Spicy Shrimp Dip is so creamy and cheesy and makes a great appetizer for New Year’s or game day. It’s full of diced shrimp and flavored with both cajun seasoning plus red pepper flakes for plenty of spice.
I am a huge lover of shrimp and I recently made the move to Charleston, SC and live just a few miles from the coast and a fabulous fresh seafood store. So be prepared for lots and lots of shrimp recipes. The shrimp I get here are so fresh and delicious, it would be a crime to not cook them at least once a week. Some other shrimp dips I love are Creamy Parmesan Shrimp Dip and Cheesy Shrimp and Spinach Dip.
Type Of Shrimp To Use
This shrimp dip is full of diced shrimp so it’s best to use very fresh shrimp if possible. If not I would buy frozen shrimp and be sure to defrost them and then blot them well with paper towels to get rid of any excess moisture.
Creamy, Cheesy Base
A combination of cream cheese and mayonnaise makes this dip supremely creamy. And lots of mozzarella cheese plus some Parmesan cheese give it lots of gooey cheese flavor. I like how well mozzarella melts in a dip, but you could also use Monterey Jack cheese or a combo of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese.
How To Serve
I like to serve Spicy Shrimp Dip with toasted baguette slices or tortilla chips. This dip really packs the flavor and if you are a fan of shrimp, you will have a hard time pulling yourself away from it. It will be a hit at your next party!
Have leftovers? A little tastes great mixed into an egg scramble or as an omelet filling.
Recipe Tip
In Step 5 of the recipe, be sure to undercook the shrimp slightly. It will cook more in the oven and you don’t want it to get overcooked.
Storage
Seafood is highly perishable so I don’t recommend keeping leftovers for longer then 2 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
More Dip Favorites
- Spicy Sausage Cheese Dip
- Vidalia Onion Dip
- Hot Crab Dip
- Hot Bacon and Swiss Dip
- Neiman Marcus Dip
- Mississippi Sin Dip
- Baked Pimento Cheese Dip
Spicy Shrimp Dip
Equipment
- 8×8-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds fresh medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, (If desired leave the tails on 3 shrimp to put on top of the dip)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 3 green onions, white and green parts sliced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 teaspoons Creole or cajun seasoning, divided
- 1 (8-ounce) pacakge cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Set the 3 shrimp with tails left on aside and cut remaining shrimp into bite-sized pieces. (I cut each shrimp in 3 to 4 pieces).
- Add butter to a large nonstick pan and place over medium-high heat.
- Add red bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add green onion, shrimp (including the 3 whole shrimp) and garlic. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes. Shrimp will cook more in the oven so you want it just barely cooked through or even slightly undercooked. Transfer mixture to a bowl to cool slightly. Return the 3 whole shrimp to the pan to cook a little longer if they need it. You want them fully cooked.
- In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Use a wooden spoon or hand-held electric mixer to mix until smooth.
- Add remaining Creole seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, shrimp mixture, and both cheeses and hand mix together.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Garnish with the 3 whole shrimp and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally posted December 27, 2017. Updated with new content.
This recipe is absolutely delicious. I added some jumbo lump crab meat. It is wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this recipe, it has become my go to, crowd pleasing appetizer!
This dip is delicious!!!!
I’ve made this half a dozen times, everyone loves it. Going to be making it for a crockpot potluck for the first time. My thoughts are to sauté the shrimp until done and then add them in last minute. Then use the shells to make a reduced stock which can be added to the cheese mixture to make sure the shrimpy flavor is there.
Can you use tiny shrimp?
Every time I share prepare this dish for an event, it is an instant hit. People always ask for the recipe!
This is the best dip ever. I always get compliments whenever I take it anywhere.
This was great! I made some minor modifications based on our tastes. I used 1/4 diced yellow onion in lieu of green onion, and added 4x creole seasoning, as well as added jumbo lump crab meat. It was DELICIOUS!
Love this. I wanted to make something different on a Sunday afternoon. I tried it today and it was fantastic!
I made this to serve for playoff football game. Absolutely delicious. Added a little more Cajun season to spice it up! THIS WAS A BIG HIT! Go Texans!