The Ultimate 4-Cheese Crab Artichoke Dip Recipe You’ll Adore

Creamy 4-cheese crab artichoke dip upgrades ordinary appetizers into luxurious culinary experiences that spark conversation and delight taste buds.

Seafood enthusiasts adore this rich, indulgent blend of textures and flavors that marry oceanic elegance with sophisticated dairy notes.

Soft, melted cheeses complement tender crab meat while artichoke hearts contribute earthy undertones and subtle complexity.

Sophisticated palates appreciate how carefully balanced ingredients create a harmonious medley of maritime and dairy sensations.

Each spoonful promises a decadent journey through contrasting yet complementary tastes that dance across your tongue.

Home cooks find immense satisfaction in crafting this crowd-pleasing dish that elevates any gathering from mundane to memorable.

Guaranteed to impress even discerning guests, this crowd-favorite appetizer promises pure gastronomic bliss.

What to Know About 4-Cheese Crab Artichoke Dip

• Seafood Symphony: Combines luxurious lump crabmeat with creamy cheese for a decadent flavor explosion that elevates any gathering.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Requires just 35 minutes total from prep to serving, making it an effortless appetizer that impresses without complex techniques.
• Cheesy Comfort Meets Gourmet Twist: Blends familiar comfort food elements like cream cheese and sharp cheddar with sophisticated ingredients like Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh crabmeat, creating a dish that's both familiar and exciting.
• Customizable Texture Delight: Offers multiple serving options from crispy baguette slices to crunchy tortilla chips, allowing guests to enjoy the rich, creamy dip exactly how they prefer.

Ingredients You Need for Crab Artichoke Dip

• Lump Crabmeat: Fresh, sweet seafood that adds rich texture and ocean flavor to the dip.
• Artichoke Hearts: Tender, mild vegetable providing a soft, slightly tangy complement to the crab.

• Cream Cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, Monterey Jack, Sharp Cheddar: Creamy, tangy cheese mixture creating a luxurious and complex flavor profile with different melting properties.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Smooth base ingredients adding richness and subtle tanginess.
• Dijon Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, Lemon Juice, Hot Sauce: Zesty condiments that brighten and balance the dip's overall taste.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient providing depth and warmth to the mixture.
• Scallions: Fresh, mild onion flavor that adds a light, crisp note.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing and balancing flavors.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for garnish and bright color contrast.

How to Make Hot and Creamy Crab Dip

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Bakeware

Warm oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 2-3 quart baking dish or cast iron skillet with cooking spray.

Step 2: Create Creamy Cheese Base

• Cream cheese
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce
• Lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Hot sauce
• Grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Use a hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Incorporate Cheese And Scallions

• Monterey Jack cheese
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Chopped scallions

Mix until evenly distributed.

Step 4: Add Seafood And Seasonings

• Chopped artichoke hearts
• Lump crabmeat

Season with salt, pepper, and additional hot sauce to personal taste preference.

Step 5: Transfer And Top Dip

• Monterey Jack cheese
• Sharp cheddar cheese

Step 6: Bake Until Golden

Place dish on baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly. Optional: Broil 1-2 minutes for extra golden top.

Step 7: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra scallions. Let rest 5-10 minutes. Serve warm with baguette slices, crackers, crostini, tortilla chips, or vegetable sticks.

Tips for Gooey, Flavorful 4-Cheese Dip

• Chill Ingredients First: Let cream cheese and other dairy soften at room temperature for smooth, lump-free mixing.
• Drain Artichokes Thoroughly: Remove excess moisture from canned artichoke hearts to prevent watery dip consistency.
• Select Fresh Crabmeat: Choose high-quality lump or jumbo lump crabmeat for best flavor and texture.
• Control Cheese Melting: Avoid overheating by monitoring baking time and using medium-low temperature to prevent cheese separation.
• Customize Spice Level: Adjust hot sauce gradually to personalize heat intensity without overwhelming delicate crab and artichoke flavors.

Storing and Reheating 4-Cheese Crab Dip

• Refrigerate: Store leftover dip in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring it's completely cooled before sealing.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 1 month. Avoid freezing as texture might separate upon thawing.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and maintain creamy consistency.

Foods to Serve with Artichoke Crab Dip

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the creamy, rich dip with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These light, zesty wines cut through the richness and complement the seafood's delicate flavors.
• Serve with Craft Beer Companions: Choose a wheat beer or a light pale ale. These refreshing brews balance the dip's richness and provide a pleasant contrast to the creamy texture.
• Create Chip and Dip Combo: Select tortilla chips with sea salt or sourdough crackers. Their crunchy texture and subtle saltiness perfectly highlight the dip's complex cheese and seafood profile.
• Fresh Herb Garnish Boost: Sprinkle extra chopped chives or parsley on top. These fresh herbs add a bright, clean note that cuts through the richness and elevates the overall flavor experience.

Dip Variations for Crab and Artichoke Lovers

• Spicy Southwest Seafood Fusion: Replace hot sauce with chipotle peppers in adobo, add diced green chiles, swap scallions for cilantro, and sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh oregano to transform the dip into a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer with vibrant Mediterranean flavors.
• Smoky Bacon Seafood Sensation: Crisp and crumble bacon, mix into the dip, use smoked gouda instead of Monterey Jack, and top with additional crispy bacon bits for a rich, smoky seafood experience that adds depth and crunch.
• Lighter Herb Garden Edition: Substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, add fresh dill and chives, use reduced-fat cheeses, and incorporate fresh lemon zest for a lighter, herb-forward version of the classic dip.

4-Cheese Crab Artichoke Dip Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Luxurious 4-cheese crab artichoke dip blends Mediterranean flavors with coastal comfort. Creamy textures and rich seafood create an irresistible appetizer perfect for gatherings and sophisticated palates.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Cheeses:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) block-style cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmigiano Reggiano
• ¾ cup (85 grams) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
• ¾ cup (85 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

Seafood and Vegetables:

• 2 cups (340 grams) coarsely chopped artichoke hearts
• 1 pound (454 grams) lump crabmeat, picked over for cartilage
• ½ cup (50 grams) thinly sliced scallions, plus extra for garnish

Sauce and Seasonings:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
• ¼ – ½ cup (60–120 milliliters) sour cream
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• Hot sauce, to taste
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare a welcoming canvas for this luxurious dip by warming the oven to 350°F and lightly misting a baking dish or cast iron skillet with cooking spray.
2. Craft a creamy foundation by whipping cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and hot sauce together using an electric mixer until smooth and well-integrated.
3. Incorporate Parmigiano Reggiano and partially blend Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar cheeses into the mixture, folding gently with a spatula to maintain a light texture.
4. Delicately introduce chopped artichoke hearts and tender lump crabmeat into the cheese blend, ensuring even distribution while being careful not to break the crab pieces.
5. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and additional hot sauce, tasting to achieve a balanced flavor profile that highlights the seafood and cheese.
6. Transfer the luxurious blend into the prepared baking vessel, creating an inviting landscape of creamy potential.
7. Elegantly crown the dip with remaining Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar cheeses, creating a golden, anticipatory topping.
8. Slide the dish onto a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until the dip becomes effervescent and heated through, with optional brief broiling for a crisp, golden finish.
9. Embellish with fresh parsley and scallions, allowing the dip to rest and meld flavors for 5-10 minutes before serving alongside crusty baguette, crackers, or crisp vegetable accompaniments.

Notes

• Prep like a pro by ensuring all ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better flavor blending.
• Select high-quality lump crabmeat and fresh artichoke hearts to elevate the dip’s taste and texture.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting hot sauce quantity, making it mild or spicy according to personal preference.
• Avoid overmixing when folding ingredients to maintain delicate crab and artichoke chunks for perfect texture.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently in the oven to preserve creamy consistency.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations or add crispy bacon bits for unexpected flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 390
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg