Chipped Beef Dip (Bagel Dip)

This Yooper recipe classic is a savory dip made from sour cream, mayonnaise, seasonings, and chipped beef folded within. Delicious with bagels or toasted bread!

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About Chipped Beef Dip (Bagel Dip)

One of the benefits of a site like this is that people are more than willing to “talk food” with you, whether it be their current favorites or old-time classics. And it was during an appointment with my esthetician that she shared a beloved recipe favorite from her hometown:

The ultra-creamy and absolutely divine chipped beef dip. Or, as she called it, bagel dip.

Party dips like this are always a crowd-pleaser, and when you’re feeding a group of friends, this is the kind of dish you want to serve: easy to make and absolutely delicious.

Where does this recipe come from?

I first heard about this recipe from an esthetician I used to go to. She was originally from the upper peninsula of Michigan and said this bagel dip was a Yooper classic and staple. (“Yooper” is a nickname for locals of the upper peninsula area created by combining the initials “U” and “P.”)

This is the

What is chipped beef?

This recipe calls for “chipped beef,” and depending on your area or what you grew up with, you might not be familiar with the term – or it might even be called something different in your area.

In short, chipped beef is very thin slices of salted, smoked beef (so it’s already cooked). The idea is similar to jerky, but it’s nowhere near as dry and doesn’t have as much fat. And as mentioned above, it may also be labeled different things, such as “dried beef,” or the packaging might proclaim that it’s “smoked, sliced, chopped, pressed, cooked” beef (which are all true.)

The brands I know of that sell chipped beef are Buddig, Hormel, Armour, and Esskay. I would recommend using Buddig or Esskay (with a personal preference for Buddig) as the bagged packaging is a little more convenient for what you’ll be using it for. I’ve found it sold near other pre-packaged lunch meats or cold cuts at the grocery store.

How long can you leave out a dip?

Whenever you serve a dip for your guests to enjoy, you should always keep track of how long it sits at room temperature.

For most foods, the general rule of thumb is that a perishable item should not be in the “danger zone” for more than two hours. And by “danger zone,” this is usually at or just above room temperature. I recommend preparing this dip with chilled ingredients or serving it chilled, as this should give you more time (about one hour) before the dip reaches room temperature.

So, in total, this dip can be left out for “about” three hours, depending on the start temperature and the temperature of the room. However, be sure to still check the dip every now and then and make your best judgment call.

Once you’re near the recommended time, you can cover the dip and place it back in the refrigerator. If your guests still want more dip, let it chill for at least 30 minutes before bringing it back out again.

Want to dig deeper into food safety? Take a look at the USDA’s Food Safety Basics, especially the part about the above-mentioned “danger zone.”

Can you make this dip in advance?

One of the most common questions I get about party dips is whether or not you can make them in advance. I totally understand why someone would want to do this, as it’s easier to prepare treats for a party the night before than scrambling to get everything done the day of the event.

The good news is that the answer to this question is almost always yes, and that is the case for this dip.

You should be able to make this dip up to 24 hours in advance.

How long is chipped beef good for?

Once prepared, this dip can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two to three days.

Can you freeze chipped beef dip?

Bad news here, guys – I can’t recommend freezing this recipe due to the amount of mayonnaise in it.

Mayonnaise is an emulsion (a sauce formed by thoroughly whipping together fat and water, creating a soft, jelly-like spread) and emulsions are notorious for changing consistency once frozen and thawed. So while the taste might remain the same, the consistency will likely be so different that it could be considered “offputting.” Better safe than sorry and enjoy this dip within the two to three days of preparation.

Other tasty savory dips

How to make chipped beef dip

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – In a large bowl, use a spatula to mix up the following ingredients: sour cream, mayonnaise, chipped beef, accent seasoning, dill weed, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Step 2 – Slice up some bagels (or another bread you like) into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3 – Serve chipped beef dip immediately with bread, garnished with more chopped beef and dill (optional).