Cajun crab dip is a twist on the traditional crab dip with cajun spices to give it a taste of the south and shrimp to double that seafood flavor. This Louisiana hot crab dip is an amazing blend of creamy, spicy, and fresh seafood that everyone will love dipping fresh bread or crackers into!
This dish is seriously delicious! It’s super easy to make, so even if you’re not a pro in the kitchen, you’ll nail it. The blend of spicy Cajun seasoning with the sweetness of the crab and the juicy shrimp is just perfect. Plus, the creamy texture of the dip is pure comfort food.
Whether you’re sharing it at a laid-back gathering or treating yourself to a cozy night in, this dish is a winner. Once you try it, you’ll be craving it all the time!
Take other delicious appetizers with you to your next holiday party or big game night like spicy meatball recipe, recipe for spicy deviled eggs, or cream cheese stuffed peppers.
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Why We Love This Recipe
- It’s an easy 30-minute recipe.
This super simple dip only takes 30 minutes to prepare. - It was the winner of our family “dip off”!
In a recent competition with our extended family, this recipe tied for 1st place! That’s how good this Louisiana hot crab dip is! - Perfect for parties.
This dip is packed with flavor and is an excellent party dip. Make it ahead of time and take it with you to your next family gathering.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Cream cheese: soften the cream cheese so it’s easy to mix in with the other ingredients.
- Mayonnaise: you can use low or full-fat mayo in this recipe.
- Dijon mustard: there’s really no substitute for this – a little Dijon mustard goes a long way.
- Cajun seasoning: We love Kinder’s brand, but you can use your favorite blend or even make it at home.
- Lemon juice: buy or use fresh lemons instead of lemon juice from a bottle.
- Scallions (Green Onions): thinly sliced green onions add texture and flavor. If you don’t have them on hand, use chopped shallots.
- Cheddar and parmesan cheese: buy pre-shredded cheese, or shred your own from block cheese to shred yourself for the cheesiest mixture.
- Shrimp: it’s easiest to buy deveined and peeled shrimp so you don’t need to spend time preparing the shrimp.
- Crab meat: be sure to use real crab meat. You can find this in the frozen seafood section of the grocery store or in the refrigerated meat section in cans.
Imitation vs. Real Crab
Imitation crab meat, or surimi, is made from a combination of fish (usually Alaskan pollock) and other ingredients such as starch, egg whites, sugar, salt, and flavorings. This mixture is processed to resemble the texture and appearance of real.
On the other hand, real crab meat is harvested from real crabs. Its taste and texture can vary depending on the variety, but it generally has a sweeter and more delicate flavor than imitation.
Real crab meat can be sold as lump crab meat, which consists of larger chunks of meat, or as claw meat, which are smaller pieces.
How to Make Cajun Crab Dip
- Mix the cream cheese and seasonings with a mixer.
It’s much easier to combine these ingredients with a stand or hand mixer.
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🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Softened cream cheese (room temperature) will be easier to mix. Pull your package of cream cheese from the fridge for 30-45 minutes before preparing the recipe.
- Gently fold in the seafood.
Carefully stir in the other ingredients so they keep their wonderful texture. You can use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon for this.
- Bake until golden brown on top.
Spread the dip mixture in a baking dish and pop it in the oven to bake until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Then serve it with baguette slices, crunchy vegetables, or crackers.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Check the mixture after 20 minutes of baking. Overbaking will dry out this incredibly cheesy dip.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s not a good idea to freeze this dip, but it’s super easy to make another batch!
Depending on your cajun seasoning blend, it could be a little spicy. You can always add more spice with a dash of hot sauce.
We recommend buying frozen seafood, as it’s usually the freshest option, depending on how close you live to the ocean.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, microwave leftovers in 30 minute increments until heated through.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes to Consider…
- Roasted Pepper Dip
- Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers
- Corn Dip With Cream Cheese
- Caprese Tortellini Skewers
If you tried this cajun crab dip with shrimp recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Cajun Crab Dip with Shrimp
Ingredients
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 lemon juiced
- 4 green onions (scallions) chopped, green and white
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces medium raw shrimp cut into bite sized pieces
- 8 ounces crab claw meat
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- ¼ cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, Cajun seasoning, and lemon juice until well combined. I use a mixer, but you can mix it by hand.
- Stir in the green onions and shredded cheddar cheese. Gently fold in the shrimp and crab meat.
- Add mixture to the baking dish and smooth the top. Sprinkle with grated parmesan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top. Garnish with parsley before serving.
- Serve hot with sliced baguettes, raw vegetables, or crackers.
Alison Corey says
Oh, Cajun Crab Dip with shrimp sounds absolutely divine! I can just imagine the savory flavors and the perfect blend of spices in every bite.
MacKenzie says
This is the perfect southern appetizer. I just added to my Kentucky derby menu.
Sky says
Served this dip for at a dinner party and everyone loved it! Thanks for another great recipe!
Ned says
The crab and cajun were a perfect match! Wow so much flavor and so delicious! Thank you!
dana says
This crab dip is ah-mazing! So flavorful and rich, and it was so easy to make!