Enjoy this stove top hot crab dip for holidays, game day or weekend parties! It’s the perfect stovetop crab dip recipe that doesn’t require the oven.

Hot Crab Dip Recipe in ramekin

Hot Crab Dip Recipe

I’m often impatient in the kitchen when it comes to having to use the oven to bake a simple dish. Just the thought of having to pre-heat the oven makes me cringe at the waste of time and energy it takes to create a simple meal. It’s a relief for me to be able to adapt a dish that is traditionally baked in the oven to be cooked on the stove.  I just love cooking on top of fire, like the way the cavemen did it long ago.

But trust me, not all oven baked dishes can be adapted to the stove top. I’ve tried and failed on a number of occasions because the slow baked and crust inspired result of certain dishes just can’t be duplicated on the stove top, otherwise known as — Stovetop Fail. Some dishes just need to stay in the oven. And I will absolutely respect that! But it doesn’t mean that I won’t continue trying.

Hot Crab Dip Recipe with bread
how to make cheesy dip

Slowly brown onions and add crab meat. Extra touches of fresh parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice and mayo make this extra special.

how to make cheesy dip

Can you Make this Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can certainly make this ahead of time. Then when you’re ready to serve, just warm the dip on the stove until everything is melty and combined. If you have any leftover crab dip, just store it in an air tight container.

Secret for Stove Top Recipe for Crab Dip

Why is stove top crab dip recipe so good? Simply said, it’s the browning of the onions and crabmeat. Slowly cooking the onions to a caramel and then adding the crab meat creates a deadly combination of flavor that can’t be duplicated in the oven. That’s it. It’s not rocket science to imagine the flavors of the browned onions and lump crab meat. Add a few pleasant dollops of mayo and fresh parmesan cheese, you’ve got yourself a quick and easy stovetop dip to feed to the hungry masses. They’ll applaud you till the last bit of  rich decadance is swiped off the bowl.

This bubbly hot stovetop crab dip is especially appreciated on those sweltering hot days when you don’t want to turn on the oven, but are still craving a creamy hot and cheesy appetizer. So there’s another great reason to go oven-less.

Live love life. Eat more cheesy dips.

diane

Hot Crab Dip Recipe with spoon

Creamy Hot Crab Dip on the Stovetop

Add more or less crab to your liking. Personally, the more and the bigger of chunks of lump crab the better for us.
5 from 11 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) oil
  • 1 cup (160 g) diced onion (about 1 small onion)
  • 8 ounces (227 g) lump crab meat , drained (or more crab to preference)
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) fresh lemon juice , or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper , or to taste
  • 8 ounces (227 g) cream cheese (softened)(1 package)
  • 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise

Instructions 

  • Heat skillet on medium heat. Add oil and onion. Slowly cook onion until soft, slightly brown and fragrant. Continue to caramelize the onions if you like, but don't let them burn.
  • Turn heat to low, add the crab, and gently stir the crab into the onions. Cook for about 1 minute.
  • Add Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and mayonnaise. Gently stir until all the cheese is melted and bubbly. Cook for about 5 minutes or until all ingredients are melted and combined well.
  • Taste for seasoning and add extra lemon juice or other seasonings if desired. Make sure you have a plentiful amount of black pepper. Serve the dip hot with crackers, chips or crusty bread.

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 298kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 57mg, Sodium: 654mg, Potassium: 171mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 508IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 160mg, Iron: 0.5mg

More Easy Stove Top Recipes

Aside from a few of my failed attempts, I’ve had some gratifying stove top triumphs, like my stove top macaroni and cheese recipe and stove top spinach dip. Now adding to my short and sweet list of stove top gluttony is this creamy hot crab dip.