Name: Easy Cold Shrimp Dip with Cream Cheese recipe
Ingredients: Shrimp: 1 pound Cooked Shrimp, peeled and deveined: The star of the show! Pre-cooked shrimp makes this dip incredibly convenient and fast. You can use frozen cooked shrimp that has been thawed or fresh pre-cooked shrimp from the seafood counter. For the best flavor and texture, opt for medium-sized shrimp (around 41/50 count per pound). Larger shrimp can be used, but you may need to chop them more finely. Smaller shrimp also work well and are often more budget-friendly. Ensure the shrimp is thoroughly thawed and patted dry before chopping to prevent excess moisture in the dip.; Cream Cheese: 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened: The creamy base of the dip. Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the richest flavor and creamiest texture. However, you can use reduced-fat cream cheese to lighten it up slightly, but the texture might be a bit less decadent. It is crucial that the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. This will ensure it blends smoothly with the other ingredients and prevents lumps in the dip. Taking it out of the refrigerator about 30-60 minutes before you plan to make the dip is usually sufficient.; Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup Mayonnaise: Adds moisture, richness, and tang to the dip. Full-fat mayonnaise is recommended for the best flavor and creamy texture. You can use light mayonnaise to reduce the fat content, but it may slightly alter the taste and texture. For an extra flavorful boost, consider using an aioli or flavored mayonnaise (like roasted garlic or lemon aioli) for a fun twist.; Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavors and adds a crucial element of acidity that balances the richness of the cream cheese and mayonnaise. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always preferred for its vibrant flavor. Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, but the flavor won’t be quite as bright. Lime juice can also be used for a slightly different, equally delicious citrusy note.; Fresh Dill: 1/4 cup Fresh Dill, finely chopped: Provides a fresh, herbaceous, and slightly tangy flavor that complements shrimp beautifully. Fresh dill is essential for the best flavor. Dried dill can be used as a substitute in a pinch (use about 1 tablespoon dried dill), but the fresh dill flavor is far superior. If you don’t have dill, fresh parsley or chives can be used as alternative herbs, but they will slightly alter the flavor profile.; Green Onions: 2-3 Green Onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts): Adds a mild oniony bite and fresh flavor to the dip. Green onions provide a milder onion flavor than yellow or white onions, making them perfect for a cold dip. Make sure to use both the white and green parts for the best flavor. If you don’t have green onions, finely minced shallots can be used as a substitute for a slightly more pungent onion flavor.; Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder: Provides a savory garlic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dip. Garlic powder is preferred over fresh garlic in this cold dip as it blends in smoothly and provides a consistent garlic flavor throughout. Fresh garlic can be too pungent and overpowering in a cold dip. If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, you can increase the amount of garlic powder slightly.; Old Bay Seasoning: 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning: A classic seafood seasoning blend that adds a distinctive savory, slightly spicy, and aromatic flavor that is perfect for shrimp. Old Bay Seasoning is a key ingredient in this dip and really elevates the flavor. If you don’t have Old Bay Seasoning, you can create a similar flavor profile by combining paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.; Salt and Black Pepper: Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors in the dip. Salt balances the flavors and brings out the taste of the shrimp and other ingredients. Freshly ground black pepper adds a touch of spice and complexity. Taste the dip after mixing all the ingredients and adjust the salt and pepper to your preference. Remember that Old Bay Seasoning also contains salt, so season cautiously and taste as you go.; Optional: Hot Sauce: Few dashes of Hot Sauce (such as Tabasco or your favorite): For those who like a little heat, a few dashes of hot sauce can add a pleasant kick to the dip. The amount of hot sauce can be adjusted to your spice preference. Start with a few dashes and add more to taste. Different types of hot sauce can be used to customize the flavor – Tabasco for a classic vinegary heat, or a chili garlic sauce for a more complex flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp:
- 1 pound Cooked Shrimp, peeled and deveined: The star of the show! Pre-cooked shrimp makes this dip incredibly convenient and fast. You can use frozen cooked shrimp that has been thawed or fresh pre-cooked shrimp from the seafood counter. For the best flavor and texture, opt for medium-sized shrimp (around 41/50 count per pound). Larger shrimp can be used, but you may need to chop them more finely. Smaller shrimp also work well and are often more budget-friendly. Ensure the shrimp is thoroughly thawed and patted dry before chopping to prevent excess moisture in the dip.

Cream Cheese:
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened: The creamy base of the dip. Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the richest flavor and creamiest texture. However, you can use reduced-fat cream cheese to lighten it up slightly, but the texture might be a bit less decadent. It is crucial that the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. This will ensure it blends smoothly with the other ingredients and prevents lumps in the dip. Taking it out of the refrigerator about 30–60 minutes before you plan to make the dip is usually sufficient.

Mayonnaise:
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise: Adds moisture, richness, and tang to the dip. Full-fat mayonnaise is recommended for the best flavor and creamy texture. You can use light mayonnaise to reduce the fat content, but it may slightly alter the taste and texture. For an extra flavorful boost, consider using an aioli or flavored mayonnaise (like roasted garlic or lemon aioli) for a fun twist.

Lemon Juice:
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavors and adds a crucial element of acidity that balances the richness of the cream cheese and mayonnaise. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always preferred for its vibrant flavor. Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, but the flavor won’t be quite as bright. Lime juice can also be used for a slightly different, equally delicious citrusy note.

Fresh Dill:
- 1/4 cup Fresh Dill, finely chopped: Provides a fresh, herbaceous, and slightly tangy flavor that complements shrimp beautifully. Fresh dill is essential for the best flavor. Dried dill can be used as a substitute in a pinch (use about 1 tablespoon dried dill), but the fresh dill flavor is far superior. If you don’t have dill, fresh parsley or chives can be used as alternative herbs, but they will slightly alter the flavor profile.

Green Onions:
- 2–3 Green Onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts): Adds a mild oniony bite and fresh flavor to the dip. Green onions provide a milder onion flavor than yellow or white onions, making them perfect for a cold dip. Make sure to use both the white and green parts for the best flavor. If you don’t have green onions, finely minced shallots can be used as a substitute for a slightly more pungent onion flavor.

Garlic Powder:
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder: Provides a savory garlic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dip. Garlic powder is preferred over fresh garlic in this cold dip as it blends in smoothly and provides a consistent garlic flavor throughout. Fresh garlic can be too pungent and overpowering in a cold dip. If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, you can increase the amount of garlic powder slightly.

Old Bay Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning: A classic seafood seasoning blend that adds a distinctive savory, slightly spicy, and aromatic flavor that is perfect for shrimp. Old Bay Seasoning is a key ingredient in this dip and really elevates the flavor. If you don’t have Old Bay Seasoning, you can create a similar flavor profile by combining paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Salt and Black Pepper:
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors in the dip. Salt balances the flavors and brings out the taste of the shrimp and other ingredients. Freshly ground black pepper adds a touch of spice and complexity. Taste the dip after mixing all the ingredients and adjust the salt and pepper to your preference. Remember that Old Bay Seasoning also contains salt, so season cautiously and taste as you go.

Optional: Hot Sauce:
- Few dashes of Hot Sauce (such as Tabasco or your favorite): For those who like a little heat, a few dashes of hot sauce can add a pleasant kick to the dip. The amount of hot sauce can be adjusted to your spice preference. Start with a few dashes and add more to taste. Different types of hot sauce can be used to customize the flavor – Tabasco for a classic vinegary heat, or a chili garlic sauce for a more complex flavor.

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Chop the Shrimp: If using larger shrimp, roughly chop them into smaller, bite-sized pieces. If using medium or small shrimp, you may only need to halve or coarsely chop them. The goal is to have shrimp pieces that are easy to scoop up with crackers or vegetables and are evenly distributed throughout the dip. Avoid chopping the shrimp too finely, as you still want to have discernible pieces of shrimp in the dip for texture and visual appeal.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients

In a Medium Bowl: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chopped fresh dill, sliced green onions, garlic powder, Old Bay Seasoning, salt, and black pepper. If using hot sauce, add a few dashes at this stage as well.

Mix Until Smooth and Combined: Using a hand mixer, stand mixer, or a sturdy whisk, beat the ingredients together until they are completely smooth and well combined. Ensure there are no lumps of cream cheese remaining and that all the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. If using a hand mixer or stand mixer, start on a low speed and gradually increase to medium speed to prevent ingredients from splattering. If whisking by hand, ensure the cream cheese is very soft and use a vigorous whisking motion to incorporate all ingredients smoothly.

Step 3: Add Shrimp and Mix

Gently Fold in Shrimp: Add the chopped cooked shrimp to the bowl with the cream cheese mixture.

Stir to Combine: Gently fold the shrimp into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula or spoon until the shrimp is evenly distributed throughout the dip. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to keep the shrimp pieces intact and avoid breaking them down too much. Fold just until the shrimp is incorporated and the dip is uniformly mixed.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Cover and Chill: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the dip to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably 1-2 hours, to allow the flavors to meld and for the dip to chill thoroughly. Chilling is important for both flavor and texture, as it allows the dip to firm up and the flavors to deepen and blend together. The dip can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Serve Cold: Serve the Easy Cold Shrimp Dip chilled with your favorite dippers, such as crackers, baguette slices, vegetables, or tortilla chips. Garnish with extra fresh dill sprigs or sliced green onions, if desired, for visual appeal.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 150-200
Sugar: 1-2 grams
Sodium: 200-300 mg
Fat: 12-16 grams
Saturated Fat: 7-10 grams
Carbohydrates: 2-3 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Protein: 8-10 grams
Cholesterol: 70-90 mg