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Shrimp is fully cooked when it turns opaque and pink. For larger shrimp, that might take 2-3 minutes per side in a skillet, whereas for smaller shrimp it’ll take less time. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJust be sure to remove them from the heat as soon as they turn whitish-pink and well before they start to curl into “O” shapes, which is a sign that they’ve been overcooked.

Shrimp Dip Without Cream Cheese (Dairy-Free Dip)

Creamy, dreamy, and perfectly garlicky, this recipe for Shrimp Dip Without Cream Cheese is the easy, dairy-free dip of your dreams. Made with just 8 simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of active prep work, this Cajun shrimp dip is a family favorite all year round.

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Why We Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Substitutions
How To Make Southern Shrimp Dip
Optional Variations
Expert Tips
FAQs
More Tasty Appetizer Recipes

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Why We Love This Recipe

When it comes to entertaining, we always love to greet our guests with a nibble and a drink when they first walk through the door. What can we say? That’s how Southern hospitality works!

That said, there are those times when a last-minute, impromptu get-together materializes before we’ve had a chance to get all our proverbial ducks in a row. On those nights, this garlicky shrimp dip recipe comes to the rescue. It’s creamy, crunchy, and deeply flavorful — all very good things.

Aside from being lick-the-bowl delicious, this shrimp appetizer dip is also:

Quick & Easy – Chop a few veggies, sauté some shrimp, and you’re basically done! The whole recipe won’t take you longer than about 10-15 minutes to assemble, which is just what we’re looking for when unexpected guests come a knockin’.
Made With Fewer Than 10 Ingredients – And all of them are Coastie kitchen staples, meaning this delightful appetizer is always within reach.
Crowd-Pleasing – Shrimp seems to be a nearly universal seafood option, even winning over most kiddos. Add some creamy mayo and crunchy veggies to the mix and you get a bowl of irresistible goodness!

Ingredients & Substitutions

As promised, you don’t need a ton of ingredients to make this cold shrimp dip. If you’re anything like us, you probably already have most of what you need on hand! Here’s what to grab:

Cooking Spray – We use just a spritz of non-stick cooking spray to cook our shrimp, but feel free to swap in the cooking oil of your choice.
Shrimp – Any size shrimp will do, and you’re welcome to use either fresh or frozen.
Cajun Seasoning – We’re diehard fans of Tony Chachere’s, but feel free to use the seasoning blend of your choice.
Mayonnaise – Any high-quality mayo like Hellman’s/Best Foods, Duke’s, or Blue Plate is perfect. Just do us a favor and put down the Miracle Whip. 😉
Garlic – Using fresh garlic cloves will give you more of a spicy bite, whereas garlic powder will be sweeter and tamer. Feel free to choose your own adventure.
Red Onion – Raw red onion provides crunch, zesty flavor, and a gorgeous hue. You’re also welcome to use milder shallots if needed.
Celery Stalks – Earthy, crunchy, and an inimitable cast member of the Cajun trinity, celery is always kicking around in our crisper drawers.
Salt & Pepper – Every dish needs a little seasoning. Add these to taste. If possible, opt for freshly ground black pepper — it is far more potent and delicious than the pre-ground stuff that comes in a tin.

How To Make Southern Shrimp Dip

This easy shrimp dip comes together in just a few minutes. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Cook Shrimp. Coat skillet with non-stick cooking spray and heat over medium. Cook shrimp on both sides until just opaque, then remove from heat and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Make Dip Base. Combine mayo, garlic, onion, and celery.

Step 3: Assemble Shrimp Dip. When shrimp has cooled completely, add it to the dip base and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Serve & Enjoy! Feel free to cover and refrigerate your garlic shrimp dip for up to 3 days, or dig right in with the crackers of your choice.

Optional Variations

While we think this shrimp garlic dip is pretty much the bee’s knees, there is always room for you to make any recipe your own. Here are a few variations to consider:

Spicy Shrimp Dip – Add some heat with some finely minced jalapeños and/or a sprinkle of cayenne powder.
Shrimp & Crab Dip – Feel free to add lump crab meat to the mix for a fancier seafood dip.

Expert Tips

To revive limp celery, cut off the bottom root end and stick it in a glass of cold water. The celery will drink up the water, restoring its turgor pressure (that’s science-talk for crunch factor) in about an hour or so.
To remove some of the bite from red onions, feel free to soak the chopped onions in cool water for about 10 minutes before draining, patting dry, and adding to the mix.
Opt for deveined shrimp (or tiny bay shrimp) to cut back on your prep work.
To quickly defrost frozen shrimp, place them in a bowl of cool water in the sink. Every few minutes, drain the water and refill it. They should be ready to use within 15 minutes!

FAQs

How do I know when my shrimp is cooked?

Shrimp is fully cooked when it turns opaque and pink. For larger shrimp, that might take 2-3 minutes per side in a skillet, whereas for smaller shrimp it’ll take less time.

Just be sure to remove them from the heat as soon as they turn whitish-pink and well before they start to curl into “O” shapes, which is a sign that they’ve been overcooked.

How long will creole shrimp dip last in the fridge?

We recommend keeping it covered and refrigerated for a maximum of 3 days for the best flavor.

Can you freeze Louisiana shrimp dip?

We don’t recommend it, as the mayonnaise has a tendency to break under very cold conditions.

More Tasty Appetizer Recipes

If y’all tried this sumptuous recipe for Dairy-Free Creamy Shrimp Dip Without Cream Cheese, holler and let us know how it turned out for you by giving us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and commenting below. You can also always feel free to tag us (@creamcheeseandlemonsqueeze) in your social media posts so we can cheer you on.

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XO,

Anna & Ashley