A friend of mine brings this delicious crab dip recipe to work at least once a month. It’s a big event for us. He let’s everyone know the day before. I appreciate that, because that way I can bring in my gluten free crackers!.
I asked him for the recipe after the first few times I ate this crab dip and felt like I was outside of my body. He said no….
As I left, my boss called me over with a secret. I had a full crab dip belly and my tail was between my legs. She had a copy of the recipe and she was going to share it with me.
So that is how I got this recipe. That coworker who said no was probably joking, and he knows that our boss gave me the recipe by now. But it’s just too good not to share with everyone!
Crab dip is a beloved appetizer that can be found at many parties and gatherings, especially around the holidays Its creamy, cheesy, seafood flavor makes it an instant crowd-pleaser But is this tasty dip gluten free? As someone who loves crab dip but has to follow a gluten-free diet, this was something I really wanted to get to the bottom of.
After thorough research and testing out numerous recipes, I’m happy to report that yes, crab dip can easily be made 100% gluten-free! In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to enjoy delicious gluten-free crab dip, including:
- What makes crab dip gluten free
- The best gluten-free ingredients to use
- Recommended gluten-free recipes to try
- Serving suggestions and accompaniments
- Tips for preparing allergy-friendly crab dip for guests
What Makes Crab Dip Naturally Gluten Free
The main ingredients in classic hot crab dip recipes are crab meat, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and cheese. None of these ingredients inherently contain gluten.
Crab meat is simply cooked crab meat picked from shells. As seafood, it’s naturally gluten-free. Cream cheese and mayonnaise are dairy products made from cream, milk, and eggs. As long as you use brands that don’t add gluten-containing ingredients, they are safe bets. Finally, most cheeses are gluten-free, just be sure to double check labels for additives.
So you can rest assured that crab dip made with these basic ingredients will be 100% gluten-free and totally delicious!
Choosing the Best Gluten-Free Ingredients
While the core ingredients in crab dip are gluten-free, it’s important to be careful about reading labels, especially for certain add-ins. When shopping for ingredients, keep the following in mind:
Cream Cheese: Philadelphia brand cream cheese is labeled gluten-free, as are many store brands. Check labels to be safe.
Mayonnaise Hellmann’s and most major brands state their mayo is gluten-free right on the label. Or use an egg-free vegan mayo like Just Mayo
Cheese Opt for shredded cheddar mozzarella or Monterey jack that is labeled gluten-free.
Crab Meat: Go for canned crab meat or fresh if you can find it. Avoid “krab” or imitation crab which contains gluten.
Worcestershire Sauce: Lea & Perrins original Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free. Some recipes use Worcestershire powder instead.
Hot Sauce: Most major hot sauce brands like Tabasco, Cholula and Frank’s are gluten-free.
Bread Crumbs: Use gluten-free panko-style bread crumbs for topping.
By using trusted gluten-free brands or calling manufacturers to double check ingredients, it’s easy to make crab dip completely gluten-free and safe.
Recommended Gluten-Free Crab Dip Recipes
To help you get started, here are some of my favorite tried and true gluten-free crab dip recipes:
Easy Gluten-Free Baked Crab Dip
This simple 3-ingredient crab dip from gfjules just combines crab meat, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese. For spices, I added onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne and lemon juice. It bakes up creamy, cheesy, and full of crab flavor!
Creamy Gluten-Free Hot Crab Dip
40aprons’ hot crab dip recipe mixes together crab meat, green onions, mayonnaise, spices and a blend of cheeses. It was rich, smooth and delightfully crabby! I garnished it with extra green onions.
Spicy Gluten-Free Crab Dip
Feel free to spice up any basic recipe. I added 1 tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes and a dash of cayenne pepper for a kicked up dip. You can also mix in a spoonful of gluten-free horseradish for extra zing.
Tips for Serving Gluten-Free Crab Dip
Crab dip tastes delicious scooped up with crunchy dippers! Here are some gluten-free dipping options:
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
- Bell pepper slices
- Fritos corn chips
- Tostitos blue corn gluten-free tortilla chips
- Mary’s Gone Crackers gluten-free crackers
- Rice crackers
- Shiitake or King Oyster mushroom caps
For special occasions, I love to make a toasted gluten-free baguette sliced into dippers. You can also bake your own gluten-free pita chips or breadsticks.
Making Crab Dip Allergy-Friendly for Guests
If you’ll be serving your gluten-free crab dip at a party with gluten-sensitive guests, be sure to take a few extra precautions:
- Prepare the dip in a clean kitchen to prevent cross-contamination
- Use separate serving utensils not contaminated by gluten
- Serve with plenty of gluten-free dippers (don’t forget to read labels)
- Label the dip as gluten-free so guests know it’s safe
- Keep gluten-free dip separate from other dishes containing gluten
With these tips, you can make sure your guests with food allergies are included and can safely enjoy your delicious gluten-free crab dip!
Is Crab Dip Gluten-Free? The Verdict
After extensively testing recipes, I’m thrilled to report that yes – crab dip can readily be made 100% gluten-free. By using naturally gluten-free core ingredients and subbing in a few gluten-free pantry staples, you can feel confident that your gluten-free crab dip will come out perfectly creamy and delicious.
With the right recipes and a few precautions, you can safely serve gluten-free crab dip at gatherings so everyone can enjoy this popular appetizer. Dip into this tasty appetizer without worry and have a very happy and crabtastic holiday season!
Gluten Free Worcestershire Sauce
Along with not being able to say the word “Worcestershire,” some people have said they have had trouble finding gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and have asked if this sauce is gluten-free.
There are a few brands that make gluten free Worcestershire sauce. They all seem to taste the same to me, but French’s is probably the biggest known name you will find in most stores.
Either way, just read the label when you are purchasing it. This can easily get overlooked if you are not careful!.
This Crab Dip Recipe is Best Served Hot
This is really a simple and easy crab dip recipe to make. For more information, see the recipe card below. Also, keep in mind that I sometimes eat this straight from the bowl with a spoon. It is THAT good!.
Three Delicious Crab Dips (gluten, grain, & dairy free!)
FAQ
What is crab dip made of?
What is imitation crab dip made of?
Is imitation crab gluten free?
Is canned crab meat gluten free?
Is crab dip gluten free?
This easy gluten free crab dip is delicious hot or cold, as a meal or an appetizer, and it’s even dairy-free! 1 Tbs. gluten-free nutritional yeast (optional but recommended!) – I used Bragg’s ® Soften cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl or leave out on the counter for 1-2 hours to soften.
What is hot crab dip?
This cheesy, hot crab dip is truly unbelievable! It’s a super easy, creamy appetizer made with crab, green onions, cream cheese, mayo, and cheese. It’s naturally low carb, keto, and gluten free, and is great for tailgating, holidays, or entertaining. It’s a creamy hot crab dip. Not “hot” like “spicy”, but “hot” like “warm and gooey and oven-baked”.
Is crab dip a holiday?
Crab dip isn’t inherently “holiday,” but it’s always just been that way for me growing up. I don’t ever remember having it any other time of year, even though I love it so much. Now that our diets have shifted, I love taking old favorites and making versions our entire family can enjoy.
Can You Freeze Cold Crab dip?
No, you really shouldn’t freeze cold crab dip. As a general rule of thumb, it’s not advised to freeze dairy like cream cheese, milk, etc. as the texture will change in the freezing and thawing process. This is obviously the perfect cold crab dip for crackers, but there are so many other dipping options: