Dinner

Hot Crab Dip Recipe

Name: Hot Crab Dip Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz cream cheese (softened); 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon hot sauce; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 pound lump crab meat; 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (for topping); 1 tablespoon sliced green onions

ByMaya Arden March 30, 2026March 30, 2026

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Introduction

This hot crab dip is a creamy, cheesy appetizer that’s perfect for parties or cozy nights in. With a blend of savory cheeses and tender lump crab meat, it’s warm, comforting, and irresistibly delicious.

The dish is a baked casserole served in a white baking dish with a red outer edge, filled with five visible layers: a base layer of light creamy mixture with chunks of off-white pieces, a thick middle layer covered with melted, bubbly cheese in shades of white and golden yellow, topped with scattered chopped green onions adding bright green color and fresh texture. A woman's hand is pulling a portion of the dish with a round beige chip, creating long, stretchy melted cheese strands. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with a multi-colored striped cloth partially underneath the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup mayo

1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 pound lump crab meat
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (for topping)
1 Tablespoon sliced green onions

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400º F.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayo, and sour cream. Stir in Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, lemon juice, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Fold in crab meat gently.
Step 3: Pour the mixture into a 1-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 4: Bake for 25-35 minutes until the dip is bubbly and hot throughout.
Step 5: Remove from the oven and top with sliced green onions.
Step 6: Serve warm with tortilla chips or crostini.

Tips & Variations

For extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
Use fresh lump crab meat for best flavor, or substitute with canned crab if needed.
Swap cheddar cheese for pepper jack to add a subtle spicy twist.

Try topping with crispy bacon bits for added texture.

Storage

Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350º F for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid microwaving to prevent curdling.

How to Serve

A white oval ceramic dish holds a baked cheesy dip with a golden-orange crust melted evenly on top. Bright green chopped scallions are sprinkled over the surface, adding fresh color contrast. The dip appears creamy with a soft texture under the cheese layer, and small bits of red ingredients are visible inside. The dish is set on a white marbled surface over a white cloth with small red and blue stripes. Near the dish, a small white bowl holds extra chopped scallions, and a few light beige tortilla chips rest nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dip ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the dip in the baking dish and refrigerate it covered for a few hours before baking. Just add the green onions after baking before serving.