Cold Imitation Crab Dip - Gastronotherapy (2024)

This imitation crab dip is a creamy and savory appetizer or snack that's perfect for holiday parties or game day. It's an easy dip recipe that can be prepped in 5 minutes, and with just a few simple ingredients.

Best of all, it's a budget-friendly recipe that's much more affordable than real crab. Serve it with crackers, pita wedges, or sliced veggies for a delicious holiday appetizer.

This cold seafood dip is full of flavor from Old Bay Seasoning, hot sauce, and fresh lemon juice. But it's also customizable, so you can serve it warm, make it spicier, add your favorite herbs, etc. Have fun with it!

For more dip recipes, try my jalapeño artichoke dip, pretzel cheese dip, mutabal (eggplant dip), and smoked paprika hummus.

⭐️ Why This Dip is the Best

• Creamy and savory appetizer or snack that can be paired with crackers, bread, or veggies
• Protein-rich and low-carb cold crab dip recipe
• Easy snack recipe with just 5 minutes of prep time and 9 pantry-friendly ingredients
• Customizable imitation crab spread that can be served warm, made spicier, etc.
• Make-ahead instructions provided
• Budget-friendly recipe that's much cheaper than using real crab meat

💬 What is Imitation Crab Meat?

Imitation crab meat is a more affordable option compared to real crab.

Unlike real crab, imitation crab is a processed food that's made from surimi, which is a combination of minced white fish (usually pollock) and other ingredients like starch, egg whites, vegetable oil, sugar, and preservatives.

Surimi is used in other ingredients that you know and love, like breaded fish sticks, California (sushi) rolls, etc. It's a fully cooked product that can be found in the refrigerated section of your local supermarket.

Although imitation crab isn't as nutritious as real crab, it's high in protein, low-carb, and can be enjoyed in moderation like many delicious foods.

🦀 Ingredient Notes

• Cream cheese - Make sure your cream cheese is softened before using to avoid a lumpy dip. Full fat or reduced-fat cream cheese will work great.
• Mayonnaise or sour cream - Adds creamy tanginess
• Imitation crab meat - I used imitation crab legs and chopped them up, but you could also use the flakes.
• Old Bay Seasoning - A seasoning blend that is traditionally added to crab cakes and pairs really well with a variety of crab dishes.
• Fresh lemon juice - I recommend using fresh lemon juice for optimal flavor.
• Hot sauce - Use your favorite brand of hot sauce. Tobasco, Cholula, and Sriracha all work well.

📝 Variations & Substitutions

• Without cream cheese. Skip the cream cheese and adjust the amount of mayonnaise to ½ cup for a cream cheese-free version.
• Make dairy free: Substitute dairy free cream cheese and cheddar cheese (and sour cream if using) for a dairy free version.
• Make spicy: This cream cheese crab dip has a nice level of spice, but it is subtle. You can add more heat by adding in a pinch or two of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
• Serve warm: Combine ingredients and transfer to a 8"x8" baking dish. Place in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 15 minutes. Top with ⅓ cup of additional cheddar cheese and broil until it's golden brown and bubbly, about 4-5 minutes.
• Use jumbo lump crab meat for a slightly pricier version. You can find it in the seafood section of your local supermarket.

🔪 How to Make Imitation Crab Dip

In a medium-sized bowl, add cream cheese and mayonnaise and stir until well combined. Add crab meat, cheddar cheese, Old Bay Seasoning, lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic powder, and scallions, and mix well with a large spoon.

Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill. Serve with crackers, baguette slices, pita wedges, or veggies.

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Storage: Cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• How to freeze: Transfer to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• You can also use real crab meat if you prefer!
• Make ahead: Combine all of the ingredients, cover, and store in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
• Serve it with crackers, baguettes, pita wedges, or sliced veggies.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

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