Creamy Cajun Shrimp Dip Made in the Instant Pot

If you love a creamy, cheesy hot dip, this Instant Pot Cajun Shrimp Dip is a must-try. I served it on New Year’s Day with crackers, sliced baguette, and tortilla chips — it disappeared fast.

We don’t entertain often because our house is small, so when family comes over we go all out. That day’s spread included filets, ham and cheese sliders, Southwestern cheesy potatoes, and bacon-wrapped scallops. Every dish was a hit, and the Cajun shrimp dip stood out for its flavor and ease.

I made the dip in my Instant Pot Ultra, which I love for its versatility—saute, pressure cook, slow cook, and keep warm all in one. I sautéed the shrimp and vegetables in the pot, pressure cooked briefly to meld the flavors, then used the Warm setting to keep the dip ready to serve all day without dirtying extra cookware.

Can I make this Instant Pot Cajun Shrimp Dip on the stove top?

Yes. To make it on the stove, follow the same steps but use a skillet: sauté the shrimp, peppers, and onions until the shrimp is cooked through, then stir in the remaining ingredients and gently melt the cheeses. You may want to use about 1/2 cup of water when preparing on the stovetop.

How to make this Instant Pot Cajun Shrimp Dip

Start by dicing the shrimp, red bell pepper, and the white parts of the green onions. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” and add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the shrimp, pepper, and onions and cook until the shrimp just turn slightly pink.

Next add the water, mayo, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Lock the lid and set the Instant Pot to high Pressure Cook for five minutes. When the timer finishes, quick-release the steam, open the lid, and stir in the cream cheese and shredded Italian blend until everything is smooth and melted.

You can also simply finish the recipe in sauté mode if you prefer, but pressure cooking quickly cooks the shrimp and helps the flavors meld. Once the cheeses are fully incorporated, transfer the dip to a serving dish or keep the Instant Pot on Warm while guests graze.

Serve warm with sliced bread, crackers, or chips. This crowd-pleasing appetizer comes together in under 15 minutes and makes a great addition to any party table.

Best things to Cook in the Instant Pot

The Instant Pot is ideal for one-pot meals like Instant Pot Chicken Marinara Rotini or BBQ Chicken Mac. It’s also excellent for cooking corned beef quickly, perfect for sandwiches and hearty dinners.

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Instant Pot Cajun Shrimp Dip

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer

IngredientsMethodNotes

Ingredients

• 8 large raw shrimp, peeled deveined (about 1 1/2 cups diced)
• 1 cup water
• 1 red bell pepper
• 2 green onions white bottoms removed
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1 8 oz. package cream cheese
• 3 cups shredded Italian blend cheese
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2-1 tsp Cajun seasoning more if you like it spicy
• Salt & pepper to taste

Method

1. Dice the shrimp, red pepper, and onions.
2. Set Instant Pot to “Sauté” and heat about 1 tbsp olive oil.
3. Add shrimp, pepper, and onions and cook until shrimp is slightly pink.
4. Add garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, water, and mayo and stir to combine.
5. Lock the lid and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.
6. When the timer finishes, quick-release the pressure. Stir in cream cheese and shredded cheese until melted and smooth.
7. Serve warm with crackers, chips, or bread. Enjoy!

Notes

For stove top preparation: sauté shrimp and vegetables until shrimp are cooked, then add the remaining ingredients and stir until the cheeses melt. Use about 1/2 cup water for stovetop cooking if needed.

For more Instant Pot recipes check out my BBQ Chicken Mac or Steakhouse Chili posts!

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***This post was updated on January 1, 2021 with new pictures and instructions.