Last Updated February 20th, 2021 at 09:17 am by Lisa
French onion dip is an easy appetizer with caramelized onions and fresh ingredients. This party appetizer tastes even better if made ahead.
Whip up this homemade onion dip, and take a look at all the creative ways to use up leftovers (if there are any)...
Why This Recipe Works
- Caramelized onions are really easy, and add so much depth of flavor.
- Fresh ingredients make all the difference when you make onion dip from scratch as opposed to store-bought dips and mix packets.
- French onion dip isn't just an appetizer, use leftovers in other recipes like topping baked potatoes. Keep reading for more ideas.
You Need
Let's Make This Dip!
Step 1: Chop the onions into large dice, about ½" pieces.
Step 2: Melt butter, in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring.
Reduce heat to low and cook for at least 25 minutes until golden brown and caramelized. You might need to cook them longer depending on your stove heat, pan, etc. The onions will shrink a lot as they cook. Stir every 5-10 minutes, and once caramelized remove from stove and allow to cool.
Caramelized Onion Tips
- The best onions to use are yellow, brown, or sweet Vidalia.
- Don't overcrowd the onions in the pan or they will steam and not caramelize.
- For this onion dip recipe, I chopped them into smaller pieces so they would be easy to scoop on a potato chip.
- You can slice onions into long strips to use caramelized onions on burgers, steaks, and grilled sausages.
- Stir every 5-10 minutes to get them more evenly golden brown.
- Keep the heat low, don't turn up the heat you will end up with uneven burnt and raw onions.
- Some people even deglaze the pan with a small amount of water, wine, or chicken stock for even richer results.
Mix the dip
- In a bowl, mix caramelized onions, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 cups sour cream. Mix well in a bowl, chill in the fridge. Can be made a couple of days ahead.
- Serve with potato chips, garnish with fresh chives.
Raw onions caramelize and turn a deep rich brown color as they slowly cook over low heat. First, water is released from the onions, as they soften and shrink in the pan. They gain a sweeter flavor while cooking due to the large sugar molecules that break down into smaller, simple sugars. This is why caramelized onions have a sweet flavor after cooking as opposed to strong raw onions.
Add the onions, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring.
Reduce heat to low and cook for 25-40 minutes until golden brown and caramelized. The onions will shrink a lot as they cook. Stir every 10 minutes or so, and once caramelized remove from stove and allow to cool.
Melt into mashed potatoes.
Use with hamburger stroganoff with lots of mushrooms.
Top on a baked potato.
Mix into a potato gratin.
Stir in a little grated horseradish and serve with roast beef, pork, or pot roast
Spread a thin coating on boneless chicken breasts, dip in panko/bread crumbs and bake.
Use in pasta, rice, or vegetable casseroles.
More Party Appetizers
Every party needs appetizers and dips!
Chip dips like Guacamole and Salsa Verde served with tortilla chips are classic at any party. People rave about this oven-baked Jalapeno Popper Dip or make the fastest chip dip EVER with this 2 ingredient easy French Onion Dip.
For holiday parties, try a few of these Thanksgiving Appetizers. These easy holiday recipes include Deviled Eggs, Brie and Bacon Palmiers, and a gorgeous Crostini Bar!
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French Onion Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bag ruffled potato chips
Onion Dip
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 cups large diced onions 2 onions: yellow, brown, or sweet vidalia
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cracked pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups sour cream 16 oz container
- optional garnish: fresh chives/green onions
Instructions
- Melt butter, in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the onions, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for 25-40 minutes until golden brown and caramelized. The onions will shrink alot as they cook. Stir every 5-10 minutes, and once caramelized remove from stove and allow to cool.
- In a bowl, mix caramelized onions, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 cups sour cream. Mix well in a bowl, chill in the fridge. Can be made a couple of days ahead.
- Serve with potato chips, garnish with fresh chives.
Notes
make ahead tip:
You can make this dip a couple of days ahead, keep it chilled in the fridge, it will taste even better! Give a stir right before serving.leftover dip:
Melt into mashed potatoes.Use with hamburger stroganoff with lots of mushrooms.
Top on a baked potato.
Mix into a potato gratin.
Stir in a little grated horseradish and serve with roast beef, pork, or pot roast
Spread a thin coating on boneless chicken breasts, dip in panko/bread crumbs and bake.
Use in pasta, rice, or vegetable casseroles.
caramelized onion tips:
- The best onions to use are yellow, brown, or sweet Vidalia.
- Don't overcrowd the onions in the pan or they will steam and not caramelize.
- For this onion dip recipe, I chopped them into smaller pieces so they would be easy to scoop on a potato chip.
- You can slice onions into long strips to use caramelized onions on burgers, steaks, and grilled sausages.
- Stir every 5-10 minutes to get them more evenly golden brown.
- Keep the heat low, don't turn up the heat you will end up with uneven burnt and raw onions.
- Some people even deglaze the pan with a small amount of water, wine, or chicken stock for even richer results.
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