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Sides · American

Smoked Crab Dip

A rich, cheesy crab dip kissed with smoke — a special-occasion appetizer.

Serves
8
Prep
15 min
Cook
35 min
Storage
Cook fresh
Freezer
not recommended (dairy + crab)

Warm, cheesy, smoky crab dip — a treat for game day or a gathering. Since crab is already cooked, it just warms through, so don't overdo it.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 lb lump crab meat
  • 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar and mozzarella)
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tsp Old Bay or Cajun blend
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions

  1. Mix the cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, garlic, Old Bay, and lemon juice until smooth.
  2. Gently fold in the crab, most of the cheese, and the green onions, keeping the lumps intact.
  3. Spread into a foil pan and top with the remaining cheese.
  4. Smoke at 300°F for 30–40 minutes, or bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

Make-Ahead & Storage

Best made fresh. You can assemble it, refrigerate up to 1 day, and bake when ready. Not suited to freezing — the dairy and crab don't reheat well twice.

Notes

Serve with crackers, toasted baguette, or crudités. Keep the crab folding gentle so you get lumps in every scoop.

Equipment
8-inch foil pan or baking dishsmoker or oven
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