This classic cold shrimp dip recipe is creamy and rich with tons of flavor to boot. Made with cream cheese, mayo, and juicy shrimp along with lemon juice and chili garlic sauce in only 10 minutes of prep.
Why this recipe works
Shrimp dip is nothing new; in fact, it’s held its spot as a party staple appetizer for quite some time now, right there next to old-fashioned shrimp cocktail. It’s creamy, smooth, tangy, and has pops of texture throughout. Honestly, it’s the perfect little app to snack on at parties, especially if you serve it with an assortment of dippers.
There are many different ways to make shrimp dip, so I’ve included a few extra variations below, whether you want to add some crunch or a kick of heat. Don’t be afraid to tweak it to your liking.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
SHRIMP – You can use any size shrimp for this recipe as you will be chopping it up anyway. This is a great recipe for any leftover shrimp you may have! Canned shrimp can also be used.
ADDITIONS – Shallots can be used instead of red onion, or if you prefer, use the entire scallion instead of just the stems and leave out the red onion. As far as flavor boosters go, chili garlic sauce, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon juice do an excellent job at making this dip extra tasty. Feel free to add herbs that will complement here, such as fresh dill or fresh chives.
Variations of Shrimp Dip
- For even more “pop”, add a teaspoon or two of grated lemon zest.
- For a little more bite, add in a tablespoon of horseradish sauce and/or a few shakes of hot sauce.
- Horseradish mayo is a bold substitute for all or part of the plain mayonnaise.
- If you like a little more crunch in your dip, dice up a stalk of celery and stir it in!
How to Make Shrimp Dip
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Chop cooked shrimp into small pieces. Set aside.
- Cut cream cheese into cubes and place in a mini food chopper.
- Add mayonnaise, grated parmesan cheese, Old Bay seasoning, chili garlic sauce, and lemon juice. Process until smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl using a rubber spatula, stir together chopped shrimp, cream cheese mixture, red onion, and green onion stems until well combined.
- Chill mixture for 1 hour before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Yes, you can prepare the dip and store it, covered, in the refrigerator a day in advance.
Store any leftover shrimp dip in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Absolutely. Leftover shrimp, or frozen precooked shrimp, work perfectly in this dip. Simply thaw the shrimp according to package instructions (if using frozen precooked shrimp), or chop up leftover chilled shrimp (there’s no reason to reheat leftover shrimp for this recipe). Realistically, you can use just about any kind of shrimp here, as it’s getting chopped up anyhow. Though you’ll want to use shrimp that have been peeled, deveined, and have had the tails removed.
Some people prefer their shrimp dip with whole shrimp for extra texture, in which case, I would suggest using extra small/mini cooked shrimp. This way you can easily scoop the shrimp with your dipper of choice.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your shrimp dip with crackers, chips, assorted vegetables, or crusty bread/baguettes. I like to place the dip in the center of a platter and offer an assortment of different dippers! Serve chilled, preferably after at least an hour of refrigeration so the flavors have had time to mingle. Enjoy!
More Dip Recipes
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Shrimp Dip
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
- 6 ounces cooked shrimp about 1 cup
- 8 ounces cream cheese brick-style, softened
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons chili garlic sauce
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons diced red onion
- 2 Tablespoons sliced green onion stems
Things You’ll Need
- Mini food chopper or food processor/blender
Before You Begin
- You can use any size shrimp for this recipe as you will be chopping it up anyway. This is a great recipe for any leftover shrimp you may have! Canned shrimp can also be used.
- Shallots can be used instead of red onion, or if you prefer, use the entire scallion instead of just the stems and leave out the red onion.
- Herbs that will complement this dip include fresh dill or fresh chives.
Instructions
- Chop cooked shrimp into small pieces. Set aside.6 ounces cooked shrimp
- Cut cream cheese into cubes and place in a mini food chopper.8 ounces cream cheese
- Add mayonnaise, grated parmesan cheese, Old Bay seasoning, chili garlic sauce, and lemon juice. Process until smooth.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning, 3 Tablespoons chili garlic sauce, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- In a large mixing bowl using a rubber spatula, stir together chopped shrimp, cream cheese mixture, red onion, and green onion stems until well combined.2 Tablespoons diced red onion, 2 Tablespoons sliced green onion stems
- Chill mixture for 1 hour before serving.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Storage – store any leftover shrimp dip in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Make Ahead – you can prepare the dip and store it, covered, in the refrigerator a day in advance.
- Serve your shrimp dip with crackers, chips, assorted vegetables, or crusty bread/baguettes. I like to place the dip in the center of a platter and offer an assortment of different dippers.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
Chef Antoine Davis
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Mike says
Made it; loved it! Give it a day for the flavors to meld and the shrimp really pops. I diced the shrimp but will leave larger pieces next time. Thanks, Amanda and Chef Antoine!
Amanda Davis says
Thanks for sharing your experience Mike! We are so glad you loved it as much as we did here!