Name: Homemade French Onion Dip From Scratch
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 ½ cups chopped onion; 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided; 1 cup sour cream; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

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This homemade French onion dip transforms caramelized onions, sour cream, and mayo into a creamy, flavor-packed experience that puts store-bought versions to shame. Perfect with potato chips, this dip will be the star of your next gathering.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This French onion dip delivers deep, authentic flavor through real caramelized onions instead of dried soup mix. The richness of the sour cream and mayonnaise creates a perfectly smooth texture, while the slow-cooked onions provide a natural sweetness and complexity that simply can't be replicated with artificial ingredients. It's easy to prepare ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld together for an even more delicious result. Whether for game day, a casual get-together, or simply as a special snack, this homemade version elevates a classic dip to new heights.

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Olive oil provides the perfect medium for caramelizing the onions, adding a subtle richness that helps develop their sweetness without burning.

Onions are the star of this recipe, transforming through the caramelization process from sharp and pungent to deeply sweet and complex. Yellow onions work best, but white onions can also be used for a slightly milder flavor.

Kosher salt enhances all the flavors and helps draw moisture from the onions during caramelization. Its coarser texture gives you better control when seasoning.

Sour cream forms the creamy, tangy base of the dip, providing both richness and a pleasant acidity that balances the sweetness of the caramelized onions.

Mayonnaise adds silkiness and body to the dip, creating a luxurious mouthfeel and helping the dip maintain its consistency when served.

Garlic powder contributes a subtle aromatic quality that complements the onions without overpowering them. It integrates more smoothly than fresh garlic would in this cold dip.

White pepper offers a gentle heat without the visual speckles of black pepper, maintaining the dip's creamy appearance while adding a necessary spice note.

Directions

Gather all ingredients.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt; cook and stir until the onion is caramelized and golden brown in color, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
In a bowl, mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, white pepper, and the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
Stir in the cooled caramelized onions until well combined.
For best flavor, refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields approximately 2 cups of dip, serving about 16 people as an appetizer. Prep time is just 5 minutes, with an additional 20 minutes for cooking the onions. The total active time is 25 minutes, but allow for cooling time and preferably an hour of refrigeration for the flavors to develop fully.

Variations

Loaded French Onion Dip: Stir in crispy bacon bits and shredded cheddar cheese for a heartier version.

Herb-Enhanced: Add 1-2 tablespoons of fresh chopped chives, parsley, or dill for a bright, herbaceous note.

Greek-Style: Substitute half the sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor and fewer calories.

Roasted Garlic Version: Add 2-3 cloves of roasted garlic for deeper flavor complexity.

Spicy Kick: Incorporate a dash of cayenne pepper or a tablespoon of minced jalapeño for heat lovers.

Storage/Reheating

Store this French onion dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve after the first day as they have more time to meld together. If the dip thickens too much in the refrigerator, simply let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving, or stir in a tablespoon of milk to loosen the consistency. This dip is not suitable for freezing as dairy-based dips can separate and become grainy when thawed. As this is a cold dip, reheating is not recommended.

FAQs

How do I properly caramelize onions for this dip?

Caramelizing onions requires patience. Use medium-low heat and stir occasionally, allowing the onions to slowly turn golden brown over about 20 minutes. Don't rush this process by using high heat, as it will result in sautéed rather than caramelized onions, lacking the deep sweetness that makes this dip special.

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes, this dip actually improves with time. Make it up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld together for an even more delicious result.

What can I serve with French onion dip besides potato chips?

While potato chips are traditional, this dip pairs wonderfully with fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers. It's also delicious with pretzels, pita chips, or as a spread on sandwiches and wraps.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

Yes, you can substitute Greek yogurt for all or part of the sour cream for a tangier flavor profile and lower fat content. Full-fat Greek yogurt works best for maintaining creaminess.

How can I make this dip lower in calories?

Use light mayonnaise and light sour cream or substitute part of the sour cream with Greek yogurt. The caramelized onions provide so much flavor that you won't miss the richness of full-fat dairy products.

My dip seems too thick. How can I thin it out?

If your dip is too thick, you can stir in a tablespoon or two of milk until you reach your desired consistency. Add the milk gradually to avoid making it too thin.

Can I use dried onions instead of fresh?

For the best flavor, fresh onions are strongly recommended. The caramelization process creates the signature flavor that makes this dip special. Dried onions simply won't provide the same depth of flavor.

Why use white pepper instead of black pepper?

White pepper maintains the creamy appearance of the dip without the black specks of black pepper. It also has a slightly different flavor profile that works well in creamy applications. However, if you only have black pepper, it will work fine flavor-wise.

How finely should I chop the onions?

A medium dice works best - small enough to incorporate well into the dip but large enough to provide texture and visible pieces of caramelized onion. Aim for pieces around ¼ inch in size.

Can I make this dip vegan?

Yes, substitute the sour cream with a plant-based alternative and use vegan mayonnaise. Several brands make excellent dairy-free versions of these ingredients that work well in dips.

Conclusion

This homemade French onion dip elevates a classic party favorite with the rich flavor of genuinely caramelized onions. Unlike its store-bought counterparts, this version delivers authentic taste without artificial ingredients or flavor enhancers. The balance of sweet caramelized onions against the creamy, tangy base creates a dip that's sophisticated yet comforting. Whether you're hosting a casual gathering, preparing for game day, or simply treating yourself to a special snack, this recipe proves that a little extra effort yields remarkable results. Make it ahead of time to let the flavors develop fully, and prepare to receive compliments and recipe requests from everyone who tries it.

Homemade French Onion Dip From Scratch

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Author: Emmily
Total Time: 25 mins
Yield: 2 cups
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This homemade French onion dip is made with caramelized onions, sour cream, and mayo. It's rich, creamy, and tastes so much better than onion dip made with soup mix! Serve with potato chips for dipping.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 ½ cups chopped onion

¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayonnaise

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon ground white pepper

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Instructions

Gather all ingredients.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook and stir until onion is caramelized and golden brown in color, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool, 5 to 10 minutes.
Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, white pepper, and remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt together in a bowl.
Stir in cooled onions.