BEST Cream Cheese SHRIMP DIP (with cocktail sauce)
This cold cream cheese shrimp dip recipe is an easy appetizer to make with only three ingredients. All you need is a block of softened cream cheese, canned tiny shrimp, and shrimp cocktail sauce. Try this layered shrimp dip at your next party, it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 jar cocktail sauce use 8-12 oz depending on platter size
- 1-2 cans tiny shrimp, well-drained I used Bumble Bee brand
- hot sauce optional
- parsley, chopped optional
- Original Wheat Thins see notes
Instructions
- Drain the shrimp in a strainer. Try not to squeeze the shrimp as they can easily break apart.
- While the shrimp are draining, spread the softened cream cheese onto a small to medium-sized platter, tray, or dinner plate. Spread evenly.
- OPTIONAL: If adding hot sauce....mix hot sauce with the cocktail sauce in a bowl before spreading it onto the cream cheese. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and add more if you like more heat.
- Then evenly spread the cocktail sauce on top of the cream cheese. You may find you don't need all of the cocktail sauce depending on the size of the platter.
- Next, add the shrimp. Separate the whole shrimp pieces from the broken ones. Lay the broken pieces out evenly first then the whole shrimp pieces so that they will be more visible.
- OPTIONAL: Sprinkle chopped parsley on top.
- You can eat immediately. Best to chill the dip in the fridge for at least one hour up to the night before serving the dip.
Notes
For Dipping - Wheat thins have been the preferred mode of dipping as it is a sturdy cracker and rarely breaks in the cream cheese. You could try pita chips, celery, or any other strong cracker. You may want to serve the dip with a cream cheese knife as well.
Store the shrimp dip in an air-tight container or wrap it tightly.
Eat within 2 days of preparing before the dip becomes runny.
Do not let the dip sit out for longer than 2 hours without something to keep it cool.
You can also use low-fat cream cheese.
I used a bagel spreader to spread the cream cheese and the back of a spoon to spread the cocktail sauce.
Enjoy!