French Onion Dip

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A homemade French onion dip recipe is perfect for satisfying your sweet and savory cravings all in one. This caramelized onion dip comes together quickly, uses just a few common ingredients, and is perfect for parties. With real caramelized onions and a flavor similar to French onion chicken and French onion soup (but made creamy!), this easy dish isn’t your average grocery store tub of onion dip — it’s better!

What Is French Onion Dip?

French onion dip is a creamy caramelized onion dip made with onions, sour cream, and cream cheese.

Most store-bought onion dips and onion dip mixes (and even some homemade onion dip recipes!) contain added thickeners, cornstarch substitutes, MSG, processed oils, or hidden fillers. You can avoid all of them by making a healthier homemade French onion dip recipe from scratch with real ingredients instead!

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for French onion dip, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

• Salted Butter – The key to caramelizing the onions while adding a buttery flavor is to use salted butter. If all you have is unsalted, you can just add salt separately.
• Onions – Obviously the main part of this caramelized onion dip recipe. I like to use vidalia or similar sweet yellow onions, but you could also use white or red onions as well. If you want extra onion flavor, you could even add some onion powder.
• Beef Bone Broth – You can also use regular beef broth, chicken broth, or vegetable broth, but I love the richness that bone broth adds.
• Garlic – Adding garlic gives this dip a great savory flavor and depth. Use fresh garlic or jarred minced garlic to save time. If you don’t have garlic on hand, you can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder — add it to the creamy ingredients instead of sauteing.
• Sour Cream – The base of this french onion dip is sour cream. It makes it creamy and delicious. Nonfat plain Greek yogurt or mayo make an easy substitutes if needed.
• Cream Cheese – Helps thicken the dip. Let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes to soften before using in this French onion dip recipe.
• Blackstrap Molasses – This is optional, but just 1/2 teaspoon in the entire recipe adds a surprising amount of flavor. If you don’t have any a couple teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce would make a decent substitute.
• Fresh Thyme – The addition of thyme really makes the dip. Fresh chives or parsley would also work well. Fresh herbs work best here, but if you must substitute dried, use 2 teaspoons dried in place of 2 tablespoons fresh.
• Sea Salt – Brings out the flavors. Feel free to add some white or black pepper as well if you like.

How To Make French Onion Dip

This section shows how to make onion dip, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

1. Caramelize onions. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and 2 tablespoons of beef bone broth. Saute, adding another 2 more tablespoons of broth to keep the onions hydrated, and continue to saute until browned and caramelized.

TIP: The broth prevents burning the onions.

As the broth sizzles away, add more broth, 2 tablespoons at a time. Reduce heat if they start to brown too much. The broth will keep the caramelized onions moist, plus it imparts amazing flavor.

2. Add garlic. Make a well in the center of the pan. Add minced garlic and saute until fragrant. Stir into the onions. Set the pan aside to cool to room temperature.

3. Make dip base. Stir together sour cream, softened cream cheese, molasses, thyme, and sea salt, until smooth.
4. Combine. Once the caramelized onions have cooled, stir them into the mixture. Add more salt to taste if desired. Serve as is, or transfer to a serving dish, with additional thyme for garnish if desired.

TIP: If you want a firmer dip, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes.

This also helps the flavors develop, but is not required.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep this easy homemade French onion dip recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Meal prep: This is a great make-ahead appetizer. Simply make the dip a few days ahead of time, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Give it a stir before serving.

Can You Freeze French Onion Dip?

You can freeze dip for up to 3 months. Place dip in an airtight container or heavy duty freezer bag, and store in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight and stir before serving.

What To Serve With Caramelized Onion Dip

There are so many ways to serve this caramelized onion dip. I love to serve it with a variety of dippers for scooping! Here are a few of my favorites:

• Crackers – Almond flour crackers or flax seed crackers are a nutritious alternative to wheat-based crackers, but any kind you like will work.
• Chips – This dip is perfect for potato chips or tortilla chips (or low carb tortilla chips). But, it also is great for dipping zucchini chips, homemade kale chips, or pepperoni chips.
• Veggies – Add some color to your homemade French onion dip with a platter of red, yellow, and orange bell peppers. Fresh cucumber slices, celery, or carrots would also pair perfectly with this dish.

More Creamy Dip Recipes

While store-bought dips can be tempting, homemade always tastes better! Here are a few of my favorite homemade dip recipes that are sure to please your taste buds:

Rotel Dip

Warm Ranch Dip

Queso Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

5 from 10 votes

French Onion Dip Recipe (Easy!)

This 30-minute homemade French onion dip recipe is a party fave! Make caramelized onion dip fast with onions, sour cream, and cream cheese.

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 25 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 12 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.

• 2 tbsp Salted butter ▢
• 2 large Onions (diced; ~2 lb) ▢
• 1/4 cup Beef bone broth (or regular beef broth) ▢
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 2 cups Sour Cream ▢
• 4 oz Cream cheese (softened) ▢
• 1/2 tsp Blackstrap molasses
  (optional) ▢
• 2 tbsp Fresh thyme ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt (plus more to taste) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

1. Heat the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and 2 tablespoons (29.57 milliliters) of beef bone broth. Saute for 25-35 minutes, adding another 2 more tablespoons (29.57 milliliters) (of broth after the first 10-15 minutes to keep the onions hydrated, and continue to saute until browned and caramelized. Reduce heat if they start to brown too much.

2. Make a well in the center of the pan. Add the minced garlic and saute for about a minute. Once the garlic is fragrant and starting to brown, stir into the onions. Set the pan aside to cool to room temperature.

3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the sour cream, softened cream cheese, molasses, fresh thyme, and sea salt, until smooth.

4. Once the caramelized onions have cooled, stir them into the bowl. Add more salt to taste if desired. If you want a firmer dip, chill for at least 30 minutes.

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Recipe Notes

Serving size: ¼ cup

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 137

Fat 13g

Protein 2g

Total Carbs 5g

Net Carbs 4g

Fiber 1g

Sugar 3g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: French

Keywords: caramelized onion dip, French onion dip recipe, homemade french onion dip, onion dip recipe

Calories: 137 kcal

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