Crab Dip

An easy dip to serve at your next party made with fresh, cooked crab.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated November 11, 2024
Elise Bauer
Crab Dip in bowl with veggies on the side
Elise Bauer

When it's crab season and our local market gets a shipment, we're first in line for the biggest (more than two pounds) fresh, cooked crabs, already cleaned and broken.

My father calls it "nature's fast food." We've been known to go through a couple of 2-pound Dungeness crabs just for lunch!

Freshness Is Imperative

As with all seafood, the crab's freshness is imperative. I once had to return crab to the market because it just wasn't edible. My bad, I forgot to check.

Although your fishmonger should be checking before handing it over to you, you really do need to inspect it before paying for it and taking it home.

The best way to test is to smell. If it smells too strong or fishy, it's not good. Fresh crab should smell like an ocean breeze and lightly sweet.

The Best Crab Dip!

What to do with leftover crabmeat when your eye is hungrier than your stomach? Mix it into a fresh crab dip, refrigerate it overnight, and eat it the next day.

If you are nowhere near a place that sells good, fresh crab, you can of course use canned crab. Trader Joe's has a good product. That said, truly fresh crab will always be better than canned.

Other ways to use this crab dip? Try mixing it with pasta for a lovely crab pasta salad. Yum!

  • Looking for a hot version of this dip? Try this recipe for Hot Crab Dip.

Best Served Chilled

Crab dip is better once it's chilled and has a little time for all the flavors to marry. Let it chill for at least two hours in the fridge, or up to overnight — just cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the dip to an air-tight container.

Do try to use it up quickly though. Crab, like fish, shrimp, and other seafood, does not benefit from time. Best to make it, chill it, and eat it.

Love Crab? Try These Recipes

Crab Dip

Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Servings 4 to 8 servings
Yield 2 cups
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

  • 1/2 cup sour cream

  • 1 cup cooked crabmeat (fresh is best)

  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots, green onions or red onions

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill, or 1 1/2 teaspoon fresh dill

  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar, or 1 1/2 teaspoons dry white wine

  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Make the dip:

    Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, shallots, dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl.

    Gently fold in the crabmeat. Salt and pepper to taste.

  2. Chill:

    Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.

  3. Serve:

    Sere with crackers or carrots and celery.

    Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below! 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
138 Calories
13g Fat
1g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 138
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 195mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 1mg 7%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 77mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.