Dessert

French Onion Dip Recipe

ByHailey Reed January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

Introduction

This French Onion Dip is a rich and savory snack that’s perfect for parties or casual gatherings. Caramelized onions bring a deep, sweet flavor that elevates the creamy base, making it irresistible with chips or veggies.

A clear glass bowl filled with a creamy white dip that has chunky bits mixed inside, topped with small pieces of green herbs scattered across the surface. A woman's hand holds a ridged, light golden potato chip dipped into the thick mixture. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, surrounded by more ridged potato chips in soft golden tones. The scene is closely focused, showing the texture of both the dip and the chips in detail. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons salted butter
2 large yellow onions (about 2.5 cups finely diced)
2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup sour cream
4 oz. cream cheese (cut into cubes)

Instructions

Step 1: Take the cream cheese out of the fridge to soften while you caramelize the onions.
Step 2: In a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, add butter, olive oil, and diced onions. Toss to combine and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions soften.
Step 3: Stir in soy sauce, garlic salt, onion powder, pepper, and dried thyme. Reduce heat to low.
Step 4: Partially cover the skillet and cook the onions for 20-25 minutes, stirring every few minutes until they are deeply caramelized. Remove from heat and let cool.
Step 5: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the sour cream. Fold in the cooled caramelized onions. For best flavor, refrigerate the dip for at least 1 hour before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra tang, substitute half the sour cream with mayonnaise.
Use yellow onions for the best caramelization, but sweet onions work well too.
Add a pinch of smoked paprika for a slight smoky flavor.
Make the dip a day ahead to let the flavors meld even more deeply.

Storage

Store the French Onion Dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving, and serve chilled or at room temperature. Avoid freezing, as the texture may change.

How to Serve

A clear round bowl filled with a thick creamy white dip mixed with small chunks of light brown, likely caramelized onions, and sprinkled with bright green chopped chives on top and throughout. A ridged potato chip, golden yellow with some seasoning, is being dipped into the creamy mixture by a woman's fingers. Around the bowl, there are more ridged potato chips scattered on a white marbled surface. The image is close up, showing texture in the dip and chips clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of onion?

Yes, while yellow onions caramelize best for sweetness and depth, you can use sweet onions or even red onions. Just note the flavor profile will slightly change.

Can this dip be made vegan?

You can swap the sour cream and cream cheese for plant-based alternatives and use olive oil instead of butter to make a vegan version. The caramelized onions remain the same, providing excellent flavor.