Des

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Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip

Decadent Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip is a must for parties this season! If you love spinach artichoke dip, you will love this version with crab! 

With the holidays fast approaching, I thought it was time to revisit one of my favorite holiday foods: dips. Truth be told, the dips and spreads at parties are always where you will find me. I’ll be munching on french onion dip, or cranberry rosemary spread and oh, man, hot dips. I love them too.  Specifically this Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip.

Decadent Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip is a must for parties this season! If you love spinach artichoke dip, you will love this version with crab! 

If you love spinach artichoke dip (and spinach artichoke stuffing!), and you love hot crab dip, you are going to love this mash up. Hot Crab, Spinach Artichoke Dip is going to be a must make for your holiday parties.

One of my favorite things about food is the memories that often surround certain dishes. There are probably a few favorite dishes of yours that when mentioned make you think back on certain moments in your life. Maybe a big family get together, your first date, holiday parties or your visit to the stadium for your first major league baseball game. I have a few favorite dishes that bring back memories too. Take this Hot Crab, Spinach and Artichoke dip. It is one of my favorites because it is chock full of artichokes, baby spinach, crab and two different kinds of cheese.  But it is also a favorite because it comes loaded with memories of my very first job.

How to make Hot Crab Dip

My first job was at a restaurant. And unlike most first jobs, or restaurant jobs for that matter, I was there When I took the job, I didn’t expect that I would grow up there and come out of my shy girl shell. I didn’t expect to laugh so much at work and I didn’t expect that I would work with the same core group of people for the entire six years.  And I didn’t expect that those people would become some of my best friends. When I moved away several years back, I didn’t expect to miss it as much as I did.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Crab

The restaurant has been closed for several years now, but every time I’m missing it, I make something that brings back memories, like this dip. Hot Crab and Spinach dip was always a part of my spiel. I recommend it because it was one of my favorite things on the menu. This recipe is inspired by that dip.

How do you make hot crab spinach artichoke dip?

I like to use fresh spinach in this dip, rather than frozen or canned spinach. I also prefer to use fresh crab when it’s available. If you don’t have access to it, I’ve also made this dip with canned crab and it worked perfectly. To help with party planning you could even make the dip ahead of time and then bake it when you are ready. The original didn’t have artichokes but I added some because spinach and artichoke dip is always a favorite.

Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip with bread

What do you serve with hot crab spinach artichoke dip?

At the restaurant, we served this dip with fresh hot tortilla chips. I thought they were a great accompaniment but crackers or crusty bread are also a good option! Honestly, you could probably just hand me a spoon and I’d eat it that way too. No lies.

Decadent Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip is a must for parties this season! If you love spinach artichoke dip, you will love this version with crab! 

Originally posted December 2009. Updated in 2018.

Decadent Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip is a must for parties this season! If you love spinach artichoke dip, you will love this version with crab!  #crabdip #spinachartichokedip #dip #appetizer


Decadent Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip is a must for parties this season! If you love spinach artichoke dip, you will love this version with crab! 

Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip

Decadent Hot Crab Spinach and Artichoke Dip is a must for parties this season! If you love spinach artichoke dip, you will love this version with crab! 
5 from 16 votes
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course Easy Appetizer Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 1/2 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped artichoke hearts
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened and cut into cubes
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • 6 ounces fresh dungeness crab meat picked over for shells (you can substitute a 6oz can of crab meat)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a small skillet melt butter over medium heat. Once butter melts add spinach and cook just until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
  • To the spinach add artichoke hearts, cream cheese, mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and crab meat. Stir to combine.
  • Butter a small casserole dish, spoon mixture into the dish. Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, stir and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Turn on the broiler and cook for 3-5 minutes or until top is browned and edges are bubbly.
  • Allow to cool slightly and serve with tortilla chips.

Notes

Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: appetizer, artichoke, baby spinach, Crab, Cream Cheese, Dip, dungeness crab, Food, hot dip, parmesan cheese, Recipe, snack, Spinach

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Tina
    January 7, 2024 at 2:58 pm

    5 stars
    The dip is delicious! I used toasted baguette slices instead of tortilla chips. My family and I are enjoying it as one of our game day snacks, Go Hawks! I’ll definitely make the dip again. Thank you for a great recipe!

  • Reply
    Teresa
    December 12, 2023 at 5:43 am

    5 stars
    I live in Minnesota, hence no super fresh crab. Any recommendations?

    • Reply
      Deseree
      December 13, 2023 at 9:14 pm

      With no super fresh crab handy, I’d go for the refrigerated crab first. I’ve seen some at Costco and my local Safeway (Albertsons) also has a store brand. And if you can’t find that then use canned :)

  • Reply
    william toton
    November 22, 2019 at 3:43 pm

    5 stars
    If you happen to read this. Remember. A review is an opinion after you made and tasted the recipe not how you think it’s going to taste. Make it first then send a review. Do you thing movie reviews are created from just watching a trailer?

  • Reply
    Cara Harris
    August 16, 2019 at 11:13 am

    5 stars
    Omg! I’m so glad I found your recipe! My family and I had dinner at Bourdin by Fisherman’s Wharf and their spinach artichoke crab dip is to die for! I will definitely be making this at Thanksgiving! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      August 18, 2019 at 6:34 pm

      You’re welcome!!

  • Reply
    Wanda
    January 23, 2019 at 2:05 am

    is this similar to the spinach crab artichoke dip you can get at Landry’s Seafood rest??

  • Reply
    Susan Alberghini
    December 15, 2018 at 5:51 am

    Do you think substituting the crab with lobster would work?

    • Reply
      Deseree
      December 15, 2018 at 5:28 pm

      I do!!

  • Reply
    Allyson
    November 26, 2018 at 10:17 am

    5 stars
    I am definitely making this dip for my holiday party in a couple weeks! I can’t wait to try it!

  • Reply
    Cathy
    November 26, 2018 at 8:07 am

    I LOVE the addition of crab! Seriously my perfect dip!

  • Reply
    Jagruti Dhanecha
    November 25, 2018 at 11:41 pm

    5 stars
    Wow..artichoke and spinach in a creamy dip, I just need some crusty bread! Sounds lovely.

  • Reply
    Jyothi (J0)
    November 25, 2018 at 6:21 pm

    What a great dip. Love that you added crab. It looks incredibly delicious!

  • Reply
    Carrie Ditton
    November 25, 2018 at 5:29 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness! Crab? I love that addition! I have pinned this and will be making it for any holiday party I go to!

  • Reply
    Andrea
    November 25, 2018 at 2:37 pm

    I never thought of the intriguing crab + artichoke combo, so curious to give it a try!

  • Reply
    Tammy
    November 25, 2018 at 12:35 pm

    5 stars
    This is one dip I could probably finish off by myself! It looks amazing! This with some warm crusty bread is all I would need for dinner ;D

  • Reply
    Leslie
    November 25, 2018 at 12:30 pm

    Spinach artichoke dip is my all time favorite dip, but adding crab to it? Even better!

  • Reply
    Natalie
    November 25, 2018 at 11:37 am

    5 stars
    Wow this looks super delicious. I usually make this with only spinach and cheese. Never had this version with crab meat and artichoke. I definitely must try this.

  • Reply
    Amanda
    November 25, 2018 at 8:33 am

    I LOVE that you added crab! What a great addition! I agree – this will be a great holiday appetizer! Can’t wait to try this one!!

  • Reply
    Nicolas
    November 24, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    omg wow I just want to dip my bread through the screen! That dip is making me so hungry!

  • Reply
    Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
    November 23, 2018 at 6:56 am

    5 stars
    This looks incredibly delicious!

  • Reply
    Sabrina
    November 22, 2018 at 10:55 am

    5 stars
    Can you even call it a party if you don’t serve this amazing dip?? So good!!

  • Reply
    Catalina
    November 22, 2018 at 4:38 am

    5 stars
    That cheese! Oh my goodness! I love it! I am sure that everyone in my family will love it, too!

  • Reply
    Katerina @ diethood .com
    November 22, 2018 at 12:29 am

    5 stars
    mmmm…this looks incredibly delicious!! I bet it tastes amaaazing!!

  • Reply
    Kimberly
    November 21, 2018 at 4:42 pm

    This needs to happen soon, it looks so good!

  • Reply
    Aleta
    November 20, 2018 at 9:13 pm

    5 stars
    What a delicious looking appetizer! You’ve combined my three favourite dips: spinach, artichoke and crab! Can’t wait to give this a try next appie night :)

  • Reply
    Elaine Benoit
    November 20, 2018 at 5:27 am

    5 stars
    I love spinach artichoke dip and you’ve taken it to another level by adding crab!! It looks so delicious and creamy and I must make it ASAP!

  • Reply
    Gloria
    November 19, 2018 at 1:16 pm

    5 stars
    YES….this is a must for all the holiday parties. Easy to make, and all the guests will love it. You can never go wrong with great hot dips. You can even use this as an appetizer too.

  • Reply
    Epigioni
    August 24, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    This is a great recipe. I did a couple of variations because I was cooking for a office. I doubled my recipe, using 8 ounces of cream cheese 24 ounces of Spinach and 2 jars of artichokes, and 16 ounces of parmesan, I also added old bay, some minced garlic, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, and because I didn’t have any mayo, I added horseradish sauce and 16 ounces of crab that I got for a great steal at $7.00 at Price Chopper. Doubled my cooking time and added a mixture of white cheddar and parmesan to top it off. Tried it with some blue corn chips. Absolutely Great. I’ll make some garlic pita chips next time I make it to go with it.

    • Reply
      Locket
      November 12, 2017 at 10:43 am

      So in other words…you completely changed the recipe?

  • Reply
    Mara
    December 8, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    This looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it out. We love dips like this and always looking for new ones. This one is really different than any I have had in the past. I think my gang will go for it too, I just won’t tell them what’s in it. lol

  • Reply
    Chelsea
    March 25, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    Oh Des, I loved this article! It brought tears to my eyes and brought up many memories of my own! Great website!

  • Reply
    Kevin
    December 20, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    That looks good! This is one of my favorite dips!

  • Reply
    Carrie
    December 16, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    I haven’t found a spinach/artichoke dip just yet that I really like. I’m going to give this one a try next! It looks great!

  • Reply
    604MoM
    December 15, 2009 at 7:50 pm

    Yummy! I am going to make this for the Christmas party this Friday. I will let you know how that goes. Thanks… love the pictures of all the food you make.

  • Reply
    redkathy
    December 14, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    Lovey story, sounds a bit like my own. Funny how we unexpectedly grow and progress huh. Your dip sounds so deliciuos I’m gonna try serving it on New Years Eve!

  • Reply
    JennyMac
    December 14, 2009 at 10:39 am

    This looks perfect!

  • Reply
    Kazdad
    December 11, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    Was that tarter sauce with the small pickles or just plain? :)

  • Reply
    Neel | Learn Food Photography
    December 11, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    Sounds very interesting… Post more photos thought That makes us hungry :P

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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