This cold Crab Dip made with Philadelphia Cream Cheese is insanely delicious! This appetizer is full of flavor and includes only fresh ingredients.
This post is all about how to make easy Philadelphia Cream Cheese Crab Dip.
This cold Crab Dip recipe made with Philadelphia Cream Cheese has the perfect creamy texture, and it’s easy to make and, of course, DELICIOUS. The lump crab meat is finely shredded and mixed with fresh ingredients like garlic, green onions, lemon juice, red onions, and Monterey jack cheese.
I recommend allowing the dip to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes so the ingredients are cold and marinated. Serve this dip with crackers or baguette slices, and watch your guests OBSESS over its creamy and fresh-texturized taste!
And you can literally throw this party appetizer dip together in under 10 minutes. If you want to make it the day ahead, that is fine; just make sure it’s adequately covered or put in an airtight container.
This Philadelphia Cream Cheese Crab Dip serves about 12 people, and the recipe can easily be doubled if needed. Serve this dip at any party or holiday gathering because it’s DELICIOUS, and almost everyone will agree!
Philadelphia Cream Cheese Crab Dip
Do I Have To Use The Philadelphia Brand For This Recipe?
You don’t have to, but according to research, the Huffington Post reported 57 percent preferred Philadelphia Cream Cheese over a generic brand. But do I think this dip won’t taste good if you use an off brand? Not at all. To me, cream cheese tastes pretty good, regardless!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Philadelphia Whipped Cream Cheese, 8 ounces
- Fresh Lump Crab Meat, 8 ounces, finely shredded. (You can purchase this at almost any grocery store in the meat & seafood department.)
- 1 Garlic Clove, minced or finely chopped.
- Lemon Juice, 2 Tablespoons.
- Red Onions, 2 Heaping Tablespoons, chopped.
- Hot Sauce, 1 Tablespoon (I used Tapatio)
- 3 Whole Green Onions, chopped.
- Monterey Jack Cheese, 4 ounces, finely shredded.
What Pairs Well With Crab Dip?
Crackers! You could not go wrong with what you pair with this delicious cold crab dip, but crackers or sliced baguette bread complements its taste. I think the Sea Salt Pita Crackers shown above were the BEST, and they were so easy to add to a serving platter.
Equipment Needed:
- Fork (in case the lump crab needs to be shredded more)
- Refrigerator
- Good Knife (for chopping)
How To Make Philadelphia Cream Cheese Crab Dip, Step-By-Step
Step 1: Drain and rinse the crab meat using a mesh strainer. Next, add the crab to a mixing bowl. Mince the meat with a fork to ensure each piece is thinly shredded.
Step 2: Pour two tablespoons of lemon juice on top of the crab and mix.
Step 3: Add the (softened) whipped Philadelphia cream cheese to the bowl and mix.
Step 4: Lastly, add the chopped red onions, green onions, hot sauce, cheese, and garlic to the bowl and mix thoroughly.
Step 5: Cover the dip and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- This dip is Insanely DELICIOUS.
- It’s so EASY to make.
- The Ingredients used are FRESHHH, which makes this cold crab dip with cream cheese the BEST.
FAQs, Tips & Substitutions For This Easy & Best Cold Crab Dip Recipe
Can I Freeze Cream Cheese Crab Dip?
It’s not recommended to freeze this crab dip because it will change its texture.
How Long Can I Store This Cold Crab Dip In The Fridge?
You can store cold crab dip in the fridge for up to five days.
What Is The Best Cracker To Serve With Chilled Crab Dip?
I love serving Philadelphia Cream Cheese Crab Dip with Sea Salt Pita Crackers!
How Come This Recipe Doesn’t Call For Mayonnaise?
I omitted the mayonnaise component from this recipe because it’s unnecessary. The cream cheese adds enough creamy texture, and the other fresh ingredients stand out in the FRESHEST way.
Should I Add Worcestershire Sauce To My Cream Cheese Crab Dip?
Some crab dip recipes call for Worcestershire sauce, which adds a smokey flavor. For this recipe, I wanted the fresh ingredients to stand out to highlight the organic flavors!
What Kind Of Crab Should You Use To Make Crab Dip?
I prefer fresh lump crab meat when making cold crab dip because it tastes the freshest. However, it is more expensive, so you can use canned crab meat as well, just be sure to rinse it to remove the “fishy” taste.
How Do I Serve Crab Dip Hot?
If you want to serve this crab dip recipe hot, I would add 8 ounces of cheese instead of four ounces. Warm the dip in a baking dish at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes.
What Is Imitation Crab?
Imitation crab meat is made from surimi, which is fish flesh that has been deboned, washed to remove fat and unwanted bits, then minced into a paste.
Is Philadelphia Cream Cheese Crab Dip Healthy?
The cream cheese adds the most calories and fat to this dip, so it should be enjoyed in moderation.
Can I Substitute Crab Meat With Imitation Meat?
Yes, but know the texture and taste differ from fresh crab meat.
Can I Make This Cold Crab Dip Appetizer With Cream Cheese Ahead Of Time?
You can make this dip the day before serving if you wish! I actually think it tasted better the next day because the ingredients had marinated together.
Why Do Some Add Cocktail Sauce On Top Of Cold Crab Dip?
If you love cocktail sauce, you can add some on top of the dip. I personally would not do this because it takes away the fresh taste the ingredients add to this delicious crab dip.
What Is Lump Crab Meat?
Lump crab meat is a mixture of large and small pieces of crab. It’s a good choice for seafood salads or crab cakes.
Philadelphia Cream Cheese Crab Dip
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Fork (in case the lump crab needs to be shredded more.)
- Measuring spoons
- Refrigerator
- Good Knife (for chopping)
- Serving Bowl or Platter
Ingredients
Ingredients Needed For Philadelphia Cream Cheese Crab Dip:
- 8 ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese (whipped)
- 8 ounces Fresh Lump Crab Meat, finely shredded. (You can purchase this at almost any grocery store in the meat & seafood department.)
- 1 Garlic Clove, minced or finely chopped.
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 (heaping tbsps) Red onions, chopped.
- 1 tbsp Hot Sauce (I used Tapatio.)
- 3 Whole Green Onions, chopped.
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack Cheese, finely shredded.
Instructions
How To Make Philadelphia Cream Cheese Crab Dip, Step-By-Step
- Drain and rinse the crab meat using a mesh strainer. Next, add the crab to a mixing bowl. Mince the meat with a fork to make sure each piece is thinly shredded.
- Pour two tablespoons of lemon juice on top of the crab and mix.
- Add the (softened) whipped Philadelphia cream cheese to the bowl and mix.
- Lastly, add the chopped red onions, green onions, hot sauce, cheese, and garlic to the bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Cover the dip and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Final Thoughts On Philadelphia Cream Cheese Crab Dip
This Philadelphia Cream Cheese Crab Dip is insanely delicious and will not disappoint! This appetizer party dip calls for FRESH ingredients, and I can promise you your guests will be impressed and obsessed with its incredible taste.
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