This homemade caramelized onion dip is definitely worth making! The flavor is so much richer than anything you can purchase in the stores. A perfect dip for holidays, super bowl parties, or weekend snacking!
It takes a lot for us to claim something as 'THE BEST' and this dip has earned that title. This is The Best onion dip we have had. So easy to make using homemade caramelized onions. See our How To Caramelize Onions post for the 101 on caramelizing onions.
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Caramelized onion dip vs. French onion dip
French onion dry soup mix was first made in 1952 by Lipton. Two years later, in 1954 a woman in California made the first dip using the Lipton dry soup mix. It went by two names for years, French onion dip and California dip. Lipton's French onion dry soup mix boxes started carrying the recipe and the onion dip became widely popular as Lipton's French onion dip.
While onion dip made with the dry mix is fine, making onion dip using homemade caramelized onions is a game changer! There are levels of flavors you just can't get from a dry box mix. Caramelize the onions in advance (they take about an hour), are very easy, and are SO delicious! Our How To Caramelize Onions post contains info on recommended equipment, how to make in advance, and how to store caramelized onions in the fridge and freezer.
Basic Order for Making Caramelized Onion Dip
This onion dip recipe combines just a few ingredients together for this amazing onion dip.
- Caramelized onions. We use 2 large onions and 2 Tablespoons butter to caramelize the onions and get this rich, sweet flavor. If making the caramelized onions in advance, we use ¾ cup caramelized onions.
- Cream cheese and sour cream hold everything together and make a creamy base for this dip.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Favorite Riffs
Most of the flavor comes from the great caramelization on the onions. Add a little spice with a dash of cayenne pepper or some diced roasted jalapeño peppers. Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Make Ahead and Time Saving Tips
Make the caramelized onions in advance and store in the refrigerator (up to a week) or freezer (up to 2 months) until ready to make this recipe. With already made golden brown, caramelized onions, this dip comes together in just minutes. This is a perfect appetizer when company is coming. See How To Caramelize Onions for more information.
Make the dip up to a week in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve. The dip can also be frozen for up to 3 months. We prefer to freeze the caramelized onions on their own and then just mix the thawed onions with the cream cheese and sour cream as needed.
Serving Onion Dip
Our all time favorite thing to serve this dip with is, of course, potato chips. The saltiness of the chips with the sweetness of the dip is delicious! This is also great with sliced baguettes, crackers, or veggies (carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers).
It brings an extra layer of flavor spread on a chicken sandwich, burgers, or grilled sandwiches. Add to hot pasta for a creamy, sweet addition.
Saving Leftovers
The FDA recommends discarding any perishable food that has been out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
If you are within the FDA recommendations, this dip will last up to a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Other Favorite Dip Recipes
Some Common FAQ's
Not recommended. Sautéed onions, while soft, haven't had the time to develop the sweetness of caramelized onions which means you will miss that amazing flavor desired in this dip.
Yes it can be frozen for up to 2 months in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator and then give a good stir before serving. NOTE: Since this dip comes together so fast, we prefer to freeze the caramelized onions separately, thaw, and mix with the other ingredients when needed.
📖 Recipe
Caramelized Onion Dip
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: about 1 cup 1x
Description
This homemade caramelized onion dip is so worth making! The flavor is so much richer than anything you can purchase in the stores. A perfect dip for holidays, super bowl parties, or weekend snacking!
Ingredients
- 2 large yellow onions (20-24 ounces unpeeled)
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thinly slice the onions. A mandolin is easy and fast for this step. No mandolin? Use a sharp knife and slice as even as possible.
- Melt butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
- Add sliced onions and stir to coat with butter.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for another 30-40 minutes. See How To Caramelize Onions for more information on this process.
- Once the onions are caramelized, remove from the heat and let cool.
- Chop the caramelized onions.
- Add cream cheese, and sour cream to a mixing bowl and mix until well combined. NOTE: Mixing by hand works great or use a hand mixer for ease.
- Add chopped caramelized onions to the cheese mixture and stir to combine.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve with chips, baguette slices, or crackers.
Notes
Make ahead. Caramelizing the onions takes the most time in this recipe and we recommend doing this step in advance. Caramelizing them in advance means this dip comes together very fast. Since the dip gets most of its flavor from the caramelized onions, use the full amount of onions and make sure the onions have been given the time to caramelize fully. They should be a deep golden brown, sweet, and soft. See our How to Caramelize Onions for more information on this process.
Saving dip. This dip will last up to a week in an airtight container in the fridge. The dip can be frozen for up to 2 months. NOTE: Since this dip comes together very fast, we prefer to freeze the caramelized onions separately. Thaw the onions and mix with the cream cheese and sour cream when needed.
For a crowd. Double or triple this recipe using the 2x and 3x buttons to make this for a crowd. If the party is longer than an hour, put the dip out in small batches and refill as needed to help ensure food safety guidelines are being observed. FDA recommends no perishable food be out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Tablespoon
- Calories: 46
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 89.8 mg
- Fat: 3.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.5 g
- Protein: 0.9 g
- Cholesterol: 9.9 mg
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