Joe’s Crab Shack Crab Dip

Tasty and crowd-pleasing Joe’s Crab Shack–style Crab Dip you can make at home rich, cheesy, loaded with crab and perfect for gatherings:

🦀 Joe’s Crab Shack–Style Crab Dip

Ingredients (makes about 2 cups, feeds 6–8 as appetizer):

• Seafood:

  • 12 oz fresh lump crab meat (picked over for shells)

• Cheese & Dairy:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

  • ½ cup mayonnaise (for creaminess and tang)

  • ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (reserve ¼ cup for topping)

  • ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack (savory meltiness)

• Flavor Boosters:

  • 2–3 green onions, finely sliced (plus extra for garnish)

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1–2 tsp Old Bay seasoning (or your favorite seafood seasoning)

  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika

  • Salt + freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • Optional: ½ tsp hot sauce or a few dashes of cayenne, if you like a little kick

Instructions:

1. Prep Your Dish & Ingredients

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Lightly grease a 1‑quart (or 2‑cup) baking dish.

2. Mix the Base

• In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth.

• Stir in Worcestershire, garlic, Old Bay, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and hot sauce (if using).

3. Add Cheese & Seafood

• Mix in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack, saving about ¼ cup for topping.

• Gently fold in crab meat and sliced green onions, taking care not to break up the lumps of crab too much.

4. Bake It Up

• Transfer dip to your baking dish and smooth the top.

• Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top.

• Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly, hot, and lightly golden.

5. Finish & Serve

• Let rest for ~5 minutes before garnishing with extra chopped green onions.

• Serve warm with:

  • Tortilla chips, crackers, or pita chips

  • Toasted baguette slices or warm pita wedges

  • Celery or cucumber slices for dipping

Tips & Variations:

• Crab substitutes: lump crab is ideal, but you can mix with claw or even imitation crab in a pinch.

• Lighter version: swap full‑fat cream cheese for Neufchâtel and use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

• Extra flavor: stir in 2–3 tablespoons finely chopped roasted red peppers or jalapeños for sweetness/heat.

• Smokier twist: swap Monterey Jack for smoked gouda.