Crawfish Boil Dip Spices (Print Version)

A creamy, spicy blend of crawfish tails, cream cheese, and Cajun spices for party-ready indulgence.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 pound cooked crawfish tails, chopped, thawed if frozen, shells removed

→ Dairy

02 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
03 - 1 cup sour cream
04 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

06 - 1/2 cup bell pepper, finely diced
07 - 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
08 - 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

→ Spices and Seasonings

11 - 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional for extra heat
14 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 - 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
18 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional

→ For Serving

19 - Crackers, toasted baguette slices, or tortilla chips

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
03 - Stir in crawfish tails, Cajun seasoning, paprika, cayenne if using, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat.
04 - In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, Monterey Jack cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Mix until smooth.
05 - Fold the crawfish mixture into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.
06 - Transfer the dip to an oven-safe baking dish approximately 1 quart in size and spread evenly.
07 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the dip is bubbling and lightly golden on top.
08 - Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then garnish with sliced green onions. Serve warm with crackers, baguette slices, or tortilla chips.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It tastes like a crawfish boil but arrives warm and creamy in a single elegant dish—no messy newspaper required.
  • The Cajun spices wake up your whole mouth without overshadowing the sweet, tender crawfish tails.
  • It comes together in thirty minutes but tastes like you've been cooking since morning.
02 -
  • Softening the cream cheese beforehand is non-negotiable—cold cream cheese will refuse to blend smoothly and you'll end up with a lumpy dip no matter how much you stir.
  • The sautéed vegetables aren't just flavor; they add a subtle texture that keeps the dip from feeling like pure mousse, so don't skip that step or blend them fine.
03 -
  • Taste the dip right after folding everything together and before baking, so you can adjust the Worcestershire, lemon juice, or salt if needed—the heat of the oven won't change the flavors much, but it will meld them.
  • The green onion garnish is more than pretty; it's the final flavor note that lifts the whole dish and prevents it from tasting heavy.
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