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A golden, bubbling hot crab dip in a white baking dish topped with melted cheddar, seafood seasoning and sliced green onions, surrounded by crackers and toasted baguette slices

Cheesy Baked Hot Crab Dip

Lump crab folded into a creamy, lemony cheddar base with seafood seasoning, baked until golden and bubbling.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened (225 g)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (120 g)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (55 g)
  • 1 lemon zest of the whole lemon plus 1 tablespoon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Chesapeake-style seafood seasoning plus more for topping
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 dashes hot sauce or to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded from a block, divided (170 g)
  • 3 green onions thinly sliced, divided
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 pound lump crab meat picked over for shells and drained (450 g)

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and butter a 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish.
  2. Beat the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth.
  3. Stir in the lemon zest and juice, Dijon, Worcestershire, seafood seasoning, garlic powder and hot sauce.
  4. Stir in 1 cup of the cheddar, most of the green onions and the parsley.
  5. Gently fold in the crab just until coated.
  6. Spread in the baking dish, top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar and a sprinkle of seafood seasoning.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbling, golden and 165°F (74°C) in the center.
  8. Rest for 5 minutes, sprinkle with the remaining green onions and serve warm with crackers or toasted baguette.

Notes

Make ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerate covered and add about 10 minutes to the baking time.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days and reheat to 165°F (74°C). Freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition is an estimate per serving, not including dippers.