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 Siemkowicz

Updated Sep 14, 2026

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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!

Ingredients for Caramelized Onion Dip on a counter: cream cheese, sour cream, maple syrup, onion powder, sea salt, yellow onions, and fresh chives, each labeled.

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 (not pictured).
Sour cream: Sour cream makes the dip creamy and light.
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, onion powder, and black pepper (not pictured).

How to Make Caramelized Onion Dip

Finely chopped white onions are spread on a wooden cutting board placed on a gray countertop.

Dice the onions.

Chopped onions are being sautéed in a black frying pan on a stove.

Fry them in a large skillet with butter for 5-10 minutes over medium-high heat.

Diced onions are browning and caramelizing in a black frying pan.

Once the onions have browned slightly, turn the heat down to medium and cook for 20-25 minutes, until a deep golden brown. Allow to cool.

A bowl with sour cream, cream cheese, chopped chives, cooked onions, and seasonings being mixed with a spoon to create a rich and flavorful Caramelized Onion Dip.

Mix all the ingredients in a medium bowl.

A white bowl filled with creamy Caramelized Onion Dip mixed with herbs and onions, with a wooden pepper grinder above and a spoon inside the bowl.

Season to taste, garnish with chives, and serve.

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.
Cream cheese: Mascarpone, Greek yogurt, or whipped cottage cheese.
Sour cream: Swap for creme fraiche or Greek yogurt.
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!

How to Store Leftovers

Place leftover dip in an airtight container and keep in the fridge.

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.

The onions seem to be taking forever to brown. What can I do?

They will take some time to start browning.Try adding a bit more butter. Adjust the heat if necessary, but keep stirring and lower the heat if the onions look like they will start to burn.

How do I store caramelized onion?

Let the onion cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. You can also flatten them in a freezer bag to freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat directly in the food you’re cooking, soups, stews, sauce, bolognese, etc.