This super simple to make Cajun Crab Spread is packed with amazing bold Cajun and Crab flavors. Serve it over butter crackers, Triscuits, Wheat Thins, or toast points at your next pool party, family reunion, or church potluck, and watch the crab lovers’ faces light up with delight over the Cajun treat.
Cajun Crab Spread combines decadent crab meat, cream cheese, mayonnaise, Colby-Jack cheese, celery, red bell peppers, spring onions, Crystal hot sauce, Slap Ya Mama Cajun spices, and a pinch of thyme for that perfect Cajun-inspired appetizer to serve to family and friends.
You’d be hard-pressed to find an excellent Southern Pool Party without a deliciously flavorful dip or spread on the table, especially during barbecue season when a lot of people gather around the pool deck. Cajun Crab Spreads are a fabulous low-maintenance option for get-togethers. Toss some ingredients in a food processor and combine. That’s it. About an hour later, you’re good to go with the perfect appetizer to get your party started.
To always have an excellent Cajun or Cajun-inspired experience, you must first understand the importance of using the proper spices. Let’s talk a bit about Cajun spices used in Les Canadiens or Les Acadiens Cuisine; cayenne pepper, paprika, onion powder, black and white pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, ground cloves, dried basil, and thyme are commonly used in Cajun recipes.
Often, a common misconception by folks not familiar with Cajun or Creole cooking; is substituting Old Bay seasoning for a Cajun Spice blend. They are apples compared to oranges; Old Bay seasoning has a mix; mustard, paprika, celery salt, bay leaf, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, mace, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger. While Old Bay is a fantastic spice blend for a New England Clam Bake, the results will not be the same for a Cajun recipe.
You can easily round-up a few good Cajun spice blends in your local grocery store or online that contain these most of the ingredient listed; such as Slap Ya Mama Cajun seasoning or even Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning as a substitute to cut the cost of the spices if you do not cook Cajun Cuisine regularly.
Cajun Crab Spread
*See the recipe card*
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Twelve-ounces of cream cheese softened
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Four-ounces of Colby-Jack cheese shredded
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Twelve-ounces of crab meat
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1/3 of a cup of mayonnaise
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One tablespoon of Crystal hot sauce or to taste
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One teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
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Juice of 1 lemon
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One tablespoon Cajun seasoning or to taste
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1/2 of a teaspoon of dried thyme
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1/2 of a cup of minced celery
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1/4 of a cup of minced red bell peppers
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Three spring onions chopped.
Instructions
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Dice 12-ounces of cream cheese, place in a food processor, and allow to soften for about 15 minutes before adding other ingredients.
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Place 4-ounces of Colby-Jack cheese, 12-ounces of crab meat or imitation crab meat in a food processor, 1/3 of a cup of mayonnaise, one tablespoon of Crystal hot sauce, one teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, juice of 1 lemon, one tablespoon of Slap Ya Mama Cajun seasoning, and 1/2 of a teaspoon of dried thyme. Run food processor on low till all mentioned ingredients are joined.
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Using a plastic spatula scrape mixture from the food processor into a large glass dish, add 1/2 of a cup of minced celery, 1/4 of a cup of minced red bell peppers, and three chopped spring onions. Fold all ingredients until evenly combined.
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Refrigerate until ready to serve, best if refrigerated for at least 1 hour.
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Serve with various crackers.
Frequently asked questions
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How do I soften the cream cheese? I usually place my creme cheese out on a counter about 45 minutes before making my recipe. Do not use a microwave to soften it.
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The recipe calls for Colby-Jack cheese can I use another cheese? Try a mild cheddar cheese in place of the Colby-Jack.
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The recipe calls for Crystal hot sauce can I use the hot sauce I have on hand instead? That’s fine, but I do not recommend anything but Cajun Hot sauces.
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Can I use Miricle Whip instead of Mayo? I do not suggest using Miricle Whip the integrity will be ruined.
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I do not have Cajun seasoning, but I do have creole seasoning can I use it? It tastes better with the Cajun seasoning, but in a pinch, yes.
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How long will this last in the refrigerator? It will safely last up to 4 days. After that, I would discard the rest.
If you like the recipe for Cajun Crab Spread, here are a few others you might like
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Cajun Meatloaf– This recipe for Cajun Meatloaf; isn’t mom’s plain old meatloaf folks; this meatloaf is pure Cajun Mom’s comfort food kicked up several notches with Cajun Seasoning, cayenne pepper, Crystal hot sauce, a Holy Cajun Trinity, finely chopped carrots, all mixed in with lean ground beef and quality ground pork, glazed to perfection with spicy ketchup then baked in a 350-degree oven till perfectly done.
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Baked Spicy Breaded Cajun Chicken Wings are finger-licking good without all the saucy mess you’d expect; Spicy Breaded Cajun Chicken Wings are soaked in rich buttermilk and hot sauce overnight, deliciously seasoned with spicy Cajun seasoning, and made with a crispy crunchy Cajun-style Batter for the perfect outcome.
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Cajun Black Eyed- Peas are going to be a favorite on your dinner table, combining black-eyed peas, collard greens, andouille or smoked sausage, onions, peppers, red bell peppers, celery, carrots, jalapeño peppers, tomatoes with chilies, hot sauce, and Cajun seasoning for a Cajun-flavored tradition of the South.

Cajun Crab Spread
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Cream cheese softened
- 4 ounces Colby-Jack cheese shredded
- 12 ounces Lump crab meat or imitation crab meat
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Crystal hot sauce or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 lemon juice of
- 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning or to taste
- ½ teaspoon Dry prepared mustard
- ½ teaspoon Dried thyme
- ½ cup celery minced
- ¼ cup red bell peppers minced
- 3 Spring onions chopped
Instructions
- Dice 12-ounces of cream cheese, place in food processor and allow to soften for about 15 minutes before adding other ingredients.
- Place 4-ounces of Colby-Jack cheese, 12-ounces of crab meat or imitation crab meat in a food processor, ⅓ of a cup of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of Crystal hot sauce, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, juice of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon of Slap Ya Mama Cajun seasoning, and 1/2 of a teaspoon of dried thyme. Run food processor on low till all mentioned ingredients are joined.
- Using a plastic spatula scrape mixture from the food processor into a large glass dish, add ½of a cup of minced celery, ¼ of a cup of minced red bell peppers, and 3 chopped spring onions. Fold all ingredients in till evenly combined.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve, best if refrigerated at least 1 hour.
- Serve with various crackers.
Nutrition
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30 Comments
Kate
May 29, 2020 at 10:08 amWow, this was awesome tasting, I’m obsessed with anything cream cheese so I’m really into this recipe haha. And, I live in Maryland so I used Old Bay anyway (sorry I can’t help myself!).
Jess
May 29, 2020 at 1:05 amI made this recently and I cannot wait to make it again for our pool party this weekend. This will be PERFECT!
Vicky
July 31, 2019 at 1:47 pmThis would be wonderful to serve as an easy appetizer when entertaining. I would serve it with crackers. The cajun flavors really bring out the yumminess of the crab.
Kate
July 31, 2019 at 1:11 pmWow, this Crab Spread looks seriously delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Healy Eats Real
July 31, 2019 at 12:51 pmCrab Spread is such a great dish for a summer picnic! I bet all those cajun spices go great with the crab!
Beth
July 31, 2019 at 11:30 amOh, this Crab spread looks so flavorful! I know it’s meant to be an appetizer, but I could eat this as a meal!!
Cindy @ A Uniquely Edible Magic
July 31, 2019 at 11:11 amThis Crab Spread looks absolutely amazing! Can’t wait to try!
Billy D.
June 7, 2018 at 12:41 pmLooks delicious, can I use shrimp instead? Crab is a bit above my budget these days.
Thanks
Billy
Heidy McCallum
June 7, 2018 at 12:46 pmHi, Billy, yes just be sure to cook or use cooked shrimp. I would just chop or dice the cooked shrimp and follow the rest of recipe.
Have an amazing day!
Sarah's Attic of Treasures
September 12, 2015 at 2:07 amReblogged this on Sarah's Attic Of Treasures and commented:
Heidy has outdone herself again. Check out this Cajun Crab Spread . Shared From The McCallum’s Shamrock Patch.
Heidy L. McCallum
September 15, 2015 at 3:02 pmThank you so much for the love on the Cajun Crab Spread.
XoXo
H
Sarah's Attic of Treasures
September 16, 2015 at 3:24 amxoxoxo
Sarah's Attic of Treasures
September 12, 2015 at 2:05 amI love this. We both love Cajun food. Me more than Danny. I just like the spices. You are right. I love Old Bay but it is not Cajun. I actually had an argument with Danny about it one time. He thinks Old Bay works on anything.
Heidy, Danny doesn’t cook.
I am sharing this. Saving it. It is just a bit different from how I have always made mine.
On another note: Are you tired of the rain yet? Just when I thought we could start drying out IT POURED again tonight.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sarah
Heidy L. McCallum
September 15, 2015 at 3:02 pmOmg, I love Old Bay, just not to spice for Cajun or Creole. It’s my pet peeve, lol can’t you tell.
Oh, yes I am dead tired of this crazy rain, but I guess we need a bit to make the grass green…mine is over green lol
Besos
H
Sarah's Attic of Treasures
September 16, 2015 at 3:27 amThe Park is FLooded bad all over. Rolling Meadows where the house is is wet but not as bad. A good part Of Rolling Meadows though IS WAY underwater,
What about the thunder and lightning? At least it has held off for a bit.
What grass? We have weeds!!!!!!!!!!!! Hugs Heidy