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Maryland Crab Dip Pretzel Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 55 reviews
  • Author: Diane
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Enjoy a creamy and flavorful Maryland Crab Dip served warm with soft pretzels. This easy-to-make appetizer combines lump crab meat with a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and seasonings for a delicious seafood dip perfect for gatherings or game day.


Ingredients

Scale

Crab Dip

  • 8 oz lump crab meat
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • ¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Pinch garlic salt
  • Old Bay seasoning, to taste

Serve With

  • 2 jumbo fresh soft pretzels (found in the bread aisle)


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for warming the dip.
  2. Mix Base Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, and milk. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
  3. Add Crab and Seasonings: Gently fold in the lump crab meat, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic salt, and Old Bay seasoning. Be careful to keep the crab intact for texture.
  4. Transfer to Baking Dish: Place the crab mixture into an oven-safe dish, spreading evenly to ensure consistent heating.
  5. Bake the Dip: Bake the crab dip in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the top is slightly browned and the dip is bubbling around the edges.
  6. Prepare Pretzels: While the dip bakes, warm the pretzels as desired—oven warming or brief microwave heating works well.
  7. Serve: Remove the crab dip from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve warm immediately with the soft pretzels for dipping.

Notes

  • You can substitute Old Bay seasoning with a seafood spice blend if preferred.
  • For a spicier kick, add finely chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the dip mixture.
  • If lump crab meat is unavailable, you may use imitation crab, though the flavor will differ.
  • Soft pretzels can be replaced with crusty bread or crackers as dipping options.
  • Make sure cream cheese is softened for easier mixing and a smoother dip texture.