Ingredients
Dip Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish
- 1 ½ teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 pound fresh lump crab meat, picked over for shells
For Serving (Optional)
- Crackers
- Tortilla chips
- Vegetables such as carrot sticks, celery, cucumber slices, or bell pepper strips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and position a rack in the center to ensure even baking.
- Prepare the Dip Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth and creamy. Stir in the minced garlic, chopped chives, Old Bay seasoning, granulated garlic, sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, lemon juice, hot sauce, white cheddar cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Gently fold in the fresh lump crab meat, taking care not to break up the chunks.
- Assemble the Dip: Transfer the crab mixture into a 9-inch pie dish or a cast-iron skillet. Evenly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top to create a golden cheese crust when baked.
- Bake the Dip: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, lightly golden, and the dip is bubbling around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dip from the oven and garnish with additional fresh chives. Serve immediately with crackers, tortilla chips, and fresh vegetables for dipping.
- Alternative Serving Option: For a cold version, skip baking altogether. Cover the assembled dip and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and chill before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce according to your heat preference to make the dip spicier or milder.
- This dip can be prepared ahead of time. Assemble it in the morning, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- If baking straight from the refrigerator, add an extra 5 minutes to the baking time to ensure thorough heating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
