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Skip the mix and make this homemade Caramelized Onion Dip instead … paired with chips, veggies, and your favorite sparkling wine, it’s the perfect party appetizer!
Do you have a favorite food that brings back happy memories? One of mine is French onion dip.
I come from a family that loves getting together with friends, and it wasn’t a party unless onion dip was on the menu. That creamy onion dip was so delicious with chips, and it never lasted long.
As much as I love that dip, it was always made from a mix. You know the one! These days, I prefer to skip mixes, so I decided to make my fave French onion dip from scratch.
This Caramelized Onion Dip has all the mouthwatering flavors of that O.G. dip, but it’s totally homemade! You are going to love how easy this onion dip recipe is to make. Plus, if you pair it with chips, veggies, and your fave sparkling wine, it’s the perfect party appetizer!
Caramelized Onion Dip
This cream cheese onion dip has all the flavors of that old favorite, but it’s made from simple, straightforward ingredients. And of course, it’s still decadent and delicious!
The star of this creamy dip is the caramelized onions. They’re so sweet, delicious, and tender that they practically melt in your mouth.
Combine those delicious onions with a little cream cheese and sour cream (and a few other ingredients), and you have the perfect party recipe.
It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t love this dip, which makes it ideal for entertaining. Simply pair it with chips, veggies, and your favorite sparkling wine, and you have a party!
How to Make Caramelized Onion Dip
Let’s talk about how to make this yummy onion dip recipe!
It all starts with onions. Start by slicing your onions thin, about 1/4-inch or less. Caramelized onions need to cook slowly … you can’t rush them. The thinner you slice the onions, the sooner they’ll be ready.
This recipe also calls for shallots. They’re sweeter and milder than onions with a hint of garlic flavor, and they add additional depth of flavor to this recipe. Shallots cook faster than onions, so slice them about twice as thick.
Caramelized onions are simple to make, but they do take time. Plan on spending about 45 to 60 minutes cooking the onions.
Thankfully, you don’t need to stand over the pan that whole time. The onions need to brown a bit before you mix them, so they only need to be stirred every 5 to 10 minutes.
You’ll cook the onions over medium heat. Season them with a little salt and pepper. The salt will help draw out their juices and speed up the cooking a bit.
If your onions start to burn, look dry, or are cooking too quickly, turn down the heat a notch and add a splash of water. The water will keep them nice and juicy.
The onions are ready once they’re a deep, rich brown. At this point, you’ll add a couple garlic cloves for even more flavor.
Let your onions cool a bit, then combine them with cream cheese, sour cream, and a dash of hot sauce. You’ll also add a couple minced green onions, which will brighten the flavors of your homemade onion dip.
Give everything a good stir, and your delicious, creamy dip is ready to enjoy!
This cream cheese onion dip goes so well with crunchy potato chips … the combination of creamy, sweet, and salty flavors can’t be beat! Look for thicker kettle-cooked chips that will stand up to the hearty dip.
It would be tasty with my Herb Parmesan Crackers or Homemade Pita Chips, too. And of course, you can serve this dip with your fave fresh veggies.
I paired my dip with grape tomatoes and sliced bell pepper. Cucumber, pea pods, carrots, and other vegetables would be delish, too.
Paired with Chandelier Sparkling Wine, this luscious onion chip dip is a recipe that’s made for entertaining!
Keep reading after the recipe for more pairing tips.
Skip the mix and learn how to make Caramelized Onion Dip from scratch ... it's the perfect party appetizer!
- 2 large onions
- 2 large shallots
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 green onions, minced (green parts only)
- dash hot sauce, optional
- salt
- pepper
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Slice onions in half lengthwise, then slice in half vertically again (keeping root end in tact). Thinly slice. Halve shallots lengthwise, then slice twice as thick as onions.
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Add onions to pan and season with salt and pepper.
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Cook, stirring occasionally (every 5 to 10 minutes), until onions are deep brown and caramelized. If onions get dry or start to burn, add a splash of water. It should take about 45 to 60 minutes.
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Stir in garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
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Remove onions from heat; season to taste with salt and pepper. Let cool slightly.
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Mix together cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add caramelized onions, green onions, and hot sauce. Season dip to taste with salt and pepper.
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Serve dip immediately or chill until ready to eat. Enjoy!
Loved this Homemade Onion Dip?
If you enjoyed this yummy dip, here are some other recipes you’re going to love!
- Cheesy Baked Black Bean Dip
- Ricotta Blue Cheese Spread
- Black Bean and Corn Salsa
- Creamy Lemon Artichoke Spread
- How to Make Hummus – my fave basic recipe + tons of tips and variations!
- Mexican Baked Spinach Dip
Wine + Onion Dip Pairing Tips
Are you wondering what wine to pair with this yummy Caramelized Onion Dip?
Rich, salty snacks and bubbles are a match made in heaven. Sparkling wines have a wonderful balance of bubbles, acidity, and fruity aromas that complement fatty foods and salty flavors (like chips and dip).
I served this onion chip dip with Chandelier Sparkling Wine, and it was the perfect pairing! This delicious sparkling wine is light and crisp with soft acidity … the perfect counterpart to a creamy dip and salty chips.
In between bites of dip, the delicate bubbles of this wine will dazzle your palate with refreshing notes of apple, bright citrus, and ripe pear. Yum!
I love that Chandelier Sparkling Wine is easy to find at your local grocery store, which makes it perfect for entertaining.
Whether you are enjoying a quiet night at home, a birthday celebration, girls night out, or another occasion, this light, lively wine is sure to brighten the night with its dazzling sparkle. This wine is worth toasting!
Chandelier Sparkling Wine pairs perfectly with this dip, but you’ll love it with other foods, too. Try serving it with a Thai curry with cashews. Doesn’t that sound like a fun combination?
Whether you’re serving Chandelier Sparkling Wine with this tasty French onion dip or something else, it’s sure to make a statement and light up the room!
I hope you enjoyed this homemade French onion dip recipe.
Let me know if you try it. I’d love to hear what you think!
What is your favorite throwback recipe?
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