Actual Maryland Crab Dip (The Greatest!)

Stroll into just about any Maryland restaurant and also you’re certain to search out scorching crab dip on the menu. It’s our staple. Typically served on mushy pretzels and generally baked in a skillet, however all the time a must have order. We eat it on hen (normally known as “Hen Chesapeake”) or in quesadillas, however one of the best ways to serve scorching tacky crab dip is with contemporary bread, pita wedges, celery, and/or sturdy crackers.

Right here in Maryland, WE LOVE OUR CRAB DIP.

This Scorching Crab Dip Is:

• Made with jumbo lump crab, identical to crab pretzels
• Tacky dip meets crab muffins
• Irresistibly creamy
• Outdated Bay-seasoned
• Baked or gradual cooked, your selection
• Additional fast, no pre-cooking
• Nothing lower than an enormous hit, assured!

This does Maryland justice!

Search the web and also you’ll discover hundreds of thousands of crab dip recipes. They’re all centered round—you guessed it—crab, however the different elements can fluctuate. I’ve tasted dozens of crab dips (I’m surrounded by it!) and I do know what works, and what doesn’t.

The Greatest Crab Dip Components

These are the 9 elements it’s good to make the most effective Maryland crab dip on the planet. And that’s not an exaggeration. I do know lifelong Maryland locals who swear by this one!!!!

1. Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is the bottom of this dip. No substitutions right here.
2. Mayonnaise: I don’t like mayonnaise and I nonetheless love this crab dip. You don’t want a lot—simply sufficient to skinny out the cream cheese and add that mandatory creamy dip texture.
3. Bitter Cream: Some crab dip recipes name for simply mayo and cream cheese, however I like to interrupt down these heavier elements with tangy bitter cream.
4. Cheddar Cheese: You should utilize sharp cheddar or white cheddar if desired, however don’t use one other cheese that has a stronger taste since you don’t wish to overpower the crab.
5. Floor Mustard: A touch of mustard is a key ingredient in any Maryland crab cake recipe and we’re utilizing one thing comparable right here, too. Floor mustard is critical—and don’t fear, you don’t style mustard.
6. Lemon Juice: Contemporary, balancing taste!
7. Outdated Bay Seasoning: This salty spice is a staple in Maryland, the place it’s made, particularly with crab.
8. Worcestershire Sauce: A lot taste. You don’t want quite a bit—simply 2 teaspoons.
9. Lump Crab Meat: For the very best crab dip, I like to recommend utilizing lump crab meat or a mixture of lump crab meat and backfin meat. Lump crab meat ensures these massive, mouthwatering bites of crab.

A touch of scorching sauce is scrumptious, too!

How one can Make Scorching Crab Dip

The method is fast, easy, and foolproof so long as you’re utilizing the fitting elements. A handheld or stand mixer is unquestionably useful and makes mixing simpler, however I’ve blended it collectively by hand earlier than too.

Serving Crab Dip

For serving, hold issues easy. You need the flavors from the dip to shine, so don’t serve with crackers or breads with overpowering flavors. Baguette slices, toasted artisan bread (pictured!), or sturdy crackers/pita chips are key so you’ll be able to scoop up all that lump crab.

Greatest Crab Meat for Crab Dip

On the market, you’ll find canned, frozen, or contemporary (refrigerated) crab meat. Unrefrigerated canned crab meat doesn’t have the freshest taste (clearly). If it’s good to use canned, search for canned crab meat within the refrigerated part of your market. The brisker the crab meat, the higher the crab dip will style.

Crab meat labeled “hand-picked” or “fresh-picked” is totally cooked and bought in plastic tubs by the butcher or seafood counter. That is what I all the time use for crab muffins and crab dip, and extremely encourage you to make use of the identical right here. It’s pricier than canned, however you have got a very completely different (and contemporary) product. Don’t fear, all the opposite elements are fairly cheap, particularly if you buy store-brand or discover them on sale.

Ask your grocer the place to search out the freshest crab meat within the retailer. I buy contemporary crab meat bought in a 1-pound tub from the seafood counter.

This DOES NOT disappoint!

Even Extra Appetizer Recipes

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Crab Dip (Greatest Maryland Type)

• 
  Creator: Sally
• 
  Prep Time: 10 minutes
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  Cook dinner Time: 25 minutes
• 
  Complete Time: 35 minutes
• 
  Yield: serves 8
• 
  Class: Appetizers
• 
  Methodology: Baking
• 
  Delicacies: American

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Description

For the most effective texture, use lump crab meat and every ingredient listed. No substitutions! Serve with crusty baguette, sturdy crackers, celery sticks, or pita wedges. For extra success ideas and to be taught which crab meat to make use of, see weblog put up above.

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Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).
2. In a big mixing bowl utilizing a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high velocity till clean and creamy, about 1 minute.
3. Add the mayonnaise, bitter cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, floor mustard, lemon juice, Outdated Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and scorching sauce (if utilizing). Beat on medium-high velocity till mixed. Utilizing a spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold within the lump crab meat. When you used scorching sauce, style, then add extra scorching sauce if desired.
4. Switch to a 9-inch (or barely bigger) baking pan, pie dish, or oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese.
5. Bake for 25 minutes or till scorching and bubbly across the edges.
6. Serve heat.
7. Cowl and retailer leftovers within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Reheat within the microwave or in a 350°F (177°C) oven till warmed all through.

Notes

1. Make Forward & Freezing Directions: You possibly can totally assemble this crab dip, cowl tightly, and refrigerate for as much as 2 days earlier than baking/gradual cooking and serving. You may also freeze the unbaked or baked (and cooled) crab dip for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge, then bake as directed; or, if already baked, thaw and warmth in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 25 minutes or till warmed all through.
2. Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Glass Mixing Bowl | Electrical Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Picket Spoon or Rubber Spatula | Oven-Protected Skillet
3. Ensure you’re utilizing a block of cream cheese, not cream cheese unfold. I’ve used lower-fat elements with no downside like reduced-fat (not fat-free) cream cheese, bitter cream, and mayo, however the dip clearly tastes richer with the full-fat variations.
4. Outdated Bay: Use 2 teaspoons for a spicier kick. (I normally do!)
5. Which Crab Meat to Use: For any questions concerning which crab meat to make use of, see Greatest Crab Meat for Crab Dip within the weblog put up above. I extremely advocate contemporary (refrigerated) lump crab meat.
6. Sluggish Cooker: Comply with steps 2 and three. As a substitute of transferring to a baking dish, spoon into your gradual cooker (don’t add the 1/4 cup of cheese on high) and prepare dinner on low for 3–4 hours till scorching and creamy. Stir often because it cooks. Over the past half-hour, sprinkle 1/4 cup reserved cheddar cheese on high.