Homemade onion dip is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite potato chips, veggies, and more. Make a batch for game day, a party, or just because.
Whether you are looking for a tailgate snack or an appetizer for a dinner party, this simple onion dip fits the bill. It is creamy and delicious and makes a perfect snack or starter.
There is something special about caramelized onions. As you cook them to that deep brown color, they get so much flavor.
They practically melt, and those deep, rich colors and flavors are what make this dip fabulous. Other than the onions and creamy base, there isn’t a lot more to it.
That really allows the onion flavor to shine through. Which is what you want when you make an onion dip after all.
Caramelizing Onions
The key to perfectly caramelized onions is patience. It is not something you can do in a hurry.
It takes quite a bit of time over low heat to get the rich brown tones without scorching anything. Butter and patience will get you to the perfect texture and flavor.
Just stir them occasionally and let them do their thing. It takes very little effort, just time.
While you can’t rush the process, you can make them ahead of time. That way, you can make a fresh dip for the party without messing with onions.
You can prep the onions several days in advance. Then, just warm them up a bit to loosen up the butter and stir them into the dip.
If you really like onions, you may want to even double the onions in this recipe. It can handle up to three or four onions if you really want to go for it.
How do you know when the onions are caramelized?
They will be a deep golden brown. The onions will be soft and look a little bit sticky or jammy.
Making The Dip
The creamy base for this dip features a lot of the regular ingredients you might expect. Making sure the cream cheese is soft will make it easier to mix with the other ingredients.
Add mayonnaise and sour cream to round it out. If you prefer, you can use Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream.
Stir in the caramelized onions and a bit of dill, and you are ready to go. It really is that simple!
If you want, you can add a half teaspoon of garlic powder. It is tasty in this dip as well.
Chives are another great addition if you want a little bit of color in your dip. The pops of green make the dip look fresh, and the chives go well with the onions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you serve with onion dip?
This dip makes a great game-day snack and can be served with a variety of things. We typically serve our dip with potato chips, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and celery. Pita chips, corn chips, bell peppers, and broccoli are also great things to dip in this dish.
What kind of onions should I use?
We like to use white onions, but yellow onions work, too. Yellow onions are a bit sweeter than white onions, so you may want to add a teaspoon of salt to help offset that sweetness.
How do I store homemade dip?
This dip is best served the day that it is prepared; however, you can store your dip in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply keep your dip covered with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container.
In addition to using the extras as dip for more chips or crudité, you can also try using it as a sandwich spread. Try putting it with more caramelized onions on a hamburger for a real treat!
More Recipes to Try
If you are a fan of onions, you are going to love my cheesy onion casserole. The onions practically melt into the cheese, and the buttery topping makes it next level good.
For another simple cold dip that goes well with chips or veggies, try creamy clam dip. It is a vintage recipe that has always been a favorite in our family.
Or try cheesy potato casserole with French onion dip for a twist on the classic funeral potatoes. The onion dip really adds that little something extra that makes them fabulous.
If you tried this recipe, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments. Hungry for more? Be sure to stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Caramelized Onion Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 onion large
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1½ teaspoons dried dill
Instructions
- Dice onion relatively finely.1 onion
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, drop the heat to low and add the onions.3 Tablespoons butter
- Continue to cook the onion over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is golden brown and soft. This should take about 25 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth.4 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, ½ cup mayonnaise
- Add cooked onions and dill. Stir and taste. Add a pinch of salt if needed.1½ teaspoons dried dill
- Eat right away or cover and chill until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- This dip makes a great game-day snack and can be served with a variety of things. We typically serve our dip with potato chips, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and celery. Corn chips, bell peppers, and broccoli are also great things to dip in this dish.
- This dip is best served the day that it is prepared; however, you can store your dip in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply keep your dip covered with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container.
- We like to use white onions, but yellow onions work too. Yellow onions are a bit sweeter than white onions so you may want to add a teaspoon of salt to help offset that sweetness.
- The dried dill can be replaced with 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped dill if it is available at your local grocery store. Chives also make a great addition to this dip and compliment the onions quite well.