Spinach and Crab Seafood Dip Recipe

Introduction

This Spinach and Crab Dip is a creamy, flavorful appetizer perfect for parties or cozy nights at home. Packed with seafood, fresh vegetables, and three kinds of cheese, it’s sure to impress your guests. Serve it warm with crunchy bread or crisp veggies for a delightful start to any meal.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces lump crab meat
• 16 ounces shrimp
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic and herb seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup white onion, finely diced
• 1/2 cup green pepper, finely diced
• 1/2 cup red pepper, finely diced
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
• 3.5 ounces Vermont white cheddar cheese, cubed
• 5.3 ounces Boursin Garlic & Herb Cheese, cubed
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 cups spinach, drained well
• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the shrimp by sprinkling garlic and herb seasoning, Cajun seasoning, and Old Bay over them. Squeeze lemon juice on top, stir well to combine, then cover and marinate in the refrigerator while preparing the vegetables.
2. Step 2: Finely dice the white onion, green pepper, and red pepper. Chop the green onions, separating the white and green parts. Set all aside. Cube the cream cheese, Vermont white cheddar, and Boursin cheese and set them aside as well.
3. Step 3: Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add butter. Pan-sear the shrimp until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side for jumbo shrimp. Add the lump crab meat and cook for 1 minute more. Drain any liquid and remove from heat.
4. Step 4: Cook the spinach until wilted, then drain thoroughly to remove excess water.
5. Step 5: In the same pan, cook the white parts of the green onions along with the diced onion, green pepper, and red pepper until translucent. Stir in the cubed cheeses and heavy whipping cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the cheese melts completely.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked shrimp, crab meat, spinach, and the green parts of the green onions to the cheese mixture. Stir until everything is well combined.
7. Step 7: Transfer the dip into a baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix the Panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese and sprinkle this mixture evenly over the dip.
8. Step 8: Bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Then broil on high for 2 to 5 minutes, turning the pan halfway through to brown the top evenly.
9. Step 9: Serve warm with sliced baguette, raw vegetables, or crackers.

Tips & Variations

• Use day-old bread to make your own homemade breadcrumbs for extra flavor and crunch.
• Substitute crab meat with cooked lobster or canned crab if fresh is not available.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• To keep the dip lighter, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt, but expect a slightly different texture.

Storage

Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through to avoid curdling the cheese. This dip can also be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dip ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dip mixture and store it in the refrigerator before baking. Bake it fresh just before serving for the best texture and flavor.

What can I serve with this seafood spinach dip?

This dip pairs well with warm baguette slices, crackers, pita chips, or fresh raw vegetables like celery, carrots, and bell peppers.

Spinach and Crab Seafood Dip Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 144 reviews

This Spinach and Crab Dip is a creamy, flavorful seafood appetizer combining tender shrimp, lump crab meat, fresh spinach, and a blend of three cheeses with a crispy breadcrumb topping. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, it’s ideal for entertaining or game day snacks.

• Author: Sienna
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Salt

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood

• 8 ounces lump crab meat
• 16 ounces shrimp
• 1 lemon, squeezed

Seasonings

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic and herb seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

Vegetables

• 1/2 cup white onion, finely diced
• 1/2 cup green pepper, finely diced
• 1/2 cup red pepper, finely diced
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped (white and green parts separated)
• 4 cups fresh spinach, well drained and wilted

Cheeses

• 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
• 3.5 ounces Vermont white cheddar cheese, cubed
• 5.3 ounces Boursin Garlic & Herb cheese, cubed
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Dairy & Fats

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

Topping

• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Marinate Shrimp: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). In a medium bowl, season the shrimp with garlic and herb seasoning, Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over them. Mix well to coat the shrimp evenly, then cover and refrigerate to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Prepare Vegetables and Cheese: Finely dice the white onion, green pepper, and red pepper. Chop the green onions, keeping the white parts separate from the green. Cube the cream cheese, Vermont white cheddar cheese, and Boursin garlic and herb cheese. Set all aside.
3. Sear Shrimp and Combine Seafood: Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add the butter. Pan-sear the marinated shrimp until they turn pink and are cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes per side for jumbo shrimp. Add the lump crab meat to the pan and cook for an additional 1 minute. Drain any excess liquid from the pan and set the seafood mixture aside.
4. Cook Spinach: In the same or a separate pan, cook the fresh spinach until wilted. Drain thoroughly to remove as much excess liquid as possible to avoid a watery dip.
5. Sauté Vegetables and Melt Cheese: Add the diced white onion, green pepper, red pepper, and the white parts of the green onions to the pan and sauté until they become translucent. Stir in the cubed cheeses and heavy whipping cream. Maintain medium heat and stir frequently, melting the cheeses completely to create a creamy base.
6. Combine Seafood and Spinach: Once the cheese mixture is smooth and melted, stir in the cooked shrimp and crab meat, wilted spinach, and the green parts of the green onions. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined into a creamy dip.
7. Assemble and Bake: Transfer the seafood and spinach dip mixture into a baking dish. In a separate bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese, then evenly sprinkle this mixture over the top of the dip.
8. Bake and Broil: Bake the dip in the preheated oven at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes until the topping is golden brown. To achieve a perfectly crisp and browned crust, broil on high for an additional 2 to 5 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even browning. Keep a close eye during broiling to prevent burning.
9. Serve: Remove the dip from the oven and serve warm with sliced baguette bread, raw vegetables, or crackers for dipping.

Notes

• Make sure to drain the spinach thoroughly after wilting to prevent the dip from becoming watery.
• Adjust the spice levels by modifying the amount of Cajun and Old Bay seasoning.
• If you prefer smaller breadcrumbs, pulse the Panko slightly in a food processor before topping.
• This dip can be prepared a day ahead; assemble and refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
• Use fresh seafood for best flavor or substitute with cooked shrimp and canned crab meat if necessary.

Keywords: Spinach Crab Dip, Seafood Dip, Baked Crab Dip, Shrimp Crab Dip, Appetizer, Party Dip, Creamy Crab Dip, Cheese Dip