Crab Artichoke Dip is creamy and cheesy with artichoke hearts, parmesan cheese, and big pieces of crab meat, ready to serve in only 30 minutes!
Party food is especially important around the holidays, when everyone gathers together making memories, and we love serving Buffalo Chicken Dip, Ultimate Spinach Artichoke Dip, and Spicy Louisiana Shrimp Dip!
CRAB ARTICHOKE DIP
Crab Artichoke Dip is an AMAZING combo of creamy spinach artichoke dip with my personal favorite, crab dip. It’s the best of both worlds with a few extra ingredients, like bell pepper, green onions, and a spicy pinch of cayenne pepper. Whenever I serve this, I get asked for the recipe multiple times, so I know it’s a crowd-pleasing hit!
My go-to is canned crab, but you can also go for fresh crab if you’d prefer. I like to keep a few cans on hand so I can make this recipe in a pinch, but the fresh crab adds a level of fresh flavor to the dip that you can’t beat. This cheesy crab dip is the perfect appetizer to serve before a holiday dinner!
HOW TO MAKE CRAB ARTICHOKE DIP
Crab artichoke dip is a really simple dip recipe made from canned coarsely chopped artichoke and cooked crab meat. Just mix everything together, then bake until bubbly and golden brown on the top. The total time to make this warm crab dip about 30 minutes. You can also assemble it ahead of time and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake!
CAN YOU MAKE CRAB ARTICHOKE DIP WITHOUT CREAM CHEESE?
You can substitute the cream cheese in this artichoke dip for sour cream. If you’re just trying to cut down on the fat, try Neufchatel cheese, which is a lower fat version of cream cheese. If you want the dip to be thicker, add a cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
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WHAT TO DIP IN CRAB ARTICHOKE DIP
- Crostini
- Tortilla chips
- Crackers
- Baguette ripped into pieces
- Bell pepper slices
- Carrots
- Make a crudités platter with this dip in the middle
WHAT KIND OF CRAB TO USE FOR CRAB ARTICHOKE DIP?
You can find fully cooked crab at the grocery store in cans. If you’re really motivated, you can also buy fresh crab either fully cooked or raw at your local fish monger. If it’s raw, be sure to saute the crab meat until fully cooked before using it in artichoke dip.
You can also use fresh artichoke for this artichoke dip, but it’s a lot more cost and time effective to just pick up a can of artichoke. It’s also more difficult to harvest the heart from individual artichokes than to just buy them already cut up, and you won’t really notice a flavor difference in this recipe.
TIPS FOR MAKING CRAB ARTICHOKE DIP
- Add some extra spicy flavor with jalapeno, poblano peppers, or a dash of hot sauce stirred in with the other ingredients.
- Top with extra chopped chives or green onions to make this look decorative when serving.
- Make cold crab dip by mixing everything together with an electric mixer and refrigerating until ready to serve.
- If you don’t have mayonnaise, sub with 2 cups of sour cream.
- Add some lemon juice and fresh parsley to compliment the crab in this artichoke dip.
- This dish is naturally low carb and gluten free (but not if you use imitation crab, that usually has wheat in it).
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 14 ounces artichoke hearts chopped
- 1/2 pound cooked crabmeat picked through for shells
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 cup green onions sliced
- 1/2 red bell pepper chopped finely
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and spoon into baking dish before baking for 25-30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
This dip is by far the best crab dip we’ve had. Simple ingredients, simple recipe, simply delicious and definitely a fam fave!
So glad to hear your family enjoyed the recipe and thank you Deb for the five star review!
Was looking for something to serve my boys during a football game and had all ingredients so went for it. They loved it! Followed recipe exactly except added crushed garlic cheese croutons on top. Will make again?
So glad to hear this was a hit with the guys! Thank you Tamera for the 5 star review!
I just wondered what size is recommended for the baking dish. I’m sure any can be used but it would help to know a size that fits everything well
I used a 9″ skillet, but anything roughly 8×8 will work 🙂
I’m curious why “cooked” crabmeat. I have picked frozen crabmeat I picked from steamed crabs this summer.
I recognize your name because I think you have recipes for Indian food also, which I have used in the past!
Can this be mixed up and frozen before cooking?
I cut back the recipe’s portion size (too much for us but good size for large family ir pitlucks), and then froze leftovers.
I add smoked paprika and hot sauce and a touch of lime juice. Also extra garlic.
Hello, How much is each serving??
I’d say about 1/2 cup is a serving. Enjoy!
Do you use backfin or claw for this recipe?
Use backfin meat for this dip. Enjoy!
Hi this recipe looks yummy I was wondering exactly what kind of canned crab do you buy ?? Also wanted to know about the artichokes .. a 14oz jar of artichoke has only about 8 oz of artichoke when it is drained. Does that mean I need 2 14 oz jars? Or only 1?
Thank you and looking forward to making this dip! 🙂
Thank you so much for posting this. It’s become a favorite in my family. I especially appreciate the “tip” u give like not using fake crab meat since it contains wheat. This is 1 o the best recipes for a dip I have ever made.
Thanks so much for the 5 stars. Glad you found the tip useful too.
Always popular when I make this one! Comes out perfect every time!
How far in advance could I make this before actually baking it?
I would recommend assembling it the day before.
OK, I just finally saw the part about subbing with sour cream. That works! Looks delish!
Made this for a holiday party and people could not stop talking about it! Such a hit ! Very good, very easy to make. Saving this for any and all gatherings in the future.
Yay!! I’m so glad it was such a hit!
Do you use canned artichoke
Yes
We eat our share of crab dip … I love that you add the red pepper into the mixture! What a great touch!
Will be trying your version this holiday season!
I hope you enjoy! Happy holidays!
This sounds like a great appetizer to serve on gamedays!
Definitely!
Oh man, I have got to make this for my fiance! He orders crab dip whenever we go out, but we’ve never made one at home! Pinning to my must try board now!
I hope he enjoys it, Lauren!
Omg that looks so good. The recipe is easy and perfect for the holiday season. I am super amazed at your dips collection towards the bottom of the post.
Thanks, Sonal! We love entertaining!
My family would love this dip! I can never resist artichoke hearts.
It’s so good!!
Pro tip, put it into a gallon ziploc squeeze out all the air pockets then freeze by packing in dry ice. It will be solid in about 15 to 20 minutes at the most. I always use dry ice to freeze crab, spot prawns and the fish I catch. The colder and faster you freeze your catch the better it is. Dry ice is available at some grocery stores and most welding supply places. It costs about 6 to 10$ a pound, I use 2 lbs to freeze 15 Dungeness crabs shelled and packed in 8 oz food saver vac seal bags. 6 months later it is a great winter treat.