Pan-Fried Onion Dip

September 1, 2010 | 36 Comments | Email | Print

Homemade French Onion Dip

Mmm, more dip! Since we’re heading into the start of the football season, it’s likely that you’ll be seeing an increase in appetizer-style food over here. While my heart belongs to chocolate, butter and sugar, when not eating dessert there are few things that I love more than appetizers and dips. I waxed poetic about it last week when we chatted about Artichoke Spinach Dip, so I won’t repeat myself here, but suffice it to say I’m a sucker for good dips. And this is better than good. This is hide-it-and-the-potato-chips-from-everyone-else-so-I-can-have-it-all-to-myself kind of amazing. If you think French onion dip from a plastic tub is good, you’re going to go out of your mind over this. Make sure you pencil it in for one of your game day menus!

Onion Dip

The biggest flavor booster here is the caramelized onions, so make sure you get them nice and brown. This dip is best served at room temperature, so if you make it ahead of time and refrigerate it (which you can totally do) just give it enough time out of the fridge to take the chill off and get it back to a great dipping consistency (I’d say about 30 minutes). I think this is a perfect dip for potato chips, but you could also serve it with pretzels, vegetables, pita chips, and the list goes on and on.

I’m planning on saving some of this to munch on while I toil away at my fantasy football draft (which is online since our league is spread out over multiple states). I’m certain it will bring me good luck. Look out, Baker’s Dozen is back with a vengeance! ;)

Pan-Fried Onion Dip

One year ago: Potato Salad with Herbed Balsamic Vinaigrette

Pan-Fried Onion Dip

Yield: About 2 cups of dip

Prep Time: 40 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes

2 large yellow onions
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise

1. Cut the onions in half and then slice them into 1/8-inch thick half-rounds (will result in about 3 cups of onions). Heat the butter and oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions, cayenne, salt and pepper and saute for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 30  more minutes until the onions are browned and caramelized. Allow the onions to cool.

2. Place the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Add the onions and mix well. Serve at room temperature. Refrigerate any leftovers.

(Recipe from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook)

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36 Responses to Pan-Fried Onion Dip

Lora September 1, 2010 at 12:52 am

This looks absolutely delish!

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IslandEAT September 1, 2010 at 1:04 am

Hi, Michelle. I enjoyed your post and have been meaning to make this out of Ina’s cookbook – the “real” version of the onion-dip-mix from every party of my youth. Thanks for the inspiration to make it finally, Dan

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Kim @ Two Good Cookies September 1, 2010 at 6:38 am

Oooh! This look so good! And easy to boot! I am going to clue the English in to what they are missing…although the “football” games I’ll be serving it at are a little different, and then I call it soccer, and everyone corrects me… :-)

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Lauren at KeepItSweet September 1, 2010 at 7:24 am

i have been wanting to make a dip like this… may have to try your recipe, yum!

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Katrina September 1, 2010 at 7:49 am

Mmmm I love dip! This looks amazing.

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Alice September 1, 2010 at 9:04 am

My husband and I make this version all the time! In fact, after we tried it the first time I’m not sure we ever once went back to the dried onion soup mix version… This one is to die for :)

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foodlvr September 1, 2010 at 9:13 am

This sounds so good. I love a good onion dip.

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Jenny Flake September 1, 2010 at 9:28 am

This looks fabulous!! Mmmm!

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jaclyn@todayslady September 1, 2010 at 9:59 am

Wow, this looks and sounds so good!!! At my family gatherings, this would be gone in like 5 seconds!!! We appreciate a good dip, that and I have a huge family :)

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shannon abdollmohammadi September 1, 2010 at 10:01 am

Dang!!! This looks so delicious….even the name makes my mouth water.

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Michelle September 1, 2010 at 10:14 am

A perfect snack for Sunday Afternoon Football!

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Kath September 1, 2010 at 10:17 am

I DO love French onion dip in the tub, but I don’t love all of the questionable ingredients that are in it. I’m really looking forward to trying this recipe. Thanks for sharing it!

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Barbara | VinoLuciStyle September 1, 2010 at 10:33 am

I’ve been making this same, exact dip for years and had actually forgotten where it came from! But it is so good that it’s what I’m often asked to prepare if I offer to bring something to a get together with friends.

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Maria September 1, 2010 at 10:37 am

This will be a great dip for game day:)

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DessertForTwo September 1, 2010 at 10:44 am

I want a big bowl of this and it’s not even 8am here…is that bad? Thanks for sharing this one-I know it’ll be on my football table this season :)

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Kathy Harvey September 1, 2010 at 10:48 am

Whaaahaaahaaa (slobbering and hiding with it in the bedroom)

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Kim (Liv Life) September 1, 2010 at 12:43 pm

I too am a sucker for a good dip! Haven’t had a good reason to make any lately… but you’ve definitely got me thinking!

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Jill September 1, 2010 at 1:01 pm

I need some ruffles and that dip right now! I’m sure the cayenne taste great in it.

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Tracy September 1, 2010 at 2:04 pm

Thank you! I’ve been looking at the last package of onion dip mix in my pantry with disdain, thinking that there must be a way to make make it even better from scratch. I can’t wait to try this!!

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Tracy September 1, 2010 at 2:05 pm

PS Good luck with your fantasy team…team Sugar High is rooting for you! ;-)

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Jess September 1, 2010 at 2:14 pm

YUM! I had your peanut butter cup rice krispie treats and salted caramel brownies while I did my fantasy football drafts and good luck was brought to me by both!

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Maranda September 1, 2010 at 3:16 pm

Ummmm…yes please!!! French onion dip is my all time favorite and this looks like it will just send me over the top! I can’t wait to try this!!!

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life and kitchen September 1, 2010 at 3:37 pm

That looks really great! And very possible to throw together before a party. Thanks!

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Alison September 1, 2010 at 7:15 pm

Love this!

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Alisa September 1, 2010 at 8:05 pm

That dip looks gorgeous! I can’t do all that dairy, but I’d be happy to steal the onions off the top :)

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Stephanie - Chocolate and Toast September 1, 2010 at 9:12 pm

Ohhhh, that is TROUBLE, lady! I foresee a double batch, wherein I have a bowl and my husband has his own bowl. T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

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Renee (Kudos Kitchen) September 2, 2010 at 8:34 am

I love a good dip and anything that has to do with onions is a game winner in my book. Great recipe for football or any sport season. Thanks for posting.

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Jenny (VintageSugarcube) September 3, 2010 at 12:05 am

I’m a sucker for any kind of dip and chips and that onion dip sure takes the cake!!

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Jen @ How To: Simplify September 3, 2010 at 11:42 am

This dip looks awesome. Sometimes there’s nothing better than sitting down with a big bowl of chips and delicious dip!

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Dana September 3, 2010 at 2:34 pm

I love chips/crackers/veggies and dip too… the constant is the dip! This one sounds great! Sweet caramelized onions in a creamy dip sounds fantastic!

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Jannett September 4, 2010 at 9:48 am

this sounds amazing..I will be trying… :)

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Cookin' Canuck September 4, 2010 at 10:31 am

Now this dip makes me feel ready for the hockey and football seasons. I have a feeling that I wouldn’t be able to stop eating this.

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Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction September 7, 2010 at 8:49 pm

Oh, this looks PERFECT! I’m totally ready for football season… and the delish foods that come with it! :)

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Gwyn April 7, 2011 at 12:06 am

I’ve cooked up the onions & there is a lot of liquid in them (I cooked them for 10 + 30 minutes). I haven’t added them to the cream cheese mixture yet (I’m serving it up tomorrow night so it’s in the fridge right now) & I wondered if I should drain the onions or add the liquid into the cream cheese mixture with the onions. I figured a lot of that was oil but maybe some of it was onion “juice”, etc. so I don’t want to pour it off if its necessary for the flavor & consistency of the dip! Thanks for your help!

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Michelle April 7, 2011 at 2:18 pm

Hi Gwyn, The onions should definitely cook down and caramelize most of that fat, so if you have a good bit remaining, I would drain them.

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SD November 29, 2011 at 7:16 pm

I make this dip a lot, but I caramelize the onions until they are double in color as this picture shows…they get a rich brown color (rather than tan in this pic). Cook for up to 60 minutes…low and slow, there should not be any liquid/fat left to drain.
Get as brown as you can without burning. You will be stiring a lot. Slice onions thin too. Just my two cents…hope it helps. :) Happy cooking.

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