Easy Cold Shrimp Dip
Easy cold shrimp dip is the perfect appetizer or snack. Thick, creamy, and full of shrimp flavor. It’s quick and easy to make for your next gathering.
Why You’ll Love This
You will come home with an empty bowl guaranteed! Definitely a crowd-pleaser!
It’s a classic Southern Shrimp Dip.
My biggest tip here is if using frozen shrimp, thaw on paper towels and change the towels a few times once they are soaked. Believe me, it makes a huge difference in the “fresh” taste of frozen shrimp.
Recipe Ingredients
- Cooked shrimp – Small salad shrimp is what we use, not canned shrimp. If you can only find larger shrimp, just chop shrimp into bite-size pieces.
- Cream cheese and mayonnaise – For the best results use full-fat versions and room-temperature cream cheese.
- Pimento cheese – Try omitting the pimento cheese and adding in some chili sauce.
- Horseradish – Adds a spicy note.
- Old Bay Seasoning – Or you could use Cajun seasoning.
- Green onions and celery – Diced small for texture.
How to Make Easy Cold Shrimp Dip
In a large bowl, place the peeled and deveined shrimp, cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimento cheese, horseradish, green onion, celery, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning.
Stir gently to combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Chill for at least one hour before serving.
Garnish with additional chopped fresh green onions or fresh parsley.
This easy shrimp dip is a perfect appetizer for Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, or any party!
Thick, creamy, and packed with flavor! This great appetizer dip is always a hit for game days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with crackers but you can also serve it with fresh veggies like sliced bell peppers or celery sticks.
If you want to serve it with potato chips I recommend using a sturdy kettle baked potato chips. They will hold up much better.
Tips
- If you prefer the classic shrimp dip taste of canned shrimp feel free to use them.
- Purchase cooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp to save time.
- When using frozen cooked shrimp thaw them on paper towels, changing them out when they are soaked.
- You can use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, mayo, and pimento cheese. Just know that the pimento cheese will break down and be creamier.
- Make this easy shrimp dip recipe at least 1 to 2 hours ahead of serving for the best flavor.
Variations
- We are using pimento cheese but you can use shredded cheddar cheese.
- Add a dash of hot sauce or chili sauce if you like it spicy.
FAQs
I recommend only making it a few hours ahead up to 24 hours. Shrimp dip doesn’t last long so don’t make it too far in advance.
Serve with Ritz crackers (or any buttery cracker), wheat thins, corn chips, melba toast, or tortilla chips.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days.
We do not recommend freezing. This dip recipe is made with all dairy products that don’t fare well in the freezer.
More Delicious Cold Dip Recipes
Easy Cold Shrimp Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cooked deveined salad shrimp, thawed and drained well (not the canned shrimp)
- 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup pimento cheese
- 2 tablespoons horseradish
- 2 green onions, diced small (green parts only)
- 1/2 cup celery, diced small
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
Instructions
- In a large bowl, place the shrimp, cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimento cheese, horseradish, green onion, celery, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning.12 ounces cooked deveined salad shrimp, thawed and drained well, 12 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 3/4 cup pimento cheese, 2 tablespoons horseradish, 2 green onions, diced small, 1/2 cup celery, diced small, 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
- Stir gently to combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Chill for at least one hour before serving.
- Serve with your favorite crackers.
Notes
We do not recommend freezing. This dip recipe is made with all dairy products that don’t fare well in the freezer.
Thoughts about worcheschire (sic) ?
Anyway we love it. Thx
Am wondering if the pimento cheese mentioned here is the kind in a glass jar? Thanks!
Yes.
There is no lemon juice in the ingredients list?
No, but you could certainly add some if you like.