French Onion Dip Recipe

Savory caramelized Vidalia onions and sharp shallots elevate this French onion dip to a party staple you’ll always want at the center of your appetizer spread. It’s delicious with thick-cut potato chips, crunchy crudités, toasted baguette slices, crispy chicken tenders; in fact most things.

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French Onion Dip Recipe Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 Vidalia onions, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rings
• 2 large shallots, sliced into 1/8-inch-thick rings
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• Finely chopped chives, for garnish
• Potato chips, for serving

How To Make French Onion Dip Recipe

1. Caramelize the onions: Melt the butter in a large sauté pan over a medium-high heat. Add your Vidalia onion rings and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Once the onions have softened, add the sliced shallots and continue to sauté for another 8 to 10 minutes until the mixture reaches a deep, rich mahogany color and smells incredibly sweet and savory.
2. Add garlic and cool: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for just 2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic burn. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for about 5 minutes. Once it’s safe to handle, finely chop the onion and shallot mixture into small 1/4-inch pieces, then set them aside until they reach room temperature.
3. Whisk the creamy base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream and mayonnaise until the texture is perfectly smooth. Stir in the celery salt, Worcestershire sauce, and one teaspoon each of kosher salt and black pepper, ensuring the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the white, creamy base.
4. Assemble and chill: Gently fold the cooled, chopped onion mixture into the creamy base until well combined. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight, which allows the sweetness of the caramelized onions to truly infuse into the sour cream.
5. Garnish and serve: Just before serving, give the dip a quick stir and transfer it to a chilled serving bowl. Top with a generous sprinkle of finely chopped fresh chives and serve alongside a large bowl of your favorite thick-cut potato chips.

Recipe Tips

• How to get the best caramelization: Don’t rush the onions! If they start to brown too quickly or look dry, add a tiny splash of water to the pan to help release the brown bits (fond) from the bottom; this ensures the onions stay succulent rather than crispy.
• Why use Vidalia onions: These specific onions have a much higher sugar content than standard yellow onions, which means they caramelize into a sweeter, more complex jam that pairs perfectly with the tangy sour cream.
• How to adjust the saltiness: Celery salt provides a specific savory note that mimics store-bought dips, but since it contains salt, always taste the dip after it has chilled for an hour before adding any extra kosher salt.
• Best way to chop shallots: Slice your shallots as thinly as possible (about 1/8-inch) so they melt into the larger onion rings during the cooking process, providing a subtle, sharp depth of flavor without large chunks.

What To Serve With French Onion Dip Recipe?

This French Onion Dip Recipe is a rich, savory treat that needs a salty or fresh pairing! A big bag of Thick-Cut Ruffled Potato Chips is the classic choice for a satisfying, sturdy crunch. For a lighter touch, a platter of Chilled Celery and Carrot Sticks adds a lovely garden-fresh snap that cuts through the creamy mayonnaise! A side of Toasted Crostini or a cold Craft Lager pairs wonderfully with the sweet, caramelized onion notes.

How To Store French Onion Dip Recipe

• Refrigerate: Store the dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days.
• Maintain Freshness: Keep the dip tightly covered to prevent it from absorbing other flavors in the fridge; a glass jar with a tight lid is ideal for maintaining that fresh onion aroma.
• Freezing: It is not recommended to freeze this dip, as the sour cream and mayonnaise will separate and become watery and grainy once thawed.

French Onion Dip Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 180 kcal (per 1/4 cup serving)
• Total Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Protein: 2 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

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