The Pioneer Woman’s Shrimp Dip is a retro-inspired party classic that Ree Drummond describes as “addictively delicious.” It’s a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy spread that brings back memories of 80s cocktail parties but with a fresh, flavorful twist. Unlike some seafood dips that can be overly fishy or heavy, Ree balances the richness of cream cheese and mayonnaise with the brightness of lemon juice, the kick of hot sauce, and the sharp bite of red onion. It’s the kind of “dump and stir” appetizer that tastes even better after sitting in the fridge, making it the ultimate stress-free hosting hack.
Try More Sides Recipes:
Jump to Recipe🧡 Why You Will Love This Shrimp Dip Recipe:
- Retro Charm: It has that nostalgic, comforting flavor profile that disappears instantly at potlucks.
- Texture Contrast: The dip is creamy, but the chunks of shrimp and crisp red onion/celery give it a satisfying crunch.
- No-Cook: There is absolutely no cooking involved—just chopping and mixing.
- Better with Time: The flavors meld together beautifully after a few hours, so it’s perfect for making ahead.
🍤 Pioneer Woman Shrimp Dip Ingredients
- 2 cans (4 oz each) Tiny Shrimp: Rinsed and drained thoroughly. (Or 1/2 lb cooked salad shrimp, chopped).
- 1 block (8 oz) Cream Cheese: Softened at room temperature.
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise: Good quality.
- 2 tbsp Red Onion: Finely minced.
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley: Chopped (or chives).
- 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Hot Sauce: (e.g., Tabasco) – adjust to taste.
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
- Optional: 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce for depth.

🍛 How To Make Pioneer Woman Shrimp Dip
- Prep Shrimp: Open the cans of shrimp and drain them into a colander. Rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove the “canned” taste. Pat them very dry with paper towels. (If using fresh cooked shrimp, chop them into small, bite-sized pieces).
- Cream the Base: In a medium bowl (or using a hand mixer), beat the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise until completely smooth and lump-free.
- Season: Stir in the lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce (if using), salt, and pepper. Taste the base—it should be tangy and savory.
- Fold: Add the rinsed shrimp, minced red onion, and parsley. Fold everything together gently with a spatula so you don’t break the shrimp up too much.
- Chill (Crucial): Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight). This allows the dried spices to hydrate and the onion flavor to mellow into the dip.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with a little extra chopped parsley or a sprinkle of paprika. Serve cold.

💡 Recipe Tips
- Drain Well: The biggest mistake is watery dip. Make sure those shrimp are dry before adding them to the cheese mixture.
- Onion Size: Mince the onion very finely. You want the flavor in every bite, not big crunchy chunks of raw onion.
- Spice Level: Start with a few dashes of hot sauce and add more after the dip has chilled, as the heat can intensify slightly over time.
- Variations: Add a tablespoon of chili sauce or cocktail sauce for a “Shrimp Cocktail” twist.

🍟 What To Serve With Shrimp Dip?
The Pioneer Woman’s Shrimp Dip is a creamy, retro crowd-pleaser that demands a sturdy vessel for scooping. It is best served with classic buttery crackers (like Ritz or Club) or thick-cut kettle chips to hold up against the thick mixture. For a fresher, lighter contrast to the rich cream cheese base, offer a platter of crisp crudités like celery sticks, cucumber rounds, and red bell pepper strips.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Shrimp Dip?
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving again as some liquid may separate.
- Freezer: Not recommended. Cream cheese and mayonnaise separate and become grainy when thawed.
⛔ How To Reheat Leftovers Shrimp Dip?
Do not reheat this dip. The Pioneer Woman’s Shrimp Dip is designed to be served cold, like a salad or spread.
- Why Not? Heating mayonnaise causes it to split (separate into oil and egg), resulting in a greasy mess. Additionally, the tiny precooked shrimp will become rubbery and overly fishy if cooked again.
- Serving Tip: If the dip is too stiff straight from the fridge, let it sit on the counter for 10–15 minutes to soften, then give it a good stir before serving.
FAQs
Yes! Just boil, peel, and chop them. It elevates the dish significantly.
Only mild to medium. The cream cheese neutralizes a lot of the heat from the hot sauce.
You can swap the mayo for Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter version, but keep the cream cheese for texture.

Try More Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Sausage Rolls Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Texas Trash Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Dip
📊 Shrimp Dip Nutrition Facts (Per 2 tbsp serving)
- Calories: ~90 kcal
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 150mg
Pioneer Woman Shrimp Dip
Course: Appetizers, SidesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8-10
servings10
minutes2
hours90
kcal1
hour10
minutesThe Pioneer Woman’s creamy, zesty, and retro shrimp dip features tiny shrimp, red onion, and a kick of hot sauce. Perfect for parties and crackers.
Ingredients
2 cans (4 oz each) Tiny Shrimp: Rinsed and drained thoroughly. (Or 1/2 lb cooked salad shrimp, chopped).
1 block (8 oz) Cream Cheese: Softened at room temperature.
1/2 cup Mayonnaise: Good quality.
2 tbsp Red Onion: Finely minced.
1 tbsp Fresh Parsley: Chopped (or chives).
1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
1 tsp Hot Sauce: (e.g., Tabasco) – adjust to taste.
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
Optional: 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce for depth.
Directions
- Prep Shrimp: Open the cans of shrimp and drain them into a colander. Rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove the “canned” taste. Pat them very dry with paper towels. (If using fresh cooked shrimp, chop them into small, bite-sized pieces).
- Cream the Base: In a medium bowl (or using a hand mixer), beat the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise until completely smooth and lump-free.
- Season: Stir in the lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce (if using), salt, and pepper. Taste the base—it should be tangy and savory.
- Fold: Add the rinsed shrimp, minced red onion, and parsley. Fold everything together gently with a spatula so you don’t break the shrimp up too much.
- Chill (Crucial): Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight). This allows the dried spices to hydrate and the onion flavor to mellow into the dip.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with a little extra chopped parsley or a sprinkle of paprika. Serve cold.
Notes
- Drain Well: The biggest mistake is watery dip. Make sure those shrimp are dry before adding them to the cheese mixture.
Onion Size: Mince the onion very finely. You want the flavor in every bite, not big crunchy chunks of raw onion.
Spice Level: Start with a few dashes of hot sauce and add more after the dip has chilled, as the heat can intensify slightly over time.
Variations: Add a tablespoon of chili sauce or cocktail sauce for a “Shrimp Cocktail” twist.
