Homemade French Onion Dip

Made from scratch French Onion Dip recipe with homemade caramelized onions. Caramelizing onions does take time but its so worth it because you will not get this flavor from store bought dip! Dip can be made-ahead, can be even dairy-free. Read on to learn more. 

Store bought Onion Dips have so many ingredients you can't even pronounce or know. Various kinds of artificial gums and thickeners which you don't need to put in your body. Good news is - it is super easy to make creamy delicious French Onion dip at home. Recipe does need time to caramelize onions. But it is time worth spent to get the legit French Onion dip flavor. You can caramelize onions up-to 7 days in advance and then mix dip in just few minutes.

To all fans of Store Bought Dip.. Try this recipe and it will change the way you know French Onion Dip, for good! It is the superior version of French Onion Dip, much more delicious with homemade caramelized onions and all ingredients that you can pronounce. Ok.. all but Worcestershire. ;)

So let's make French Onion Dip today!  Shall we?!

WHAT IS FRENCH ONION DIP?

French Onion Dip is Onionyy Goodness. Not sharp onion flavor but savory. It is the flavor of French Onion Soup transformed into a creamy party dip. Onions get deep caramelized sweet-savory flavor which pairs perfect with creamy ingredients. Not spicy not sweet but just right savory. Something which every guest will enjoy.

HOW TO CARAMELIZE ONIONS?

Caramelized onions are sweet and savory. That is distinct flavor which defines French Onion Dip. It's going to take time to achieve that deep golden brown color and sweet-savory flavor of caramelized onions. Like they say, there are no shortcuts to success. Likewise I say, there is no shortcut to getting the flavor as good as French Onion Dip made with homemade caramelized onions.

In my humble opinion, there is no match of French Onion dip flavor made with homemade caramelized onion vs raw or dried onion. 

You will need a dutch oven or heavy bottom pot for even distribution of heat. Heat oil and butter in pot. Butter adds lot of flavor just like French Onion Soup. Onions start getting color at mark of 35 minutes on low-medium heat. Add another 20 minutes for deep golden-brown caramelized onions..

Caramelizing requires stirring the onions in pot every 5-6 minutes. If onions start to brown and stick to pot, follow this simple hack to get onion back on even cooking:

Move onions on side of pot and use 1 tsp water to deglaze/lift the caramelization. This quick step makes caramelizing onions an easy process. Just don't forget to use no more than 1 tsp water at a time. Food critics may say using water with caramelizing is not good but it works. Water evaporates quickly, does not impact flavor, and makes my life easier. Totally worth it!!

DO's and DON'Ts

1. Do use salt when sweating onion. Salt brings out moisture of onion, speed up the process of cooking.
2. Don't use sugar. Yellow onion have enough amount of sweetness that comes out when onions are caramelized. Additional Sugar is not needed.
3. Don't use garlic powder. Instead add fresh 2 cloves of garlic (about a tsp when minced) and cook with onions. 

100% MAKE-AHEAD DIP

This made-from-scratch French Onion Dip you can actually make and serve in 1 minute. Amazing! Right? Just caramelize the onions and refrigerate when you have time. Rest of the dip takes 1 minute to assemble. You can:

1. Caramelize the onions and refrigerate for up-to 7 days, then serve dip in 1 minute any time.
2. Assemble whole dip and refrigerate up-to 2 days. Just mix well and garnish before serving. In-fact, it is best to refrigerate dip overnight for best flavor.

Bit on Life of Blogger:

In last 12 years, we changed 7 Apartments. Sometimes for my husband's new job and sometimes because of freaky ever-increasing rent. Every-time we move, my blog photography takes a stall until I find that right window in home with perfect amount of light. Likewise, this time when we moved, I could not zero-in on one place with good light. With this recipe, I can finally announce that I have found the one. Yeah! :)  No more recipe discarding for dull photos. Hoping to share delicious treats with you more often.

On this sweet positive note, saying "bye" for today. I hope this homemade delicious French Onion Dip will make to your next party platter. Don't forget to serve Potato Chips for dipping. French Onion Dip and Potato Chips are made-for-each-other. Yum!

Enjoy! -Savita