Crab dip facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Crab dip

Crab dip served with flatbread
Alternative names	Maryland crab dip
Type	Dip
Place of origin	United States
Region or state	Maryland
Serving temperature	Hot
Main ingredients	Crab and cream cheese
Ingredients generally used	Mayonnaise

Crab dip is a yummy, creamy dip often called Maryland crab dip. It's usually made with cream cheese and tasty crab meat. Sometimes, people add mayonnaise too. This dip is usually served warm, often baked or broiled, but you can find cold versions as well. It's a popular appetizer (a small dish before the main meal) and goes great with crackers or different kinds of bread. You can find crab dip in many restaurants and even buy it ready-made in stores.

What's in Crab Dip?

Crab dip gets its name from its main ingredient: crab! You can use fresh, frozen, or even canned crab meat to make it. Different parts of the crab are used, like the big "jumbo lump" pieces or smaller "backfin" meat.

People also use different kinds of crabs, such as:

• Blue crabs: These are very common in Maryland.
• Dungeness crab: Found on the West Coast of the U.S.
• Alaska king crab: These are huge crabs from cold waters.

Other Tasty Ingredients

Besides crab and cream cheese, many recipes add other things to make the dip even better.

• Some dips use mayonnaise or other cheeses like pepper jack, brie, or Cheddar.
• You might find other seafood mixed in, like lobster or shrimp.
• Extra ingredients can include mushrooms, artichokes, onions, or green peppers.
• Sometimes, bread crumbs (like panko) are sprinkled on top. When baked, these crumbs get crispy and golden.
• For extra flavor, some chefs add Old Bay Seasoning, which is a popular spice mix.
• If you like a kick, some crab dips are made spicy with hot sauce or red pepper.

• Crab dips
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  Warm crab dip with cheddar cheese

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  Warm crab and lobster dip served with bread

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  Close-up view of the same crab and lobster dip

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  Close-up of crab dip, with a crab atop

How Crab Dip is Made and Served

Many restaurants in the U.S. serve crab dip. You can also buy it already made in stores, thanks to mass-producing companies. A cool thing about crab dip is that you can prepare it ahead of time, keep it in the fridge, and then cook it later when you're ready to eat.

Serving Ideas

Crab dip is super versatile! Here are some ways it's often served:

• In a bread bowl: Sometimes, the dip is served inside a hollowed-out loaf of bread, like sourdough.
• With dippers: It's perfect with crackers, flatbread, pita bread, crostini (small toasted bread slices), pretzels, or even sliced vegetables.

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  Crab dip being baked in a toaster oven

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  Crab dip served with vegetables

Crab Dip at Sports Stadiums

Did you know you can even find crab dip at some sports stadiums?

• At Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., where the Washington Nationals baseball team plays, they offer a special sandwich called "The DMV." It has a hot dog, Maryland crab dip, and Virginia ham!
• Byrd Stadium (now called SECU Stadium) at the University of Maryland once planned to sell a huge soft pretzel baked with crab dip and melted cheese. This big pretzel was meant to be shared by four people! They also offered other crab dishes like nachos and "crab fries."