Return of the Old-Fashioned Caramelized Onion Dip Recipe

The return of the old-fashioned caramelized onion dip is a thing. I’m as shocked as anyone, but it’s true: onion dip is back, and it’s not the onion soup mix version of our childhood; it’s even better.

When I was growing up, my mom always had a box of Lipton Onion Soup Mix in the pantry. I’m pretty sure the small square box contained three packets: one packet and some sour cream. That’s it—two ingredients, and you have a dip—the kind of dip from the 1950s and 60s. I remember it having so much flavor. It also reminds me of the movie Julie & Julia, in which Julia Child and Simone Beck try to convince their publisher that their cookbook is what American women want. Their publisher, however, said, “Women are looking for easy recipes, something with a mix.”

This dip has a certain nostalgia that is perfect for serving at Thanksgiving. Speaking of Thanksgiving, we have our Thanksgiving planner available again right now. To get your copy, all you need to do is join our email list. You can download it and print it out so you can take notes, cross things off, or add to the lists as we all prepare for the big day! More on how to get your copy of the Thanksgiving Planner at the end of this post.

So, what is in the updated version of homemade caramelized onion dip? 

The updated version of the onion soup dip has slightly more than two ingredients, but it is still easy and delicious. The only thing that takes a little time and a little patience is caramelizing the onions. But trust me, it’s well worth it.

Simple ingredients

• Onions (yellow onions, sweet onions, or sweet Vidalia onions)
• Cream cheese
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Unsalted butter
• Vegetable oil (or olive oil)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Fresh chives

Instructions for making easy caramelized onion dip

1. Peel the onions, cut them in half, and slice them into about 1/8″ thick slices.
2. Add the butter and vegetable oil to a large skillet over medium heat and cook until the butter melts and coats the bottom of the pan. Add the sliced onions, salt, pepper, and cayenne and cook until soft, about 10 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for about 20 more minutes, always giving them a quick stir, until the onions are a deep golden brown color. Set aside to cool.
4. Once the onions are cool, place them in a food processor and pulse a few times to roughly chop them. Alternatively, you can chop them on a cutting board with a sharp knife. Reserve a few caramelized onion bits for sprinkling on top of the dip as a garnish.
5. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream and beat until the mixture is smooth.
6. Add the onions to the mayonnaise, cream cheese, and sour cream mixture and beat again until smooth.
7. Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl, top with chopped chives.

What can I serve with the creamy caramelized onion dip?

The creamy base makes this the perfect dip for serving with almost anything. I like to place it in the center of a serving platter and surround it with old-fashioned Lay’s potato chips. But the options are endless.

I’m feeling especially nostalgic this year. My mom passed away in June, so I’m serving this onion dip the way she would have, in an Orrefors crystal bowl on a silver tray. She had a gift for putting something ordinary in a beautiful dish and making it feel special. I brought both pieces home in my suitcase after she died, and I know how much she would love that I’m using her things to serve the people I love.

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