Shrimp Dip

With a creamy texture and tons of flavor, this easy shrimp dip recipe is loaded with diced salad shrimp and is great for serving with mild chips or veggies.

This post contains affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy.

About Shrimp Dip

Shrimp lovers rejoice! If you’re ready to ditch the cocktail sauce and find a new way to serve up shrimp at your next party, then a tasty shrimp dip should be next on your list.

The flavors are light, the texture is creamy, and – as with all quality dips – you can get creative with tons of different veggies and crackers for dipping.

Can you make this dip in advance?

Yes! In fact, this dip might even taste better after it’s had some time to marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours.

To refrigerate this dip: Add dip to a bowl with a sealable lid. Secure lid and store in the refrigerator for up to two days. When ready to serve, let the dip warm up on the counter for about 30 minutes, then serve.

Due to the mayonnaize in the recipe, freezing this dip is not recommended.

How long can you leave out a party dip?

Whenever you serve a dip for your guests to enjoy, you should always keep track of how long it sits at room temperature.

For most foods, the general rule of thumb is that a perishable item should not be in the “danger zone” for more than two hours. And by “danger zone”, this is usually at or just above room temperature. This dip will still be a little chilled when served, and that should give you an extra 30 minutes beyond the two-hour window, depending on the temperature of the room.

So, in total, this dip can be left out for “about” three hours. However, be sure to still check the dip every now and then – mayonnaise can be tricky like that.

Once you pass the recommended time, you can cover the dip and place it back in the refrigerator. If your guests still want more dip, let it chill for at least 30 minutes before bringing it back out again.

What kind of shrimp should you use?

Normally, this dip is made with “salad shrimp.” Labeled tiny, extra small, or small, these shrimp tend to be served cold on salads. Their soft texture makes them ideal for mixing in with other ingredients, such as this shrimp dip.

You can use other types of cooked and chilled shrimp, but be aware that the texture will be different. Larger shrimp are going to be a lot more firm and easier to distinguish within the dip, which can be a turnoff for some folks.

Do you serve this dip with shrimp for dipping?

As I’m sure you’ve probably seen, dip names are not very conventional. Sometimes the name means what you’re dipping with (such as this bagel dip) and other times it means what you’re dipping into (such as queso dip).

In the case of this dip, the shrimp are mixed inside the dip as an ingredient. So, no, you wouldn’t use shrimp for dipping into this dip. The “shrimp” part of the name refers to the flavor inside.

So, what can you serve with cold shrimp dip?

This dip is already very flavorful on its own, so I’d recommend pairing it with some milder choices for dipping. A few of my favorites are:

• Tortilla chips
• Ritz crackers
• Pretzels
• Saltine crackers
• Wheat thins
• Mild veggies like cucumbers, squash, zucchini, or celery

Notes & tips for easy shrimp dip

• For this recipe, I highly recommend using a stand mixer or a hand mixer. This recipe would be a bit tiresome to make by hand.

More savory party dips

More seafood recipes

How to make shrimp dip

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl), whip together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and lemon juice until nice and creamy.

Step 2 – Turn off the mixer and toss in the shrimp, green onion, parsley, garlic powder, and pepper, then use a spatula to gently fold all of the ingredients together.

Step 3 – Serve dip immediately with mild chips or veggies for dipping.