Gluten Free & Vegan “Crab” Dip Recipe
Updated Jun 27, 2018, Published Dec 17, 2012
This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Holiday party planning is in full swing around here. The halls have been decked, the presents wrapped and now it is time for the partying to begin!
Every year I host a holiday cocktail party. This year, I had some challenges when planning the menu. Long ago I figured out the gluten free aspect but this year I have multiple food sensitivities and eating preferences to deal with. I never want someone to come to my home and not be able to find something to eat.
Crab dip has been a traditional fixture at my holiday parties and this year I wanted to figure out a vegan version. I tinkered and tweaked and came up with this Vegan “Crab” Dip recipe. The essential ingredients are Vegenaise, nutritional yeast, kelp powder, Old Bay Seasoning and hearts of palm. Why hearts of palm? The texture! Hearts of palm come apart in a way that sort of reminds me of crab. Weird but true.
Does this dip taste just like my original recipe filled with crab and cream cheese? No. I would never lie to you. Is it delicious and reminiscent of a sea food spread? Yep! My test recipe was devoured by the vegans and non-vegans in my life. They pronounced it a screaming success.
I love this season, I love having people in my home and I love being able to feed them – no matter how they need to or choose to eat.
Gluten Free Vegan “Crab” Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (15 ounce) can white beans, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup Vegenaise
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon powdered kelp
- 4 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
- Juice and zest, finely grated of 1 lemon
- 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
- 1 bunch green onions, trimmed and coarsely chopped
- 1 (14 ounce) can hearts of palm
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine the beans, Vegenaise, nutritional yeast, kelp, Old Bay, lemon juice and zest, and Tabasco sauce in a food processor and process until smooth. Add the green onions and pulse a couple times. Cut the hearts of palm into 1 inch pieces, add to the mixture and pulse once or twice; do not over process for best texture.
- Put the mixture into an oven proof serving dish or ramekin and bake for 30 minutes or until the mixture is heated through.
- Serve with gluten free crackers or vegetables.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owner’s. This blog accepts free manufacturers’ samples and forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. Affiliate links may be included in this post.
Oooh! Can’t wait to try this Carol. I totally agree with you on the Hearts of Palm! What a great addition. I wish I could come to one of your holiday parties :)
Thanks Maggie – glad you approve :) Enjoy and you are welcome at my holiday party anytime!
What a genius idea!! I love the thought of using white beans for this and they are so mild flavored. Making this tonight since I have everything on hand- living in New Orleans means there is always seafood stuff around, like crab boil!!! Can’t wait!
Sherry at sherryfredley.com
Thanks Sherry. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
That looks delicious! I don’t know what hearts of palm are, but I’m sure I can find it! Thanks :)
Hi Cassidy – Hearts of Palm are sold in the canned vegetable section of the grocery store. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
Looks scrumptious :)
I love your blog! So many great articles. Happy holidays!
Thank you!
Tried this recipe since I was having a party with some vegans coming over – everyone loved it, not just the vegans! Thanks so much!!! Happy Holidays.
My pleasure Amy! Happy Holidays.
Made this for my vegan wife: she said it was worth five stars. She said yes. I pressed her further and she said, ” not now I’m eating” so there’s your testimonial
Tried this recipe…just because. I loved it. Unfortunately, I can no longer have tabasco sauce. I substituted the original vegenaise with the barbeque version. It gave it the kick that I needed. Thanks again for the great recipe!
Oh I love the bbq Veganaise! Have you tried the Chipotle flavor? That one has LOTS of kick! Glad you liked the recipe.
This recipe sounds amazing Carol! I have two tins of Old Bay Seasoning and wondered if I should toss it. Do you think artichoke hearts would be a good substitute for hearts of palm?
BBQ Vegenaise? I had no idea!
Thanks Carol, can’t wait to go through all of your vegan recipes!
Thank you so much. I think that the artichoke hearts would work just fine. You won’t get the shred but the flavor should be amazing! Enjoy!
This looks soooo good. You are such an inspiration. I think I might try this with some lentil dip!! Thanks so much!! ~Bella fr/ SweetnSavoryLife.com
Yum, I love lentils so lentil dip sounds fabulous!
Chips or veggies with dip are some of the most popular snacks for just about every party or special event. They’re even great when you’re at home by yourself and want to a snack. I love how this one is actually vegan and very healthy at the same time. I can’t wait to try it out.
I could not agree with you more! I love veggies or chips and dip any time. Thank you!