Learn how to make French Onion Dip from scratch with caramelized onions, cream cheese, sour cream and/or mayo, and simple seasonings! This homemade version tastes so much better than using a mix or store bought dip!
French Onion Dip
I will admit that I have made onion dip from a packet in the past. I’ve also purchased French Onion Dip from a tub that ultimately ends up in the trash because it’s too firm for a chip to survive being dipped into it.
Aside from the homemade version having a super creamy consistency, you also just can’t beat the depth of flavor.
Serve this with a vegetable platter, chips, crackers, and crusty bread. You can even make this a few days ahead of time!
Ingredients
- Sour Cream– You can also use mayo or a combination of both. The super smooth consistency is perfect for serving with chips.
- Cream Cheese– Let it sit out and soften while you caramelize the onions so that it’s easy to combine with the other ingredients.
- Onions– Any kind of onions will work, I usually use yellow onions.
- Olive Oil & Butter– Perfect for caramelizing onions.
- Soy Sauce– My Secret ingredient in this dip. I noticed that the package of onion dip mix includes soy sauce extract. It enhances the other flavors in this recipe and adds umami.
- Garlic Salt, Onion Powder, Thyme, Pepper– The perfect blend of seasonings and flavors. The thyme adds a nice sophisticated flavor that really puts the “French” in this onion dip.
How to Make It
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Heat diced onions in melted butter and olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Add soy sauce, garlic salt, onion powder, pepper, and thyme.
Decrease heat to low and caramelize for 20-25 minutes, partially covered. Stir every few minutes. Remove and let cool.
Add softened cream cheese to a bowl.
Combine the cream cheese with sour cream (and/or mayo). Add caramelized onions. If possible, refrigerate for at least 1 hour prior to serving.
To Serve this Warm:
- Caramelize the onions, remove from heat, and add cream cheese and sour cream.
- Add 3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese along with 1 cup of shredded gruyere or mozzarella cheese.
- Top with an additional 1 cup of cheese.
- Bake in a cast iron skillet or oven-safe dish 375° for 15 minutes, uncovered.
- You may choose to broil it at 450° for up to 5 minutes at the end for a brown top.
Storage
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Tools For This Recipe
(Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.
- Vegetable Chopper– Makes it easy to dice the onions evenly and quickly.
- Glass Serving bowls– These are the bowls pictured in this post. I love them!
- Glass Storage Container with Lid– The perfect size for this dip and perfect for transporting or storing.
- Silicone Spatula– Perfect for stirring the onions and mixing the dip ingredients together.
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French Onion Dip
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons Salted Butter
- 2 large yellow Onions, about 2.5 cups finely diced
- 2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 4 oz. Cream Cheese, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Take out the cream cheese and let it soften while you caramelized the onions.
- Add butter, olive oil, and onions to a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Toss to combine and heat for 5 minutes, until softened.
- Add soy sauce, garlic salt, onion powder, pepper, and thyme. Reduce heat to low.
- Cover partially and cook for 20-25 minutes, until caramelized. Stir every few minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Combine the cream cheese with sour cream (and/or mayo). Add caramelized onions. If possible, refrigerate for at least 1 hour prior to serving.
Notes
- This recipe makes 1 ¾ cups.
- A combination of mayo and sour cream can be used.
- Once the onions are caramelized, remove from heat and add cream cheese and sour cream.
- Add 3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese along with 1 cup of shredded gruyere or mozzarella cheese.
- Top with an additional 1 cup of cheese.
- Bake in a cast iron skillet or oven-safe dish 375° for 15 minutes, uncovered.
- You may choose to broil it at 450° for up to 5 minutes at the end for a brown top.
I have used many onion dip recipes and this is by far the best I have tried. Company loved it. I really recommend this recipe. Ron from ElDorado Hills Ca.
That makes me so happy Ron! I actually just made a batch for a 4th of July party! Thanks so much for commenting!💗
I took Brian’s advice and added the beef boullion then put it in my food processer to make it super creamy. Substituted Greek Yogurt for the sour cream to make it more guilt free. Perfect Summer Dip!
Hi Sara, that sounds absolutely amazing, you made me hungry! SO glad that you enjoyed it, thank you for taking the time to share what you did and how you enjoyed it! -Stephanie
Muy buenas sus recetas y variadas, muchas gracias y Bendiciones
Delicious! The carmelized onions are worth the wait and the soy sauce adds the right amount of saltiness and flavor.
I am soooo happy to hear that Shannon!!! This dip is like, my biggest weakness and I totally agree with you on the caramelized onions- it’s worth every second! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! -Stephanie
Try a small amount of beef “better than bouillon”.
Hey Brian! I am a REALLY big fan of Better Than Bouillon and definitely find that it amps up the flavor in a lot of different dishes. There’s no doubt, it would be delicious in this! Good tip!
Use vegetable better than bouillon. 1 heaping tsp. Can serve anywhere. Vegetarians can enjoy. 🙂
This is definitely so much creamier and more delicious than using store bought packets! I took my time caramelizing the onions and I think that made a big difference. This was devoured by my husband and sons over memorial day weekend. Thanks for sharing!
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed it Ursula, it’s definitely a hit with my family too! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! -Stephanie