Caramelized Onion Dip

Need a last-minute party snack for your next shindig? Want something that’s a crowd-pleaser but doesn’t require too-too much effort? This homemade caramelized onion dip is about to become your go-to snack for all your hosting and party needs. Simply caramelize the onions, then mix them with the creamy dip ingredients, and you have an elegant and still delectable dip that goes equally well with salty chips or a colorful crudités platter.

Ingredients for Caramelized Onion Dip

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• Onions: Two large onions, finely chopped, then caramelized in a heavy-bottomed skillet, contribute savory sweetness to the dip.
• Olive oil: The onions are caramelized in olive oil, but this recipe would also work with butter, or even a combination of both.
• Sour cream: Sour cream is used as one of the creamy bases for this incredible dip.
• Greek yogurt: You’ll use a tangy plain Greek yogurt as the second base for this onion dip with caramelized onions.
• Onion powder: Enhance the flavor of this dip with a heavy dusting of onion powder.
• Potato chips, corn chips and/or assorted fresh vegetables: You’ll need a way to scoop your dip, and a combination of salty chips and crisp veggies offers something for everyone.

Directions

Step 1: Caramelize the onions

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In a large skillet, saute the onions in the olive oil until they’re softened. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes or until they’re a deep golden brown. Let the onions cool completely.

Step 2: Combine the dip ingredients

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In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, yogurt, onion powder and salt. Stir in two-thirds of the cooked onions.

Step 3: Garnish and serve

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Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, and top it with the remaining onions. Serve with chips and vegetables.

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Caramelized Onion Dip Variations

• Add balsamic or honey to the onions: Give those caramelized onions a unique flavor by adding a tablespoon (or two) of balsamic vinegar or honey. It will completely change the taste of this dip—in a good way!
• Make it loaded: While the caramelized onions certainly give this dip enough flavor, you could add even more with loaded ingredients, like finely chopped chives, shredded cheddar cheese and bits of crispy bacon.
• Top the dip with crispy onions: For a crunchy twist on this creamy appetizer, top your onion dip with crispy onions instead, either the store-bought canned kind (typically called french fried onions), or your own crispy homemade onions rings. Or simply serve the onion rings with this dip if you really love that onion taste!

How to Store Caramelized Onion Dip

This caramelized onion dip recipe should store either in the bowl, tightly sealed with plastic wrap, or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This dip will not store well in the freezer.

How long does caramelized onion dip last?

Caramelized onion dip can last three to four days in the refrigerator. This is a great appetizer to prep ahead of time for a party, or to simply have on hand for when you’re hosting people last minute.

Caramelized Onion Dip Tips

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What kind of onions should you use to make caramelized onions?

If you’re not sure what types of onions you should use in caramelized onion dip, opt for a yellow, white or sweet variety. Some of the sweet varieties include Vidalia, Walla Walla and Maui. Keep in mind that a yellow or white onion will create a stronger onion flavor for the dip.

What is the trick to caramelizing onions?

Never been able to successfully caramelize onions? If your onions are starting to stick to the pan, add a couple tablespoons of water to help deglaze and loosen the onions. You can also do this with alcohol to enhance the flavor, like a white or red wine. To help speed up the process, adding a sprinkle of sugar will help to quicken the caramelizing process and release the natural sugars in the onions.

How else can you caramelize onions?

The typical way to caramelize onions is in a large skillet on the stovetop, but you can also make caramelized onions in the oven or slow cooker. We love making slow-cooker caramelized onions because they require less hands-on attention. For a large batch of caramelized onions, try lining a sheet pan with parchment paper and baking the sliced onions in a 400°F oven for 40 to 50 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even browning.

What do you serve with caramelized onion dip?

Potato chips or crudité vegetables are classic accompaniments to caramelized onion dip, but don’t let that limit you! This dip also tastes fantastic with a side of crusty bread, pita triangles, corn chips or soft pretzels. For a twist on the normal, try serving this dip as a sauce to accompany falafel or any grilled meat and vegetable kabob recipe. Leftovers taste fantastic when used as a mayonnaise replacement on sandwiches, wraps and burgers.

What chips go best with caramelized onion dip?

Because this dip already has a powerful flavor from the caramelized onions, you don’t want to overdo it with a flavorful chip. Choose a plain salty variety, like plain potato chips, pretzels, pita chips or even bagel chips.