Hey, y'all! I've posted many dips over the years here on the blog and today I'm excited to share one of my all-time favorites: a southern shrimp dip. This recipe stems from my Auntie JJ and is a part of a larger series, #CookingLikeJJ, which you can read more about here.
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Southern Shrimp Dip
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend buying peeled, deveined shrimp with their tails off - either frozen or fresh. Boil the shrimp for roughly 2-3 minutes, dependent on size.
Shrimp, when done, change colors. Once pink, they are done - be sure to not overcook. Place shrimp in cold water or in an ice bath to stop the cooking.
This is designed to be a cold dip; that said, shrimp dip can definitely be served warm. If you'd like a recipe for a warm shrimp dip, try this one.
Shrimp Dip can be kept in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

Ingredients, Shopping List: Southern Shrimp Dip
Dairy: cream cheese
Mayonnaise: I recommend Duke's
Seafood: peeled, deveined shrimp (tails off)
Produce: vidalia onion, celery, lemon
Seasonings/Spices: garlic powder, black pepper, Old Bay

How To Make Southern Shrimp Dip
- Bring water to a boil; season water with 1 tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning. Once boiling, add shrimp to the water and cook for 2-3 minutes or until pink. Remove shrimp from the boiling water and place into cold water/an ice bath to stop cooking.
- Roughly dice/cut shrimp, dice celery and onion. Add to a bowl with softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, and Old Bay Seasoning.
- Mix and chill. Serve with crackers, sliced baguette, or the accompaniment of your choice.

Southern Shrimp Dip: Tips and Tricks
- Purchasing peeled, deveined shrimp saves you a considerable amount of time.
- For easy mixing, make sure that your cream cheese is room temperature.
- Season additionally to taste.

Other Delicious Dip Recipes
The Recipe

Southern Shrimp Dip
Ingredients
- 1 lb. shrimp cooked + chopped
- 12 oz. cream cheese room temperature
- ½ c. chopped celery
- ½ c. chopped vidalia onion
- ½ c. mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning plus 1 tbsp. for boiling water
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil; season water with 1 tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning. Once boiling, add shrimp to the water and cook for 2-3 minutes or until pink. Remove shrimp from the boiling water and place into cold water/an ice bath to stop cooking.
- Roughly dice/cut shrimp, dice celery and onion. Add to a bowl with softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, and Old Bay Seasoning.
- Mix and chill. Serve with crackers, sliced baguette, or the accompaniment of your choice.
Notes
- Purchasing peeled, deveined shrimp saves you a considerable amount of time.
- For easy mixing, make sure that your cream cheese is room temperature.
- Season additionally to taste.
Nutrition
About the Series: Cooking Like JJ
My Auntie JJ was the quintessential southern woman. She was classy, tasteful, always refined; an amazing cook and hostess; and did everything that she balanced – teaching, running businesses, raising a family, and keeping an immaculate home – with ease. She is one of the main inspirations behind JCP Eats, as she was the one who taught me about timeless, southern food and entertaining. When JJ passed away, I planned this series as a way to pay homage to her 91 years here on Earth; in a way, it’s a form of mourning – in another, it seems like my final gift to her. I hope y’all will enjoy this deep dive into the culinary archives of my family + Phelps Acres Farm. While I’ll never be able to cook as good as JJ, I can only strive to cook like JJ (hence the title of the series). Learn more here.

Y’all come back now, ya hear?
My best,
JC
Keep Up With JCP Eats
Thank you so much for visiting the blog today! I’d love to keep in touch via social media. You can follow my content on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Tik Tok, Twitter, and LinkedIn. I also author a second website, Notable Kentucky, on which I write about all things of note in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Read Notable Kentucky here.
Georgia
Hi y’all. You mentioned a famous place to buy baguettes. I didn’t listen well and didn’t catch the name. Can you tell me who and where it is. Thank you and have a blessed day
JCP
Hi, Georgia! Blue Dog Bakery — it’s the best!
Sandy
Just curious why the southern shrimp dish is only good in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. I was going to make it 2 days ahead but will hold off now. Also, it makes a good size batch and there is usually a bit left over. We ate it for a couple days after the last time I made it. By the way, it’s delicious and got a lot of compliments- thank you!
JCP
Thank you for the kind words! That is the time frame that I have found that it kept best in my refrigerator, though I am happy to hear that it lasted longer on your end. While I never want to waste, I do try to be safe as opposed to sorry!