A warm, bubbly seafood dip is a crowd-pleaser. This Creamy Seafood Spinach Dip blends tender shrimp and crab with velvety cream cheese, Parmesan, and tender spinach. It smells rich and garlicky as it bakes. The texture is silky with small bites of seafood. Serve it hot with crusty bread or sturdy chips for a simple party favorite.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving)
- Calories per serving: 390 kcal
- Protein: 16 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fat: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
Why Make This Creamy Seafood Spinach Dip
This dip cooks quickly and fills the kitchen with inviting aromas. The cream cheese base stays silky while Parmesan adds a savory note and garlic gives it a bright kick. Shrimp and crab bring a sweet, briny flavor and a meaty bite. It works for game day, a casual party, or a cozy night in. The dip reheats well and still tastes rich and creamy.
How to Make Creamy Seafood Spinach Dip
Make sure seafood is cooked and drained. Chop the shrimp and shred the crab. Soften the cream cheese to make mixing smooth. Mix until the dip is creamy, then bake until hot and bubbly. Finish with a little extra Parmesan if you like a browned top.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
- 1 cup cooked crab meat, shredded
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chips or bread for serving
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Chop the cooked shrimp and shred the crab meat. Chop the spinach and mince the garlic. Soften the cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing.
Step 2: Mixing
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Beat or stir until smooth and creamy. Stir in the chopped spinach, shrimp, crab meat, Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Cooking
Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until the dip is hot and bubbling and the top shows light golden spots.
Step 4: Finishing
Remove from the oven and let the dip rest for 3–5 minutes. This helps it set slightly and makes serving easier. Serve warm with chips, sliced baguette, or crunchy vegetables.
How to Serve Creamy Seafood Spinach Dip
Spoon the hot dip into a shallow bowl and place it on a platter with dippers. Crunchy pita chips, toasted baguette slices, sturdy tortilla chips, or raw vegetable sticks work well. For a fancier spread, serve with lemon wedges and chopped parsley on top. If you like a garlicky kick, serve alongside roasted garlic toast. If you love creamy cheese appetizers, try this creamy boursin cheese appetizer for another rich option: Creamy Boursin Cheese Appetizer.
How to Store Creamy Seafood Spinach Dip
- Refrigerator: Cool the dip to room temperature, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through or microwave in short bursts, stirring often.
- Freezer: You can freeze the dip in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Note: texture may change slightly after freezing; stir well when reheating.
Expert Tips for Perfect Creamy Seafood Spinach Dip
- Dry spinach well: Fresh spinach releases water. Squeeze or pat it dry so the dip stays thick.
- Use real seafood when possible: Fresh or quality cooked shrimp and lump crab give better texture and flavor than imitation.
- Room-temperature dairy mixes better: Soften the cream cheese before mixing to avoid lumps.
- Low-sodium options: Use low-sodium mayonnaise and Parmesan if you watch salt. Taste before adding salt.
- Brown the top: For a golden crust, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end—watch closely to avoid burning.
- Add acid: A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens the flavors.
- Serve hot: The dip is best warm and bubbly. It tastes creamier when heated.
Delicious Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add 1–2 teaspoons of chopped jalapeño or 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Cheesy Blend: Stir in 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack for extra melt.
- Bacon Crab Spinach: Sprinkle cooked, crumbled bacon on top before serving for smoky crunch.
- Lobster Upgrade: Replace crab with cooked lobster meat for a luxurious version.
- Stovetop Version: Gently warm everything in a skillet until hot for a no-bake option. Finish under the broiler for a browned top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp and crab?
A: Yes. Thaw fully and pat dry before using. If raw, cook them first. Excess moisture from thawed seafood will thin the dip, so dry well.
Q: Can I make this dip ahead of time?
A: Yes. Prepare the mixture and refrigerate in the baking dish, covered, for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready. Add a few extra minutes to baking time if cold from the fridge.
Q: Is this dip safe for people with shellfish allergies?
A: No. This recipe contains shellfish (shrimp and crab). For allergic guests, make a separate, seafood-free dip using smoked salmon or only cheese and spinach.
Q: How can I make the dip less rich?
A: Use reduced-fat cream cheese, light sour cream, and light mayonnaise. Use less mayo or replace some mayo with plain Greek yogurt for tang and protein.
Q: Can I bake this dip in individual portions?
A: Yes. Divide the mixture into small ramekins and bake for 12–18 minutes, until hot. Individual portions make attractive appetizers and shorten bake time.
Q: Will freezing change the texture?
A: Freezing can slightly change the texture of dairy. It still tastes good after thawing and reheating, but the dip may be a touch grainier. Stir well when reheating.
Conclusion
This Creamy Seafood Spinach Dip is a simple, flavorful appetizer that fills your kitchen with warm, savory aromas and delivers a smooth, briny bite of shrimp and crab. It’s easy to make, easy to customize, and always popular at gatherings. For another tasty shrimp-and-spinach idea, check out this recipe: Cheesy Shrimp and Spinach Dip – Spicy Southern Kitchen. Enjoy baking it, sharing it, and making it your own.
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Creamy Seafood Spinach Dip
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A warm, bubbly seafood dip that blends tender shrimp and crab with creamy cheese and spinach, perfect for parties.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
- 1 cup cooked crab meat, shredded
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chips or bread for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Chop the cooked shrimp and shred the crab meat. Chop the spinach and mince the garlic. Soften the cream cheese at room temperature.
- In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Beat until smooth and creamy. Stir in the spinach, shrimp, crab meat, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe baking dish and spread evenly. Bake for 20–25 minutes until hot and bubbly with light golden spots on top.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3–5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with chips or a sliced baguette.
Notes
For a fancier touch, serve with lemon wedges and chopped parsley. This dip reheats well and can be prepared ahead of time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
