This Seafood Dip is super super easy and tasty! There’s a rich cream cheese base that’s topped with seafood sauce, imitation crab and plenty of fresh veggies, dill and zesty lemon!
This seafood dip was originally posted in September 2015, but has been updated with new pics, recipe details and some small tweaks in the recipe.
Hey friends!
Today I’m re-sharing a favourite easy peasy imitation crab dip with you guys.
It literally takes about 10 minutes to whip up (which makes it a fabulous candidate for taking to parties this summer).
And, I don’t know about you, but whenever I see a delicious dip at a party, I gravitate towards it. I’m pretty sure I could make an entire meal out of dip. You too?
What Goes in this Seafood Dip
- Cream cheese
- Mayo
- Plenty of fresh lemon juice (and zest) to brighten things up
- Seafood (cocktail) sauce
- Imitation crab
- Veggies, like celery and green onion
- Dill & a little black pepper
How to Make This Dip
Basically, this seafood dip has a creamy base and is topped with everything else. Super duper easy! So, all ya have to do is…
- Place softened cream cheese in a food processor
- Add mayo
- Pour in fresh lemon juice
- Blend until smooth, combined & creamy
- Start layering seafood dip – spread cream cheese mixture evenly onto a large platter (about 12-inch platter)
- Spoon over seafood sauce
- Sprinkle imitation crab over top
- Top with chopped celery
- Green onion goes next
- Sprinkle over some black pepper and dill (dried or fresh)
- Give an extra squeeze of lemon juice over top
- Sprinkle with some fresh lemon zest for extra lemon flavour
- Enjoy!
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Can I Use Another Type of Seafood?
Absolutely!
This dip is made with imitation crab (which is super convenient) because it’s all ready to use when you are.
If you don’t like imitation crab, though, you have other options (which is always a good thing, if you ask me). Other delicious options are –
- Chopped cooked fresh crab
- Small cooked shrimp, roughly chopped
Tip: If you opt to use frozen shrimp that are already cooked, thaw them, chop and squeeze any excess water out of ’em with a tea towel before adding to the dip.
Can I Make this Cream Cheese Dip Ahead of Time?
You bet!
This seafood dip can be made a few hours (or a day) ahead.
Just prepare, cover and place in your refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy.
How Long Does this Dip Last
Store leftovers (covered) in the fridge and enjoy within 2 to 3 days.
What to Serve with this Dip
- I love to serve this seafood cream cheese dip with crackers. Nothing fancy, it just works.
- However, if you are a fan of chips, you can totally use those instead.
- If you’d rather keep things lower carb, serve with your fave veggies.
Tip: Serve as part as a seafood platter with some other seafood faves when entertaining. This smoked salmon appetizer would be lovely to go along with
More Tips & Variations for Making this Imitation Crab Dip
Ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature so it blends well with the mayo and lemon juice.
Chop the imitation crab, celery and green onion small. Nobody wants big chunks when dipping.
The variety of seafood sauce (aka ‘cocktail sauce’) you use will impact how ‘zesty’ the seafood dip is. I like to use seafood sauces with lots of horseradish, but you use whatever you prefer.
Kick it up a notch with this great seafood sauce/cocktail sauce (from Champagne Tastes), if you want to make your own.
Both dried dill or fresh dill works. Use whatever you have. Just remember, if using fresh you want about 1/3 more (dried is more potent).
You can use sour cream or yogurt in place of mayo if you like.
Zest lemon before juicing (it’s way easier to get the zest off that way).
Don’t have a lemon zester? Use a box grater on the smallest size.
Other Easy Dip Recipes you May Enjoy
Hope you love this easy seafood dip as much as we do!
Until next time take care and chit chat again soon,
Dawn
Make this imitation crab dip? That’s awesome! Love it if you left a comment below. Many thanks!
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Seafood Dip (made in about 10 minutes!)
Ingredients
- 250 gram package light cream cheese , softened
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 lemon , divided (zest & juice (zest before juicing))
- 1/2 cup seafood sauce (aka 'cocktail sauce')
- 1/2 pound crab flavoured alaskan polluck (also known as 'imitation crab', chopped (about 230 grams))
- 1 stalk celery , chopped small
- 3 stalks green onion , chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- chopped fresh dill (garnish, optional)
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine cream cheese with mayo and juice from half a lemon until combined and smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes. Spread mixture evenly over a round plate, about 12 inches in diametre.
- Next, spread seafood sauce/cocktail sauce evenly over cream cheese mixture.
- Top with imitation crab, then celery, green onion, dill and pepper. Squeeze about 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice over the dip from remaining half of lemon. Sprinkle with lemon zest and garnish with fresh dill, if using. Serve with your favourite crackers or chips. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature so it blends well with the mayo and lemon juice.
- Chop the imitation crab, celery and green onion small.
- The variety of seafood sauce (aka ‘cocktail sauce’) you use will affect how ‘zesty’ the seafood dip is. Use what you enjoy!
- Both dried dill or fresh dill works. Use whatever you have. Just remember, if using fresh you want about 1/3 more (dried is more potent).
- You can use sour cream or yogurt in place of mayo if you like.
- Zest your lemon before juicing
- For more tips and variations, please see body of post above.
Nutrition (estimate only)
Seafood dips take me back to my childhood. We always had them at family get-togethers! This one is sure to be a crowd pleaser this summer. And gotta love the convenience of imitation crab!
Definitely!! Thanks so much, Leanne 🙂
You had me at seafood dip…then again at 10 minutes! This recipe is a crowd pleasing winner, a nice cold appetizer on a hot day and I really appreciate the ease and speed of prep. Thanks!
Lol…right 🙂 ?? Thanks Sabrina!
Yum! I bet this dip would disappear in a hot second at picnics and potlucks! Pinned to try this summer!
Definitely! Thank you Marissa! Hope you love it 🙂
10 minutes! Love a quick, easy and delicious recipe – perfect for summertime potlucks too!
Totally! Thanks Jessica 🙂
Perfect for summer entertaining!!! Seafood and nice weather always go good together!!
Definitely! Thanks Julia 🙂
What a fantastic idea for a “different” dip, definitely a must try over here! Love how fast it all comes together as well!
Thanks so much, Kevin! It’s a yummy one 🙂
I’m glad you re-posted this one because I never would have seen it! Seafood! Yum. Seafood is always better in the summer, don’t you think!? This dip looks like a great summer snack!!
Thanks Katherine!! It sure is 🙂
Dawn, what a lovely dip! I’d be standing at the buffet table with you just scooping up the dip! So good, and such a simple recipe! On my list!
Yay! Thank you Laura! Hope you love it 🙂
I am with you….wherever the dip is located – you’re sure to find me! Especially if it’s this one! This looks amazing, my friend!! xoxo
Woo hoo! Thank you so much, Annie! XOXO
Perfect for summertime parties! Although I might just have to make it for myself and not share it at all! 🙂
Hahaha…I can’t blame ya there 😉 Thanks Kathy!
Give me a box of crackers and I’m SO down for this seafood dip! I love that its layered and that cream cheese layer looks so insanely creamy! YUM! I love this idea as an appetizer for Summer…so refreshing and delish! Great one as always, girl! Happy Monday! Xo
Right??! Thank you Haylie! XOXO
This would be a total hit at the beach Dawn! And takes only 10 minutes?! I’m so in. Pinned and can’t wait to try!
Yep! So happy to hear that! Enjoy, my friend 🙂
What a fun recipe idea, Dawn! This is super easy, and it would be great for summer gatherings with friends. I love the flavor profile here! Also, I spent the weekend with a Newfie at a curling tournament, and I totally pulled out a couple of your “Speak like a Newfie” lines. #NotKidding We also spent some time looking through some of your traditional Newfoundland recipes. 🙂 I hope you had a great weekend, my friend!
Yes! That’s too funny, David! You’ll be visiting Newfoundland one day, I’m sure! Hope your week is going great 🙂 Thanks so much!
Yes please! Loving everything about this dip. So pretty, delicious and I’m loving the ready in 10 minutes part 🙂
Can never go wrong with an easy dip recipe, right?? Thanks so much, Jennifer!
Italians would probably say that seafood and fish don’t go well together while I’d say sometimes it’s a perfect combo. Certainly, you’ve proved my statement 🙂 I’ll definitely need to try this dip. Probably, I’ll adjust the idea by using my favourite smoked mussels / oysters, too. Well done!
Hope you love it! It’s definitely versatile with seafood options. Thanks so much 🙂
If this is even half as delicious as it is pretty, it’s a huge hit! Love this combination of ingredients and I’m all about dips and salsas with chips during the summer. Just hand me a cocktail and I’m all set. 😉 Cheers! ~Valentina
Awww – thank you so much!! You’re so kind 🙂
This sounds so good!!!! I’m always up for a good dip, and I love me some seafood 😀 I need to try this for my next par-tay!
Yay! Hope you love it, Sarah!