This Classic and Easy Beau Monde Dip Recipe just became one of our favorite ways to enjoy our garden tomatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower. There is something especially good about sitting down to a meal or snack made with vegetables picked fresh from the garden.
The tomatoes were the clear winner in our house. A ripe garden tomato dipped into this creamy, savory dip is such a simple treat, but the combination is delicious. The broccoli and cauliflower were wonderful with it too. Of course, everyone has their own favorite way to enjoy a good dip. My grandson’s favorite wasn’t a garden vegetable at all—it was ripple chips!
This is one of those recipes that feels like it has been around forever, and there is a good reason for that. It takes only a few minutes to stir together and uses simple ingredients. The one ingredient you may not already have in your pantry is Beau Monde seasoning, which is a classic seasoning blend that gives this dip its distinctive savory flavor.
Whether you are looking for a way to use up garden vegetables, need an easy appetizer for a family gathering, or simply want a creamy dip for chips and crackers, this old-fashioned recipe is worth making.
What Is Beau Monde Seasoning?
If Beau Monde seasoning isn’t already in your spice cabinet, you may find yourself wondering what it is and where to find it.
Beau Monde is a savory seasoning blend traditionally associated with salt, celery seed, and onion, although commercially prepared versions can contain additional spices and ingredients. It has a distinctive salty, savory flavor with notes of celery and onion.
It is an ingredient that shows up in quite a few vintage recipes, particularly dips, spreads, vegetable dishes, and appetizers.
I’ll admit that this wasn’t a seasoning I happened to have on hand. I had to go searching for it when making this recipe. If you enjoy old-fashioned recipes, it is one of those seasonings that can be fun to have in the pantry.
For this dip, I recommend using Beau Monde seasoning if you can find it because it contributes a particular flavor that is difficult to duplicate exactly.
Why You’ll Love This Beau Monde Dip
There are plenty of reasons this simple dip has remained a favorite over the years.
- It’s quick to make. There is no cooking involved. Simply measure the ingredients, stir them together, and refrigerate.
- It uses everyday ingredients. Other than the Beau Monde seasoning, you may already have everything you need.
- It works with garden vegetables. Fresh tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, and celery are all delicious with this creamy dip.
- It’s great for gatherings. Make it ahead of time and have it ready when guests arrive.
- It’s more versatile than you might think. Fresh vegetables are wonderful, but don’t overlook crackers, pretzels, toasted bread, and ripple chips.
- It gets better after chilling. The extra 30 minutes gives the herbs, onion, and seasonings time to mingle with the creamy base.
Classic and Easy Beau Monde Dip Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Tablespoon Beau Monde Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Dill
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley Flakes
- 1 Tablespoon Onion Flakes
Instructions
How to Make Beau Monde Dip
- Add the mayonnaise and sour cream to a medium mixing bowl.1 Cup Mayonnaise, 1 Cup Sour Cream
- Next, add the Beau Monde seasoning, dried dill, dried parsley flakes, and dried onion flakes.1 Tablespoon Beau Monde Seasoning, 1 Tablespoon Dried Dill, 1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley Flakes, 1 Tablespoon Onion Flakes
- Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed and the dip is smooth and creamy.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- You can certainly eat it right away, but giving the dip a little time in the refrigerator makes a noticeable difference. The dried herbs and onion begin to soften, and all those savory flavors have a chance to blend together.
- Give the dip a quick stir before serving.
Notes
Tips for the Best Beau Monde Dip
Let It Chill The recipe calls for just 30 minutes of chilling, but don’t be afraid to make it a few hours ahead of time. The flavors continue to develop as it rests. Use a Good Mayonnaise Since mayonnaise makes up half of the creamy base, use a mayonnaise you enjoy the flavor of. A good-quality mayonnaise will make a difference in the finished dip. Don’t Forget the Onion Flakes The dried onion flakes may seem like a small ingredient, but they add both flavor and texture. They also soften as the dip chills. Taste After Chilling If you want to adjust the seasoning, wait until the dip has chilled. The flavors change as the herbs and seasonings have time to mingle.Nutrition
Our Favorite Way to Serve It: Fresh from the Garden
When you have a garden producing more vegetables than you know what to do with, simple recipes like this are especially welcome.
We loved serving this dip with vegetables picked from our garden. The tomatoes were our favorite by far.
There is something about a fresh garden tomato and a creamy savory dip that just works. Slice the tomatoes into wedges or thick slices and serve them alongside a bowl of Beau Monde Dip.
Broccoli and cauliflower were also delicious choices. Their crisp texture holds up well to the thick dip, making them easy to pick up and dunk.
Other garden vegetables that would be delicious include:
- Cucumbers
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Celery
- Radishes
- Snap peas
- Cherry tomatoes
- Zucchini
If you are putting together a garden-fresh vegetable tray, use whatever happens to be ready in your garden.
Don’t Forget the Ripple Chips!
While fresh vegetables were our favorite way to enjoy this dip, my grandson had a different opinion.
Ripple chips were his favorite.
And really, it’s easy to understand why. The ridges in ripple-cut potato chips are perfect for scooping up a thick, creamy dip.
This is one of those little reminders that when you’re serving food for a family, it’s nice to have a few options. The adults can enjoy the fresh garden vegetables while the kids reach for their favorite chips.
You can also serve Beau Monde Dip with:
- Crackers
- Pretzels
- Pita chips
- Toasted baguette slices
- Tortilla chips
- Potato chips
- Crostini
Serve It Cold
This dip is best served chilled, especially when paired with fresh vegetables.
Recipe Variations
This classic recipe is delicious as written, but it is also easy to customize.
Add Fresh Dill
If you have fresh dill growing in your garden, finely chop some and add it to the dip. You can replace part of the dried dill with fresh dill or simply add a little extra.
Add Green Onion
For a fresher onion flavor, add finely chopped green onion. This makes a particularly nice summer variation when green onions are plentiful in the garden.
Add Garlic
A little garlic powder can add another layer of savory flavor. Start with about 1/4 teaspoon and add more to taste.
Make It Extra Herby
If you love herb-forward dips, increase the dill and parsley slightly. You could also experiment with a small amount of dried chives.
Use Greek Yogurt
For a slightly lighter version, replace some of the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt. The texture will be a little different, but it makes a tasty variation.
Make It a Garden Herb Dip
If you have fresh herbs growing in your garden, use a combination of fresh parsley, dill, and chives. Keep in mind that fresh herbs will change the texture and storage time compared with the original recipe.
Can I Make Beau Monde Dip Ahead of Time?
Yes! This is actually an excellent make-ahead appetizer.
Prepare the dip several hours before you plan to serve it, cover it, and keep it refrigerated. This also gives the dried herbs and onion plenty of time to soften and release their flavor.
For a gathering, you can make the dip in the morning and have it ready for later in the day.
How to Store Beau Monde Dip
Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Because this recipe contains mayonnaise and sour cream, keep it refrigerated and don’t leave it sitting at room temperature for long periods.
For the best quality, enjoy the dip within 3 to 4 days.
If the dip has been sitting out at a party or gathering for an extended period, it is best not to return it to the refrigerator for later use.
What does Beau Monde Dip taste like?
Beau Monde Dip is creamy, savory, tangy, and herby. The Beau Monde seasoning adds a distinctive celery and onion flavor, while the dill and parsley give it a classic vegetable-dip taste.
Where can I find Beau Monde seasoning?
Look in the spice and seasoning section of your grocery store. Availability can vary, so you may need to check a larger grocery store or purchase it online. We have a link to the seasoning in the recipe.
Can I make this dip without Beau Monde seasoning?
You can, but the flavor will not be quite the same. Beau Monde seasoning is an important part of this classic recipe. If you cannot find it, you could experiment with a combination of salt, celery seed, and onion powder, but I recommend using Beau Monde if possible.
How long does Beau Monde Dip need to chill?
At least 30 minutes is ideal. However, making it several hours ahead is perfectly fine and can actually improve the flavor.
Can I use fresh herbs?
Yes. Fresh dill, parsley, chives, or green onion can be used for a fresh variation. Just remember that fresh herbs will change the texture and storage time of the dip.
Is Beau Monde Dip good with tomatoes?
Absolutely! Fresh garden tomatoes were our favorite pairing for this dip. Thick tomato wedges or slices are especially good because they hold up well when dipped.
What else can I serve with Beau Monde Dip?
Fresh vegetables, crackers, potato chips, ripple chips, pretzels, pita chips, and toasted bread are all delicious options.
A Simple Recipe for Garden Vegetables
One of the things I enjoy most about gardening is finding simple ways to enjoy what we’ve grown. Not every harvest needs an elaborate recipe. Sometimes the best way to use fresh vegetables is simply to slice them up and put them on a platter with something delicious for dipping.
That’s exactly where this Beau Monde Dip fits.
The recipe itself is wonderfully simple, but it turns a bowl of fresh vegetables into something everyone can enjoy. Our garden tomatoes were the standout, while broccoli and cauliflower made wonderful additions to the vegetable tray. And if the kids—or grandkids—would rather dip ripple chips, that’s perfectly fine too.
After all, one of the best parts of a family table is having something for everyone.
My family loved this!