French Onion Dip is a classic savory dip perfect for serving at any gathering. This homemade version is made with caramelized onions and a luscious mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise for a perfectly smooth texture and lots of onion flavor. It'll quickly become your new go-to!
This homemade French Onion Dip recipe starts by caramelizing onions to release their flavors. The caramelization process adds a rich brown color and a bold flavor that's so much better than the prepackaged mixes from the store. There's no soup mix in this dip! It's the perfect dip to pair with salty potato chips, bagel chips, or fresh veggies as a quick snack or a homemade game day app!
Why You'll Love This French Onion Dip
- Completely from scratch. Unlike many recipes that call for French onion soup mix, this homemade version uses real onions cooked to a deep golden brown instead of onion powder. This adds a richer, more intense flavor you've probably never had before!
- Perfect for parties. Make a big batch of this cream dip and offer it with pita chips, potato chips, or a selection of fresh vegetables. Your guests will be floored by how much better it tastes than the soup mix version!
- Great make-ahead appetizer. It's so nice when you can make the recipes for your event the day before! This creamy dip needs to rest in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors mingle together. Make it the day before for easy prep on the day of your party.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious French Onion dip, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- butter - melt real butter to saute the onions until golden brown.
- olive oil - the oil will keep the butter from browning too quickly, allowing you to really get a rich flavor.
- onion - dice a yellow onion and caramelize it until golden brown for a robust umami flavor.
- cream cheese - softened cream cheese adds a rich texture, mild tanginess, and fluffy texture.
- sour cream - this soft, tangy cream mellows out the cream cheese. Plain Greek yogurt also works well instead.
- mayonnaise - mayo makes any dip taste more rich and satisfying.
- parmesan cheese - freshly grated Parmesan adds a salty, savory flavor to this homemade caramelized onion dip. You can also substitute with a similar cheese like asiago cheese or grana padano.
- black pepper
- fresh chives - finely chopped chives or green onions add a little color and a nice bright flavor.
You will also need a large skillet, a spoon, and a large mixing bowl.
How to Make the Best French Onion Dip
- Caramelize onions. Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook until it starts to bubble, about 1-2 minutes. Add onion and sauté until tender and caramelizing brown, about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, parmesan, and black pepper. Stir until evenly combined.
- Add onions. Add the caramelized onions to the cream cheese mixture and mix well.
- Chill. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
- Garnish. Garnish with chives and serve with chips, crackers, and veggies.
Recipe Variations
- French onion soup mix dip. If you don't have time to make sweet caramelized onions, you can use a packet of French onion soup mix instead. It's not quite the same, but it works in a pinch.
- Add vinegar. Right at the end of caramelizing your onions, add a splash or two of balsamic vinegar to the pan and let it cook down. This will add an extra layer of flavor to this caramelized onion dip recipe.
- Bake it. This creamy party dip can easily be served cold or warm! As it heats, the flavors will infuse together and make the parmesan cheese really melty and gooey. So good!
- Add bacon. Give this dip even more savory flavor by adding crumbled bacon bits. A dash of Worcestershire sauce works, too!
- Spicy French onion dip. Add a shake or two of cayenne pepper and some red pepper flakes for a little kick.
How to Serve
Serve this creamy cheesy dip on its own with a side of chips (plain potato chips, kettle chips, etc), bagel chips, crackers, and veggies.
If serving it as part of a larger appetizer spread, pair it with some of these popular appetizers:
- Antipasto Skewers
- Vegetarian Spring Rolls
- Pizza Fries
- Homemade Taquitos
- Chicken Meatballs
For more recipe ideas, see our 75+ Easy Appetizer Recipes.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use the right onions. It's best to use yellow onions, like classic French onion soup. Sweet Vidalia onions are a great option, too.
- Let it chill. The creamy base really needs time to infuse with the sweet onions. Let them chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour, if not overnight.
- Don't skimp on the fat. There is a lot of fat in this classic onion dip due to the mayo, sour cream, and cream cheese, but fat means flavor. You can use low-fat or fat-free dairy if needed, but the flavor won't be quite as satisfying.
- Season to taste. Taste the dip about an hour after making it, and add kosher salt, garlic powder, or black pepper to taste.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you need to keep it at room temperature for a party, place the bowl of dip in a container of ice to keep it below 40 degrees F.
How to Freeze
This recipe can be frozen, but it does not thaw very well. It's best to eat it fresh from the fridge.
FAQ
Butter gives your onions a lovely buttery flavor, but it can brown or burn easily. On the other hand, oil will allow your onions to caramelize nicely, but it won't add that buttery flavor. The solution is to use both! The oil will help the onions cook at a higher heat, and the butter will add that delicious butteriness that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the onions.
Homemade French Onion Dip can either be made with real caramelized onions or dehydrated French onion soup mix. Either of these ingredients is then mixed with sour cream, mayo, and sometimes cream cheese. Add some fresh chives and a little seasoning to complete the dip, and let it chill for a few hours before serving.
As the dip sits, it may begin to weep or separate. If this happens, stir well to incorporate the ingredients together.
More Dip Recipes
- 20 Best Dip Recipes
- Caramelized Onion Dip
- Homemade Ranch Dip
- Creamy Artichoke Dip
- Whipped Ricotta Dip
- Cheese Fondue
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