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The Best French Onion Dip ever begins with caramelized onions, and ends with you eating it all in one sitting! Seasoned cream cheese and sour cream create a dip so addictive and creamy, it’ll be gone before you know it.

Dips are always a favorite at parties.  Make this dip along side my other favorites for a dip smorgasbord of awesomeness. Try Insanely Delicious Hot Crab Dip, Loaded Creamy Ranch Dip and 5 Minute Million Dollar Dip.

The Best French Onion Dip in a bowl with chips for dipping.

French Onion Dip Recipe

At some point in your life, I’m guessing, you’ve had the classic french onion dip made from a packet, am I right? I’ll admit there is something about that dip that is just good. Everyone seems to like a great onion dip. But wait till you taste this, you’ll never reach for another packet again! Made with your own caramelized onions this dip has such a distinct flavor that’ll you’ll fall for immediately. Combined with savory spices and rich creamy sour cream and cream cheese, it’s texture is incomparable. All of that combines to make a dip so addicting you might need to make two batches, just so you have some to take to the party!

One of the best things about this dip, is that it’s homemade. You know exactly what’s in your dip. If you’ve ever read the ingredient list on those packets, or worse the pre-made cartons, it’s a bit of a shocker. You can feel good about serving this dip to your friends and family. Just like Homemade Cheese Sauce or Guacamole, homemade is always best. So go ahead and make this dip, then I dare you to eat just one chip with it! I’ll win guaranteed!

French Onion Ingredients

This creamy savory dip is made with ingredients you probably have on hand. If not a quick trip the local grocery store should get you what you need. No special crazy ingredients here. Just a classic dip made with classic ingredients, that will knock your socks off.

  • Butter: This is to cook the onion in and add flavor.
  • Onion: I used a small onion.
  • Salt: Salt helps the onions release their juices to help them cook.
  • Sugar: This will help caramelize the onions and help give them that golden color.
  • Cream Cheese: Full fat or low fat cream cheese softened.
  • Sour Cream: Use a good quality sour cream, low fat or regular.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: This gives the dip a great savory flavor.
  • Onion and Garlic Powder: These are the all important seasonings that make it taste amazing.
  • Salt and Pepper: Add to taste.

How to Make French Onion Dip

Yes, it might take a little longer to make this because you’ll need to caramelize your own onions, but it’ll be so worth it, I promise. You’ll also need some time to allow the onions to cool before mixing it all together. It takes a little bit of time, but after you taste it, you won’t complain at all. Maybe just about how fast it disappears!

  1. Caramelize: In a medium skillet over medium heat melt the butter. Add the onions, salt and sugar. Sauté for 25-30 min. or until the onions are a deep golden brown. Let cool completely.
  2. Mix: In a medium sized bowl add the onions, cream cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix until combined. Refrigerate till ready to serve.

sauteing onions, and mixing with the ingredients for French Onion Dip.

What’s The Difference Between Caramelizing and Sautéing Onions?

The rich deep golden color and sweet yet still savory flavor of a caramelized onion is hands down one of the most amazing things ever. It can be tricky to caramelize onions without burning them, the secret is low and slow! It will take patience to caramelize your onions, but the taste will be worth it. I promise.

  • Sauté vs Caramelize: Sautéing onions is done at a higher heat and is meant to just tenderize them and brown the outside. Caramelizing is cooking the onions at a lower heat, slowly coaxing the flavor out of them and allowing the natural sugars to caramelize creating a deep rich flavor.
  • Do I have to stir the onions? The great thing about caramelizing is that you don’t have to babysit the pan too much. Check on the pan every 2-3 min and give it a good stir
  • What is the sticky stuff on the bottom of the pan? As the onions cook you’ll notice a dark fond form on the bottom of the pan. That’s part of the caramelization process. Simply scrape the fond back into the onions as they continue to cook. If it starts to build up, use a little bit of water to help deglaze the pan and watch it carefully for burning. If you feel like they are cooking too fast you can always turn down the heat.
  • How do I know when they are done?  Your onions should be a deep brown and soft but not mushy. Taste the onions when you think they’re ready. If you love the flavor, they’re done.
  • Storing: They will keep in the fridge for about a week, and freeze well too. Now you can make extras and use them in this Easy French Onion Soup or this amazing Skillet French Onion Chicken.

Hints for an Amazing French Onion Dip

Choosing to make this dip for your next event is definitely a step in the right direction. You just can’t go wrong with all the flavor and creaminess. It’s going to be a quick favorite.

  • What Onions Should I Use? Any onion will do for this recipe. Use yellow, white or even a sweet onion. It’s really up to you on this one.
  • How small do I chop the Onion? There are two ways to go about the chopping. You don’t want large stringy onion chunks for a dip, it’ll be hard to eat. I chopped my onion before caramelizing it. This also quickens the cooking time for the caramelization. You can also slice and caramelize the onion then chop them, although it might be tougher to cut them nicely.
  • What do I serve with this dip? The most common and beloved thing to serve this with is a ruffled plain potato chip. But you can also serve it with crackers, pretzels, crusty bread and pita chips. It also goes perfectly with a vegetable tray of carrots, celery, olives, sugar snap peas, peppers or grape tomatoes.

Can I Make this Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can! In fact allowing it to sit overnight in the refrigerator helps the flavors meld together all that much more.

How Long Does Homemade French Onion Dip Last? 

This will keep beautifully in the fridge for up to a week. You can use the leftovers in a variety of ways. Try it as a spread for sandwiches, a topping for baked potatoes, or try smothering baked chicken or beef.

Dipping chips into the Best French Onion Dip.

More Incredible Appetizers

We’ve all probably done it before, we make an entire meal out of just appetizers. They are just so yummy! When you pick the right ones they can really steal the show. It can be hard to leave room for anything else. Try these meal spoiling appetizers the next time you need one!

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French Onion Dip

5 from 4 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
The Best French Onion Dip ever begins with caramelized onions, and ends with you eating it all in one sitting! Seasoned cream cheese and sour cream create a dip so addictive and creamy, it'll be gone before you know it.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 People

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a medium sized skillet melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, salt and sugar. Sauté 25-30 minutes until the onions are a deep golden brown.
  • In a medium sized bowl add the onions, cream cheese, sour cream, worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix until combined.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 5gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 782mgPotassium: 233mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1382IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 132mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, French
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This dip is seriously the best French onion dip ever! I’ve made it 4 times now and it’s a crowd pleaser. I use light sour cream and 1/3 reduced fat cream cheese and it comes out so good.

    ***One big tip I have is to mix everything but the onions with your electric hand mixer vs a spoon – the creaminess levels it up 10x! Soo good. Also make sure to use very softened cream cheese. You can fold the caramelized onions in after. Absolute perfection! 🔥👏🏻

  2. Everything I make of yours turns out great…keep it up! I’ve turned into a decent cook thanks to you and this pandemic!!😊

  3. Everything I make of yours turns out great…keep it up! I’ve turned into a decent cook thanks to you and this pandemic!!😊