Caramelized Onion Dip

Name: Caramelized Onion Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 25 grams butter; 2 onions (large, chopped); 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon maple syrup; 200 grams sour cream; 150 grams cream cheese (plain); 2 tablespoons chives (fresh, chopped); sea salt; pepper

Creamy dip with sweet caramelized onion, sour cream, cream cheese, and chives.

By Sine

Updated Oct 16, 2025, Published Jun 17, 2025

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This creamy caramelized onion dip is packed with flavor and always a huge hit!

A white bowl filled with creamy caramelized onion dip topped with chopped chives is surrounded by a ring of toasted baguette slices on a gray surface.

It’s a delicious go-to dip served with breadsticks, crackers, tortilla chips, potato chips, veggies, or my homemade crackers.

A white bowl filled with creamy caramelized onion dip garnished with chopped chives, surrounded by slices of toasted bread.

Recipe Tip

The onions will take some time to caramelize, but I promise you it’s worth the wait! Once cool, mix the browned onions with sour cream, cream cheese, fresh chives, and season. You’ll love it so much you’ll want to eat it straight out of the bowl.

Serve the dip as a snack with crusty bread, top it onto your next omelet, or enjoy it as an easy appetizer. It’s perfect for BBQs, game day, or dinner parties served with my bacon wrapped sausages!

Serving Suggestion

Try the dip with a salad wrap or dollop it onto a carpaccio salad.

Caramelized Onion Dip Ingredients

Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!

Onions: I use yellow onions, but any type of onions will work. Try white onions, red onions, or shallots.
Butter: I always fry onions in salted butter, but you can swap for unsalted butter, ghee, or olive oil.
Sour cream: Sour cream makes the dip creamy and light. Swap for creme fraiche or Greek yogurt.
Cream cheese: Adds richness.
Maple syrup: Maple syrup brings out the caramelized onion flavor.
Fresh chives: Chives add a fresh, garlicky flavor, as well as a pop of green.
Seasoning: You’ll need sea salt, pepper, and onion powder.

How to Make Caramelized Onion Dip

Fry the onions in a large skillet with butter for 5-10 minutes over medium-high heat.
Once the onions have browned slightly, turn the heat down to medium and cook for 20-25 minutes, until golden. Allow to cool.
Mix all the ingredients in a medium bowl.
Season to taste.

Tips for Success

Use room-temperature, softened cream cheese for easy mixing.
Take your time to brown the onions. You want them to be a deep golden brown. If the onions are still very light golden after the time indicated in the recipe, turn up the heat for 5-10 minutes (stirring in between to prevent burning) to further caramelize them.
You don’t want the onions to burn at any time, so if they are headed in that direction, turn down the heat slightly and keep stirring.
Serve the dip at room temperature.

Possible Variations

Some tasty variations include:

Add balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce to your browned onions for a balance of acidity and sweetness, and even more flavor.
Swap cream cheese with mascarpone, Greek yogurt, or whipped cottage cheese.
Add garlic: Mince in a garlic clove or two, or use garlic powder.
Toppings: Top the dip with crispy diced pancetta, spring onions, crushed potato chips, toasted breadcrumbs, balsamic glaze, fresh-grated lemon peel, or chili oil.
Bake the dip: Add the onion dip to a bakeproof dish. Top with grated cheddar cheese and broil in the oven for a few minutes to create a cheesy, baked, caramelized onion dip. So good!

FAQs

Can I make the onion dip ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the dip a day or two in advance. Keep it covered in the fridge, and take it out 30 minutes before serving.

How long will the onion dip last?

2-3 days in the refrigerator.

What should I serve the onion dip with?

Chunky potato chips, crackers, veggies, crostini, baguette, breadsticks, or pretzels. You can even use it as a sandwich spread or top it onto salads or burgers.