Maryland Hot Crab Dip | April 30, 2025

Introduction

Maryland Hot Crab Dip is a creamy, flavorful appetizer that brings the tastes of the Chesapeake Bay to your table.

It incorporates the area’s most renowned seafood: sweet, delicate crab flesh. This dip is the ideal combination of creamy cream cheese, mayonnaise, and crab, finished with a dash of Old Bay spice, making it an appealing option for parties, gatherings, or even a nice night in. Enjoy it with crackers, bread, or veggies; it’s flavorful, quick to make, and versatile.

How It Arose and Its Cultural Importance

Maryland is famous for its blue crabs, which is where this delicacy is made. Crabs like these have been a staple in the Chesapeake Bay diet for generations, and the area’s chefs have created delicious dishes using them. Across the state and beyond, Maryland crab dishes—from crab cakes to crab soups—are adored.A crab dip from Maryland

At holiday parties, seafood festivals, and family get-togethers, hot crab dip is a common appetizer that highlights the subtle flavor of fresh crab.

How Many of Each Ingredient

8 ounces of softened cream cheese

a half cup of mayonnaise

half a cup of sour cream

1/4 cup of Dijon mustard

tbsp of Worcestershire sauce

(or to taste) half a teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning

*Garlic powder, 1 teaspoon

a spoonful of fruit juice

1/2 cup of finely grated Parmesan

1 cup lump crab flesh (fresh or canned, drained and flaked)

1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for topping)

Optional Additions

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce or cayenne pepper for added heat

Garnish with fresh dill or parsley.

A splash of lemon juice to brighten the taste

To add a smokey flavor, sprinkle with paprika.

Advice for Achieving Your Goals

If you can get your hands on some fresh crab meat, that’s what you should use. It tastes and feels better. Always remove all excess liquid from canned crab meat before cooking.

Before adding the crab meat, you can process the ingredients in a food processor to make a smoother dip.

Preserve the delicate crab flavor by not overmixing the crab meat. This will ensure that the chunks remain intact.

Add a touch more sour cream or mayonnaise for a creamier dip; just be careful not to overdo it, or the dip will be too runny.

Instructions

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