3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Crab Dip with Butter is a warm, rich and creamy dip of tender shredded imitation crab melted together with butter and cream cheese. It takes five minutes to start in the crockpot, so it is an easy appetizer for game day, holiday parties or a potluck.
How to make crab butter dip: Layer thawed imitation crab sticks in the slow cooker, scatter butter chunks and cream cheese cubes on top, and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours. Shred the crab with two forks, stir until creamy and keep it on warm for serving.
Why You’ll Love It
- Three ingredients: imitation crab, butter and cream cheese.
- Five minutes of prep: the slow cooker melts everything together.
- Party-ready: it stays warm and dippable on the warm setting.
- Serves 8: a big bowl for a crowd.
Ingredient Notes
Imitation crab sticks: Two pounds, thawed in the refrigerator. Imitation crab is already cooked and shreds easily once it softens in the warm butter. It is also much more affordable than real crab for a big party batch.
Butter: One cup of unsalted butter, cut into chunks. It melts into a rich, buttery base; unsalted keeps the dip from getting too salty, since imitation crab is already seasoned.
Cream cheese: Eight ounces, cubed and slightly softened. It makes the dip thick and creamy instead of just buttery. I cube it small so it melts evenly.
Seasoning: A little salt and black pepper at the end. Taste first, because the crab brings its own saltiness.
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs imitation crab sticks, thawed in the refrigerator
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 8 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes, slightly softened
How to Make Slow Cooker Crab Dip
1. Add the crab. Place the thawed imitation crab sticks in an even layer in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Add the butter and cheese. Scatter the butter chunks evenly over the crab, then the cream cheese cubes.
3. Cook. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, until the butter and cream cheese are fully melted and the dip is hot all the way through (165°F).
4. Shred. Use two forks to shred the softened crab sticks right in the slow cooker.
5. Stir. Stir until the crab is fully mixed into the creamy butter mixture.
6. Season and serve. Taste and season lightly with salt and black pepper if you like. Switch to warm and stir occasionally while serving.
What Makes a Flavorful Crab Dip
The butter and cream cheese make it rich, but seasoning makes it memorable. Imitation crab is mild and a little sweet, so a small addition goes a long way: a pinch of Old Bay, a little garlic or a squeeze of lemon juice stirred in at the end.
Shred the crab finely once it is soft. Small shreds mix into the creamy base so every scoop has crab in it, instead of large sticks sitting in melted butter.
Stir it well before serving and every so often while it sits on warm. I stir every half hour or so at a party, because the butter can separate slightly as it holds.
Serving It at a Party
The slow cooker doubles as the serving dish, which is what makes this dip so handy for a crowd. Once it is shredded and stirred, switch the cooker to warm and set it on the buffet table with a spoon and a basket of dippers beside it. The warm setting keeps it soft and scoopable for hours.
If the dip starts to look thick after a while, stir in a spoonful of milk to loosen it. If it looks oily on top, give it a good stir so the cream cheese pulls the butter back in.
For a smaller gathering, halve the recipe and use a 2 to 3 quart slow cooker so the dip is deep enough to stay warm. A very shallow layer in a large cooker can scorch around the edges, so match the size of the crock to the batch.
Tips for Success
Why is my dip greasy?
The butter separated. Stir it well so the cream cheese brings it back together, and keep the cooker on warm rather than high while serving.
Why are there lumps of cream cheese?
It needed more time or stirring. Cook until fully melted, then stir thoroughly after shredding the crab.
Why is it bland?
Imitation crab is mild. Add a pinch of Old Bay, some garlic or a splash of lemon juice.
Variations
- Old Bay: stir in a teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning for a classic seafood flavor.
- Garlic butter: add a couple of minced garlic cloves with the butter.
- Cheesy: stir in shredded mozzarella or cheddar at the end.
Storage & Reheating
Do not leave the dip out for more than 2 hours unless it is kept hot on the warm setting. USDA FSIS says to refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use them within 3 to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave, stirring, until it reaches 165°F.
What to Serve With It
Serve it with crackers, toasted baguette slices, celery sticks or bell pepper strips. For more party dips, try white queso dip or the best dip in the world, and for something sweet, strawberry cheesecake dip. Add kielbasa bites and chicken bacon ranch pinwheels to round out the spread, and for a seafood dinner, crab and shrimp casserole.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients in 3-ingredient crab dip?
Imitation crab, butter and cream cheese. They melt together into a warm, creamy dip in the slow cooker.
Can I use real crab meat?
Yes. Use cooked lump or claw crab meat, drained well. It is already tender, so it only needs to heat through, and there is nothing to shred.
Can I make it on the stove?
Yes. Melt everything in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often, then shred the crab and stir until creamy.
Final Notes
Shred the crab finely and stir the dip often while it stays warm. If you have a question or make it, tell me how it turned out in the comments.
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Crab Dip with Butter
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs imitation crab sticks thawed in the refrigerator
- 1 cup unsalted butter cut into chunks
- 8 oz cream cheese cut into cubes, slightly softened
Instructions
- Place thawed imitation crab sticks in an even layer in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Scatter butter chunks evenly over the crab, followed by cream cheese cubes.
- Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, until the butter and cream cheese are fully melted and the dip is hot all the way through (165°F).
- Use two forks to shred the softened crab sticks directly in the slow cooker.
- Stir thoroughly until the crab is fully incorporated into the creamy butter mixture.
- Taste and season lightly with salt and black pepper if desired. Switch to warm setting and stir occasionally before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates based on the listed ingredients and serving count. Actual values vary with brands, cuts and portion sizes.
