This Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip Recipe might literally be the fastest and easiest appetizer recipe ever! Make this cold shrimp dip with only 3 ingredients and less than 3 minutes to prepare! Keep ingredients on hand for a quick appetizer!
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🎥 Recipe Video
Why You'll ❤️ This Cold Shrimp Dip
Flashback! This shrimp dip brings back so many memories! I had an Aunt that used to bring this dip to every family party, and it was always a hit. (I won't say what decade as that might age me) 🙂 -Kori
Dip a yummy cracker or fresh veggies into this dip, and you'll be in love. Shrimp dip not only tastes amazing, but it has only 3 ingredients - and it takes less than 3 minutes to prepare! Keep ingredients on hand for a quick holiday appetizer! Bonus: this is a gluten free, low carb, and keto shrimp dip.
Super Easy Appetizer!
With 3 simple ingredients, this can easily be made in less than 3 minutes. The ingredients can be kept on hand for last-minute guests, too - which you will love. Jazz it up with sliced green onions or fresh dill if desired.
Tasty Appetizer Recipe
Shrimp and cocktail sauce is an amazing combination that almost everyone loves. Turned into a cold shrimp dip it's even tastier! Serve with crackers or veggies. Yum.
Keto Shrimp Dip
While this dip is perfect for everyone, it definitely falls into the low carb and keto diet nicely. Low carb watchers and keto dieters can dip their favorite veggies, while others can eat with crackers.
fat 7.9g | net carbs 4.5g | protein 6g
🥘 What You'll Need
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this shrimp dip recipe:
Cocktail Sauce - Try my homemade sugar-free cocktail sauce - it's super easy! This dip is only as good as your cocktail sauce. Make sure it's good quality and a favorite! Keto followers make sure it is a keto-friendly sauce and sugar-free)
Canned Shrimp - you can also use cooked chopped shrimp, thawed, frozen or fresh (cooked) shrimp. Use the small salad shrimp, or medium sized is fine. You can also substitute crabmeat if desired.
Cream Cheese - use regular or nonfat cream cheese softened.
Optional for garnish - sliced green onions, chopped fresh chives or dill.
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
🔪 How To Make It
Here's how to make this low carb and keto appetizer. This is the best shrimp dip! 🙂
Prep
Let the cream cheese come to room temperature, make the cocktail sauce, and thaw the shrimp if needed.
Layer Ingredients
Place the cream cheese in the bottom of a dish. You can spread it out slightly or leave it in its original shape.
Spread cocktail sauce over the top of cream cheese, then top with shrimp.
Tip: make sure to use a favorite cocktail sauce that you've tested and love! This shrimp dip is as good as your cocktail sauce.
🥗 How To Serve It
Here are a few ways to serve this shrimp dip recipe:
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Garnish with fresh dill, chives, or sliced green onions. Sprinkle with fresh lemon juice for more zest.
Serve with raw veggies such as carrot and celery sticks and crackers.
I include a small cocktail spreader or butter knife makes it easier to spread on crackers.
📖 Variations
Here are a few ways you can customize this cream cheese shrimp dip recipe:
- Spicy - add chili pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the cocktail sauce.
- Use a chive cream cheese.
- Chili sauce can be substitute for cocktail sauce.
- Old bay seasoning can be added to the cocktail sauce, or sprinkled on top of the shrimp.
- Canned crabmeat can be substituted for the canned shrimp. Fresh cooked shrimp can be chopped and used in place of canned.
- Make it a hot shrimp dip - bake in the oven just until warmed through. I like to add the shrimp in the last few minutes because if baked too long they can become rubbery.
❓FAQs
Can I substitute fresh shrimp for canned shrimp?
Yes, you can use fresh or frozen cooked shrimp. If the shrimp are on the larger side, make sure to chop them as it's easier to serve on veggies or crackers.
Can I make this appetizer ahead of time?
Yes! You can make this appetizer up ahead of time, but it only takes 3 minutes, so it's super easy to make it right before you want to serve it. Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature.
If you do make this ahead of time, cover and refrigerate. Remove about 30 minutes before serving so the cream cheese is softened.
How long will this appetizer keep?
This appetizer will keep up to 4 days.
✔️ More Appetizer Recipes
- Dry Rub Chicken Wings with White BBQ Sauce
- Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
- Cheese Stuffed Baked Meatballs
- Fresh Homemade Guacamole
- Pizza Dip
- Air Fryer Cheese Curds
📋 Recipe
Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 ounces cocktail sauce (use regular or sugar free)
- 6 ounces canned shrimp (or, diced cooked frozen or fresh shrimp)
- 8 ounce block of cream cheese (at room temperature)
Instructions
- Lay room temperature cream cheese in a dish. You can spread it out slightly, or leave it as is.
- Pour cocktail sauce over the top of cream cheese, then top with shrimp.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
© 2023 Seeking Good Eats™
This shrimp dip will be your favorite easy appetizer recipe! This low carb and keto appetizer is so quick it will blow you away - less than 3 minutes to make! Keep ingredients for a spur-of-the-moment snack recipe! A perfect make-ahead appetizer for your next party, cookout, or holiday gathering. Serve with fresh veggies and crackers. #easydip #shrimp #appetizer #easyappetizer #holidayrecipe #partydip #seekinggoodeats #keto #lowcarb #seafood #seafoodappetizer #healthysnack #partysnack
Susan Meredith says
I have had this recipe for a long time, but do it a bit differently. I buy a bag of small frozen shrimp, when I defrost I save the juice and mix it with the cream cheese to make it an easier spread on the plate. On top of that I sprinkle dry minced onion to cover and then the shrimp. I refrigerate over night and when ready to serve I top with cocktail sauce. Keeps it from being runny or mushy. So good!
Kori says
I love your ideas and I bet it is super delicious! Thank you for sharing 🙂
April says
Love the shrimp idea, we have always made this with imitation crab meat and has always been a big hit at party’s.
Kori says
Thank you!! Super happy you loved this recipe! My Aunt brought this to our family get-togethers growing up!
Kathy says
Great recipes!!! Thank you so much getting so excited about cooking healthy. Thank for easy printable recipes.
Kori says
Awwww...thank you for trying them out! Glad you are enjoying them! 🙂
Carol says
I also use these ingredients, but
stir them together to become a
spread.
Wondering : could this be made ahead and frozen ?
seekinggoodeats says
Great idea that works too! I have not frozen this recipe, but I believe you could! Cream cheese is freezable and I don't see why the shrimp or cocktail sauce couldn't be either. Let me know!