Sharing is caring!

Are you in need of an easy dip recipe that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser? This shrimp dip recipe with cream cheese is just what you need!

Shrimp Dip Recipe with Cream Cheese

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy recipe for shrimp dip is a staple in our family. There is rarely a holiday where it isn’t one of the appetizers served.

One of the greatest things about this recipe is that it can be easily modified to accommodate dietary restrictions. Over the years we have changed the recipe up some to make it both gluten-free and dairy-free.

Ingredients Needed for this Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip

• Cream Cheese – Many refer to this recipe as a Philadelphia cream cheese shrimp dip, but any brand of cream cheese will do. I find the store brand tastes just as good and helps to keep the cost of making this dip down.
• Shrimp – One thing that makes this dip so fast and easy to make is that you use a can of shrimp. This makes prepping the shrimp a breeze. Any can of shrimp will do, but if possible a can of tiny shrimp works best.
• Cocktail Sauce – What would a shrimp dip be without cocktail sauce? This ingredient is what makes this taste like a shrimp cocktail in dip form.
• Crackers – While you could use lots of different items to dip with I think that plain crackers are best for enjoying the flavor of this shrimp dip. My favorite options are a basic Ritz-type cracker or Triscuits.

Shrimp Dip Accessories

This shrimp dip recipe with cream cheese is easy to make and requires very few items to make it. Still, you can really make the presentation pop with a few key items.

Large Decorative Dinner Plate

First, you’ll want a colorful and fun dinner plate. You want a large plate for this dish, so one at least the size of a large dinner plate is a must. You can certainly use any dinner plate you have on hand, but one that is colorful, seasonal, or fits the theme of the party is way more fun. It can also turn into a good conversation starter too!

Annovero Dinner Plates, Large Colorful Cute Decorative Porcelain Dinnerware for Salad, Pasta, Serving Dishes for Entertaining, Microwavable, 10.5 Inch Diameter, Set of 6getstar Ceramic Dinner Plates Set of 6, Colorful Plate Set, 10.5 Inches, Microwave & Dishwasher Safe, Boho DishesFarielyn-X 6 Pack Porcelain Dinner Plates – 10.5 Inch Diameter – Pizza Pasta Serving Plates Dessert Dishes – Microwave, Oven, and Dishwasher Safe, Scratch Resistant – Set of 6ONEMORE Colorful Dinner Plates Set of 6, 10.5 inch – Microwave, Oven & Dishwasher Safe Large Ceramic Plates for Pasta, Pizza – Geometric Style, Sturdy, Scratch Resistant – Assorted ColorsSelamica Ceramic Dinner Plates set of 4, 10.5 Inch Ceramic Plates for Kitchen, Large Serving Plates for Pasta Salad Steak, Microwave Dishwasher Safe, BlueCerkik Ceramic Dinner Plates Set – 10.5 Inch Large Porcelain Serving Dishes for Steak Pasta Salad Pancakes Pizza – Scratch Resistant Microwave Oven Dishwasher Safe – Set of 6 – Assorted Colors

 

Spreader Knife

To make this dip easy to share at a party you will need a knife. You don’t need anything special. Truly, a regular butter knife will do. Still, a spreader knife can add to the overall look. Plus some of them are so colorful and fun!

Wine Things 4-Piece Hand Painted Resin Handle with Stainless Steel Blade Cheese Spreader/Butter Spreader Knife, Assorted (Red Wine Tasting)Slitzer Germany Butter Knife Set – European-Style Spreader Knife with Stainless Steel Blade – Easy Grip Colored ABS Handles – 6-Piece SetWine Things 2-Piece Cheese and Butter Spreader Knives Zinc Alloy Cheese Spreader Set (Turtles)Lenox 885610 Butterfly Meadow 2-Piece Spreader Set

 

Cracker Tray

Some people like to go simple and just put out the box of crackers for guests to grab from. While you can go that route I personally think it looks nicer to put out something that can hold the crackers. You could go with a cracker tray or a basket. The choice is up to you!

2 Set 14.5″ Poly-Wicker Bread Basket, Long Woven Tabletop Food Serving Basket, Honey Brown – Set of 2Okllen 3 Pack Poly-Wicker Bread Basket, 11″

 

How to Make This Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip

Making this shrimp dip recipe is very easy. The most important thing you must remember is to get the brick of cream cheese out at least an hour before you make the dip. Otherwise, it’ll be too hard to spread easily.

Once the cream cheese is soft enough to work with place it on the large dinner plate that you’ve chosen. Then use a knife to spread it out over the plate. Continue to spread it around until the thickness is the same on all areas of the plate.

Next, open and drain your can of shrimp. Now, some people like to put the shrimp on whole, but I think the dip works better when the shrimp are crubled up. You can easily do this with a fork. Just run the fork through the shrimp in the can to break them apart. Once the shrimp are all crumbled pour the pieces on top of the cream cheese and spread it all around the plate.

For the last step, you’re going to add the cocktail sauce. Pour out about two-thirds of the bottle and spread it out over the entire dip. You can add more cocktail sauce if you think it’s needed.

Now your dip is ready to be enjoyed! If you do not plan on serving the dip immediately place it in the refrigerator to keep cold until it’s time to serve it.

How Long Does Shrimp Dip Last in the Fridge

This dip is so well-liked that I often find that it goes fast and nothing is left at the end of the party. Still, if you’re lucky enough to have some left to enjoy later know that you’re safe putting it in the fridge to stay fresh. This dip will stay good in the fridge for several days, but likely not longer. I always keep the plate covered with either plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It makes a great snack or even lunch, so it won’t be difficult to eat it up in time.

How Far In Advance to Make Shrimp Dip Recipe with Cream Cheese

While the dip will stay fresh in the refrigerator for several days I wouldn’t make it farther ahead than the day of the party. If the party is in the afternoon, or even in the evening, you’d be fine making the dip earlier in the morning. If it sits too long though it can get a bit watery looking on top. This doesn’t make it bad, or affect the taste, but it doesn’t look as nice to serve at an event.

Can You Freeze this Shrimp Dip

With the way this dip is made and served, I would not recommend freezing it. First, you won’t want to freeze the porcelain plate. Plus could you even fit a plate that size in your freezer? I know I can’t! Second, this dip is best served in its prepared layers, so even putting it into a freezer-safe dish is not going to make it better. This dip truly is best prepared and consumed within several days. If you can’t finish it the best option is to toss it out.

Yield: 12

Shrimp Dip

Print

This is an easy-to-make dip appetizer that is sure to please all crowds. The only ingredients necessary are cream cheese, shrimp, and cocktail sauce. Plus crackers to serve with it!

Prep Time 1 hour

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 8oz Brick of Cream Cheese
• 1 Can of Shrimp
• 1 Bottle of Cocktail Sauce
• 1 Box of Crackers

Instructions

1. Spread cream cheese all over the bottom of a dinner-size plate.
2. Drain the shrimp, crumble (use a fork to move it around in the can), and spread on top of the cream cheese.
3. Pour out the cocktail sauce and spread it on top of the shrimp (start with about 2/3 of the bottle and add more if needed).
4. Serve with crackers.

Notes

Be sure to get the cream cheese out of the refrigerator an hour before making the dip so it'll have time to soften.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 75Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 115mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information isn't always accurate.