Seafood Dip Recipe

This Seafood Dip recipe is the easiest appetizer to make. Some cans of crab and shrimp and this delicious snack is ready in minutes. Perfect for family night or an event...you won't be disappointed.

Seafood dip is the perfect appetizer. Its rich and creamy texture, combined with flavors of seafood, makes this shrimp and crab dip recipe a crowd favorite that you can easily prepare in advance.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Requiring a few common ingredients this easy dip will be ready in no time.
• Seafood dip is a multi-use appetizer with varied ingredients and heat levels.
• Use your favorite seafood whether it's crab, shrimp, or lobster, individually or in combination.
• A smooth and creamy dip that's perfect for dipping crackers, chips, or vegetables.

This was inspired by my fall seafood recipes post on this site, and pairs well with this list of amazing side dish recipes found on my what to serve with buffalo chicken dip post. I hope you'll have a look.

Ingredients in Simple Seafood Dip

Recipes do not get much easier than this.

• Cream Cheese, Sour Cream and Mayo - Make a wonderfully creamy base for your dip.
• Canned Crab and Shrimp - Use imitation crab meat, jumbo lump crab meat, smoked salmon, lobster or a mixture of different types of seafood, depending on your preference and availability.
• Seafood Cocktail Sauce - Make homemade and use 1 ¼ cup ketchup, ⅓ cup horseradish and a tablespoon of lemon juice, worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Refrigerate until needed.
• Mozzarella Cheese - Add some parmesan cheese and cheddar cheese instead of, or with the mozzarella cheese.
• Sweet Pepper and Tomato - Add chopped celery, artichokes, cucumber, more onions.
• Green Onions - Add a sprinkling of dill, parsley, or chives to top for more flavor instead.

See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Substitutions and Variations

When it comes to seafood dips, there is a vast range of options to choose from. You can easily experiment with different ingredients and flavors to match your preferences or impress your guests. Here are some variations that you could try when creating your own seafood dip:

• Make a Wrap or Sandwich - Add dip to tortillas to make incredible wraps or use bread and make a sandwich.
• Add Flavor - Add a dash of curry powder, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, dill weed, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper.
• Add Garlic - Add a little minced garlic or oven roasted garlic or air fryer roasted garlic to add flavor.
• Spicy - Add a bit of chili pepper flakes, hot sauce, sriracha sauce, diced jalapeno peppers, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the cream cheese mixture for a bit of heat. You can also serve up our homemade hot pepper sauce on the table as well.
• Change Dip Texture - Dice, shred, or puree seafood to create different dip textures.
• Add a Splash - Add a splash of lemon juice for fresh, tangy flavor or Worcestershire sauce to add a tangy, smoky flavor to your dip.

How to make Simple Seafood Dip

You're going to love how easy this seafood dip recipe is to make.

In a medium sized mixing bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, crab and mayonnaise.

Using a handheld or stand mixer blend together until totally combined.

Next, grab a 13x9 inch pan and spread cream cheese mixture across the bottom, as evenly as possible.

Sprinkle shrimp over top of the cream cheese mixture, again, as evenly as possible.

Continue with seafood sauce and cheese.

Add diced peppers, onions and tomatoes. In that order. 

Refrigerate until ready to eat! Serve with chips or your favorite crackers for scooping. 

Hint: While you're making your seafood dip taste the mixture and add seasoning to make flavor just what you desire.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our best dip recipes.

Storage

When it comes to storing your seafood dip, it's essential to follow proper steps to ensure it stays fresh and delicious.

Refrigerate
To keep your seafood dip fresh, store it in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Place the container in the refrigerator, and remember that it should last up to 3 days, including the day you made it.

Make Ahead
Seafood dip can be an excellent option for parties or gatherings, and making it ahead of time can save you stress on the day of the event. To make your dip in advance, simply prepare the recipe as directed and then cover and refrigerate the dip until you're ready to serve up to 24 hours in advance.

Freeze
While freezing your seafood dip is an option, it's best not to freeze seafood dip due to the texture of the ingredients. Cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream may separate and become watery when defrosted.

That being said, to freeze your dip, place it in an airtight container, leaving some space at the top to account for expansion when the dip freezes. You can store the dip in the freezer for up to one month.

To serve, thaw the dip in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

What to Serve with

When hosting a party or gathering, seafood dip can be the perfect appetizer to impress your guests. Here are some serving suggestions to enhance your presentation and go with the flavors of your seafood dip.

• Crostini or baguette slices, especially if lightly toasted, with crackers, crispy potato skin chips, tortilla chips, wonton crisps and breadsticks are excellent for scooping up dip.
• Crisp vegetables like carrots, celery, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, cherry tomatoes, radishes or bell peppers blend well with seafood flavors and should surround dip.
• Include other seafood-themed dishes like old fashioned salmon patties, smoked salmon cream cheese dip or smoked salmon cream cheese bagel.
• Provide a serving spoon and small bowls or plates to make serving and eating easier.

Tips

By following these expert tips, you'll be able to create a delicious and memorable seafood dip that will excite your family and guests.

• Keep your seafood dip refrigerated until needed.
• While making your seafood dip, periodically taste it to adjust the seasoning and flavor as you go until you are happy with the taste. Remember it is easier to increase the saltiness and spiciness of a dish rather than toning it down if overdone.
• Serve this dip while it is cool but not right out of the refrigerator. If this dip is too cold the chips always break while scooping so grab sturdy dippers or leave dip on counter for about 20 minutes before serving.

FAQ

Do you have questions about seafood dip? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about it.

Seafood Dip Video

Take a peek at our video.  At least you will be able to see just how easy this Simple Seafood Dip is to make.

More Dip Recipes

Do you like dip? Here some recipes you may also like to try.

Seafood Dip

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.