French Onion Dip is classic party food that’s easy to make right at home! This recipe features caramelized onion and Greek yogurt for a flavor that will taste just like french onion soup. Serve with your favorite vegetables or chips for an appetizer that everyone will enjoy!
French onion dip is a classic party food that’s made from combining onions with cream cheese, seasonings, and Greek yogurt. The result is a tangy, herb-packed dip that’s perfect for dipping – and the yogurt makes this version a little lighter.
You can purchase store-bought french onion dip, but it’s very easy to make at home. Making french onion dip from scratch means you can skip the preservatives and additives that can come in store-bought.
This recipe is full of fresh, natural ingredients like caramelized yellow onions and Greek yogurt to give it a simple but satisfying flavor. You also get more control over how much or little garlic and seasonings you want to add which makes it easily customizable.
I remember often having French onion dip when I was a child. It was on every buffet and we dunked crisps/potato chips into it.
As soon as I dunked a carrot into this recipe, the memories of childhood parties came flooding back. I love how food, like smells, can so quickly unlock a memory.
I instantly remembered the table that my parents put out at parties and the glass punch bowl that always made an appearance…
So make a bowl full of nostalgia with this onion dip for your next party or game day.
It’s perfect as party food along with some mac and cheese balls, buffalo cauliflower dip and a pan of garlic and herb skillet rolls.
This post was originally published on March 28, 2017. Republished with new text, photos, and slightly revised recipe on Jan 21, 2022.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It uses simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
You can control the seasonings and add what you like and leave what you don’t.
The onion dip is tangy, flavorful, and perfect for dipping.
It’s a great recipe to make ahead of time so you have something quick and easy to serve at your next party.
Ingredients
- Yellow Onions – The star of this dip, yellow onions infuse the creamy base with fresh onion flavor. You’ll need enough onion to pack one full cup pureed.
- Butter -Helps caramelize the pureed onions and adds a rich buttery and sweet flavor to them.
- Sugar – Cooked in the pan with the onions and butter, sugar helps enhance the naturally sweet flavor of the onions.
- Garlic – Infuses the dish with garlic flavor which pairs well with the flavor of cooked onions.
- Cream Cheese & Mayonnaise – Gives the dip a creamy and tangy base for all of the flavors to come together.
- Greek Yogurt – Helps give the french onion dip an even thicker base with a more tangy flavor. Greek yogurt also adds protein to the dip.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Adds a depth of savory salty flavor to the dip.
- Garlic Powder – Used to enhance the garlic flavor in the dip.
- Ground White Pepper – Adds a unique mild pepper flavor to the dip. You can substitute black pepper.
- Salt – Helps balance and enhance all of the flavors in the dip. Use to taste.
Please see the recipe card below for quantities.
How to caramelize onions
Take your time caramelizing the onions over a low heat. They want to be slowly browned to become lovely, fragrant, and sweet. Keep stirring and if they start to burn on the bottom of the pan, just add a tablespoon of water. You may not need to though.
I saved time, and crying eyes, by slicing the onions in a food processor. Because life’s too short to sob over the cutting board…
Instructions
Wondering how to make French Onion Dip? It’s easy! Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Prepare the onions: Peel the papery skin off of the onions and remove the root with a knife. Finely slice the onions.
Cook the onions and garlic: In a saute pan, heat the butter over medium/low heat. Stir in the onions and sugar. Cook them for about 15 minutes or until the onions begin to brown and caramelize. Add the garlic in the last minute of cooking and stir. Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool.
Make the creamy base: While the onions are cooling, add the rest of the ingredients to a large bowl. Whisk everything together until smooth and combined. Stir in the cooled onions.
Store and set: Add to a sealed container with a lid and store in the fridge for at least 12 hours to allow the flavors to blend together. Before serving, stir and add to a serving bowl or dish.
Top tips
Chop the onions very finely with a sharp knife.
While cooking the onions, if the onions begin to burn, add a tablespoon of water and continue cooking.
Be sure to add the garlic in the last minute of cooking to prevent it from burning as it could become bitter tasting.
The flavor of this dip is best once it has a chance to sit for at least 12 hours or up to overnight.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with veggies, chips, cubes of bread etc…
Enjoy it as a party or game day appetizer.
Use a toasted piece of Yeast-Free Naan Bread for dipping.
Use as a spread on a bagel or sourdough toast.
Slather it on a slice of golden Turmeric Bread for a hearty savory snack.
Variations
Make it a spicy French onion dip by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or chopped jalapenos.
Add in a cup of shredded cheese, like cheddar or gruyere, for extra richness and flavor.
Add any other ingredients you like, like chopped peppers or dried herbs for extra flavor and texture.
For a vegan french onion dip, use vegan mayo, vegan cream cheese and vegan yogurt. You’ll also need to use a Vegan Worchestershire sauce.
If you’re looking to lighten up the french onion dip, try using plain non-fat Greek yogurt in place of the mayonnaise and cream cheese.
Storage
How to store: Add the french onion dip to a sealed container with a lid and store in the fridge. The french onion dip will last in the fridge for up to one week. Give it a stir before serving.
Freezing is not recommended.
FAQs
Yes, but the flavor will not be as fresh and the dip will contain preservatives.
No, but it will help chop the onions. If you don’t own one already then just slice them finely.
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📖 Recipe
French Onion Dip
French Onion Dip is classic party food that’s easy to make at home! This recipe features caramelized onions for a flavor just like the soup.
Ingredients
- 1 pound yellow onions (450g), 3 large or 4-5 small
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 cup cream cheese (8 ounces, 225 grams)
- ½ cup mayonnaise (115 grams)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (115 grams) or cream cheese or more sour cream
- 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
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Peel the onions and slice finely.
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Heat the butter in a saute pan over a medium/low heat, then lower the heat to low and stir in the onions and sugar. Cook, stirring often, for 15 minutes or until golden brown and caramelized but not burned. TIP: If the onions begin to burn, add a tablespoon of water and continue cooking.
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Stir in the garlic and cook for a further minute. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
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Add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, yogurt, worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, pepper and salt to a mixing bowl and stir well to combine. When the onions are cool, stir them in.
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Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, for the flavors to blend.
Notes
Chop the onions very finely with a sharp knife.
While cooking the onions, if the onions begin to burn, add a tablespoon of water and continue cooking.
Be sure to add the garlic in the last minute of cooking to prevent it from burning as it could become bitter tasting.
The flavor of this dip is best once it has a chance to sit for at least 12 hours or up to overnight.
Nutrition
Calories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 4gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 111mgPotassium: 127mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin C: 4.1mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 0.2mg
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.