Layered Shrimp Cocktail Dip

Looking for a great appetizer that won’t break the bank but delivers gourmet flavor? This layered shrimp cocktail dip is a beautiful blend of the classic recipes taste in every single bite. With fresh shrimp and your favorite cocktail sauce spread over seasoned cream cheese, it makes a delicious addition to any party spread, whatever the occasion!

Dips are one of my family’s favorite things, both to make and enjoy.

They’re easy, requiring minimal effort, but almost always highlight flavors we love.

So basically you get the taste you’re craving, with half the work of a traditional dish. Again, dips for the win!

Now that it’s officially dip ‘season’ again, let me introduce you to our new favorite fancy dip- a layered shrimp cocktail dip.

It makes a delicious appetizer fit for a crowd, but with half the cost of serving traditional shrimp cocktail.

It’s perfect for special occasions and holiday gatherings.

Ingredients Needed

While shrimp cocktail itself has a reputation as a fancy dish, it only requires a couple ingredients.

This layered cream cheese dip keeps that simplicity in mind, and only calls for a handful of fairly common ingredients.

To make it, you’ll need:

• Shrimp – You’ll need half a pound of cooked shrimp that’s been both peeled & deveined. If using frozen make sure it’s thawed first, before roughly chopping. You want larger chunks, so don’t over do it or dice the shrimp.
• Cream Cheese – 8 ounces of softened cream cheese are used in this layered dip. Full fat cream cheese works best, but Neufchatel will also work and shave off a few calories.
• Green Onions – 1 small bunch of fresh green onions, thinly sliced.
• Worcestershire Sauce 
• Cocktail Sauce – You can use store bought or homemade in this recipe. If you have the extra time, I highly recommend whipping up a batch of the homemade sauce for this dip.
• Old Bay Seasoning – This tends to be a regional specialty often found in the Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware regions. If you can’t find it, it can also be called Chesapeake Bay seasoning, you can use crab boil seasoning or even Cajun seasoning in it’s place- although Cajun is spicier, so you’ll need less.

That’s it!

Gather your ingredients and get started.

How To Make

Making this layered shrimp cocktail dip with cream cheese is super easy, I promise!

Don’t let the fancy name make you think otherwise.

To get started, add your chopped shrimp to a mixing bowl.

Sprinkle the Old Bay seasoning out overtop, then gently toss until the shrimp’s evenly coated. Set this aside.

To a separate mixing bowl add the softened cream cheese, 3/4’s of the sliced green onions, and Worcestershire sauce.

Using a hand mixer, whip them together until smooth & creamy.

Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a shallow serving dish or platter.

Using a spatula spread it out in an even layer.

Pour the cocktail sauce on top, in the center, and then spread it out evenly over top of the cream cheese layer.

Add the seasoned shrimp, in an even layer, on top of the cocktail sauce layer.

Sprinkle the rest of the sliced green onions evenly out over top of the dish.

Serve with your favorite dipping options and dig in!

Dipping Options

While crackers tend to be the standard thing to pair with shrimp dip, and dips in general- there’s so many delicious pairings that can go with this creamy cocktail dip.

Some of our favorites include:

• Crackers
• Pretzels
• Sliced Baguettes
• Celery or Carrot Sticks
• Bagel Chips
• Naan Bread Dippers

This list isn’t definitive either, you can always mix, match, and add your own favorite dipping options to pair with this creamy shrimp dip.

Storing

Leftover shrimp cocktail dip can be covered in the serving dish with clang wrap and refrigerated.

It should be used within 24 hours.

This dip isn’t one that stores well though overall, so it’s best made fresh and intended to enjoy when prepared.

Can This Shrimp Cocktail Dip Be Made Ahead Of Time?

Can be made ahead of time, covered with cling wrap, and chilled up to an hour before serving.

No longer because the cocktail sauce will bleed into the cream cheese mixture.

TIPS & TRICKS

• Want to make this dip even easier to throw together? You can toss the shrimp with the seasoning, and then stir it together with the sauce before spreading the mixture over the cream cheese layer.
• While shrimp cocktail isn’t served warm, you could warm this dip in the oven (just long enough to knock the chill off!) if cold dips aren’t to your liking.
• I prefer using fresh or frozen cooked shrimp, but you can sub the canned tiny shrimp. If using them, there’s no need to chop them but do make sure to drain them well.
• Want to spice things up? You can mix a little horseradish or Tabasco sauce in with your shrimp cocktail sauce before adding it to the dip.

Other Delicious Shrimp Dip Recipes

Budget friendly, with all the flavor you love in shrimp cocktail but in a savory spread, this layered shrimp cocktail dip is a must have on your holiday menu.

Looking for other savory shrimp dips to serve? Check out these fan favorites:

• Creamy Slow Cooker Shrimp Dip
• Easy Shrimp Ceviche
• Parmesan Shrimp Dip Bread Bowl
• Creamy Shrimp Salad

If you’ve tried this SHRIMP COCKTAIL DIP, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!