Cajun shrimp dip is a creamy, cheesy dip flavored with chunks of succulent shrimp and the perfect touch of Cajun spice. Serve this crowd-pleasing appetizer with pita chips or veggie sticks to wow your guests!
If you're looking for an appetizer that is easy to whip up, perfect for a crowd, and loaded with flavor, this is the recipe for you! This impressively tasty dish combines succulent shrimp, a mixture of melty cheeses, chopped veggies, and flavorful spices.
For more irresistible appetizers, try our cranberry meatballs and Cajun chicken and sausage dip recipes next! Love shrimp? Don't miss our New Orleans BBQ shrimp recipe!
Table of Contents
Important Ingredient Notes
The detailed ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Shrimp. Chopped peeled and deveined shrimp add delicious flavor and texture to this dip. Shrimp lovers, check out our cajun shrimp and grits recipe next!
- Bell pepper. I love using red bell pepper for color and crunch. Green, orange, or yellow also work great.
- Cajun seasoning. This recipe calls for our homemade Cajun seasoning but you can also use store-bought. Creole seasoning also works well.
- Cream cheese. For an extra creamy texture. Slice the cream cheese into cubes and bring it to room temperature for easier melting. See how cream cheese makes this BBQ chicken pasta extra creamy and delicious.
- Mayonnaise and sour cream. I love a combination of these two ingredients for flavor and creaminess but feel free to use one or the other.
- Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. For cheesy, melty goodness. You may substitute other good melting cheeses like cheddar, Colby, or pepper jack. Check out our creamy cheese grits for more cheesy goodness!
- Worcestershire. For extra depth and tangy umami flavor. Feel free to omit this ingredient if you are not a fan.
Variations and Substitutions
- Instead of shrimp, try making this recipe with crawfish, crab, chicken, or sausage. If you love shellfish, you don't want to miss our crawfish cornbread dressing recipe!
- Throw in some extra veggies like corn, celery, broccoli, or spinach.
- No cream cheese? Substitute Greek yogurt, marscapone, or ricotta.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1. Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, mozzarella, parmesan, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning with an electric hand mixer or wooden spoon. Set aside.
Step 2. Cook the veggies and shrimp in 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Season the mixture with the remaining Cajun seasoning.
Step 1. Add the shrimp mixture to the bowl with the cheese mixture and combine.
Step 2. Transfer the dip back to the skillet and bake it at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Recipe FAQs
Medium or large peeled and deveined shrimp work great for this recipe. Chop the shrimp into about 1-inch pieces. If using small salad shrimp, there is no need to chop them.
If you are sensitive to spice, try substituting Old Bay seasoning for the Cajun seasonings or reduce or omit the cayenne if using homemade Cajun seasoning.
This dip tastes great with tortilla chips, crostinis, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or cucumber rounds.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
This dip can be prepared (do not bake) a day in advance, wrapped in plastic wrap, and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake. If baking the dip cold, add 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time.
Leftover cajun shrimp dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
More Appetizers You Will Love!
If you tried this Cajun Shrimp Dip recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
Cajun Shrimp Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese - cubed
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small red bell pepper - seeded and chopped
- ½ medium yellow onion - chopped
- 3 green onion stalks - chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1 pound shrimp - peeled and deveined, chopped into 1-inch pieces, leave 3 shrimp whole for garnish if desired
- 3 cloves garlic - minced
- 3 teaspoons homemade Cajun seasoning - or store-bought, divided use
- Chips or veggie sticks - for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, mozzarella, parmesan, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning with an electric hand mixer or wooden spoon. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper, onion, and green onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, shrimp, and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Do not overcook the shrimp! Set the 3 whole shrimp aside.
- Pour the shrimp mixture into the bowl with the cheese mixture and mix until combined. Pour the dip back into the cast-iron skillet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbly around the edges.
- Garnish the dip with the reserved 3 whole shrimp and chopped green onions. Serve with chips or veggies for dipping.
Notes
- Medium or large peeled and deveined shrimp work great for this recipe. Chop the shrimp into about 1-inch pieces. If using small salad shrimp, there is no need to chop them.
- Throw in some extra veggies like corn, celery, broccoli, or spinach.
- No cream cheese? Substitute Greek yogurt, marscapone, or ricotta.
- This dip can be prepared (do not bake) a day in advance, wrapped in plastic wrap, and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake. If baking the dip cold, add 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time.
- Leftover cajun shrimp dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
AB
This dip was so easy to make and tasted great!