This French onion soup dip is one of the easiest and most flavorful dips you could ever make. Whether you're hosting a party, heading to a potluck, or just craving a savory snack, this dip will quickly become a go-to in your recipe collection. It's creamy, rich, and bursting with the deep, caramelized flavors of French onion soup—all in a dip form. You'll absolutely love it!
You'll love this French onion soup dip
It's easy to make. Aside from caramelizing onions, this dip comes together in no time. It’s simply a matter of mixing together three key ingredients and folding in the onions. Once the onions are caramelized, you’re just minutes away from a creamy, flavorful dip.
It's flavorful. The savory, slightly sweet, and deeply rich taste of caramelized onions pairs beautifully with the tangy creaminess of sour cream and mayo. Add in a packet of French onion soup mix, and you have a dip that tastes like it took hours to prepare—but it didn’t!
It's perfect for any occasion. That’s the best part about this dip! Whether you’re bringing it to a holiday party, game-day gathering, summer BBQ, or just making a quick snack for movie night, this dip works for any occasion. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Butter. I prefer to caramelize onions in butter, if you don't have butter or prefer olive oil, you could always use olive oil instead.
Salt. Just a pinch of salt to elevate the savory flavors of the caramelized onions.
Onions. You'll need fresh onions to carefully caramelize. The addition of caramelized onions just brings this dip to the next level.
Sour Cream. The base of the dip is a sour cream and mayo mixture. If you want some substitutions, I've included options below!
Mayonaisse. You can use whatever mayo you want, full fat, low fat, avocado oil, whatever you prefer!
French Onion Soup Mix. The packet of Lipton french onion soup mix brings everything together and gives you the perfect French onion soup flavor!
How to caramelize onions
Caramelized onions are incredibly easy to make, but they do require patience. Here’s how to achieve perfect caramelized onions for this classic French onion soup dip:
Peel and cut the onions in half, then slice them into thin, even strips.
- Place a large skillet over medium-low heat and add butter or oil.
- Add the onions and stir to coat them in the butter.
- Stir every few minutes to prevent burning. The onions will soften and turn golden brown over 30–45 minutes.
- If they start sticking or browning too fast, lower the heat and add a splash of water, white wine, or beef broth (or beef stock) to deglaze the bottom of the pan.
- Once they reach a deep brown, jam-like consistency, they’re done!
I feel like all the home cooks know how to caramelize onions, once you perfect the process you'll love adding them to all your favorite recipes!
Best onions to caramelize
- Yellow Onions are the best for a classic caramelized onion
- Vidalia Onions are the best for a bit of a sweeter caramelized onion
- Red Onions are the best if you want a bit of tang and color
How to make French onion soup dip
- After caramelizing your onions, place them in a medium bowl and in the fridge to allow them to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine your sour cream, mayo, and French onion soup dip.
- Stir in your caramelized onions and transfer to your preferred serveware.
- Top with fresh chives and serve with kettle chips.
Substitutions and variations
Mayonnaise. Instead of mayo, use Greek yogurt or cream cheese for a tangy, protein-packed alternative.
Extra Flavor. Add 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, onion powder, or Worcestershire sauce for an extra kick, stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a richer taste, or mix in chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for added depth.
Make it Hot! Transfer the dip to a cast-iron skillet, or any oven-safe dish, top with gruyere cheese, and bake at 375F for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown.
Bread Crumbs. You can always toast bread crumbs and top the dip with the toasted crumbs.
What to serve with French onion soup dip
- Salty potato chips for a classic choice
- Crostinis for a crunchy bite
- Pretzels for a salty, chewy contrast
- Pita chips for a sturdy dipper
- Fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, or bell peppers for a healthier option
FAQs
What's the difference between French onion dip and onion dip?
French onion dip is made with French onion soup mix which is a mix containing dried onions and beef bouillon. Onion dip is made with only onions, not the beef bouillon flavor.
Can I make this dip ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, this dip tastes even better when made a few hours in advance because it allows the flavors to meld together. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and give it a good stir before serving.
Is it better to caramelize onions with butter or oil?
Using butter to caramelize onions gives them a much richer flavor. However, if you prefer olive oil, you can still get delicious caramelized onions.
Can I freeze this dip?
Freezing isn’t recommended because sour cream and mayo can separate when thawed, affecting the texture. It’s best enjoyed fresh!
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French Onion Soup Dip
This French onion soup dip is one of the easiest and most flavorful dips you could ever make. You'll absolutely love it!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 onions
- 1 (16 oz.) container sour cream
- ½ cup mayo
Instructions
How to caramelize onions
- Peel and cut the onions in half, then slice them into thin, even strips.
- Place a large skillet over medium-low heat and add butter or oil.
- Add the onions and stir to coat them in the butter.
- Stir every few minutes to prevent burning. The onions will soften and turn golden brown over 30–45 minutes.
- If they start sticking or browning too fast, lower the heat and add a splash of water, white wine, or beef broth (or beef stock) to deglaze the bottom of the pan.
- Once they reach a deep brown, jam-like consistency, they’re done!
How to make French onion soup dip
- After caramelizing your onions, place them in a medium bowl and in the fridge to allow them to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine your sour cream, mayo, and French onion soup dip.
- Stir in your caramelized onions and transfer to your preferred serveware.
- Top with fresh chives and serve with kettle chips.
Notes
Best onions to caramelize
- Yellow Onions are the best for a classic caramelized onion
- Vidalia Onions are the best for a bit of a sweeter caramelized onion
- Red Onions are the best if you want a bit of tang and color
Substitutions and variations
Mayonnaise. You can always use cream cheese instead of mayo and you still get a delicious and creamy dip.
Extra Flavor. If you want to add a bit of flavor, you can always add a 1 tablespoon garlic powder, onion powder, or Worcestershire sauce.
Make it Hot! Transfer the dip to a cast-iron skillet, or any oven-safe dish, top with gruyere cheese, and bake at 375F for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown.
Bread Crumbs. You can always toast bread crumbs and top the dip with the toasted crumbs.
What to serve with French onion soup dip
- Salty Potato Chips
- Crostinis
- Pretzels
- Pita Chips
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