Stroll into just about any Maryland eating place and also you’re certain to search out scorching crab dip at the menu. It’s our staple. Occasionally served on cushy pretzels and every so often baked in a skillet, however all the time essential order. We consume it on rooster (in most cases known as “Hen Chesapeake”) or in quesadillas, however one of the simplest ways to serve scorching tacky crab dip is with brand new bread, pita wedges, celery, and/or strong crackers.

Right here in Maryland, WE LOVE OUR CRAB DIP.

This Scorching Crab Dip Is:

• Made with jumbo lump crab, similar to crab pretzels
• Tacky dip meets crab desserts
• Irresistibly creamy
• Outdated Bay-seasoned
• Baked or gradual cooked, your selection
• Additional fast, no pre-cooking
• Not anything lower than an enormous hit, assured!

This does Maryland justice!

Seek the web and also you’ll to find thousands and thousands of crab dip recipes. They’re all focused round—you guessed it—crab, however the different substances can range. I’ve tasted dozens of crab dips (I’m surrounded via it!) and I do know what works, and what doesn’t.

The Very best Crab Dip Substances

Those are the 9 substances you wish to have to make the most efficient Maryland crab dip in the world. And that’s no longer an exaggeration. I do know lifelong Maryland locals who swear via 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 upload that important creamy dip texture.
3. Bitter Cream: Some crab dip recipes name for simply mayo and cream cheese, however I love to wreck down the ones heavier substances with tangy bitter cream.
4. Cheddar Cheese: You’ll be able to use sharp cheddar or white cheddar if desired, however don’t use some other cheese that has a more potent taste since you don’t need to overpower the crab.
5. Flooring Mustard: A touch of mustard is a key factor in any Maryland crab cake recipe and we’re the usage of one thing identical right here, too. Flooring mustard is important—and don’t concern, 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 Outdated Bay Seasoning: This salty spice is a staple in Maryland, the place it’s made, particularly with crab.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: Such a lot taste. You don’t want so much—simply 2 teaspoons.
9. Lump Crab Meat: For the very best crab dip, I like to recommend the usage of lump crab meat or a mixture of lump crab meat and backfin meat. Lump crab meat promises the ones giant, 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 the usage of the fitting substances. A hand held or stand mixer is no doubt useful and makes blending more straightforward, however I’ve combined it in combination via hand prior to too.

Serving Crab Dip

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

Very best Crab Meat for Crab Dip

On the marketplace, you’ll to find canned, frozen, or brand new (refrigerated) crab meat. Unrefrigerated canned crab meat doesn’t have the most up to date taste (clearly). If you wish to have to make use of canned, search for canned crab meat within the refrigerated segment of your marketplace. The more energizing the crab meat, the simpler the crab dip will style.

Crab meat categorized “hand-picked” or “fresh-picked” is absolutely cooked and bought in plastic tubs via the butcher or seafood counter. That is what I all the time use for crab desserts and crab dip, and extremely inspire you to make use of the similar right here. It’s pricier than canned, however you’ve got an absolutely other (and brand new) product. Don’t concern, the entire different substances are lovely affordable, particularly if you are going to buy store-brand or to find them on sale.

Ask your grocer the place to search out the most up to date crab meat within the shop. I buy brand new crab meat bought in a 1-pound bathtub from the seafood counter.

This DOES NOT disappoint!

Even Extra Appetizer Recipes

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Crab Dip (Very best Maryland Taste)

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  Writer: Sally
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  Prep Time: 10 mins
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  Prepare dinner Time: 25 mins
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  Overall Time: 35 mins
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  Yield: serves 8
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  Class: Appetizers
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  Manner: Baking
• 
  Delicacies: American

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Description

For the most efficient texture, use lump crab meat and every factor indexed. No substitutions! Serve with crusty baguette, strong crackers, celery sticks, or pita wedges. For extra good fortune pointers and to be told 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 blending bowl the usage of a hand held or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high velocity till easy and creamy, about 1 minute.
3. Upload the mayonnaise, bitter cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, flooring mustard, lemon juice, Outdated Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and scorching sauce (if the usage of). Beat on medium-high velocity till mixed. The usage of a spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold within the lump crab meat. In case you used scorching sauce, style, then upload extra scorching sauce if desired.
4. Switch to a 9-inch (or reasonably greater) baking pan, pie dish, or oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle with closing 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese.
5. Bake for 25 mins or till scorching and bubbly across the edges.
6. Serve heat.
7. Quilt and shop leftovers within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Reheat within the microwave or in a 350°F (177°C) oven till warmed right through.

Notes

1. Make Forward & Freezing Directions: You’ll be able to absolutely compile this crab dip, quilt tightly, and refrigerate for as much as 2 days prior to baking/gradual cooking and serving. You’ll be able to additionally 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 mins or till warmed right through.
2. Particular Equipment (associate hyperlinks): Glass Blending Bowl | Electrical Mixer (Hand held or Stand) | Wood Spoon or Rubber Spatula | Oven-Secure Skillet
3. Be sure to’re the usage of a block of cream cheese, no longer cream cheese unfold. I’ve used lower-fat substances and not using a drawback like reduced-fat (no longer 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 in most cases do!)
5. Which Crab Meat to Use: For any questions referring to which crab meat to make use of, see Very best Crab Meat for Crab Dip within the weblog put up above. I extremely suggest brand new (refrigerated) lump crab meat.
6. Gradual Cooker: Observe steps 2 and three. As an alternative of moving to a baking dish, spoon into your gradual cooker (don’t upload the 1/4 cup of cheese on peak) and cook dinner on low for three–4 hours till scorching and creamy. Stir once in a while because it chefs. All over the final half-hour, sprinkle 1/4 cup reserved cheddar cheese on peak.