French Onion Dip is an easy crowd pleasing appetizer you can make in ahead in minutes! Caramelized onions are folded into a creamy dip for amazing flavor in every bite.
When I tell you this dip is lightyears ahead of the old fashioned version made with powdered soup mix, I mean it. I would never steer you wrong!
This dip will make you want to ditch the French onion soup mix forever. It’s worth the extra time to make this incredible update on an old fashioned favorite!
French onion dip is one of my favorite appetizers for get togethers and tailgates. It is always a crowd pleaser. In fact, when I was a caterer this was one of our most frequently requested appetizers.
It’s so simple to skip the mix and make homemade French onion dip! It’s rich and full of flavor and so simple to make. Once you make it from scratch, you can’t go back!
The secret to making this dip out-of-this-world-amazing is caramelized onions. They take the dip over the top! Each bite is packed full of incredible flavor.
In the 50’s it was referred to as California Dip. By the 80’s it seemed like it was almost exclusively made with a soup mix, but I’m here to tell you, it’s worth the little extra effort!
I love an amazing dip recipe! Don’t miss my incredible recipe round-up with 30+ of the BEST Dips for Parties – including my incredible healthy hummus recipe.
Why You’ll Love this French Onion Dip
- Rich, craveable flavor
- So easy to make
- Simple ingredients
- Elevated beyond the powdered version!
★★★★★
5 STAR REVIEW
“This dip was really good. I made it the night before Thanksgiving. It was even better the next day. Thanks for your yummy recipes that you share with us. It’s appreciated!”
— VALERIE —
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Yellow Onions – Yellow onions are full of flavor and when pan fried become slightly sweet. You can mix things up by using red or sweet onions, but yellow are my favorite for this recipe. Learn how to cut an onion here!
- Vegetable Oil – Makes the onion tender and moist. You can substitute canola oil, olive oil, avocado oil or butter.
- Butter – Salted butter adds a little flavor to the onions.
- Cayenne – Cayenne gives this dip a little heat.
- Black Pepper – Thick flakes of freshly cracked black pepper add a little spice and texture.
- Cream Cheese – Soften cream cheese for a luxuriously creamy dip. Read Can You Freeze Cream Cheese? for a guide to simplify this ingredient!
- Sour Cream – Sour cream is a classic dip base that adds a slight tanginess and freshness to the dip.
- Mayonnaise – I prefer to use a full fat olive oil mayonnaise which is really rich in flavor, but you can use a low fat variety if you prefer.
Variations
- Herbs – Fresh herbs, like chives, green onion or parsley work well with this dip.
- Lighten in Up – Swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt for a richer and tangier dip that’s lower in calories.
Tools to Use
How To Make
- Prep – Slice and halve the onions.
- Caramelize Onions – Don’t skip this step! It’s key in making this dip irresistible! Sauté them low and slow to achieve sweet flavor and golden color. Heat the oil and butter in a pan and add the onions, cayenne and pepper. Cook the onions down so that they are nice and soft.
- Combine – Mix in the rest of the ingredients and stir until smooth.
Tips
- Caramelize Onions Low and Slow – The secret to getting the most flavors out of the onions is to cook them slowly on a medium low heat. If you cook them on a high heat, they are more likely to burn, and it also destroys the molecules that release flavor.
- Softened Cream Cheese – This makes the dip luxuriously creamy. Learn how to soften cream cheese here.
- Serve at room temperature. Remove from refrigerator 20 minutes before serving. However, it can be served warm or cold,
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Frequently Asked Questions
Our French onion dip is made with rich caramelized onions, whereas a traditional onion dip is made with fresh or dried onions.
Traditionally, all types of onion dips serve up beautifully with a crinkle cut potato chip. See more suggestions below!
Serving Suggestions
- Chips – Kettle chips, classic potato chips, crinkled chips, sweet potato chips, and beet chips
- Crackers – Water crackers, butter crackers, multi-grain crackers
- Crostini – Homemade or store bought.
- Veggies – Cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, jicama sticks
More Ideas
- On Smashed Potatoes
- On Mashed Potatoes
- On Juicy Sliders
- On a Steak Sandwich
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free
- Nut Free
- Vegetarian
How to Store
- Room Temperature – Don’t leave this dip sitting out for more than two hours before refrigerating.
- Refrigerate – Once you have made the dip, let it cool to room temperature and keep it covered in the fridge. It will last well for 3 to 4 days.
- Freezer – I don’t recommend freezing this dip, as it will change the creamy consistency.
More Dip Recipes
French Onion Dip
Ingredients
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 yellow onions halved and sliced or diced
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper fresh ground, thick flakes preferred
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- In a large fry or sauté pan over medium heat, warm oil and butter until just melted.
- Add chopped onions, cayenne, and pepper. Sauté for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to medium low and cover, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth.
- Remove onion mixture from heat. Fold caramelized onions into dip base until well combined.
- Serve warm or refrigerate 2+ hours to marinate and serve at room temperature.
Julie’s Tips
Substitutions
- Yellow Onions – Red or white onions and shallots also work well.
- Vegetable Oil – Substitute canola oil, olive oil, avocado oil or butter.
- Cream Cheese – Whole fat is preferable, but low fat can be substituted.
- Sour Cream – Substitute with greek yogurt or low fat sour cream.
Serving Suggestions
- Chips – Kettle chips, classic potato chips, ruffled chips, sweet potato chips, and beet chips
- Crackers – Water crackers, butter crackers, multi-grain crackers
- Veggies – Cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, jicama sticks
To Store
- Refrigerate – Once you have made the dip, let it cool to room temperature and keep it covered in the fridge. It will last well for 3 to 4 days. I like to serve it at room temperature, so i take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before serving.
Video
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
I love this dip and have made it many times. A friend asked me to bring a warm app to a party. Do you think it could be served warm?
Absolutely!
Fantastic recipe!!
Thank you!
I can’t wait to try this recipe, looks delicious!!!
Thanks Gina! I hope you love it as much as we do!
This dip was really good. I made it the night before Thanksgiving. It was even better the next day. Thanks for your yummy recipes that you share with us. It’s appreciated!
Thanks, Valerie! I’m glad you enjoy them as much as we do!
This is a family favorite!