Cold Crab Dip Recipe

This cold crab dip is the perfect appetizer for your next potluck or party. Tangy, cold, and excellent on a cracker.

Cold Crab Dip Recipe

I love dips. It’s hard for me to pass up a dip like a Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip, Chili Cheese Dip, or Homemade Veggie Dip. This cold crab dip is no exception.

It would be perfect for a summer cookout, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve. Cocktail sauce is mixed in the dip and layered on top, giving it the perfect zesty flavor to any scoop of this delicious cold crab dip.

What You’ll Love about this Crab Dip Recipe

Old-Fashioned Flavor – With a creamy and tangy flavor that reminds me of holiday parties of my childhood

Easy-to-Make – Whip this together in a matter of minutes and serve

Make Ahead – This dip can be made ahead of time, which frees up time on your event day

It’s Perfect – It’s a great dip for any summer potluck, baby shower, or holiday celebration

This dip looks great – Impress your guests with this good-looking dip

Ingredients and Notes

Crab Meat – I used lump crab meat right out of the can. I love the flavor of real crab meat, but I’ve also used imitation crab meat for this recipe, and it is also delicious. You’ll want to get flake-style imitation crab to easily cut it up for the dip.

Cream Cheese – Contributes the creaminess to this dip. You’ll want to use softened cream cheese so you can easily whip it with the other ingredients.

Lemon Juice – Adding another layer of tanginess to this cold dip

Cocktail Sauce – Perhaps my favorite ingredient with this dip. There are so many beautiful flavors in cocktail sauce, like horseradish and a ketchup base.

Onion Powder – Adding another deep layer of savory flavor to this tangy crab dip

How to Make Cold Crab Dip

Drain and squeeze the water out of the crab meat

Place the cream cheese, lemon juice, cocktail sauce, and onion powder in a medium bowl.

Mix until well combined, and there are no lumps in the cream cheese.

Fold in the crab meat.

Scoop the dip out onto a serving platter

Pour a layer of cocktail sauce over the crab dip. You can spread it over the entire dip or make a wide line of cocktail sauce down the middle.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve

Serving Suggestion

Sprinkle parsley onto the crab on top of the crab dip

Expert Tips

Blend Well: Whip the cream cheese with the other ingredients before adding the crab meat.

Don’t Over Mix: You don’t want to over-mix the crab meat and release crab juice into your dip.

Chill: This crab dip can be served immediately, but it is better if cold. If you have time, refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight.

Make it Your Own: Add your favorite flavor to this dip. Add black pepper for a bit of heat. Garlic would be delicious.

What to Serve with this Cold Crab Dip

• Crackers – We love butter crackers with this dip.
• Veggies – Sliced carrots, celery, and cauliflower are all great vegetable dippers for this recipe.

FAQs

Can this dip be left at room temperature?

Yes. This dip can be left out for a couple of hours. Lemon juice helps to preserve crab meat.

To keep this dip cold and safe, place your platter in a bowl of ice

Make Ahead and Storage

This dip can be made ahead of time. Make this dip up to a few days in advance.

Storing: Store covered tightly with clear wrap and refrigerate

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Serving Size

This dip will serve ten people

Double or triple this recipe to serve more people