French Onion Dip Recipe
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Snack time just got a whole lot better with this French onion dip! Forget the store-bought stuff and enjoy this incredibly tasty homemade version. It combines sweet caramelized onions with cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise, then finished off with a sprinkling of chives. Did I mention it’s delicious? Seriously a game-changer!
Don’t you just love chilling at home – reading a good book or watching Netflix shows – while enjoying your comfort food? In my case, it’s chips and dip and a tall glass of iced tea, and occasionally a cranberry margarita when it’s holiday season. My go-to dip? Definitely French onion dip!
I used to buy jars and jars of the stuff from the store, but my husband said “Why not just make some at home?”, and so I did. He was right – I came up with a creamer, healthier, and more flavorful version that’s waaay better than the ready-made ones. It’s easier to make and less expensive, too.
French onion dip is perfect for any occasion – serve it up at game day gatherings, add it to your party spread, or keep it casual as a movie night snack. My whole family loves it, and I’m sure yours will, too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and simple: Prep for just 5 minutes using simple ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights, sudden cravings, or last-minute get-togethers.
- Budget-friendly: You likely already have everything you need in your fridge or pantry to make this recipe. It uses affordable and easy-to-find ingredients – definitely cheaper to make than to buy from the store.
- Homemade goodness: Unlike store-bought dips and sauces, this homemade French onion dip does not contain any artificial flavors and preservatives. You know exactly what’s in it.
- Make-ahead friendly: The flavors only get better as it sits, so you can prep it ahead of time for stress-free entertaining. Make it, store in the fridge, and enjoy later!
- Versatile: This family-friendly caramelized onion dip is as versatile as it gets – it’s easy enough to enjoy casually but delicious enough to be part of your party and holiday spreads.
How to Make French Onion Dip
There was never a party or potluck where this dip wasn’t a hit. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a versatile snack that tastes like it came from a gourmet kitchen. This French onion dip only takes 30 minutes to make! Once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought, I promise!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Yellow onions: The star of the show! Yellow onions caramelize beautifully, bringing a natural sweetness and depth of flavor to the dip.
- Cream cheese: Adds a velvety texture, making the dip thick and scoopable. I use Philadelphia cream cheese but feel free to use your favorite brand.
- Sour cream: Serves as the base of the dip, providing a creamy and tangy foundation while balancing the richness of the other ingredients.. Use full-fat sour cream for the best flavor and texture.
- Mayonnaise: For that added luscious, creamy texture. Mayo also helps bind the ingredients together.
- Butter: For caramelizing the onions.
- Chives: Used as a garnish that adds a pop of color and mild oniony flavor.
- Salt and ground black pepper
Step-By-Step Instructions
Making a delicious dip can’t get easier! Just follow 3 simple steps to make this French onion dip – prep the onions, blend the other ingredients together, then add the caramelized onions to the mixture. It will be ready to serve and enjoy in no time!
Step 1: Prep the onions
Start by peeling and thinly slicing the onions.
Melt the butter on medium-high heat and add the sliced onions. Stir occasionally. Lower the heat once they start to brown after about 5-10 minutes, and continue cooking for another 15 minutes or so over medium-low heat.
Step 2: Blend the ingredients
While the onions cook, add the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise to the bowl of a food processor. Season with salt and pepper. Then, blend until smooth.
Step 3: Add the onions
Once the onions are caramelized, remove them from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before adding to the dip in the processor. Pulse just a few times to mix into the creamy spread. Don’t puree, just fold them in so the texture is preserved.
Serve immediately or chill for at least 30 minutes, covered in the refrigerator.
Substitutions
This super tasty French onion dip only calls for simple, easy-to-find ingredients. However, if you happen not to have some of the ingredients at home, you can substitute with these:
- Cream cheese: If cream cheese isn’t available, substitute with Mascarpone cheese for a slightly milder flavor.
- Sour cream and mayonnaise: Don’t have one of these two? Swap sour cream or mayo for plain Greek yogurt.
- Butter: Olive or coconut oil in place of butter.
- Chives: Substitute with thinly sliced green onions, parsley for a different fresh element.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh ingredients: Use fresh sour cream, cream cheese, and mayo for the best flavor and consistency.
- Soften the cream cheese: For easier mixing, pull the cream cheese out of the refrigerator for 30 minutes and have it come to room temperature before combining.
- Customize. Add a pinch of garlic powder or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for an extra layer of flavor. You can also jazz it up by topping this dip with caramelized onions.
- Chill: This dip can be served immediately, but I recommend chilling in the fridge for at least an hour to allow the flavors to come together. Chilling it overnight would be even better and to extend the life of your dip, serve it in one of those ice-chilled dip bowls that are designed to keep cold dips chilled when serving.
- Taste and adjust: I recommend that you taste the dip and adjust as needed before serving. A little adjustment in the salt and pepper can make a huge difference in the final flavor.
How to Store This Recipe
Transfer French onion dip into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, but for the best flavor, don’t store it longer than 3 to 5 days. I also recommend not to let it sit out for more than 2 hours.
I don’t recommend freezing it because dairy-based dips generally don’t freeze and thaw well. When you’re ready to enjoy some, simply get what you’re going to consume and give it a good stir to refresh its creamy texture.
What to Serve with French Onion Dip
French onion dip’s classic pairing is potato chips, but it’s also a delicious dip for crisp veggies, bread sticks, crackers, French fries, sweet potato wedges, onion rings, and even sausage rolls, chicken tenders, chicken wings, fried chicken, and chicken cutlets. We also love it on sandwiches and wraps!
More Easy Appetizer Recipes To Try
- Pineapple cheese ball
- Cheese and bacon cob loaf
- Goat cheese stuffed dates
- Bacon-wrapped pineapple bites
- Chocolate popcorn
If you make this French onion dip, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Easy French Onion Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 medium yellow onions
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon chives sliced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Start by peeling and thinly slicing the onions.
- Melt the butter on medium-high heat and add the sliced onions. Stir occasionally. Lower the heat once they start to brown after about 5-10 minutes, and continue cooking for another 15 minutes or so over medium-low heat.
- While the onions cook, add the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise to the bowl of a food processor. Season with salt and pepper. Then, blend until smooth.
- Once the onions are caramelized, remove them from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before adding to the dip in the processor. Pulse just a few times to mix into the creamy spread. Don’t puree, just fold them in so the texture is preserved.
- Serve immediately or chill for at least 30 minutes, covered in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Use fresh sour cream, cream cheese, and mayo for the best flavor and consistency.
- For easier mixing, pull the cream cheese out of the refrigerator for 30 minutes and have it come to room temperature before combining.
- Add a pinch of garlic powder or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for an extra layer of flavor. You can also top this dip with caramelized onions.
- This dip can be served immediately, but I recommend chilling in the fridge for at least an hour to allow the flavors to come together.
- Taste the dip and adjust as needed before serving. A little adjustment in the salt and pepper can make a huge difference in the final flavor.
