Cheesy Shrimp & Crab Dip Recipe
Shrimp, crab meat, red peppers, blend of three cheeses & charred lemon grass. Served with corn tortilla chips.
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Ingredients
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Seafood
Vegetables & aromatics
Cheese & dairy
Serving
Method
Preparation
Pat shrimp dry and roughly chop into 1/2-inch pieces; pick through crab meat to remove any shells and lightly flake.
Cook seafood & vegetables
Sauté shrimp and aromatics
In a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add minced shallot and cook 1–2 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 20–30 seconds until fragrant.
Add chopped shrimp to the skillet, season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Sauté 2–3 minutes until shrimp are just cooked through and opaque. Transfer shrimp to a plate and allow to cool slightly.
In the same skillet, add the diced red bell pepper and a pinch of salt. Sauté 3–4 minutes until softened but still slightly crisp. Remove from heat and let cool.
Combine cooled shrimp, sautéed red pepper, and flaked crab meat in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and the minced charred lemongrass; gently toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
Make the cheese base
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a spatula or mixer until smooth. Stir in mayonnaise until fully combined and silky.
Fold in shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and grated Parmesan, reserving about 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar for topping. Add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon hot sauce (if using), and remaining 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix until uniform.
Fold the seafood-vegetable mixture into the cheese base gently so pieces stay intact and ingredients are evenly distributed.
Assemble & bake
Spoon the dip into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup cheddar evenly over the surface.
Bake in preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 18–22 minutes until edges are bubbling and top is golden. For a more deeply browned top, switch to broil for 1–2 minutes while watching closely.