Bagel Dip

This easy bagel dip recipe is a crowd-pleasing party snack that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe. It starts with a creamy base of sour cream and mayonnaise, then gets plenty of bold flavor from finely chopped onion, dried beef, parsley, chives, dill and garlic salt.

The recipe is as simple as mixing the ingredients and popping the dip in the fridge to let the flavors mingle and develop overnight. The finished dip is rich, savory, meaty and herby—perfect for scooping up with doughy bagel pieces but just as delicious with chips, crackers or fresh veggies.

Bagel Dip Ingredients

• Sour cream: You can’t beat the tangy taste or creamy texture of full-fat sour cream in dip recipes. You can use low-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
• Mayonnaise: Mayo is thinner and lighter than sour cream, which helps create the perfect dippable consistency. If you’re not a mayonnaise fan, you can use Miracle Whip instead of mayo.
• Herbs and spices: Parsley, chives and dill give our dip a fragrant, garden-fresh quality. Dried herbs are convenient and blend easily into the creamy base, but you can use fresh herbs. We also season the dip with garlic salt, or you can use a garlic clove for a stronger flavor.
• Onion: Onion adds a sharp bite. You can use any variety you have on hand—just be sure to chop it finely so it doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. For a milder flavor, use sliced green onions or dehydrated minced onions.
• Dried beef: Dried beef is the meat used to make chipped beef on toast. It brings a salty, slightly smoked flavor and meaty texture to the dip. Look for pouches of dried beef near the lunch meat or jarred in the canned goods section.
• Bagels: Serve the dip with plain or assorted bagels cut into bite-sized pieces for easy dipping. Try bagel chips, pretzels, crackers, potato chips or a veggie platter for something crunchier.

Directions

Step 1: Make the bagel dip

In a large bowl, stir the sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in the parsley, chives, dill and garlic salt. Finally, stir in the finely chopped onion and dried beef.

Step 2: Chill overnight

Ellie Crowley for Taste Recipes

Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or cover tightly with storage wrap. Refrigerate the bagel dip overnight to let the flavors develop. Serve with bagels cut into bite-sized pieces or your favorite dippers (see below for more ideas).

Editor’s Tip: The dip can separate a bit in the fridge, so give it a quick stir before serving.

Bagel Dip Variations

• Make it with cream cheese: Swap some sour cream or mayo for softened cream cheese to make a thicker, richer dip. After all, what’s a bagel without cream cheese?
• Add shredded cheese: Mix shredded cheddar, Colby Jack or pepper jack cheese into the dip for a cheesy twist.
• Spice it up: If you like a little heat, add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne.
• Season with ranch: Ranch seasoning is one of our favorite flavor shortcuts. Simply omit the herbs and spices and stir in a packet of ranch seasoning instead.
• Lighten it up: Use low-fat sour cream or mayonnaise for a lighter version, or swap some or all the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a higher-protein version.
• Serve it in a bread bowl: For a fun, Instagram-worthy presentation, hollow out a round loaf of bread and fill it with the dip. The bread bowl serves as an edible serving bowl!

How to Store Bagel Dip

Store bagel dip in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to four days. Since this is a dairy-based dip, avoid leaving it at room temperature for more than two hours for food safety reasons.

Can you freeze bagel dip?

Freezing isn’t a good storage option for this bagel dip. After thawing, the dairy ingredients can turn watery and change the texture of the dip. This recipe tastes best fresh, so plan to eat it within a few days or share leftovers with friends and family.

Can you make bagel dip ahead of time?

You can (and should!) make this bagel dip ahead of time for the best flavor. This recipe is designed to be made ahead and chilled overnight, giving the flavors a chance to meld together. You can make the dip one or two days in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Bagel Dip Tips

Ellie Crowley for Taste Recipes

Can you add cream cheese to this bagel dip recipe?

Yes, you can add cream cheese to the creamy base of this bagel dip. It’ll add rich, cheesy flavor and make the dip a bit thicker. For this bagel dip recipe, I would start with an 8-ounce block of cream cheese and add 1 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup mayo, similar to the base in this ranch cheese spread. Don’t forget to soften the cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing.

Is dried beef the same as beef jerky?

No, dried beef isn’t the same as beef jerky. Dried beef is thinly sliced, partially dried and saltier with a softer texture. Beef jerky is thicker and fully dehydrated, resulting in a chewy texture—too tough to use in this bagel dip recipe. Stick with dried beef for the perfect texture and flavor.

What else can you serve with bagel dip?

This creamy bagel dip tastes great with all sorts of dippers, including bagels. Try it with a sliced baguette, crunchy or soft pretzels, pita chips, potato chips, and raw veggies. You can even use it as a spread on cold-cut sandwiches or wraps or dollop it onto baked potatoes instead of plain sour cream.