If you’re from Maryland then, more than likely, you grew up eating our state’s delicious, traditional hot crab dip recipe.
However, if you’re not from Maryland and you’re wondering what’s so great about this recipe, well, just keep reading.
Maryland Hot Crab Dip
Assuming that you’ve been a regular reader of ours, you’ve probably noticed a common thread throughout our blog:
- We are Maryland proud!
- Our state flag is the best of the best!
- We love us some seafood – especially Chesapeake blue crabs!
Because after all, Maryland is for Crabs! It’s our state’s motto.
We’ve already posted several crab recipes on this site, like our:
- Traditional Maryland Crab Soup
- Maryland Crab Pizza
- Crab Salad
- Crab Cakes
- Cream of Crab Soup
- Traditional Maryland Crab Imperial
- Air Fryer Crab Cakes
- Crab Stuffed Salmon
These crab recipes have been so well received that we figured we should build upon them in our recipe database.
Therefore, we plan to add more traditional Maryland recipes in the coming weeks and months.
So stay tuned!
Hot Crab Dip Ingredients
As you can see in the picture below, this recipe doesn’t require any ingredients that are hard to find.
However, I did not use the paprika that’s pictured.
Instead, I used Old Bay Seasoning which has paprika in it.
If, for some reason, you prefer a different seasoning, here are 8 substitutes for Old Bay Seasoning.
On the contrary, you can find all of the ingredients at your local grocery store.
One of the reasons I love to make this hot crab dip is because of how super easy to make.
All you have to do is combine all of the ingredients except for the crab meat and a portion of the shredded cheddar cheese.
In addition, it’s best, but not absolutely necessary, to use a mixer so that the cream cheese is well blended.
Once that’s blended, then you’ll fold in your crab meat by hand with a large spoon.
Notably, a special ingredient that we Marylanders like to use a lot is Old Bay Seasoning.
Surprisingly, I forgot to include it in the first photo with the ingredients.
But, it’s one of the most important ingredients besides the crab meat in this traditional Maryland hot crab dip recipe!
Old Bay Seasoning is a super popular item ’round these parts!
Even our local Aldi sells it.
Clearly, you can’t eat anything crab related without this must-have spice!
For us, the more the better.
I sparingly sprinkle Old Bay Seasoning on top of the dip before baking.
However, I also keep the Old Bay right next to the dip when it’s time to eat it because inevitably someone is going to want to sprinkle more on!
Once you’ve prepared the dip, place it in the oven and bake it for 30 minutes.
What Goes Well With Crab Dip?
So what do you dip into hot crab dip?
Well, you can dip lots of things into it.
As a matter of fact, there are so many things (38 to be exact) you can serve with crab dip that I wrote a blog post, What To Serve with Crab Dip!
We’ve eaten it with:
- Ritz Crackers
- Toasted pita wedges
- Celery
- Toasted slices of baguette bread
- Even parmesan crisps for those of us who eat low carb (me!)
Oh my goodness, I’m telling you, there is nothing quite like this hot crab dip!
My hubby is also from Maryland and loves crabs.
Therefore, he couldn’t wait for me to take it hot out of the oven and place it on the kitchen island.
Needless to say, I had to ask him to restrain himself until I could take some pictures.
After that, I told him to go ahead and dig in!
My son is a chip off the old block, so he couldn’t wait to dig in either.
Mmm! So good!
Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe
Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Crab Meat
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, Softened
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 ¼ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ tsp Dry Mustard
- ¼ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 pinch Garlic Salt
- 2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, and garlic salt until smooth.
- Stir in 2 tbsp of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Fold crab meat into the mixture.
- Pour mixture into a 1 quart casserole dish.
- Top with remaining cheese, or more. But not too much because you don't want the cheese to overtake the taste of the crab.
- Sprinkle Old Bay Seasoning on top of the crab dip sparingly.
- Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes or until the top is browned.
- Serve with crackers, toasted bread, celery sticks, or parmesan crisps. And of course keep the Old Bay Seasoning handy for extra shakes!
For more Maryland themed posts, click on over to:
Maryland Kids Activity Book: Educational & Fun!
28 Crab Meat Recipes You Don’t Have To Be A Marylander To Love!
15 Popular Etsy Sellers in Frederick Md For Your Next Gift Purchase
- 30 of the Most Iconic Maryland Food and Drink - March 9, 2024
- Baked Crab Casserole Recipe - February 6, 2024
- 44 Epic Summer Camps in Frederick MD (2024) - January 27, 2024
Has anyone tried making this ahead of time and freezing it before or after baking? Was it OK? Did you bake it from frozen and adjust cooking time, or did you thaw first? Or is there just too much dairy to freeze it? Thanks!
Hi Ann, yes you can freeze it. Just make sure that if you’ve cooked it first, let it cool completely and then put it in an airtight container before storing it in the freezer. Or even better, freeze it uncooked. When you’re ready to reheat it, heat it slowly over a low heat to prevent the cheese from separating. It can be kept frozen for up to a few weeks.
Pam,
I want to make this for my golf group. I will only have a microwave in the hotel. Should I make it, bake it and use the microwave to reheat it. Or, can I make it ahead of time keep it in a cooler for the the first travel day and cook/heat it in the microwave?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Lee
Hi Lee, Yes, you can definitely make it ahead of time and reheat it in the microwave. Just make sure you keep it chilled well (refrigerator temperature) until you’re ready to reheat it. Enjoy!
Amazing! Even the kids of all ages enjoyed this! I also provided fresh veggies with it and yum! Have you ever made this using a crockpot? We are traveling & setting up a tailgate at UMD without access to an oven~ do you think that would work? It’s just too good not to serve!
SO glad you all loved it! Great idea to serve with fresh veggies! Yes, you can absolutely make this in a crockpot for tailgating! Have a great time!
How long and what temp can it be done in the crockpot?
Hi Kelly,
You can cook this in the crockpot on low for around 4 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
Enjoy!
Pam
How long should I cook for a double recipe
Hi Mary, if you double it, bake it in a rectangular baking dish so that the baking time should be the same. But just check it and if the top isn’t golden yet, bake it for additional 5 minute increments until it is. Enjoy! 🙂
Great recipe and super simple to whip up. Only change I made was some extra cheese (bc of course lol!) and we, as true Marylanders, used JO Seasoning ?. It’s the real flavor of the bay when you go into a hole-in-the-wall seafood joint. Plus, it’s locally owned and manufactured right in Baltimore (unlike Old Bay, which is owned by McCormick).
Thank you so much! I will have to try the JO Seasoning! I’m a native Marylander and have not heard of it before, but I love to support Maryland businesses!
I’m making this recipe which looks so good! I just have one question. Do I mix 2 tsp of old bay into the dip, and sprinkle on top or just sprinkle 2 tsp on the top??
Hi Laurie, I do both, but we love as much Old Bay Seasoning as possible. LOL! So whatever your taste preferences are. You can always keep the Old Bay next to the dip in case anybody wants to add more. Enjoy! Pam
I made this and it was great. Just one thought: you have paprika in the picture but not in the ingredient list. I made it without paprika.
Hi Debra, You’ve got a good eye! I had taken it out to use and then realized it wasn’t needed because I used the Old Bay Seasoning which has paprika in it. Thank you! I’ll note that in the post.
I made this tonight for a friend who sent me your recipe. He’s from Silver Springs and was so excited that he found a recipe from “home”. It smelled amazing and tasted even better! Thanks for this. I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes.
I’m so happy to hear this! So glad your friend got a taste of home! Thank you for your lovely feedback.
I’m so far behind making your delicious sounding recipes and drooling when I see the pictures.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I need to get some of your amazing recipes to make too! You’re the gourmet cook!