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This French Onion Dip recipe is easy to make, lightened up a bit, and irresistibly delicious!
Fellow dip lovers! Do you have a stellar French onion dip recipe in your back pocket?!
If not, bookmark this one! ♡
It has been my go-to French onion dip recipe for years and years. And, I would note, has a 100% success rate of disappearing instantly anytime I bring it to a party. People absolutely love this stuff. And I’m a big fan because it’s easy to make (you just need to budget in time to caramelize those onions), made completely from scratch (so long, retro onion soup packets with a million processed ingredients), and also lightened up a bit (yet still full of bold savory flavors).
Feel free to serve it up with chips, veggies, bread, fries, crackers, or any other dippers that sound good. And hey — if you feel like making a double batch while you’re at it — I can vouch that French onion dip also tastes great as a spread on burgers and flatbreads, dolloped onto grilled chicken or a bowl of chili, or even stirred into mashed potatoes or scrambled eggs. So many reasons to make this dip!
Let’s do it.
French Onion Dip Recipe | 1-Minute Video
French Onion Dip Ingredients:
To make this homemade French onion dip recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
Onions: Yellow or white, and either diced or thinly-sliced, caramelized in butter or olive oil. You’ve got options! ;)
Garlic: Which we will briefly sauté in with those caramelized onions.
Sour cream: I like to use light sour cream, but full-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt would also work.
Fresh herbs: I love adding fresh chives and fresh thyme into this recipe, but dried thyme would also work.
Worcestershire: To give this dip some extra umami goodness. Feel free to use vegan Worcestershire sauce(affiliate link) if you would like to make this recipe 100% vegetarian.
Salt and pepper: For seasoning.
How To Make Onion Dip:
To make this caramelized onion dip recipe, simply…
Caramelize the onions. In either butter or olive oil, sauté the onions — being sure to stir them every 2-3 minutes or so — until they are caramelized and a deep golden color. Then pop them in the fridge for about 15 minutes to cool. (If you want to speed up this process, spread them out in a thin layer on a plate and freeze for about 7 minutes!)
Combine. Then mix the cooled onions with the remaining ingredients.
Season. Give the dip a taste and see if it needs any extra S&P and/or Worcestershire.
Serve (or store). Then serve it up, garnished with your desired toppings, and enjoy! This dip will also keep in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Detailed recipe ingredients/instructions included below.
Possible Recipe Variations:
Want to mix things up with this French onion dip recipe? Feel free to:
Use mayo, cream cheese, and/or Greek yogurt. If sour cream isn’t your thing, feel free to use mayo, cream cheese, or plain Greek yogurt instead. Or a combination of any of those four creamy base ingredients.
Use different herbs. There are all sorts of other fresh herbs that would taste delicious in place of (or in addition to) thyme and chives, such as rosemary, tarragon, parsley, sage or basil. Just chop and add to taste.
Make it spicy. If you would like to give this onion dip recipe an extra kick, feel free to stir in some crushed red pepper flakes.
Make it vegetarian. If you are concerned about the anchovies used in traditional Worcestershire sauce, just use vegan Worcestershire sauce instead.
Add a splash of white wine. It’s lovely and really balances out those flavors.
Add chicken. I know, sounds weird, but I tried it one time and can vouch that chicken onion dip is delicious. (Also a hit at a party!)
More Favorite Dip Recipes:
Looking for more great dip recipes? Here are a few more of my faves:
In a large heavy-bottomed stockpot or sauté pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté, stirring every 2-3 minutes for about 30 minutes, or until the onions are caramelized to a deep golden brown color. (If the bottom of the pan starts to burn, just add in a tablespoon or so of water at a time.)
Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from heat and transfer the onion mixture to a medium mixing bowl. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes or until the onions reach room temperature.
Set aside a few tablespoons of the onion mixture, which we will use later as a topping. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl of caramelized onions, and stir until evenly combined.
Taste and season with additional salt and pepper and extra Worcestershire, if need be.
Serve immediately, topped with the reserved caramelized onions and extra chives, if desired. Or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
A fresh and lighter version of classic French Onion Dip!
Ingredients
Scale
2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
3 medium yellow or white onions, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, to taste
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
optional topping: chopped fresh chives
Instructions
In a large heavy-bottomed stockpot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until well browned and caramelized (but not burnt), about 30-40 minutes, stirring every few minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from heat and transfer the onions to a medium mixing bowl. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes or until the onions reach room temperature. (Optional: At this point, set aside 1/4 cup caramelized onions, if you would like to use them as a topping.)
Add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl with the caramelized onions, and stir until the mixture is evenly combined. Taste, and season with additional salt and pepper and extra Worcestershire if need be.
Serve immediately, sprinkled with chopped chives if desired. Or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
I hate to admit this… but onion dip is probably my one and only serious addiction. I love that you used Greek yogurt in this! It’s the perfect addition. This looks drool-worthy, for sure.
I freakin’ love dips more than anything, and usually hoard them at parties or get-togethers. Maybe I was dip-deprived as a child or something. Anywho, French onion is one of my faves and I totally love that this is healthy. Makes eating the entire dip practically exercise! :)
Ali….what a fabulous idea to use Greek yogurt. It’s so much tangier than sour cream and I can only imagine how awesome this is studded with caramelized onions! I love Greek yogurt for breakfast with honey and fruit. But I can see it now replacing sour cream in a variety of dips in the future! : )
Tried making this the other day and got good reviews! I’m not usually a greek yogurt fan but I loved it as a sour cream substitute. Next time I will cut the amount of celery salt and pepper in half, those flavors were a bit overpowering for my taste; I’ll also try dashing in some garlic powder. Very yummy :)
I wasn’t planning on watching the SuperBowl….but when this dip is the stakes, I think I might just have to re-evaluate that! And you used Greek yogurt, which means I can eat the whole bowl right? :D Pinned!
Caramelized onions should just break off and be their own food group. They are good in, on, and around EVERYTHING! It sounds like you picked a great book, and I love that you guys aren’t afraid to dig in—I’m sure Flannery would approve.
I looooovvvve french onion dip. It’s my favourite of all the dips! But I’ve never made it. And never had a healthy version! Pinning and definitely trying this. I’ve also never made caramelized onions but you are totally inspiring me to actually try them with all the caramelized onion recipes!!
Ali! You rock star, you! I’ve been a reader for nearly 6 months and recently started making some of your recipes that I’d saved. All have been delicious (not a surprise! and, thank you!) but this one compelled me to comment — it was DIVINE! So flavorful, so easy, and so healthy it doesn’t seem real. We enjoyed it during the Super Bowl with an array of fresh veggies and found ourselves dreaming of more ways to use it so we could justify making it again this week. THANK YOU! :)
Hi Ali
OMG you are the best! I love onion dip. You know, the one with the rich sour cream and onion soup mix. A real cheat for me. This Skinny Onion Dip is awesome! I can enjoy and not feel guilty.
Thanks, Rose
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Hi Rose! Thanks for your sweet words — we’re so happy to hear you love this dip! :D
I served this at my Olympics Opening Ceremony viewing party on Friday (featured your link on my blog!), and it was truly fabulous. I cannot get over how delicious it is given its guilt-free nature. Thanks so much! Looking forward to breaking out throughout football season, too.
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
How fun Helen! We’re so glad this was a hit with everyone, and we appreciate you giving the recipe a try! :D
Wonderful dip with many uses! I use soft goat cheese mixed with Greek yogurt for my base with stellar results. I had problems with caramelizing the onions until I learned to use low heat and monitor them every second—well worth the effort.
Clara —
Enjoy your choice of recipes. Will be trying them, especially the candied walnuts, etc.
Omg this is so good and so worth the time to caramelised the onions, will never buy bought ones ever again.
I have tagged you on Instagram with a pic, cheers
This is amazing! I finished making it a few minutes ago, and only got a little bit before my family finished it off. It was really big hit, and they’re already asking for more!
The dip was more tart than I expected. I don’t hate it but it definitely does not taste like the usual French onion dip. I’m definitely keeping the recipe but reducing the amount of worchestershire sauce next time. Thanks!!!
My cousin and I just made your French Onion dip. We went to the store yesterday and bought chips to watch the football games. We forgot to buy dip for the chips at the store and my cousin doesn’t have her after 9’s. So we couldn’t go to buy the dip later. We found your recipe online because we were missing ingredients in the other recipes we found. When we made it we were scared to try it. But it was spectacular and even better then store bought.
Hey, I’m Ali!
My favorite thing in life is time spent around the table. And all the better with some seriously tasty food to bring us all together. more about me »
Oh man. Greek yogurt is my jaaaaaam. BUT, I still have yet to try Fage! I pronounce it like “fay-gee.”
It’s just who I am.
I hate to admit this… but onion dip is probably my one and only serious addiction. I love that you used Greek yogurt in this! It’s the perfect addition. This looks drool-worthy, for sure.
I bet this tastes tons better with Greek yogurt as opposed to sour cream!
I love this. Seriously, love it. Greek yogurt is a big winner in my life!
i. am. a. french. onion. dip. addict. I always forget that Greek yogurt is an easy swap to make it lighter…. ON IT. :)
Love your lightened up version of this!
I freakin’ love dips more than anything, and usually hoard them at parties or get-togethers. Maybe I was dip-deprived as a child or something. Anywho, French onion is one of my faves and I totally love that this is healthy. Makes eating the entire dip practically exercise! :)
I’ve been using greek yogurt in different recipes lately and it’s fantastic! This looks yummy
Ali….what a fabulous idea to use Greek yogurt. It’s so much tangier than sour cream and I can only imagine how awesome this is studded with caramelized onions! I love Greek yogurt for breakfast with honey and fruit. But I can see it now replacing sour cream in a variety of dips in the future! : )
Great idea to use Greek yogurt! It is so versatile!
Tried making this the other day and got good reviews! I’m not usually a greek yogurt fan but I loved it as a sour cream substitute. Next time I will cut the amount of celery salt and pepper in half, those flavors were a bit overpowering for my taste; I’ll also try dashing in some garlic powder. Very yummy :)
goood
This looks like dip heaven
Betty x
The Betty Stamp
I wasn’t planning on watching the SuperBowl….but when this dip is the stakes, I think I might just have to re-evaluate that! And you used Greek yogurt, which means I can eat the whole bowl right? :D Pinned!
So many onions and I’m not even mad about it. Can the Superbowl be this weekend just so I can make this dip that much sooner?!
Yum! This dip looks delicious!
Caramelized onions should just break off and be their own food group. They are good in, on, and around EVERYTHING! It sounds like you picked a great book, and I love that you guys aren’t afraid to dig in—I’m sure Flannery would approve.
This looks amazing! I need some. Like now! And it’s skinny too? Yes!
Oh my word! This is amazing, what an upgrade!!!
Most definitely making this for the Superbowl and so many more events too, I’m sure!
I LOVE this dip!! It is SO easy and delicious!!!
There is no way those caramelized onions would make it into the dip if I tried to make this. I LOVE caramelized onions. Love how simple this is too.
I looooovvvve french onion dip. It’s my favourite of all the dips! But I’ve never made it. And never had a healthy version! Pinning and definitely trying this. I’ve also never made caramelized onions but you are totally inspiring me to actually try them with all the caramelized onion recipes!!
OMG! I am diving into this delicious dip! Love Greek yogurt!
Wow! This looks great! I also love caramelized onions and I love that this dip does not involve a powdered mix. I can’t wait to try this!
I think I could live off of ruffles and french onion dip. Yes, please!
Ali! You rock star, you! I’ve been a reader for nearly 6 months and recently started making some of your recipes that I’d saved. All have been delicious (not a surprise! and, thank you!) but this one compelled me to comment — it was DIVINE! So flavorful, so easy, and so healthy it doesn’t seem real. We enjoyed it during the Super Bowl with an array of fresh veggies and found ourselves dreaming of more ways to use it so we could justify making it again this week. THANK YOU! :)
Hi Ali
OMG you are the best! I love onion dip. You know, the one with the rich sour cream and onion soup mix. A real cheat for me. This Skinny Onion Dip is awesome! I can enjoy and not feel guilty.
Thanks, Rose
Hi Rose! Thanks for your sweet words — we’re so happy to hear you love this dip! :D
I served this at my Olympics Opening Ceremony viewing party on Friday (featured your link on my blog!), and it was truly fabulous. I cannot get over how delicious it is given its guilt-free nature. Thanks so much! Looking forward to breaking out throughout football season, too.
How fun Helen! We’re so glad this was a hit with everyone, and we appreciate you giving the recipe a try! :D
Wonderful dip with many uses! I use soft goat cheese mixed with Greek yogurt for my base with stellar results. I had problems with caramelizing the onions until I learned to use low heat and monitor them every second—well worth the effort.
Enjoy your choice of recipes. Will be trying them, especially the candied walnuts, etc.
This is great! Cant wait to try. Cant get hummus so am always looking for alternatives to go with my crudites.
Omg this is so good and so worth the time to caramelised the onions, will never buy bought ones ever again.
I have tagged you on Instagram with a pic, cheers
This is fantastic! I made it exactly as is, and it’s very, very good.
This is amazing! I finished making it a few minutes ago, and only got a little bit before my family finished it off. It was really big hit, and they’re already asking for more!
The dip was more tart than I expected. I don’t hate it but it definitely does not taste like the usual French onion dip. I’m definitely keeping the recipe but reducing the amount of worchestershire sauce next time. Thanks!!!
My cousin and I just made your French Onion dip. We went to the store yesterday and bought chips to watch the football games. We forgot to buy dip for the chips at the store and my cousin doesn’t have her after 9’s. So we couldn’t go to buy the dip later. We found your recipe online because we were missing ingredients in the other recipes we found. When we made it we were scared to try it. But it was spectacular and even better then store bought.