Crab Dip, hot or cold

This versatile crab dip can be saved hot or cold… making it the perfect dip for game day, parties, and everyday snacking!

Once you make this crab dip, you’ll have this recipe on repeat! The possibilities are endless for you to customize the flavor to exactly how you’d like it. I’ll be sharing lots of options.

This football dip is fun for game day, pop warner parties, super bowl, or any football celebrating, everyone will want to dive right into it. And as you can see from the next photo, you don’t have to mold it, you can serve it however you like. Hot or cold, molded or unmolded. More options are coming…

Crab Options:

I typically use canned lump crab, fresh is a great option, I have used regular canned crab but really prefer the flavor of the lump crab better. I have made this dip with shrimp, you can use fresh cooked shrimp (or crab) that you finely dice, or canned tiny shrimp, imitation crab, or lobster is another option. The flavor of the crab or shrimp infuses into the whole dip as it’s cooking.

The garlic and onion give it a great flavor and I really like adding some old bay seasoning. Add salt to taste before you pour the dip out of the saucepan.

In a saucepan combine:

• crab
• cream cheese
• Greek yogurt
• tomato sauce
• unflavored relating (if using a mold)
• lemon
• onion
• garlic
• old bay seasoning

Are there any other options to crab or shrimp for this dip?

Yes, this dip can be made with cooked salmon (or your favorite white fish).

Slice a baguette of bread and bake or broil it until golden on both sides. Tip- when crusty bread is hard or stale, run it under water then bake it, it’ll be light and crispy. You’ll have to try this tip it’s amazing!!!

Also a great option if you have frozen bread and it’s dried out and does not have the best texture.

what flavors can be added?

Add lemon, old bay, garlic, and onion. And to spice it up add your favorite hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes when heating the dip.

Over the years of making this dip (it’s been over 35 years, I’ve changed it up a whole bunch of times based on what I had, I’ve molded it in the shape of a fish many times, it’s always a huge hit, I got the original recipe from a friend when she brought it to a party, she made it with canned tiny shrimp) here are some other options I’ve tried.

Options for making this dip:

Use the cream cheese, and you can use sour cream or mayonnaise instead of the Greek yogurt. If you leave out the cream cheese the dip is too soft and funny and won’t hold together,

Can I serve this dip hot or cold?

Yes, It’s delicious either way, I most often make it cold 🙂 But funny enough I prefer any leftover heated served like a sandwich! if you happen to have leftover dip, heat it up so it looks nice in a dish if the molded dip is half eaten.

I have fun options for 1/2 eaten cake too. Check out my Hot Fudge Sundae Cake

The container I used holds 2 1/2 cups, plenty of dip for more than a baguette of bread. So enjoy!

Spinach and crab dip seems to be a popular request, so yes, chop up 3 cups of fresh spinach and add it to the mixture just before removing it from the stove as soon as the spinach softens, remove the saucepan from the stove, making this into a crabmeat spinach dip- genius! Plate the football dip on spinach leaves for a bed of greenery!

Do you ever have just one piece of fish in the freezer in one of those individual packages, just floating around, well here is the recipe to use it in which makes it the best recipe to make in minutes! Perfect for impromptu stopper buyers, last minute get together, or a fun recipe to make on a hot summer night or cuddle under a blanket with this dip, add some shredded cheese and make it your new favorite snack food!

What makes the crab dip into the football shape?

I used a plastic football shaped container I found at my local grocery store. Another option is the larger Platter football shaped dish I found on Amazon. While I was searching for options I did find these paper football cups that you might find useful for other items you’ll be serving. If the dish you use has an intricate design spray a little nonstick spray for easy removal.

If you make this dip in a mold, you’ll add 2 packages of unflavored gelatin. (you’ll find this in the same place in the store where you find flavored Jello) Knox is a well-known brand, you may be able to find store brands as well. If you would prefer to make this dip without molding it, no need to add the gelatin, just heat and serve.

I found some other cute football shaped dips- check these out

• Football Cheese Ball, from Eating on a Dime
• Chocolate Chip Football Cheese Ball, from Mom Endeavors
• Jalapeno Popper Football Cheese Ball from, Peas and Crayons

This dip is wonderful!

Slather it on crackers or bread, dip veggies into it, serve it hot or cold, and change up the crab for shrimp or fish. And if you plan on serving the dip cold and decide you’d like it hot, just heat it up!