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How to Make Caramelized Onion Dip

How to Make Caramelized Onion Dip

Last Updated on 23rd April 2022 by

I like caramelized onion dip because it is a very tasty and versatile dish that you could either make as a reliable condiment or even the main ingredient of your meal.

It is sweet yet very savory and creamy yet very flavory. In fact, what makes caramelized onion dip very likable and a must-have in everyone’s kitchen is that you just can’t stop eating this treat—from dipping chips in it, adding it to your sandwiches, or even as a base to your soups.

Yes, you can always buy caramelized onion dips in your local grocery stores as there are a lot of reliable brands to choose from—with some exceptionally tastier than the others.

However, another fact that makes me like caramelized onion dips is that they are particularly quick and easy to make in the humble corners of your kitchen.

Why spend money buying a jar of caramelized onion dip when you can make one from scratch? Heck, you could even save money if you buy the right ingredients!

The only thing that makes store-bought caramelized onion dips ahead of homemade ones is that buying can save you time. Whereas, if you have all the time in the world to experiment and test your culinary skills, then making caramelized onion dips in your kitchen can offer a satisfying experience.

Trust us: the entire process of cooking caramelized onion dip is very easy!

So, are you ready?

Let’s cook!

How to Make Caramelized Onion Dip

In making your homemade caramelized onion dip, the first thing to do is prepare the main ingredient that makes it a dip!

And those are your onions—large, sweet yellow onions, to be exact.

The first thing you’ll need, however, is the following:

  • Kitchen knife
  • Cutting board
  • Large saucepan
  • Wooden spoon/spatula

As for the ingredients, this recipe only calls for a few very thrifty components that you could buy in your local grocery stores. They are:

  • Four tablespoons butter
  • Four large, sweet yellow onions
  • Kosher salt and pepper (about ½ teaspoon each)
  • 1 cup of sour cream or greek yogurt
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Fresh herbs (parsley)

With all of that out of the way, it’s time to make your first homemade caramelized onion dip!

  1. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of making our caramelized onion dip, we have to slice the onions in half while also removing their top and root parts. You can do this by cutting the onions down their centers.
  2. Once you have sliced the onions in half, you can start removing their “paper” and outer layers.
  3. Start slicing your yellow onions by placing them on your chopping board with their root ends facing you.
  4. Begin slicing your onions lengthwise along their curve. The slices should be at least ¼ to ⅛ inches thick.
  5. In your preheated saucepan already greased with your melting butter, gradually place the thinly sliced onions—in batches—and saute them for at least 8 to 10 minutes above medium heat.
  6. Make sure to saute your sliced onions until they become soft and translucent. Regular stir them. It’s essential to have a particularly wide saucepan so that your sauteed onions’ excess water can evaporate quickly. Thus, allowing them to caramelize fastly.
  7. Sprinkle them with your kosher salt (and pepper). Also, add your brown sugar and balsamic to enhance the flavor of your caramelized onions further. Since what we’re after are caramelized onions suited for making dips, then we’ll let them sit in the saucepan for another 15 to 20 minutes until they become golden brown and relatively softer. Just remember to stir them regularly so that they won’t burn and stick to your pan.
  8. Turn down the heat and let your caramelized onions rest and cool. You could also put them in the fridge overnight and make the dip by morning.
  9. Combine sour cream (or greek yogurt) and mayonnaise in a separate bowl. Also, add in the caramelized onions and continue mixing them until they’re evenly distributed in the mixture.
  10. Sprinkle with garlic powder and salt.
  11. Gently stir the mixture until incorporated.
  12. Lastly, you can add Worcestershire sauce also to enhance the flavor of your caramelized onion dip.

You could either serve it right then and there or chill it in your fridge and serve it afterward.

And voila! You just made learned how to make caramelized onion dip.

What to Eat with Caramelized Onion Dip

Now that you have learned the basics of making caramelized onion dips, you might be wondering what kind of food or dish goes well with your creamy and flavory sauce.

Don’t worry. We got you!

As mentioned in the first part of this article, we love caramelized onion dips because they are a versatile condiment or main ingredient in any meal!

Well, you could serve them as dips to tortilla chips (of course!), various cheeses, and crackers and pretzels. You could also dip different vegetables into your freshly made caramelized onion dips!

Moreover, you could use your caramelized onion dip as a spread for your sandwiches, particularly in meat-based subs like ham and cheese sandwiches and burgers.

As the main ingredient, you can make caramelized onion soup, which is always a hearty meal.

Remember to refrigerate your caramelized onion dip inside an airtight container whenever you’re done using it. It has a long shelf life as long as you continuously chill it.

So that’s it!

We hope you enjoy your caramelized onion dip!

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Pauline Loughlin

I'm Pauline, a mother of four grown children, my passion for cooking stemmed from the joy i get cooking for my family. I love to try new dishes, especially when dining out but creating and sharing my own recipes is my favourite thing to do!