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The Best French Onion Dip begins with caramelized onions that combine with cream cheese, sour cream, and seasonings. It creates a dip so addictive and creamy, it’ll be gone before you know it!

Dips are always a favorite at parties!ย Make this dip alongside my other favorites for a dip array of awesomeness. Try Insanely Delicious Hot Crab Dip, Loaded Creamy Ranch Dip, and 5 Minute Million Dollar Dip.

Top view of French onion dip garnished with caramelized onions and a chip on top.

Reasons To Make This Dip!

  • Itโ€™s a Crowd Favorite: French onion dip is a classic appetizer that is always a favorite and the first to disappear!
  • Homemade is BEST: This homemade version of French onion dip is better than anything you buy at the store!
  • SO Addicting: This appetizer will be the hit of any party! Once you start dipping, you just canโ€™t stop!

French Onion Dip Recipe

There is just something about classic French onion dip! Everyone loves it and you can’t stop eating it. Wait until you taste this homemade French onion dip recipe. It’s made with caramelized onions, giving this dip its distinct and irresistible flavor. Add in savory spices, sour cream, and cream cheese, and it’s ready to serve at your next party. Everyone will devour it!

One of the best things about this dip is that it’s homemade. You can feel good about serving this dip to your friends and family. Just like my Homemade Cheese Sauce or fresh Guacamole, homemade is always best!

French Onion Dip Ingredients

This creamy savory dip is made with ingredients you probably have on hand. If not, a quick trip to the grocery store will get you what you need. A classic dip made with classic ingredients that will knock your socks off!

  • Butter: Butter to cook the onion in and it adds great flavor
  • Onion: I used a small onion.
  • Salt: Salt helps the onions release their juices to help them cook.
  • Sugar: This will help caramelize the onions and help give them that golden color.
  • Cream Cheese: Softened full-fat or low-fat cream cheese.
  • Sour Cream: Use a good quality sour cream, low fat or regular.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a delicious savory flavor to the dip.
  • Onion and Garlic Powder: The perfect seasonings that make it taste incredible.
  • Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.
Ingredients labeled to make French onion dip.

How to Make French Onion Dip

Yes, it might take a little longer to make this because you’ll need to caramelize your onions, but it’ll be SO worth it! Allow the onions to cool before mixing it all together and then watch it disappear.

  1. Heat Pan/ Melt the Butter: In a medium-sized skillet melt the butter over medium-low heat. 
  2. Add Onions, Salt, and Sugar: Add the onions, ยผ teaspoon of the salt, and the sugar. 
  3. Caramelize the Onions: Cook the onions for 25-30 minutes until they are a deep golden brown color.
  4. Cool the Onions: Allow the caramelized onions to cool.
  5. Mix the Dip Ingredients: Add the onions, cream cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, remaining salt, and pepper in a medium bowl then mix until combined.
  6. Chill and Serve: Cover and chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy! Serve with potato chips, crostini, or veggies!

What’s the Difference Between Caramelizing and Sautรฉing Onions?

The rich deep golden color and sweet, savory flavor of a caramelized onion is one of the most amazing flavors! It can be tricky to caramelize onions without burning them. The secret is LOW and SLOW! It takes patience to caramelize onions, but it makes this French onion dip SO worth it.

  • Sautรฉ vs Caramelize: Sautรฉing onions is done at a higher heat and is meant to just tenderize them and brown the outside. Caramelizing is cooking the onions at a lower heat. By slowly coaxing the flavor out of the onions, it allows the natural sugars to caramelize creating a deep rich flavor.
  • Do I Have to Stir the Onions? The great thing about caramelizing is that you don’t have to babysit the pan too much. Check on the pan and stir every 2-3 minutes.
  • Why is the Pan Sticky? As the onions cook, you’ll notice a dark coating forming on the bottom of the pan. That is part of the caramelization process. Simply scrape the coating back into the onions as they continue to cook. If it starts to build up, use a little bit of water to help deglaze the pan and watch it carefully for burning. If you feel like they are cooking too fast then you can always turn down the heat.
  • How Do I Know When They Are Done?ย  Your onions should be a deep brown color. They will be very soft but not mushy. Taste the onions when you think they’re ready. If you love the flavor, then they’re done!
  • Leftover Caramelized Onions: They will keep in the fridge for about a week, and freeze well too. Use any leftover onions in this Easy French Onion Soup or this amazing Skillet French Onion Chicken.
Top view of French onion dip in a wood bowl with chips on the side.

Storing Leftover Dip

This homemade French onion dip can be made ahead of time and stored for days! Itโ€™s easy to whip up the day before you need it. Because you donโ€™t want to spend time making it on the day of your party. 

  • In the Refrigerator: Once you have made your French onion dip then, store it in an airtight container and put it in your fridge. It will last up to 1 week!
  • Make Ahead: This is the perfect dip recipe to make ahead of time! In fact, allowing it to sit overnight in the refrigerator helps the flavors meld together even more.
Close view of a chip dipping into bowl of French onion dip.

More Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers

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French Onion Dip

5 from 4 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
The Best French Onion Dip begins with caramelized onions that combine with cream cheese, sour cream, and seasonings. It creates a dip so addictive and creamy, it'll be gone before you know it!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 people

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a medium-sized skillet melt the butter over medium-low heat.
  • Add the onions, ยผ teaspoon of the salt, and the sugar.
  • Cook the onions for 25-30 minutes until they are a deep golden brown color.
  • Allow the caramelized onions to cool.
  • Add the onions, cream cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, remaining salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until combined.
  • Cover and chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy! Serve with potato chips, crostini, or veggies!

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 3gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 378mgPotassium: 115mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 693IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, French
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This dip is seriously the best French onion dip ever! Iโ€™ve made it 4 times now and itโ€™s a crowd pleaser. I use light sour cream and 1/3 reduced fat cream cheese and it comes out so good.

    ***One big tip I have is to mix everything but the onions with your electric hand mixer vs a spoon – the creaminess levels it up 10x! Soo good. Also make sure to use very softened cream cheese. You can fold the caramelized onions in after. Absolute perfection! ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

  2. Everything I make of yours turns out greatโ€ฆkeep it up! Iโ€™ve turned into a decent cook thanks to you and this pandemic!!๐Ÿ˜Š

  3. Everything I make of yours turns out great…keep it up! Iโ€™ve turned into a decent cook thanks to you and this pandemic!!๐Ÿ˜Š