This all-natural French Onion Dip is an easy alternative to store-bought dip.
My family loves potato chips and fresh veggies with a tub of French onion dip. We can polish off a container in no time, whether it’s as an appetizer or a snack for movie night. Recently, I picked up a tub of this dip at my supermarket and looked over the ingredients list out of curiosity. Yikes! Like a lot of prepared, processed foods, the ingredient list was super long and full of things like “sodium hexametaphosphate.” What is that? I Googled it, and it’s an additive used to thicken the dip.
While French onion dip can hardly be considered a health food, it makes sense to ditch the long, hard-to-spell ingredients and make your own. I was amazed at how easy it is to make it. You don’t even need a packet of the dry French onion soup; you can create the iconic flavor without it.
To make this French onion dip, you caramelize the diced onion with some pantry spices and then mix it with sour cream, cream cheese, and mayo. Really, it’s just a simple process of mixing them all together with some time to chill so that the flavors meld and the dip tastes better.
On softening cream cheese
For dips like this one, you need the cream cheese to be softened. The best way to soften cream cheese is to cut the amount you need off the block (in this case, four ounces) and let it sit out on the counter for about one hour. When you press on it, your finger should easily leave an indentation. You can also use your microwave to soften it, but use low power and go in 20-second increments so you don’t melt it.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container or covered tightly in plastic wrap for up to 4 or 5 days. Freezing is not recommended, as the texture will likely be grainy upon thawing.
Serving suggestions
We love French onion dip as a snack with crinkle potato chips or chopped carrots, celery, and broccoli. It’s the perfect appetizer to include on your game-day snack board. Especially if you serve it with the fresh veggies, pair it with heavier favorites like Buffalo Chicken Wings, Easy Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs, or Chili Nachos. If you’re just enjoying snacks, serve French onion dip alongside Taco Popcorn or Spinach Artichoke Dip.
French Onion Dip
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups diced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 pinches cayenne pepper
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- Chopped scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the onions, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are sweet and golden. Remove from stove and allow to cool.
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth. Add the caramelized onions and mix until just combined. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to develop.
- Sprinkle chopped scallions for garnish. Serve the dip at room temperature with your choice of chips or fresh vegetables.
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