Hot Shrimp Dip
Cajun Hot Shrimp Dip Recipe with Cream Cheese – A Louisiana specialty… This decadent easy appetizer is quick to throw together and disappears in no time. It is sure to become your new favorite snack.
Why We Love Hot Shrimp Dip
Cajun Shrimp Dip is a Louisiana specialty. A friend introduced me to this cheesy party dip several years ago, and I’ve been craving it ever since!
It is a simple and casual appetizer that is hard to resist.
Shrimp Dip is meant to be served hot with baguette slices, pita chips, crostini, or Ritz crackers. However, you can also serve it with cut vegetables like celery sticks, baby carrots, or sliced bell peppers. Each creamy bite is packed with nutty cheese, herbs and spices, sweet bell pepper, and little chunks for steaming hot shrimp.
This is a cheese and seafood lover’s dream come true!
What’s The Rule On Cheese and Seafood?
There’s an old culinary mindset that cheese and seafood are not a great pairing. The theory is that the richness of the cheese will overshadow the delicate flavor of the seafood.
While this might be true in some cases, most of the time, it’s completely false.
In fact, certain types of fish and shellfish are enhanced by the addition of creamy, salty cheese.
Just think about it… Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp, Silky Parmesan Risotto, and Clams, Fish Tacos with Queso Fresco, and my all-time favorite myth buster, Cajun Shrimp Dip with Cream Cheese and Cheddar.
Ingredients You Need
Here’s what you will need to make this fabulous party snack:
- Small raw shrimp – Use popcorn shrimp for less chopping.
- Butter
- Red bell pepper
- Sweet onion
- Garlic, minced
- Cajun seasoning – AKA creole seasoning or Old Bay seasoning
- Cream cheese
- Mayonnaise – regular or low-fat mayo
- Cheddar cheese – or sub Colby, Monterey jack, or mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Scallions – chopped green onion
- Lemon juice
- Louisiana hot sauce – or Tabasco sauce, optional
You can use any size of raw shrimp you have on hand. However, the shrimp must be chopped into small pieces so it’s easy to scoop up on crackers.
Pro Tip: If you are sensitive to spice, use the Cajun Seasoning, but skip the extra hot sauce!
How To Make Hot Shrimp Dip with Cream Cheese
- Preheat the oven. Set a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté the butter, chopped bell pepper, chopped onion, and garlic in the skillet until soft.
- Chop the shrimp. If using “popcorn shrimp” there is no need to chop it. If using large shrimp, roughly chop into bite-size pieces.
- Sauté the shrimp. Once the vegetables are softened, add the shrimp and Cajun seasoning to the mixture.
- Mix. Stir in the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheese, herbs, and lemon juice.
- Bake. Sprinkle the top with extra parmesan cheese. Bake until the edges are bubbly. Then serve hot with chips, crackers, or sliced baguettes.
Get the Full (Printable) Cajun Hot Shrimp Dip Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Although I suggest trying this recipe as-is the first time, feel free to mix things up when you remake it!
- Shrimp Swaps – Diced scallops, clams, or squid. (The firmer the shellfish, the smaller you should chop it.)
- Cheese Swaps -Try it with smoked gouda, muenster, pepper jack, and/or pecorino.
- Mayonnaise Swap – Mayonnaise offers a lovely tangy note that lifts the heaviness of the cheese. However, if you do not eat mayonnaise, swap it for sour cream.
Serving Suggestions
This cajun shrimp dip recipe is the appetizer to beat all appetizers! Serve with your favorite crackers, some crusty bread, and freshly chopped veggies. You can also try pairing it with some of my own personal favorites:
- Cauliflower Crackers
- Keto Almond Flour Crackers Recipe
- Cloud Bread
- Homemade Tortillas
- Baked Sweet Potato Chips
- Spicy Ranch Oyster Crackers
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use garlic powder and/or onion powder. But fresh onions and garlic offer a much brighter flavor and chunky texture. I would personally take the time to chop them.
Yes, if raw shrimp is unavailable in your area, you can use cooked canned shrimp. Make sure to drain it well before adding to the skillet. If you can find fresh shrimp, it tastes much better in this retro hot shrimp dip.
You can definitely buy these spice blends online. However, if you want to make the most of your spice rack, try this recipe.
After baking, you can wrap and keep this dip in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Rewarm it in the oven for 15-20 minutes or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
No, this is not a great freezer recipe. The molten cheese does not thaw and reheat well. However, it’s very unlikely that you will have enough leftovers to consider freezing. Cajun Shrimp Dip usually disappears very fast! Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
More Amazing Dips and Spreads To Try
- Hot Smoked Pimento Cheese Recipe
- Cold Shrimp Dip (Salad)
- Easy Crab Dip
- Creamy Sausage and Cheese Dip Recipe (In A Bread Bowl)
- Supreme Pizza Dip Recipe
- Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
- Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe
- Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe
- King Ranch Chicken Dip Recipe
- Check out ALL our Dips and Spreads!
Cajun Hot Shrimp Dip Recipe (with Cream Cheese)
Ingredients
- 1 pound small raw shrimp (popcorn shrimp for less chopping)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 whole red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- ½ sweet onion, peeled and chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (Creole seasoning)
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2/3 cup chopped scallions
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1-2 teaspoons Louisiana hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Then set a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
- Add the butter, chopped bell pepper, chopped onion, and garlic in the skillet. Sauté for 3-5 minutes to soften.
- If using “popcorn” shrimp there is no need to chop it. However, if you are using larger shrimp, roughly chop into small ½ inch pieces. (Small enough to scoop up on crackers.)
- Once the vegetables are softened, add the shrimp and Cajun seasoning. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, scallions, lemon juice, and hot sauce. Stir until the cream cheese, and shredded cheese melts into a thick sauce. Turn off the heat.
- Sprinkle the top with the remaining ¼ cup parmesan cheese. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are bubbly. Serve warm with crackers, tortilla chips, potato chips, or cut vegetables.
Really good. Spiced just about right. I goofed and bought pre-cooked shrimp – just stirred that in right before putting in the oven. It is a very tasty dip. I would not change a thing other than buy the right shrimp next time. LOL.
I’ve made this recipe numerous times. My family loves it. I serve it will toasted baguette rounds. Delicious recipe!
Absolutely delicious
This was soooo good!!! We used leftover crawfish from a crawfish boil instead of shrimp. But followed the rest exactly. Was seriously amazing!
One of my most favorite appetizer dips that Sommer has made! So good!