Hot Crab Dip is a perfect appetizer whether you are attending a potluck or need a snack for game day. The slow cooker makes it an easy recipe.
Jump to RecipeI have always been a fan of chip and cracker dips. But, I tend to eat wayyyyyy too much even though I know I should stop. And this hot crab dip is no different.
I debated on which type of crab to use: imitation or lump crab. I prefer imitation crab when we make homemade sushi, but the lump crab seems to work better when it’s being mixed into other ingredients. We tried the imitation crab in Baked Crab Casserole, and while it worked well, the lump crab worked much better in my Cheesy Crab Roll. Since this is closer to the crab roll, we went with lump crab.
What’s the Difference Between Imitation Crab and Lump Crab?
Imitation crab is, as the name suggests, not actually crab. It’s typically made of “surimi” which is a paste made from white fish. Imitation crab is made in an attempt to make crab cheaper while keeping a similar texture. But, I notice a big difference in the texture. Imitation crab is great when you are trying to use it in a specific size or shape, such as sushi.
Lump crab is smaller piece of jump lump which is made from the two large muscles in the swimming legs. Then, other pieces from the body may be mixed in. Lump crabmeat is usually white and has a similar texture to tuna salad or chicken salad in a can.
Src: https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/5880-crabmeat-101
Hot Crab Dip Step by Step
Ingredients
- 12 oz cream cheese (cubed)
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 13 oz lump crabmeat
- 1 pkg onion soup mix
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 green onions (diced, for garnish)
- Ritz crackers (for serving)
Preparation
Gather your ingredients for hot crab dip and prepare your slow cooker. You can use slow cooker liners to make cleanup easier, but I usually let mine soak overnight after using because I don’t like to create extra waste in the kitchen.
Place the cream cheese and heavy whipping cream in a slow cooker.
Cover and heat on high for 45 minutes, then whisk to combine.
Add the parmesan cheese, crabmeat, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic. Whisk thoroughly until mixed. Cover and cook on high for another 30 minutes.
Whisk the lemon juice into the dip. Serve warm garnished with green onions with Ritz crackers for dipping.
Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat the hot crab dip, place some in a microwaveable bowl and microwave at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring at least once.
Recipe
Originally Published On: January 25, 2021
Last Updated On: July 28, 2023
Hot Crab Dip
Ingredients
- 12 oz cream cheese (cubed)
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 13 oz lump crabmeat
- 1 pkg onion soup mix
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 green onions (diced, for garnish)
- Ritz crackers (for serving)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Place the cream cheese and heavy whipping cream in a slow cooker
- Cover and heat on high for 45 minutes, then whisk to combine
- Add the parmesan cheese, crabmeat, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic
- Whisk thoroughly until mixed
- Cover and cook on high for another 30 minutes
- Whisk the lemon juice into the dip
- Serve warm garnished with green onions with Ritz crackers for dipping
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
More Recipes with Crab
- Crispy Oven Baked Crab Rangoon Recipe
- Hot Crab Dip
- Cheesy Baked Crab Casserole: Chinese Buffet Copycat
- Cheesy Crab Roll Appetizer
- Shaggy Dog Sushi Roll Recipe
- How to Make the Best Philadelphia Sushi Roll at Home
- California Roll Sushi Recipe
- Seafood Enchiladas
- Seafood Gnocchi Soup
Other Asian-Fusion Recipes to try
- How to Make Homemade Sushi
- Shaggy Dog Sushi Roll Recipe
- California Roll Sushi Recipe
- Crunchy Roll Sushi
- How to Make the Best Philadelphia Sushi Roll
- Stir-Fry Chicken with Bok Choy
- Hot Crab Dip
- Cheesy Baked Crab Casserole
- Vegetable Lo Mein
- Honey Garlic Chicken Over Rice Recipe
- Asian Pork Salad
- Chicken and Whole Grain Stir-Fry
- Green Vegan Sushi Rolls
- Pork and Noodles with Bok Choy
- Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry
- Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Bowl
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- Quick and Easy General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
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More Slow Cooker Appetizers
- Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs Appetizer
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- Hot Crab Dip
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More Savory Cheese Dip Recipes to try
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- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Hot Crab Dip
- Roasted Green Onion Dip
- Chili Nacho Dip
- Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe 2 Ways
- Nutty Cheese Ball
- Hot Virginia Dip
- Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Easy Cheesy Ranch Chicken Dip
- Taco Dip
- Ranch Snowman Spread
- Cheesy Baked Crab Casserole: Chinese Buffet Copycat
My husband and I love love love crab dip! Something we haven’t made in a while. This recipe sounds so good!
This was delicious and so easy! The slow cooker makes everything amazing 🙂
I can’t have seafood/fish, but I am sure that my other half would love something like this. We are in lockdown in the UK, so trying out lots of different cooking ideas x
We love the slow cooker, it’s a great way to have a warm meal ready whenever you want! You could try subbing in chicken for a chicken dip instead of crab.
I have to save up my money to make this as crab can be expensive in Japan due to being a novelty food. Crab legs can go from $20 and up here. Imitation crab meat is more popular in the supermarkets.
You might be able to try it with imitation crab. It won’t have quite the same consistency, but the flavor should be similar.
Yummy!! We don’t really eat much crab but I do love the sound of this recipe.
We don’t eat it very often either, but we indulge on a few recipes like this.
My hubby loves crab dip. I may just surprise him this week and make him some. Looks delicious 🤤 and I’m not usually one that likes seafood, but I’d eat good for sure.
Oh what a wonderful surprise!
Gosh, you really do share some lovely recipes on here. This is another one I would love to try out.
Thanks, Sabina! I hope you get a chance to try it!
This is perfect for where we live. Seafood is huge here on the coast.
Sounds like a great one to try then!
This hot crab dip looks delicious! I love all kinds of dips and this one is super easy to make. I have to see if I can find lump crabmeat here.
I’m a big fan of dips as well. I could eat them all day!
I didn’t know that between imitation crab and lump crab. I will have to try it soon!
They are very different in my opinion. And the recipe you are making should determine which type is better. For crab dip, definitely use lump crab.
I have never heard of crab dip and really need to try this!
My dad used to make something like this often but hadn’t in a long time. We tried to remember and piece together his recipe 🙂
I’m a vegetarian but my husband would totally LOVE it if I made this for him. He grew up in MD and loves crab!
Oh man, he probably knows even better crab to use for the dip then!
This looks so good, my hubby will love it! I look forward to making it!
I hope you both enjoy the crab dip!