Onion Dip with Caramelized Onions is a sweet and savory dip that is always the first to disappear at parties. With deep flavor from soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and caramelized onions, it's an upgrade from the basic store bought onion dip. Serve it up with classic ridged potato chips, veggie sticks, or baguette slices for an easy party spread!
Deep, dark, caramelized onions take time, so double or triple your onions and freeze them for other recipes! You'll love this Bistro French Onion Soup or this Caramelized Onion Pizza.
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Ingredients
I include ingredient notes here when I think they'll be helpful, including ways to source, any preparation tips, or why I've chosen a particular ingredient. Be sure to check out the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and their quantities!
- Onions - Use a yellow onion variety, like a Vidalia onion, Maui onion, or something similar for an onion that will caramelize well with a mellow, sweet flavor.
- Soy Sauce - Bring salty, umami flavor to the caramelized onions with soy sauce. Use a low-sodium variety so that it doesn't overpower the dip.
- Balsamic Vinegar - This dark, sweet vinegar gives a tang to the dip. Balsamic vinegar contains sugars that quickly caramelize when added to the hot skillet and add another layer of flavor to the onion dip.
- Mayonnaise - A creamy mixture of sour cream and mayonnaise provides the right balance of richness and savory flavor to the base of the dip. Choose a real mayonnaise, not a "dressing" as they are usually much sweeter and will throw off the balance of flavor in the dip.
- Sour Cream - Choose a full-fat sour cream for this dip for the best flavor and texture. If you want to substitute a Greek yogurt for the sour cream, choose a 4% milkfat yogurt.
Instructions
Slice the onions in half from tip to root and then peel away the brown dry layers. Slice the halves into ¼-inch slices and then cut those slices in half again.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes.
Add the onions and salt to the hot skillet and stir to coat everything well. Caramelizing the onions will take from 25-30 minutes in all.
After about 10 minutes of cooking, the onions will soften and start to take on some color.
Once 20 minutes of cooking have elapsed, the onions will be deeper in color. You may need to occasionally add a tablespoon of water to deglaze the pan and prevent burning. Monitor the heat and turn it down if needed to prevent burning.
After 30 minutes, the onions will be jammy and soft and dark in color. Add the balsamic and soy sauce to the skillet and stir everything quickly to help loosen bits from the pan.
Stir until the pan is deglazed and the onions are dark brown, about 30 seconds. Set the onions aside off of the heat so that they don't cook any further.
In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
Add the caramelized onions to the mayonnaise mixture and stir everything together well.
Cover the dip with plastic wrap and chill it for 30 minutes or more to help the flavors blend and the dip to thicken.
Equipment
No special equipment is needed for this recipe beyond what you'd find in a well-stocked kitchen. Here are some notes on my favorite kitchen basics:
- Stainless Steel Skillet - A large and sturdy stainless steel skillet is great for developing flavor while caramelizing the onions. A 12-inch skillet with sloped sides will have the capacity to hold a big batch of onions!
- Chef's Knife - An 8- or 10-inch chef's knife is an essential tool in any kitchen. I use it for chopping, of course, but also for crushing garlic cloves on the broad side of the blade, preparing fruit, finely chopping herbs, and slicing the onions for this tasty dip. Choose a knife that fits comfortably in your hand.
Serving Suggestions
Transfer your chilled dip into a serving dish and garnish it with chopped herbs like parsley or chives. Serve the dip with potato chips for a classic pairing! You can also serve this sweet and savory onion dip with baguette slices or vegetables like carrot sticks, pea pods, or celery sticks.
Make This Recipe Kid Friendly
If you are serving kids that are sensitive to the texture of the onions, dice them instead of slicing them. This will make the pieces smaller and less challenging, increasing the chances that the onion dip is enjoyed by all! The rest of the preparation will be the same, though the onions may caramelize more quickly in small pieces.
Storage
Onion dip should be refrigerated until you serve it. Once it's at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it should be discarded. Refrigerated any leftovers for up to three days.
Make-Ahead Options
The best tip for a make-ahead step for this onion dip is to caramelize the onions in a big batch and freeze them for later. It takes a long time to deeply cook the onions for that beautiful color and extra flavor. If you double (or even triple) your onions it will take a few extra minutes, but you can freeze the caramelized onions in batches and thaw them as needed. Thaw your portion in the refrigerator overnight and then proceed with the rest of the recipe.
FAQ
The addition of balsamic vinegar and soy sauce to the deeply caramelized onions creates a sweeter onion dip compared to the standard French onion dip.
It's a great idea to caramelize the onions ahead of time for this dip. In fact, if you are taking the time to caramelize onions, it's worth it to double or triple the amount of onions and freeze them in portions for all kinds of recipes. Simply wrap them well in plastic wrap or a zip top bag. To defrost, place them in the refrigerator overnight.
Yes! If you want to make a next-level burger, spread some of the onion dip on the buns and you'll be the grill hero. Combine this dip with some bacon and a grilled chicken breast and you'll have a dynamite chicken sandwich.
More Recipes for Entertaining
Onion dip with caramelized onions will always be welcome at a party! Here are some other delicious recipe options for entertaining friends and family:
Pairing Ideas
Make this onion dip as an easy starter to a tasty dinner with the recipes below:
Try It and Share
I hope you try this Onion Dip with Caramelized Onions and enjoy the recipe as much as I do. I want to see your results! Tag your photo with #planeatpostrepeat and mention me @planeatpostrepeat on Instagram or Facebook. I can give you a virtual high five and thank you for cooking one of my recipes! Comment below with any questions and please leave a review so others can find this recipe more easily.
This post was originally titled Caramelized Onion Dip. The post was updated in August of 2025 to change the title, provide much more prep detail along with photos, and increase the yield of the recipe compared to the original version from June 2021.
Recipe
Onion Dip with Caramelized Onions
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 16 ounces yellow onions
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1½ tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (ground)
- finely chopped herbs (parsley, green onions, or chives) (for garnish)
Instructions
- Slice the onions in half from tip to root and then peel away the brown dry layers. Slice the halves into ¼-inch slices and then cut those slices in half again.
- Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onions and salt and stir everything together to coat the onions evenly with oil.
- Continue to cook, caramelizing the onions until deeply browned. Stir often and modulate the heat, if needed, to prevent burning. Add water, a tablespoon at a time, if the onions begin to stick.
- Once onions are deep brown, jammy, and soft, add the soy sauce and balsamic vinegar and cook for 30 seconds, deglazing the pan.
- Remove the onions from the heat.
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and pepper. Add the onions to the mayonnaise mixture and stir well to combine.
- Chill the dip, covered, for 30 minutes or more to allow the flavors to blend.
- Transfer the chilled dip to a serving dish and garnish with chopped herbs. Serve with potato chips, veggie sticks, or baguette slices.
Nutrition facts are sometimes provided below and are calculated using an online calculator. With specific brands of ingredients and additions, omissions, or substitutions the nutrition facts may change. We encourage you to use your own nutrition facts calculator to obtain the most accurate nutrition facts for your meal.
Cassie Waltman says
This is the best version of an onion dip, perfect for scooping up with potato chips!