Vegan Hearts of Palm Crab Dip with Old Bay and Nutritional Yeast
This plant-based dip captures the essence of traditional crab dip using hearts of palm for texture and Old Bay seasoning for authentic seafood flavor. White beans create a creamy base while kelp powder adds oceanic depth. The combination of nutritional yeast and Vegenaise delivers richness without dairy. Perfect for parties, game day, or any gathering where you want to serve something familiar yet surprising. Serve warm with crackers or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Ingredients
- 1 15 ounce can white beans, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup Vegenaisevegan mayo1:1vegan
same creamy texture
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon powdered kelp
- 4 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
- juice and zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
- 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
- 1 bunch green onions, trimmed and coarsely chopped
- 1 14 ounce can hearts of palmshredded king oyster mushrooms1:1vegan
similar texture
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- 2
Combine beans, Vegenaise, nutritional yeast, kelp, Old Bay, lemon juice and zest, and Tabasco sauce in a food processor and process until smooth
- 3
Add green onions and pulse a couple times
- 4
Cut hearts of palm into 1 inch pieces, add to mixture and pulse once or twice without over processing
- 5
Transfer mixture to an oven proof serving dish or ramekin
- 6
Bake for 30 minutes or until heated through
- 7
Serve with crackers or vegetables
Tips
Don't over-process the hearts of palm to maintain the chunky crab-like texture that makes this dip convincing.
Taste and adjust Old Bay seasoning - some brands are saltier than others and you may need more or less.
Make sure to rinse and drain the white beans thoroughly to avoid any metallic taste from the can liquid.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered for up to 4 days. Reheat in microwave or low oven before serving.
Can be assembled up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated unbaked. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time if starting from cold.
Serve warm with gluten-free crackers, sliced baguette, or fresh vegetables like celery, carrots, and bell peppers.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip rinsing the beans to avoid metallic flavors from the canning liquid.
Don't over-process the hearts of palm or you'll lose the chunky texture that mimics crab.
Substitutions
same creamy texture
similar texture
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dip up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate unbaked. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.
What if I can't find kelp powder?
You can substitute with a small amount of dulse flakes or just omit it - the Old Bay seasoning will still provide good seafood flavor.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or low oven before serving for best texture.