This homemade French Onion Dip recipe is the perfect party dip. A creamy caramelized onion dip for serving with chips or cut veggies – an easy homemade appetizer!
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
French Onion Dip has always been a staple in our family for parties and gatherings. There’s almost nothing better than crispy potato chips and onion dip, and this homemade French Onion Dip is SO much better than anything from a package!
To make French Onion Dip the easy way requires just a soup mix and sour cream, but this homemade version with caramelized onions is SO much tastier! Whether you’re hosting a game night, a family BBQ, or just enjoying a quiet evening at home, this creamy French Onion Dip recipe is the perfect savoury treat!
French Onion Dip is a very popular savoury dip typically served with ripple chips. It’s made by combining a base of sour cream and cream cheese with caramelized onions and seasonings. It has a rich, creamy texture and a savoury flavour that’s enhanced by the sweetness of the caramelized onions. Seasonings often include garlic, salt, pepper, and sometimes a splash of Worcestershire sauce and other seasonings.
French Onion Dip originated in the United States and it has become widely popular as a party and snack food, thanks to its delicious taste and how simple it is to prepare. The original version of this dip was made using a pre-packaged onion soup mix simply blended with sour cream. Over time it’s been adapted to include deeper flavours using freshly caramelized onions!
Although French Onion Dip is commonly served with potato chips, we love to enjoy it with vegetable sticks, too – it’s perfect on a crudités platter at casual social events. Its popularity has also inspired various pre-made versions, available in most grocery stores, although take it from us – homemade french onion dip is ALWAYS better!
To make your own caramelized onion dip at home, follow these tips and tricks for success!
Caramelizing onions is an art. Cook them slowly and patiently to bring out their natural sweetness. This step is crucial for that signature depth of flavour.
Start with a blend of cream cheese and sour cream for a rich and creamy texture. Full-fat versions create the most flavour, but feel free to adjust based on dietary preferences.
Don’t hesitate to experiment with spices. A dash of garlic powder, a sprinkle of thyme, or a pinch of smoked paprika can elevate the dip significantly. Remember to season with salt and pepper, but do so gradually. It’s easy to add more, but impossible to remove excess.
Aim for a dip that’s easy to scoop but not too runny. If it’s too thick, thin it out with a bit of milk; too thin, add more cream cheese.
Let the dip chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavours to meld together beautifully.
Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped chives or a dash of paprika for a pop of colour. Serve with your favourite chips, veggies, or bread for an irresistible treat.
Caramelizing onions isn’t as hard as it might seem! Follow our tips and tricks for the BEST caramelized onions for this French Onion Dip recipe:
Yellow onions are perfect for caramelizing because of their natural sweetness. Avoid red onions or white onions as they don’t caramelize as well as yellow onions.
Thin, even slices ensure uniform cooking. Don’t cut them too thin or they might burn. If you cut them too thick they’ll caramelize unevenly and you’ll risk burning them in some places.
Caramelize onions over medium-low or low heat. Rushing this process can lead to burning which can create a bitter flavour, so take your time and use low heat over time.
Stir the onions every few minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even caramelization.
If the onions start to stick, add a splash of water, broth, or wine to the pan. This helps lift the delicious browned bits off the bottom and helps distribute the heat evenly.
Caramelization can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. The onions should turn a deep golden brown colour with no black burnt bits.
Add salt towards the end of the cooking process (the last 10-15 minutes). This helps to draw out the moisture and concentrates the onions’ natural sugars, enhancing the flavours.
Here are some quick and easy ways to fix any problems you might encounter when making this caramelized onion dip recipe!
Balance out the saltiness out by adding more sour cream or cream cheese. A squeeze of lemon juice can also help cut through the saltiness.
If your dip tastes a bit bland, add a pinch more salt and a dash of garlic powder for a flavour boost.
Mix in additional cream cheese in small increments until you reach the desired consistency. The cream cheese will thicken the dip.
Thin it out by stirring in some extra sour cream.
A bitter taste can occur if you’ve accidentally burnt the onions or over-browned them. In this case, it’s best to start fresh as burnt onions are a problem that can’t be fixed.
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Here’s a list of the basic kitchen equipment you’ll need to make this French Onion Dip recipe (paid links):
- a Cutting Board
- a large knife
- a large skillet
- a wooden cooking utensil
- measuring cups and spoons
- a mixing bowl
- a Silicone Spatula
- a serving bowl
Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious dip recipe (paid links):
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 3 large garlic cloves finely minced
- a pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup white wine optional
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt optional – don’t add if serving with salty chips
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives plus more for garnish
Time needed: 35 minutes
Follow these steps to make the best homemade French Onion Dip!
- Caramelize the onions first.
Slice the onions and caramelize them over low heat until golden brown. Set them aside.
- Let the onions cool.
Cool the onions before adding them to the dip.
- Mix the dip ingredients.
Mix together all the other ingredients until creamy and smooth.
- Reserve some onions for topping.
Save some of the caramelized onions for topping the dip.
- Refrigerate to let the flavours develop.
Cover and refrigerate for a few hours before serving so the flavours meld and intensify.
- Serve with chips.
Choose your favourite ripple chip and get dipping!
What is French Onion Chip Dip made of?
It’s made of caramelized onions, sour cream, cream cheese, and a variety of herbs and spices for flavour.
What’s the difference between French Onion Dip and Onion Dip?
French Onion Dip and onion dip are the same thing, although sometimes French Onion Dip is made from a packed of pre-made onion soup mix.
Is French Onion Dip watery?
It shouldn’t be watery, it should be thick and creamy. If it is watery, chill it well and mix in some more cream cheese to thicken it.
How do you eat French Onion Dip?
The best way to eat French Onion Dip is with ripple potato chips, but you could also enjoy it with cut vegetables.
Does French Onion Dip contain sugar?
Our homemade version does not contain sugar. The caramelized onions add a sweetness, but there is no sugar added.
Can I freeze French Onion Dip?
We don’t recommend freezing this dip because it can cause separation. In order to keep it nice and creamy store it in the fridge, not the freezer.
How long does French Onion Dip last?
We recommend enjoying this dip within 3 days. Store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days.
We hope you enjoy this French Onion Dip recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite dip recipe? We’d love to know!
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French Onion Dip
Recipe: Equipment
Recipe: Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 3 large garlic cloves finely minced
- a pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup white wine optional
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt optional – don’t add if serving with salty chips
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives plus more for garnish
Recipe: Instructions
- Slice the onions to about 1/8 of an inch thick.
- Heat a large skillet over medium low heat and when it's hot, add the olive oil and butter.
- Once the butter has melted, add the onions, tossing them in the oil and butter until coated. Cook them slowly (you may need to turn your heat to low, depending on your element – every stove is different), stirring every few minutes until the onions soften and begin to turn golden brown.
- When the onions are very soft and light brown, add the garlic, salt and pepper. Add the wine and deglaze the pan by scraping up any brown bits off the bottom of the pan. When the onions are done, transfer them to a plate and set them aside.
- To a large bowl, add the cream cheese sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, Sriracha and chives.
- Stir the dip mixture together very well, by hand or using a hand mixer if desired.
- Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the caramelized onions (for topping) and mix the rest of the onions into the dip mixture very well until combined.
- For serving, add the dip to a bowl and place the caramelized onions on top with some additional chopped chives, if desired. To serve later, refrigerate the dip (covered) until ready to serve.
Recipe: Notes
Make-Ahead Instructions
It’s possible to make this dip up to 2 days ahead of time (serve it 24 hours after making, for best results). Store it in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.Storage Instructions
Store any leftovers of this dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.Freezer Instructions
We don’t recommend freezing this dip as freezing and thawing will cause it to separate and lose its creamy texture. It’s best enjoyed fresh.Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.