Spicy Crab Dip Recipe
lump crab meat, shrimp, pickle fresnos, grilled artisan sourdough
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Ingredients
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Seafood
Dairy & Base
Vegetables & Pickles
Seasoning & Heat
Fat & Finishing
To Serve
Method
Seafood
Prepare shrimp
Pat shrimp dry and toss with 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning and 1/2 tsp olive oil. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add shrimp and cook 1–2 minutes per side until just opaque. Remove and roughly chop into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside to cool.
Check crab
Gently pick through lump crab meat to remove any shell fragments. If crab is wet, gently pat dry with paper towels to avoid watering down the dip.
Dairy & Base
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sour cream and mayonnaise and mix until fully combined and creamy.
Stir in grated cheddar and Monterey Jack until evenly distributed. Fold in the cooled chopped shrimp and lump crab meat gently, trying to keep some lumps of crab intact for texture.
Vegetables & Pickles
Add the finely chopped Pickle Fresnos, sliced green onions, minced garlic, and chopped parsley to the cheese and seafood mixture. Fold until evenly incorporated.
Seasoning & Heat
Season the mixture with remaining 1/2 tsp Creole/Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, hot sauce, black pepper, kosher salt, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning — add more hot sauce or Cajun seasoning if you want more heat.
Fat & Baking
Transfer the mixture to a shallow ovenproof baking dish (about 9-inch pie plate or similar). Dot the top with the 2 tbsp unsalted butter cut into small pieces and drizzle 1 tsp olive oil over the surface to promote browning.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until the dip is bubbly and the top is golden-brown. If you prefer a crispier top, switch to broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
To Serve
While the dip bakes, slice the sourdough loaf about 1/2-inch thick. Brush both sides lightly with olive oil or melted butter and arrange slices on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 6–8 minutes at 375°F (or under broiler 1–2 minutes per side) until golden and crisp.