It's snack season! Game day, upcoming holidays, movie nights... you're going to need something too much on and there's nothing better than this easy recipe!
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
Table of Contents
🗝️ Key takeaways
- This mouthwatering, creamy snack is made with real ingredients you can feel good about enjoying!
- You'll love it on game day, movie night, or for casual parties. It's a perfect dip with fresh veggies and chips of all kinds.
- Properly caramelizing your onions takes the flavor to a whole new level. It's simple—I'll show you how to do it!
Homemade caramelized onion dip is one of those easy recipes that no one—family members or party guests—can resist snacking on.
Plus, chip dip is easy to prep in advance, which means when the big game rolls around, you can kick your feet up and relax with the family.
Next time give this Velveeta queso recipe a try - it's another delicious classic.
🧾 Cream cheese onion dip ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
- Use a mix of onion varieties—you don't have to stick to just one kind:
- Yellow onions provide the most traditional onion flavor.
- White onions are a bit milder than yellow.
- Cipollinis, shallots, and sweet Vidalia onions have a higher sugar content than white and yellow, so they make a sweet onion dip.
- Feel free to add more onions if you prefer a stronger flavor.
- Slice the onions thinly instead of chopping them for a unique texture.
- Amp up the cheesy flavor by stirring in some freshly shredded cheddar.
- Garnish with fresh herbs such as chives, green onions, or parsley.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- In a large skillet, caramelize the onions and garlic until golden brown.
- Whisk sour cream, softened cream cheese, and Worcestershire sauce together in a medium bowl.
- Let onions cool to room temperature. Fold them into the creamy dip.
- Season with salt and transfer to a large bowl. Chill for one hour.
🎥 Video
🥫 How to store leftover cream cheese onion dip
Creamy caramelized onion dip actually tastes best the next day or two, after all the flavors mingle together. So, leftovers are always delicious.
The best way to store a cream cheese dip is in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy this within five days of when you first mix it up.
Feel free to freeze leftover dip in a sealed container for up to three months. Put it in the fridge to thaw overnight—don't try to speed up this process with a microwave.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: This caramelized onion dip recipe is delish on the first day but so much better on the second. I always recommend making it a day ahead of time now.
- Watch the onions closely to prevent them from scorching or burning. If medium seems too hot, don't be afraid to turn the temp down a bit.
- Onions tend to caramelize best over slow heat, stirring every few minutes or so. It takes a little patience, but is so worth it!
- Forgot to soften the cream cheese? You can soften it quickly in the microwave using the 50% or defrost setting. Just don't melt it.
- I recommend going a tad light on the salt at first, especially if you plan to enjoy the dip with salty potato chips. It's up to you, though!
- If you taste the dip and it doesn't seem to have enough onion flavor don't be afraid to stir in some onion powder. Be sure to do it a little at a time.
- Same goes for the garlic. Use a bit of garlic powder to make it taste the way you want.
- Place the bowl of dip into a larger bowl filled with ice to keep it chilled all night. This is my favorite hack for party dips.
👩🍳 FAQs
Some people swap the sour cream with unflavored Greek yogurt. This can make the dip a tad watery, but it's fine if you're in a pinch.
They should be golden brown and super, super soft. They'll easily break into smaller pieces when "chopped" with the narrow edge of a sturdy spatula. They should look like the 3rd image above in the instructions section.
Nope! This easy onion dip is served chilled—no baking required. It's a homemade version of the onion dip packets you might buy at the grocery store.
I like to garnish the top with some Montreal steak seasoning. It's yummy, and makes the dip look pretty and finished. You can skip this step, or use everything bagel seasoning. Yum.
📚 Related recipes
- Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip is spicy, creamy, and topped with a crunchy cracker topping. It's everything you want from game day food!
- If your family likes BLT sandwiches, they'll adore no-bake BLT Dip. I'll show you how to make it in a fun lettuce "bowl" for an impressive look.
- Looking for an easy dip recipe to serve hot? Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip with Smoked Provolone is bursting with flavor and sooooo gooey.
🍽️ Serve with...
- You can't go wrong with tortilla chips, corn chips, from-scratch soda crackers, and some carrot sticks—for a fresh option, of course!
- Homemade onion dip tastes awesome when spread on lightly toasted slices of potato garlic baguette.
- Use onion dip leftovers on a pastrami sandwich made with chewy Rye bread—these sandwiches are the ultimate delicious lunch!
📞 The last word
Onion dip is a classic appetizer at parties and get-togethers. It's been popular for decades... because it's delicious!
My recipe is absolutely a stunner! It's full of garlic and caramelized onion flavor plus it's so creamy that you just can't stop eating it.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Onion Dip
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds onions, sliced thinly
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
- Salt, to taste
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- green onions, optional garnish
- Montreal Steak Seasoning, optional garnish
Instructions
- Melt butter together with the olive oil in heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add onions and garlic.
- Sprinkle lightly with the salt and sauté until onions begin to turn golden and caramelize. Stir frequently. This will take about 15 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium and continue to sauté until onions are deep golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes longer. Be careful because they can burn easily at this point.
- Remove from heat and cool onions to room temperature.
- Coarsely chop onion mixture with the spatula.
- Combine sour cream, cream cheese, and worcestershire in a bowl.
- Mix until well blended.
- Fold in the onions.
- Season to taste with salt.
- Transfer to serving bowl.
- Cover; chill at least 1 hour.
- Keep refrigerated until about 30 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of Montreal Steak Seasoning if desired.
Notes
- It's even better the second day!
- Watch the onions closely to prevent them from scorching or burning.
- Onions tend to caramelize best over slow heat, stirring every few minutes or so. It takes a little patience, but is so worth it!
- If you taste the dip and it doesn't seem to have enough onion flavor don't be afraid to stir in some onion powder. Be sure to do it a little at a time.
- Same goes for the garlic. Use a bit of garlic powder to make it taste the way you want.
- Place the bowl of dip into a larger bowl filled with ice to keep it chilled all night. This is my favorite hack for party dips.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published February 2, 2012. Last updated December 18, 2023, for editorial improvements.
Original images
Laurie L Kearnes says
I'm a total onion freak and can't wait to try this recipe. There's nothing like the smell of onions frying. Makes me hungry just thinking abut it.
Valisa Chambers says
This caramelized onion dip will be a sure fire hit with my onion loving family and friends!!!
LOVE IT
ToniAnn Sprouse says
I'm so glad that I saw this recipe today! I've been looking for an appetizer to add to our annual Christmas taco bar, and this one looks deliciously simple!
Peggy says
This recipe will go in my Pinterest faves, and I sent it to my daughters, too! ❤️
Peggy says
I absolutely love your recipes! Especially your bread recipes. AND your the pinch of ginger with the yeast! I’ve been following you on Pinterest for years, and send your recipes to my daughters! I’ve saved this one for New Years Eve for a party of “just the two of us” Lol. ❤️
Kim T says
My new favorite go-to! It’s easy and oh so flavorful!!!!
Tonya says
This is one of our favorite dips!! We enjoy it with celery, carrots, salty pretzel rods.. toasted baguettes every thing is so amazing with this dip!
Betty says
It’s the cartelized onions that take this dip over the top! Delicious!
Maureen says
Chalk up another one for Marye. This dip isn't just for game day, although it would be a great one, any time you need a savory dip this is the one to go to. It has all the elements for a good blend of condiments that is sure to please the pickiest armchair quarterback.
Perfect for all the game days around here from football to basketball and hockey all on the same day! Guaranteed to not disappoint.
Patty Donovan says
This sounds really good. And perfect for the Christmas present I am giving my son as he likes to have people over and do crackers cheese, fruit the whole bit with a Chauterie board. I am giving him a special board for Christmas with his initial on the top and then the top revolves off to reveal the board beneath. With the tools you need for the food. I plan to give him your recipe with the board as a total Christmas present.
Judy Burrell says
This onion dip is easy to make and tastes good too.
Thank you
Michelle Gosser says
I had no idea that you could freeze this type of dip! I made a ranch dip yesterday and I'm wondering what caramelized onions would taste like added to it. 😋
Susan Turcsany says
Haven't tried it yet but gave 5 stars since I have all the ingredients on hand and don't have to go to the supermarket (even have green onions, Montreal Steak Seasoning and Worcestershire Sauce). I love caramelized onions and make them all the time). Just read the ingredients on a packet of Dry Onion Soup Mix ( that I have used forever ) for sour cream onion dip after I saw your recipe. It contains, wheat, soy, yeast extract and caramel color, cornstarch, maltodextrin, plus 2 chemical names that I never even heard of. (never thought to actually read all the ingredients). This looks so much healthier and I'm sure even tastier with all the good stuff. . Can't wait to try it.
Sherri Rochester says
I can see so many possibilities with this scrumptious sounding dip! Wow!
Stephanie Spencer says
I have not made this yet, but sounds delicious and I plan on making it for Christmas Eve for the family to enjoy!
Patti says
This recipe is a combination of flavours from 2 of my favourite foods : the classic California Chip Dip of the 60s and French Onion Soup, can it get any better!!!
Rene Freeman says
This dip sounds amazing! I love to create new recipes for game time. This one is going on my list. It has my favorites, onions and sour cream 😋.