This cold Shrimp Dip recipe is an easy appetizer with just a few ingredients. It’s thick and creamy, and full of delicious shrimp flavor. The quick, 15-minute recipe comes from my mom – it’s a Christmas Eve tradition for our family!
A Creamy Shrimp Dip Recipe
My mom’s easy, creamy Shrimp Dip recipe became a Christmas Eve tradition, right alongside the oyster stew, hand-cranked vanilla ice cream, and chocolate peanut butter Ritz cookies. This dip is one of the easiest and best appetizers you’ll ever make. Plus, you can prepare it ahead of time, leaving it to rest its merry little self in the refrigerator until your guests arrive. It’s thick and creamy, and full of shrimp flavor!
Why We ❤️ This Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip
Shrimp dip is a must-make recipe that you’re going to want to keep in your back pocket. Here’s why we love it:
- Quick & easy. You can whip up this shrimp dip recipe in just 15 minutes – it’s so simple!
- A crowd-pleaser. So many people clamor for any dip that includes cream cheese, and this creamy shrimp dip does not disappoint. I serve it with a variety of crackers and veggies for dipping, to please everyone.
- Perfect for any occasion. I make this shrimp dip recipe for the holidays (my mom makes it every Christmas Eve), plus gatherings all year ’round. It’s never out of season.
- Great to make ahead. I love that I can make this earlier in the day, or even the day before, and just store it in the fridge until guests arrive.
For more easy shrimp appetizers, check out my air fryer shrimp, plus shrimp tempura and shrimp ceviche!
What You’ll Need
I’ve often thought: “What can I add to this recipe to improve it?” Because it feels just too simple. But it really needs nothing more. You just can’t go wrong with shrimp dip with cream cheese. Right?!
This recipe only calls for 5 ingredients, plus black pepper if you like (to find the exact amounts, check out the recipe card below):
- Canned tiny shrimp – I keep cans of tiny shrimp in our pantry at all times – they’re key for this shrimp dip. You could also try using cooked salad shrimp, though, if needed.
- Cream cheese – Use a softened block of cream cheese, not the spreadable kind.
- Mayo – Absolutely do NOT use Miracle Whip! Miracle Whip has corn syrup and spices added to it – it is not mayo. Just use mayonnaise!
- Fresh green onions – I love the fresh, bright flavor these add.
- Garlic salt – You can also just use garlic powder and salt if you like.
- Black pepper – I like to grind some over the top, but it’s totally not necessary.
Can I Use Fresh or Frozen Shrimp?
If you prefer to not use canned shrimp, substitute fresh or frozen. Just be sure to use shrimp that has been cooked – do not use raw shrimp! But my preference will always be canned tiny shrimp, as it gives me the traditional flavor that I grew up with.
How to Make Shrimp Dip
This creamy dip comes together in a snap! Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Chop up the shrimp and green onion. First, set aside a few of the nicer looking shrimp, then finely chop the rest. Chop the green part of the green onions, too.
- Blend the cream cheese and mayo. In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese and mayonnaise until well blended. An electric blender works best, to get the mixture super smooth.
- Combine all of the ingredients. Stir in the shrimp, green onion, and garlic salt.
- Serve. Transfer the dip to a small serving bowl and top it with the reserved shrimp and additional green onion. Sprinkle a bit of freshly ground black pepper over the top if you like. Serve with crackers and/or veggies.
Tips & Recipe Variations
Even though the shrimp-dip-making process is pretty simple, I still have a few tips to share with you!
- Let the cream cheese come to room temperature. This will ensure that it blends smoothly and doesn’t leave you with chunks in your dip.
- Blend the cream cheese and mayo until smooth. I believe that the best way to blend cream cheese is to use an electric mixer. But, if you’re an expert at hand-blending it with a wooden spoon or spatula, go right ahead. Just make sure that when you blend the cream cheese with the mayo, that the combination is completely smooth before adding in the remaining ingredients.
- Add a little kick. If you want some heat to your shrimp dip, feel free to add in a little bit of hot sauce!
Can I Make This Dip in Advance?
Yes! Go ahead and make this dip several hours to a day ahead of time. Just store it in a container with a lid in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many things that you can serve with shrimp dip! Here are some of my go-to options:
- Crackers. This dip is great with a variety of crackers, but we mostly serve it with Keebler Original Club Crackers. Their buttery, flaky goodness is wonderful with the dip.
- Vegetables. I also like to offer some fresh veggies for dipping – like mini carrots and sliced cucumbers and bell peppers.
- Bread. Slice up a baguette and enjoy this dip on some lightly toasted bread!
- Chips. You could also serve your shrimp dip with salty potato chips, if you like!
How to Store
If you end up with leftover shrimp dip, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Enjoy it cold, or bring it to room temperature before you serve it again – it’s up to you!
More Easy Dip Recipes
You can never have too many party dip recipes on hand, so here are a few more that you might like!
Mom’s Shrimp Dip
Ingredients
- 1 can (4 ounces) tiny shrimp, drained and rinsed
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup good quality mayonnaise (Do not use Miracle Whip)
- ⅓ cup finely chopped green onion, plus a bit more for sprinkling over the top
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Set aside a few of the nicer looking whole shrimp (to use for garnish), then chop up the rest.
- In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and mayonnaise until blended and smooth. An electric mixer works best, to get the mixture completely smooth and lump-free.
- Add chopped shrimp, green onion, and garlic salt to the cream cheese mixture and fold to evenly combine.
- Transfer dip to a small serving bowl and top with reserved whole shrimp and additional green onion. Sprinkle a bit of freshly ground black pepper over the top. Serve with crackers and fresh veggies for dipping. For crackers, Keebler Original Club Crackers are a favorite for our family.
Video
Notes
- To make ahead. This dip can be prepared several hours to a day ahead of time and then stored in a container with a lid in the refrigerator.
- To store. If you end up with leftover shrimp dip, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information:
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This post was previously published in 2012. Photographs and some of the text were updated in 2018.
Our family recipe is very similar, but we use fresh garlic instead. Two cloves, pushed through a garlic press. The difference is a rounder garlic flavor and a more floral garlic aroma. We let it refrigerate for at least 6 hours before consuming. Highly addicting!
I will try that, thanks!
This is super easy to make ahead and take to a friend’s house.
Making this for Christmas Eve with the neighbors. Super easy to make ahead!
YAY!! :)
Thank you for sharing your yummy shrimp dip recipe! I’ve made it twice now and my family and extended family gobbled it up both times. I am making the shrimp dip to take to a Christmas party tonight and I know it will for sure be enjoyed by all once again. Thanks again! Merry Christmas to you and your family and have a Happy New Year!
Wonderful! Thank you for coming back to share this with me! I hope you had a very merry Christmas – and Happy New Year!
I’ve had this recipe for years but mine calls for 2 cups shredded cheddar. And I NEVER use canned shrimp. I get cooked shrimp and cut in small pieces.
Mayo and sour cream, not cream cheese. It’s very good
Thanks Lisa for your alternative to cream cheese. Now my sister will eat it! She hates cream cheese but loves this
Can’t wait to make this for Christmas Eve and surprise my brothers. Mom used to make this when we were growing up. This recipe sounds like how my mom used to make it.
Could I use low fat cream cheese and light mayo? This sounds yummy but I need a low cal version. Thanks!
We always ate this dip with large fritos – excellent!
Canned shrimp? Gnarly!
How long would you say this should safely keep refrigerated?
Hi Elizabeth – this keeps very well in the refrigerator for at least 3 to 4 days.
I delete garlic salt and use powder. Add capers and a bit of lemon juice to brighten it up. The nice salty capers popping in your mouth is wonderful!! I grew up with my mom making this for bridge night. She’s been gone over 20 years and it still makes me feel close to her when I make this.
Ooooo, capers! I will try that. Thanks for sharing about your mom, too. :)