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French Onion Dip

French Onion Dip

This classic French Onion Dip is a creamy, flavorful snack blending slow-caramelized yellow onions with tangy sour cream and mayonnaise, seasoned with garlic and onion powders, salt, and pepper. Easy to prepare in under an hour, it’s a versatile appetizer perfect for parties or casual snacking, pairing wonderfully with chips, veggies, and crackers. Customizable for dietary preferences, including vegan and lighter options, it’s a crowd-pleasing dip that delivers rich, savory-sweet indulgence with every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons butter or oil (for caramelizing onions)
  • 1 cup sour cream (full-fat recommended)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Garnishes and Variations

  • Fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped (for topping)
  • Smoked paprika (for garnish)
  • Cayenne pepper or hot sauce (for spicy version)
  • Shredded Gruyère or sharp cheddar cheese (for cheesy variant)
  • Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or tarragon (for herb infusion)

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: Start with thinly sliced yellow onions cooked slowly over low heat in a skillet with butter or oil, stirring frequently until they turn a deep golden brown and become sweetly fragrant. This process usually takes about 30-40 minutes and is key to developing the richness of the dip.
  2. Cool the Onions: Once caramelized, transfer the onions to a bowl and let them cool completely. Mixing warm onions into dairy can cause separation, so cooling is essential for a smooth dip.
  3. Combine the Base Ingredients: In a separate bowl, blend together the sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy. This mixture balances the savory sweetness of the onions.
  4. Fold in the Onions: Gently stir the cooled caramelized onions into the creamy base, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dip.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the dip for at least one hour to let the flavors marry and deepen. Serve chilled with chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables, garnished optionally with fresh chives, parsley, or smoked paprika.

Notes

  • Cook onions slowly over low heat to bring out natural sweetness without burning.
  • Use full-fat sour cream and mayonnaise for the richest flavor and creamiest texture.
  • Chill the dip longer than one hour if possible for enhanced flavor.
  • Add fresh herbs like chives or parsley right before serving to brighten the flavor and add color.
  • Taste after chilling and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed.
  • For a vegan version, substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt and mayonnaise with vegan mayo, and caramelize onions with olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: French Onion Dip, caramelized onion dip, party appetizer, easy dip recipe, creamy dip, gluten free dip