Baked Seafood Dip with Crab, Shrimp, and Veggies
This baked seafood dip is loaded with sweet crab, tender shrimp, melty cheese, and colorful veggies, baked until golden and bubbly for the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer.
The Ultimate Cheesy Seafood Dip for Every Occasion
If you love a good hot crab and shrimp dip, this recipe is about to become your new go to appetizer. This baked seafood dip combines sweet lump crab, tender shrimp, and a rich, creamy cheese base that turns golden and bubbly right in the oven. It is the kind of dish that disappears within minutes at a party, and honestly, it is just as satisfying on a quiet night in with a good movie and a bowl of crackers.
What makes this seafood cheese dip so special is the balance. The cream cheese and sour cream keep things luscious, the Old Bay and lemon juice bring brightness, and the sharp cheddar on top forms that irresistible golden crust everyone fights over. Think of it as a cross between a seafood casserole with cheddar bay biscuits vibe and a classic warm dip, minus the biscuits but with all of that same coastal comfort.
Before we get cooking, the right tools and ingredients make a real difference here. A good quality baking dish helps the dip heat evenly so you get that perfect bubbly top without scorched edges, and using fresh lump crab meat instead of the shredded imitation kind takes the flavor up several notches.
Why This Hot Seafood Dip Works
There is a reason hot shrimp and crab dip recipes like this one show up on every party table from Maryland to the Gulf Coast. Seafood and cheese were basically made for each other. The richness of the dairy mellows out the brininess of the crab and shrimp, while the seasonings keep it from tasting flat or one note.
Here is what makes this version stand out:
- Real crab and shrimp, not just one or the other, for layered texture and flavor
- A trio of cheeses for maximum meltiness and a deeply savory finish
- Old Bay and lemon juice to keep things tasting fresh and coastal, not heavy
- Diced bell pepper and green onion for a little color, crunch, and sharpness
Chef's Tip: Pat your shrimp and crab meat dry with paper towels before mixing them in. Excess moisture is the number one reason a baked seafood dip turns watery instead of creamy.
Tips for the Best Warm Seafood Dip
A few small details separate a good dip from a great one. First, always use room temperature cream cheese. Cold cream cheese straight from the fridge is nearly impossible to blend smoothly and will leave you with lumps in your finished dip.
Second, do not skip the resting time after baking. Pulling the dip straight from the oven and diving in with a chip is tempting, but giving it five minutes lets everything settle and thicken slightly, which makes for a much better scoop.
Finally, if you like a bit of heat, a small splash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne stirred into the base takes this from mild to genuinely craveable, without overpowering the sweetness of the crab.
Ready to make it? Here is the full step by step recipe:
Baked Seafood Dip with Crab, Shrimp, and Veggies
This baked seafood dip is loaded with sweet crab, tender shrimp, melty cheese, and colorful veggies, baked until golden and bubbly for the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 8 oz lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- 8 oz shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning, plus extra for sprinkling on top
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce, optional, such as Tabasco
Instruction
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and lightly grease a medium baking dish or cast iron skillet.
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream together until smooth and creamy.
Fold in the crab meat, chopped shrimp, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, parmesan, red bell pepper, green onions, and garlic.
Season the mixture with Old Bay, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and hot sauce, then stir until everything is evenly combined.
Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top, along with a light dusting of extra Old Bay.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the dip is bubbling at the edges and the cheese on top is melted and golden.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with extra sliced green onions before serving warm.
Equipment
- Medium baking dish or cast iron skillet
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or sturdy spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Notes
Serving and Storing Your Seafood Dip
This dip is best served warm, straight from the oven, alongside sturdy dippers that can handle its richness. Good options include:
- Toasted baguette slices or crostini
- Sturdy crackers or pita chips
- Celery sticks or bell pepper strips for a lower carb option
If you happen to have leftovers, this cheesy shrimp casserole style dip stores wonderfully. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, and reheat gently so the cheese melts back down without the shrimp turning rubbery.
For gatherings, this dip pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or even alongside cheddar bay biscuits for a heartier spread. However you serve it, this baked seafood dip has a way of becoming the most talked about dish on the table, and it is easy enough to make again and again.
