Crab dip is perfect if you are searching for an easy comfort food recipe.
It is tasty, cheesy, and hearty and can be paired with many recipes. You can make it on days when you want to lie in bed and have your Doritos with a yummy dip or when you are hosting a game night and need some quick snacks to go around the table.
However, what happens if you have a lot of crab dip leftovers?
Do you freeze the dip? Will your precious dip go bad? Should you dump it in the trash?
Here is what you should learn about freezing and storing crab dip.
Can You Freeze Crab Dip?
The good news is that instead of chucking your delicious crab dip in the trash if there is a change in plan or you overestimated the amount of dip you would need to serve your friends, you can simply freeze it till the next time you want to use it!
Of course, freezing crab dip can be a little tricky.
But, as long as you get creative and follow our instructions, you should be okay. Here are some steps that you need to follow to freeze and reuse crab dip:
Step 1
Carefully put the dip in a plastic bag or any plastic container that is freezer safe.
Do not use glass, as glass can explode at low temperatures.
Leave half an inch on top when filling the container with crab dip. This will ensure that air does not find its way into the container and will also give the dip enough room to expand as it freezes.
Let the crab dip stay in the freezer for an hour.
After this time duration, take it out of the freezer and burp it so that you can get rid of the air pockets that may be trapped inside.
Step 2
Whenever you want to use the dip next, take it out of the freezer and allow it to defrost.
Based on how much mayonnaise has been used in the recipe, you might have to vigorously stir the dip after it has been defrosted.
Keep in mind that the dip might have separated because of the sour cream and mayo, and instead of creamy, it may feel lumpy. This is normal and does not point to the idea that your dip has gone bad.
All you have to do is heat the dip on the stove for some amount of time and continue to stir every couple of minutes. This will help the texture return to normal as the ingredients get to know each other again.
If you do not like the texture, you can always add more sour cream and mayo.
Step 3
Who said that you have to reuse the same crab dip?
Even though the original recipe you used for making your crab dip could be great, you can always add your own twist when you are reusing it.
To change the taste of the dip, throw in some Monterey Jack or shredded mozzarella and bake the dip in the oven for 15 minutes at a temperature of 350 degrees.
Since every oven is different, we recommend keeping an eye on the dish and taking it out of the oven when the dip starts getting bubbly. You can serve this with some chicken, steak, or baked potatoes for a filling meal!
How Long Can You Reuse Crab Dip For?
As long as you freeze crab dip at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, it will last for a long period of time.
But, consume it within three months. This is because sour cream and mayonnaise do not last long in the freezer, and the change of your dip may also start to change.
If you want to make the dip beforehand and use it in three or four days, you can put it in the refrigerator rather than the freezer. The taste of this dip will be better than the one that has been put into the freezer.
Remember, do not leave the dip outside for a long period of time, as it can go bad in the heat very fast.
Tips for Freezing Crab Dip
- When packing the crab dip to put in the freezer, use a plastic zip lock bag that is freezer-safe
- Remember to leave some space in the zip lock bag or container so that the dip can expand while freezing
- Make a note of the freezing date and label the container before you pop it in the freezer
- Make sure that there is no air seeping out of the container. Do this by checking the dip an hour after it has been in the freezer
- As long as the dip freezes well, it will last for a couple of months
- If you find that the crab dip tastes fishy or has a rotten smell, trust your nose and throw it out
How Long Can Crab Dip be Refrigerated For?
If you keep crab dip at room temperature for long periods, it will go bad very fast. Hence, popping the dip in the refrigerator is a good idea, as long as you plan to consume it within the next few days.
However, it would be best if you use aluminum foil to wrap the dip in a container so that no air can find its way in.
The container you use must also be airtight. You can store crab dip in the refrigerator for up to four days.
How to Know if Crab Dip Has Gone Bad?
Sour Taste or Smell
Smelling it is the easiest method to check if crab dip has gone bad. If it has a sour smell, it has probably gone bad.
Moreover, if there’s even the slightest indication of spoilage, we recommend tossing the dip.
Visible Mold
If you find that mold is growing on the crab dip, it is time to discard it. Do not think about removing the mold and consuming the dish.
Mold is dangerous, and even after it has been removed from the top of the dip, there are no guarantees that you will not develop a severe case of food poisoning after consuming it.
Bad Smell
If the crab dip has gone bad, it will have a pungent smell that will be difficult to ignore.
Allow the dip to defrost before taking a whiff of it. If it smells spoiled, pack it in a plastic bag and throw it away.
Color and Texture
Remember what the dip looked like when you first made or bought it. If it has developed a weird color or texture after you have defrosted it, it has probably become rotten.
Dips are supposed to be smooth, so if you find that the crab dip has chunks of an unknown substance in it, do not eat it.
Similarly, if the dip has changed color and become darker than it was when you made it, it is time to bid it farewell.
Slimy and Thick
There is nothing more disgusting than a dip that has become slimy and thick. This is a sign that bacteria are growing in the dip and, if consumed, will make you sick immediately.
This may even happen if you keep the dip at room temperature for more than two hours.
Maggots
If you find any visible maggots or other insects in your crab dip, do not eat it or serve it to anyone.
It is usually difficult to tell if the dip has gone bad when you look at it but as long as you wait for it to defrost and use your five senses to examine it, we are confident that you will be able to tell if it smells sour or looks weird.
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Different Variations for Crab Dip
If you are looking to add a kick to your crab dip recipe and change it up a little, here are some crab dip variations that you can take advantage of:
- Add bacon toppings for some extra crispiness
- Add Tabasco sauce or jalapenos for some flavor and spice
- Pair the crab dip with some shrimp or fish to fully enjoy that seafood flavor
- Reuse your crab dip by making a spinach crab dip
- Add some breadcrumbs on top of the dip and bake it so that you are left with a crispy dip that is fun to dig into
Final Verdict – Can You Freeze Crab Dip?
Crab dip is a wonderful seafood recipe that, when consumed fresh, tastes amazing.
As humans, we always have a thousand things to manage at one time, so we completely understand if you want to make your dip ahead of time and freeze it before you are ready to use it.
If you have crab dip leftovers after a party or ended up making an extra batch, feel free to transfer it into a freezer-safe container and reheat it whenever you are ready to eat it.
Keep in mind that refrigerated crab dip stays fresh for four days before it starts to go bad. Similarly, we recommend consuming freezer crap dip within three to four months.
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