Beau Monde Seasoning Recipe
The original blend leans on onion powder and celery salt for savory backbone, a touch of sugar to round out the salt, and a whisper of clove and mace for the warm, slightly sweet undertone that makes it taste different from a plain seasoned salt. Grinding the bay leaf fine and using celery salt rather than celery seed keeps the texture even so it dissolves smoothly into sour cream or mayonnaise for dip.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Servings
- 24
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons fine salt
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon celery salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mace or nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, finely ground
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 5
- Protein
- 0g
- Carbs
- 1g
- Fat
- 0g
Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.
Need different units or a different yield? Try our Conversion Calculator →
Instructions
- 1If the bay leaf isn't already ground, crush 2 to 3 dried bay leaves in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle until powdery, then measure out 1 teaspoon.
- 2In a small bowl, combine the salt, onion powder, celery salt, and sugar.
- 3Add the ground bay leaf, cloves, mace, and black pepper.
- 4Whisk everything together for about 30 seconds, breaking up any clumps of celery salt with the back of the spoon, until the color and texture look even throughout.
- 5Transfer to a small airtight jar. Shake before each use, since the finer spices can settle to the bottom over time.
Tips & variations
- This is the seasoning behind the classic sour cream and mayonnaise vegetable dip; start with 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup of base and adjust to taste.
- If celery salt isn't on hand, use 1 tablespoon celery seed plus an extra 1/2 teaspoon salt, though the texture will be slightly coarser.
- Sprinkle it over roasted potatoes, popcorn, or scrambled eggs anywhere a savory-sweet, oniony seasoning salt would work.
- For a lower-sodium version, cut the salt back to 2 tablespoons and add an extra 1/2 teaspoon onion powder to keep the flavor from tasting flat.
Storage & reheating
Store in a small airtight jar in a cool, dark cabinet for up to 6 months. The color and aroma fade gradually after that, so make small batches rather than doubling or tripling unless it gets used often.
Tips from the Tulo kitchen
- A coffee grinder reserved for spices makes quick work of turning whole bay leaves and whole cloves into fine powder if pre-ground versions aren't in the pantry.
- Taste the finished blend on a plain cracker before using it in a recipe; it should taste savory and slightly sweet with a background warmth, not just salty.
FAQ
What is beau monde seasoning made of?
The commercial version, made by Spice Islands, is primarily salt, sugar, onion powder, and celery seed. This homemade version adds a touch of ground bay leaf, clove, and mace to get closer to its distinctive warm, savory flavor.
What can I substitute for beau monde seasoning?
A mix of equal parts onion powder and celery salt with a pinch of sugar gets close in a pinch, though it will taste flatter without the bay leaf and clove.
Is beau monde seasoning the same as seasoning salt?
They're similar but not identical. Seasoning salt usually leans on paprika and garlic powder, while beau monde is built around onion, celery, and a subtle sweet-spice note from clove and mace.
What is beau monde seasoning used for?
It's best known as the seasoning in the classic sour cream and mayonnaise vegetable dip, but it also works well on roasted vegetables, popcorn, deviled eggs, and chicken.
