Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (2024)

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If you’re from Maryland then, more than likely, you grew up eating our state’s delicious, traditional hot crab dip recipe.

However, if you’re not from Maryland and you’re wondering what’s so great about this recipe, well, just keep reading.

Maryland Hot Crab Dip

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (1)

Assuming that you’ve been a regular reader of ours, you’ve probably noticed a common thread throughout our blog:

  • We are Maryland proud!
  • Our state flag is the best of the best!
  • We love us some seafood – especially Chesapeake blue crabs!

Because after all, Maryland is for Crabs! It’s our state’s motto.

We’ve already posted several crab recipes on this site, like our:

  • Traditional Maryland Crab Soup
  • Maryland Crab Pizza
  • Crab Salad
  • Crab Cakes
  • Cream of Crab Soup
  • Traditional Maryland Crab Imperial
  • Air Fryer Crab Cakes
  • Crab Stuffed Salmon

These crab recipes have been so well received that we figured we should build upon them in our recipe database.

Therefore, we plan to add more traditional Maryland recipes in the coming weeks and months.

So stay tuned!

Hot Crab Dip Ingredients

As you can see in the picture below, this recipe doesn’t require any ingredients that are hard to find.

However, I did not use the paprika that’s pictured.

Instead, I used Old Bay Seasoning which has paprika in it.

If, for some reason, you prefer a different seasoning, here are 8 substitutes for Old Bay Seasoning.

On the contrary, you can find all of the ingredients at your local grocery store.

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (2)

One of the reasons I love to make this hot crab dip is because of how super easy to make.

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (3)

All you have to do is combine all of the ingredients except for the crab meat and a portion of the shredded cheddar cheese.

In addition, it’s best, but not absolutely necessary, to use a mixer so that the cream cheese is well blended.

Once that’s blended, then you’ll fold in your crab meat by hand with a large spoon.

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (4)

Notably, a special ingredient that we Marylanders like to use a lot is Old Bay Seasoning.

Surprisingly, I forgot to include it in the first photo with the ingredients.

But, it’s one of the most important ingredients besides the crab meat in this traditional Maryland hot crab dip recipe!

Old Bay Seasoning is a super popular item ’round these parts!

Even our local Aldi sells it.

Clearly, you can’t eat anything crab related without this must-have spice!

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (5)

For us, the more the better.

I sparingly sprinkle Old Bay Seasoning on top of the dip before baking.

However, I also keep the Old Bay right next to the dip when it’s time to eat it because inevitably someone is going to want to sprinkle more on!

Once you’ve prepared the dip, place it in the oven and bake it for 30 minutes.

What Goes Well With Crab Dip?

So what do you dip into hot crab dip?

Well, you can dip lots of things into it.

As a matter of fact, there are so many things (38 to be exact) you can serve with crab dip that I wrote a blog post, What To Serve with Crab Dip!

We’ve eaten it with:

  • Ritz Crackers
  • Toasted pita wedges
  • Celery
  • Toasted slices of baguette bread
  • Even parmesan crisps for those of us who eat low carb (me!)
Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (6)

Oh my goodness, I’m telling you, there is nothing quite like this hot crab dip!

My hubby is also from Maryland and loves crabs.

Therefore, he couldn’t wait for me to take it hot out of the oven and place it on the kitchen island.

Needless to say, I had to ask him to restrain himself until I could take some pictures.

After that, I told him to go ahead and dig in!

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (7)

My son is a chip off the old block, so he couldn’t wait to dig in either.

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (8)

Mmm! So good!

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (9)

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (10)

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe

Housewives of Frederick County

Maryland is for crabs and this Hot Crab Dip Recipe is a traditional favorite!

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 29 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Dip, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Crab Meat
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese, Softened
  • ½ cup Sour Cream
  • 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 ¼ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • ½ tsp Dry Mustard
  • ¼ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 pinch Garlic Salt
  • 2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, and garlic salt until smooth.

  • Stir in 2 tbsp of shredded cheddar cheese.

  • Fold crab meat into the mixture.

  • Pour mixture into a 1 quart casserole dish.

  • Top with remaining cheese, or more. But not too much because you don't want the cheese to overtake the taste of the crab.

  • Sprinkle Old Bay Seasoning on top of the crab dip sparingly.

  • Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes or until the top is browned.

  • Serve with crackers, toasted bread, celery sticks, or parmesan crisps. And of course keep the Old Bay Seasoning handy for extra shakes!

Keyword crab dip, crab meat, hot crab dip, maryland hot crab dip, old bay, old bay seasoning

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (11)

For more Maryland themed posts, click on over to:

28 Crab Meat Recipes You Don’t Have To Be A Marylander To Love!

15 Popular Etsy Sellers in Frederick Md For Your Next Gift Purchase

Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (12)
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Pam is married and has a son – a senior in high school. She's been a Fredericktonian since 1999. In her free time, Pam loves going to yard sales and estate sales and finding hidden treasures. read more...

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Maryland Hot Crab Dip Recipe: A Traditional Maryland Favorite - Housewives of Frederick County (2024)

FAQs

What is a maryland style crab? ›

T. here are few things more quintessentially Baltimore than Maryland blue crabs. (The name comes from the color of their claws, but once cooked they turn a red-orange.) And while they can be found in the waters along the entire East Coast, Marylanders have perfected the art of eating them.

What to serve with Maryland crab? ›

Crabs go nicely with vegetables, typically broccoli, asparagus, carrots, brussels sprouts, and corn. A well-balanced dinner combines crabs with raw, grilled, boiled, steamed, and roasted vegetables.

What is Maryland's most famous crab seasoning? ›

J.O.

The #2 Blend is easily the most widely used crab blend. This blend is what most crab houses use every single day. The #2 Blend is certainly a main stay when it comes to Maryland Steamed Crabs. If you haven't had it before or if you need some you can grab some from here.

What seasoning is on Maryland crabs? ›

The J.O. brand crab seasonings are used in almost every crab house and restaurant on the East coast that serves Maryland steamed crabs and is the preferred crab seasoning around the Chesapeake Bay area. The J.O. Crab Seasoning is a custom blend using ingredients and a special salt, which adhere to the steamed crab.

What is a number 1 crab in Maryland? ›

The #1 Male crab, also known as a “Jimmy”, are typically the most sought after type of crab. They typically range from 5 ½ – 6 ¼ inches. They are easily identified by their blue claws and inverted t-shaped apron which resembles the Washington Monument. #1 Males tend to have flakier meat.

What color are Maryland crabs famous for? ›

Key Distinguishing Markings: Blue crabs have a brilliant blue color on their front claws (tips are red on females) with an olive or bluish-green carapace.

What goes with crab dip? ›

Sometimes served on soft pretzels and sometimes baked in a skillet, but always a must-have order. We eat it on chicken (usually called “Chicken Chesapeake”) or in quesadillas, but the best way to serve hot cheesy crab dip is with fresh bread, pita wedges, celery, and/or sturdy crackers.

What makes Maryland crabs different? ›

Maryland crabs are the best because of the “mustard” as we call it, that bright yellow liquid, that sweetens the meat of the crab. This is actually the hepatopancreas, a main component of the crab's digestive system that looks like tubes acting as the crabs liver and pancreas.

What's so special about Maryland crabs? ›

The “Mustard”

What makes it so unique, though, is that the climate helps improve the taste and amount of fat located in the crabs. Maryland blue crabs hibernate in the Chesapeake Bay throughout winter, which allows them the luxury of building additional fat reserves that have a distinct look and taste.

Is Maryland crab the same as blue crab? ›

There is actually not much difference between them—all the crabs that come from these states are blue crab. The difference is mostly in how they are cooked.

Why are Maryland crabs so expensive? ›

The Crab Supply Chain

Before crab reaches your dinner plate, it goes through an extensive supply chain involving fishermen, wholesalers, dealers, transporters, and retailers. Each player adds their own cost, often leading to increased crab prices.

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