Dip is simple, comforting, and built for sharing. It bakes into a rich, cheesy spread with tender seafood and bright pops of tomato and green onion. Try it for game day, family gatherings, or a cozy night in. For a similar twist and extra inspiration, check out Cheesy Crab & Shrimp Dip – THF (https://thehealthyfoodie.com/cheesy-crab-shrimp-dip/).
Print
Crab Shrimp Cheese Dip
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A warm, creamy dip combining crab, shrimp, and melty cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup crab meat
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced green onions
- 1/4 cup diced jalapeños (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Let cream cheese sit at room temperature to soften.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and shredded Monterey Jack, then stir until smooth. Fold in crab meat, chopped shrimp, tomatoes, green onions, jalapeños, garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until hot and bubbly, and top is lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let sit for 3–5 minutes to cool slightly. Serve warm with tortilla chips.
Notes
These are estimates for nutrition values. Actual values will vary based on ingredients used.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
