Mediterranean Spanish Crab Dip
Here’s a Mediterranean Spanish Crab Dip recipe that blends coastal Spanish flavors with Mediterranean ingredients. It’s creamy, savory, and full of bold yet fresh notes—perfect for dipping with crostini, pita chips, or fresh veggies.
Total time
Servings: 6-8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (120 g) Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
1/4 cup (60 g) mayonnaise
1/2 small red bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (pimentón)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp capers, rinsed and chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp chopped fresh chives or green onions
1/2 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
1/4 tsp black pepper
8 oz (225 g) lump crab meat (drained and checked for shells)
1/2 cup shredded Manchego cheese (or Parmesan as substitute)
Instructions
1. Preheat: oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix the base: In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add Greek yogurt, mayo, garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until combined and creamy.
3. Add flavor: Mix in smoked paprika, cayenne, bell pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, parsley, chives, salt, and pepper.
4. Fold in crab: Gently fold in the crab meat and half of the Manchego cheese. Be careful not to break the crab too much.
5. Transfer to baking dish: Spoon the mixture into a small oven-safe dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
6. Bake: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until hot and bubbling and the top is lightly golden
7. Garnish and serve: Top with a little more fresh parsley and a drizzle of good-quality olive oil. Serve warm with crusty bread, pita chips, or cucumber slices.
Tips
Make Ahead: You can prep the dip up to a day in advance and bake it right before serving.
Crab Substitute: If crab isn’t available, you can use cooked shrimp, flaked white fish, or even artichoke hearts for a vegetarian twist.
Smoky Touch: For an extra Spanish flavor, drizzle a little smoked olive oil on top before serving.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 220
Protein: 11g
Fat: 17g
Carbs: 4g
Fiber: 0.5g