This homemade French Onion Dip recipe will make you ditch the packet from the grocery store for good! It has the most intense onion flavor.
It costs about $5.31 to make three cups of this dip. This French Onion Dip recipe makes twelve servings for just $0.44 per serving.
I love making a variety of dips when I am entertaining. Some of my favorites include this Slow Cooker Rotel Cheese Dip, this Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip, and this Whipped Feta Dip.
It’s decided, the smell of onions caramelizing on the stovetop is my absolute, all-time favorite smell to be wafting through the house! To me, it smells so comforting.
Many of my favorite recipes have caramelized onions, but this onion dip recipe is all about the onions and only the onions. You will never buy store-bought again after making this dip at home. It is fresh, creamy, and savory.
This homemade onion dip is simply heavenly! So heavenly that you need to drop everything you’re doing and make it right now. Seriously, right now!
This onion dip will make you the MVP at your Super Bowl party. You may even see someone lick the bowl clean (stranger things have happened at Super Bowl parties, am I right?!).
The sad thing about this dip is that you won’t have any leftovers the next day. So my suggestion is to leave yourself a small container of it hidden in the depths of your refrigerator. Somewhere only you will be able to find it. Trust me; you’ll thank me later!
Ingredients and Cost
Per Serving Cost: $0.44
Recipe Cost: $5.31
- 5 Tablespoons salted butter – $0.50
- 4 cups yellow onion – $2.48
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper – $0.03
- ⅓ cup water – $0.00
- 1 ½ Tablespoon balsamic vinegar – $0.14
- 2 ½ cups sour cream – $2.16
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.
Instructions
- Begin making the dip by melting butter over medium heat in a large skillet.
- Next, add the onions, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Then, stirring occasionally, cook the onions until they are translucent. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking until the onions are golden.
- Next, add half the water to the skillet and cook. Be sure to scrape up any browned bits until the water evaporates.
- Then, add the remaining water and cook until the onions caramelize, and the water evaporates again. Now remove the skillet from heat and stir in the vinegar.
- Then, let the onions cool to room temperature in another bowl.
- Next, add sour cream to the onions and stir together. Season with salt and pepper before you refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.
- Finally, top with sliced chives and serve the homemade French onion dip!
***Make sure you check out the recipe video in the recipe card!
Recipe Variations and Tips
- When you’re in a pinch, you can use Greek yogurt, but you won’t get the same creamy tang that sour cream gives the dip.
- Low and slow is the key to perfectly caramelized onions. Resist the temptation to increase the heat to speed things up!
- I like serving the dip with toasted or untoasted baguette, crinkle-cut potato chips, and fresh veggies!
Storage and Serving Tips
MAKE AHEAD: You can make this dip up to 24 hours in advance. Just give it a quick stir before serving.
SERVE: Along with most recipes with dairy in them, this dip should not sit out longer than two hours.
STORE: French Onion Dip will stay fresh in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 1 week.
FREEZE: This dip does not freeze and defrost well. Therefore I do not recommend freezing this dip.
Recipe FAQ’s
French Onion Dip will stay fresh in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 1 week.
There are lots of yummy things to go along with this delicious French onion dip. Think carrots, celery, or broccoli. Veggies are such a great option to dip into this dip!
You could also go salty and do ridged potato chips, pretzels, pretzel chips, or pita chips. Oooh, you could even do a toasted or untoasted baguette.
I think any of these would be fantastic choices to serve alongside the French onion dip. Let me know what you end up serving with it!
According to Wikipedia, French onion dip was first known as Lipton California Dip after the Lipton company began promoting the dip on a television show. The name changed over time as the recipe’s popularity rose to simply California dip and then to French Onion Dip. French Onion dip has won out over time.
French onion dip was first created in Los Angeles in 1954 by an unknown French cook.
Cook’s Tools
- large skillet
- wooden spoon
- liquid measuring cup
- cutting board
- chef’s knife
More Party Dip Appetizers
- Philly Cheesesteak Dip
- Mexican Spinach Dip
- Aloha Salsa
- Best-Ever Guacamole Recipe!
- Yogurt Curry Dip
- 7 Layer Greek Dip
- Baked Pimento Cheese Dip – Southwest Style
- Ranch Chicken Cheese Dip
French Onion Dip
Equipment
- large skillet
- wooden spoon
- liquid measuring cup
- cutting board
- chef's knife
Ingredients
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cups yellow onion chopped fine
- salt and pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 ½ Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 ½ cups sour cream
- chopped chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
COOK ONIONS:
- In a large, 12-inch skillet over medium heat melt butter.
- Add onions, ¾ teaspoon salt, ¾ teaspoon pepper, and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until onions are golden, about 10 minutes.
- Add half the water to skillet and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until water is evaporated, about 5 minutes.
- Add remaining water and cook until onions are caramelized and water is evaporated, about 5 minutes longer.
COOL ONIONS:
- Remove from heat and stir in vinegar. Scrape onions to medium bowl and let cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
MIX DIP:
- Add sour cream to onions and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
CHILL AND SERVE:
- Chill for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Top with sliced chives and serve!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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This post first appeared on Food Folks and Fun on January 25, 2016. I have since updated some of the pictures and added a recipe video.
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This looks wonderful! Great idea for the big game coming up. We are working on the menu and I will definitely had to add this one to it. I’m very excited to give it a shot.
I have always liked french onion dip, but I bet homemade is even better!
I love french onion dip! I’m going to make this for the Super Bowl!
LOVE all the different dips you make, and so easy to do….great resource for parties!!
Thanks, Justine!
You just made my day with this dip recipe! I love love love French Onion Dip, but can’t stand all of the stuff you find in the soup mix packets for making the homemade variety. I love the clean version using all real ingredients that you have shared, and will be making this as soon as I pick up a carton of sour cream. Thank you!
I will definitely be making this dip for my super bowl party. Great recipe and amazing photos too.
Yummers! Homemade french onion dip would be the hit at any party! Thanks for sharing this tasty recipe!
This sounds so good! I am all about good dips with the super bowl right around the corner!
Your french onion dip looks amazing. And low and slow is definitely the way to go to caramelize onions. Caramelized onions are my most favorite ever! Ever.
This looks absolutely delicious… what perfect appetizer! pinning this to keep it handy!
Hugs
This looks and sounds amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever had any onion dip that wasn’t made with a package of instant soup, so I’m eager to give this a try.
It’s SO good, enjoy!
Can I substitute Greek Yogurt for the sour cream?
Hi Barb,
I have never tried this recipe with Greek yogurt, but I think if you do half sour cream and half Greek yogurt it should be fine. Let me know how it turns out!
This looks absolutely delicious. French onion flavors are my favorite and this is so easy.
Just pass me that bowl, I’ll be happy for a week! I’m with you on caramelized onions…the best invention ever!
You can never have enough dip recipes in my humble opinion! This looks so full of flavor – look forward to trying it soon!
This is my favorite! From scratch is way better than anything you can find at a store!
I love french onion dip, ad this is by far the best recipe I’ve ever tried! Thanks so much for sharing!
I can imagine that this is such a huge hit at any summer party!
This french onion dip is really GREAT! Perfect for parties!
Your French Onion Dip recipe is amazing. it’s the exact flavor i have been looking for.