Description
A creamy and tangy shrimp dip that’s perfect for entertaining, combining cream cheese, mayonnaise, fresh lemon, and succulent cooked shrimp. Served chilled with cocktail sauce and crackers, this easy-to-make appetizer is both flavorful and elegant.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Base
- 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Herbs and Aromatics
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp. chopped parsley, plus more to serve
Shrimp and Toppings
- 8 oz. cooked shrimp
- 1 cup cocktail sauce
- Crackers, to serve
Instructions
- Prepare dip base: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt. Beat on medium speed until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure even mixing.
- Add herbs: Add the thinly sliced green onions and chopped parsley to the smooth cream cheese mixture. Mix on low speed just until combined to incorporate the fresh flavors without overmixing.
- Prepare shrimp: Remove the shells and tails from the cooked shrimp if necessary, then chop them into small, bite-sized pieces that will blend well into the dip.
- Incorporate shrimp: Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the chopped shrimp into the dip mixture, ensuring even distribution without breaking up the shrimp too much.
- Chill the dip: Transfer the dip to a shallow, wide serving bowl and smooth the surface into an even layer. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to allow flavors to meld and the dip to firm up slightly.
- Serve: Just before serving, top the shrimp dip with cocktail sauce and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Provide crackers on the side for dipping and enjoy.
Notes
- For a delicious twist, swap the shrimp for eight ounces of chopped smoked salmon to create a flavorful breakfast bagel spread.
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- The dip can be prepared up to a day in advance to save time during your event.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/16 of recipe
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
