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Spinach and Crab Seafood Dip Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://todayquickmeals.com/spinach-and-crab-seafood-dip-recipe/