Hot Smoked Crab Dip Recipe

If you love a good dip that is easy and super flavorful then you have to make this Crab Dip Recipe. Minimal ingredients all smoked low and slow.

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Appetizers, some of the best appetizers that I have had have been smoked and this Crab Dip Recipe is one of my absolute favorites.

I love smoking all year long. When people think about smoking things they usually think about meats and main dishes, well that is not all that you can smoke. Take this dip for example.

With some simple ingredients, you get yourself a real crowd pleaser. It might just be the best way to enjoy a great dip.

It combines cheese, crab, and other easy and flavorful ingredients that get a delicious smoky flavor that you will absolutely fall in love with.

This dip has a nice little spicy kick alongside the smoke which really ties this together. Add in the cheese and crab and you have yourself one heck of an appetizer.

I’m a huge lover of crab so this delicious hot crab dip has been one that we have been making for a long while now, we love our smoker and use it as much as we can.

It is one of those recipes that gets asked to be made all the time, I’m sure we all have those. This is one for me and I’m always happy to make this Crab Dip Recipe!

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Jump to:

• WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
• INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
• HOW TO MAKE CRAB DIP RECIPE:
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• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
• IS THIS SPICY?
• CAN I USE IMITATION CRAB MEAT?
• I DON’T HAVE A SMOKER, CAN I BAKE THIS?
• ANY ADDITIONS?
• ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
• HOW TO STORE:
• DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
• Hot Smoked Crab Dip Recipe

1. With minimal and easily available ingredients this is quick to throw together. The perfect party appetizer!
2. This cooks low and slow so you have time to prepare other things while this cooks.
3. You can bake this if you do not have a smoker. You’ll still get rave reviews.

• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Garlic
• Old bay seasoning
• Worcestershire sauce
• Lemon juice, fresh squeezed
• Chives
• Hot sauce, optional
• Lump crab meat

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1. Prepare your smoker and preheat to 250°F.
2. In a large bowl, whip the cream cheese until smooth with an electric hand mixer. 
3. Add the sour cream and mayonnaise, mix until smooth. 
4. Add 1 cup of the cheese, garlic, old bay, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, chives, and optional hot sauce, mix until smooth. 
5. Lastly add the crab meat and fold it in gently, trying not to break up the crab.
6. Spread the mixture into an 8 to 9-inch baking dish or cast-iron skillet. Top with the remaining cheese. 
7. Smoke for 1 ½ to 2 hours until bubbly, the cheese is melted, and it is slightly golden on top. 
8. Serve immediately with a garnish of more chives with your favorite dippers!

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IS THIS SPICY?

No, we only use 1 teaspoon of hot sauce in this recipe so just enough for you to taste it.

If you like spicier you can add more, if you don’t like spicy you can leave as is or omit completely.

CAN I USE IMITATION CRAB MEAT?

Yes, you can, it will taste different than if you were to use the lump crabmeat but if you are looking for something more budget-friendly then imitation can be used.

When you buy imitation make sure you are buying the same weight and you can get them in shreds or if you buy the sticks make sure you chop it up some.

You can also use little shrimp if you’d like.

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I DON’T HAVE A SMOKER, CAN I BAKE THIS?

Yes absolutely!

We realize that not everyone has a smoker but would still want to make this Easy Crab Dip recipe. So you can still bake it.

To bake preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

ANY ADDITIONS?

Yup! The best crab dip is the one you make your own!

• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Add a melty top layer for an even more cheesy dip vibe.
• Extra hot sauce: If you like a spicy crab dip, give it a splash more for a bolder kick.
• Minced green onions: On top (or stirred in) for fresh color and crunch—like you’d find in maryland crab dip or crab rangoon.
• Cajun seasoning: Sprinkle a little for a best flavor twist, especially if you love that southern heat.
• Parmesan cheese: Mix in or sprinkle over the creamy base for that salty, nutty finish.
• Tiny diced red bell peppers: Great for color and sweetness without overpowering the flavor of the crab.
• Chopped spinach: Turn it into a spin on classic spinach artichoke dip but with delicious crab.
• Lemon zest: Just a pinch on top to really bring out the brightness of the fresh lemon juice.
• Tabasco or sriracha: Another way to add extra heat if you’re a spice lover.
• Fresh cilantro or fresh parsley: Top the dip after smoking or baking for that last burst of color and herbiness.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

I’m a fan of ritz crackers with a dip like this. How about you?

• Imitation crab: If fresh crab meat (like jumbo lump crab meat) isn’t in your budget or not at your grocery store, this can be a good option—though you’ll lose some of that real crab taste.
• Low-fat cream cheese: If you’re watching calories, you can swap for a lighter cream cheese, but it might alter the creamy dip texture.
• Different cheese blend: Try cheddar + mozzarella instead of sharp cheddar for a lighter, stretchy cheese pull.
• Greek yogurt or plain yogurt in place of sour cream if that’s all you have on hand—still keeps a tangy edge.
• Red onion for chives: If you’re out of chives, finely diced onion can add that oniony flavor to your filling mixture.
• Ground mustard in place of Worcestershire sauce if you’re looking for a tangy zip but want to avoid fish-based sauce.

This can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container where it will keep for up to 4-5 days. You can reheat in the microwave. 

This can also be frozen! To do that place cooled dip in a freezer container where it will keep for up to 3 months.

To reheat, let defrost in the refrigerator overnight and then place in a baking dish and bake in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes until warmed through.

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Want an appetizer that comes together quickly but is cooked low and slow?

Then you need to try my Crab Dip Recipe.

If you’ve tried this CRAB DIP RECIPE let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!