Description
This Million Dollar Shrimp & Crab Dip is a decadent, creamy seafood appetizer that combines tender salad shrimp, lump crab meat, crispy bacon, and a blend of cheeses with a touch of spice. Baked to golden perfection, it’s perfect for parties and gatherings, served warm with crackers or bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood and Meat
- 1 lb salad shrimp, patted dry
- 6 oz lump crab meat
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon pieces
Dairy
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup grated pepper Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup finely sliced green onion, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
Seasonings and Others
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1.5 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350° Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the dip evenly.
- Mix the Base: In a medium-sized bowl, use a hand mixer to thoroughly blend the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth and creamy. Then, add the grated pepper Jack cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, diced red bell pepper, and sliced green onion, continuing to blend until everything is evenly incorporated. Next, mix in the garlic powder, salt, paprika, ground black pepper, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce to infuse the mixture with flavor.
- Add the Seafood and Bacon: Using a fork, gently stir in the lump crab meat and cooked bacon pieces to avoid breaking up the crab too much. Finally, fold in the salad shrimp carefully, ensuring all seafood and bacon are well-distributed throughout the mixture.
- Bake the Dip: Spoon the combined dip mixture into a 1.5-quart baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Place the dish in the preheated oven, baking for 30 to 35 minutes. Bake until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling, indicating the dip is hot and cooked through.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the dip from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to set and cool slightly. Before serving, sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of diced green onion on top as a fresh and colorful garnish.
Notes
- Pat the shrimp dry before adding to prevent excess moisture from thinning the dip.
- Room temperature cream cheese blends more smoothly; let it sit out for about 30 minutes before starting.
- For extra crunch, serve with toasted bread slices or your favorite crackers.
- To make ahead, prepare the dip mixture up to step 3, cover and refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
- If you prefer a spicier dip, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or finely chopped jalapeño to the cheese mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
