Description
Enjoy a rich and savory Christmas French Onion Dip featuring deeply caramelized onions blended with cream cheese, sour cream, and a hint of tangy Worcestershire and lemon juice. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this dip pairs beautifully with sturdy potato chips for a festive appetizer that’s full of flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramelized Onions
- 3 large yellow onions
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon beef base
- 1 tablespoon water (if needed)
Dip Base
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 and 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1 small clove garlic (smashed and minced, about 1 teaspoon)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Garnish and Serving
- Chives (chopped, to garnish)
- 1 large bag high quality potato chips (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese: Set out your block of cream cheese to soften at room temperature so it will be easy to beat later.
- Slice Onions: Thinly slice 3 large yellow onions for more even caramelization.
- Start Caramelizing: In a 12-inch high-sided pan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Add onions, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. The cayenne adds flavor; adjust amount if you prefer more heat.
- Sauté Onions: Cook onions, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes at medium heat. Then reduce to medium-low heat and continue cooking for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally until onions are deeply caramelized.
- Deglaze Pan: After 10-15 minutes when pan starts to dry and onions stick, add 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar and scrape browned bits off the bottom to incorporate flavor.
- Add Beef Base: Stir in 1 teaspoon beef base. Continue cooking and monitor moisture. If dry or edges blacken, add 1 tablespoon water as needed. Finish caramelizing to a deep brown color without burning.
- Cool and Chop: Remove pan from heat and let onions cool until manageable. Chop into bite-size pieces on a cutting board.
- Beat Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth and lump-free.
- Add Dip Ingredients: Add sour cream, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice to cream cheese. Beat until fully combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Onions and Cream Base: Fold the cooled caramelized onions into the dip mixture with a rubber spatula until evenly incorporated.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer dip to a serving dish. Sprinkle chopped chives on top. Serve immediately with hearty potato chips, ideally crinkle-cut for sturdiness.
- Storage: Store leftover dip in a covered container in the refrigerator. The flavors deepen after resting, making it an excellent make-ahead appetizer that stays fresh for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Thin onion slices ensure more even caramelization and a sweeter flavor.
- Cayenne pepper is for subtle flavor; increase if you prefer spicier dip.
- Use beef base for umami depth, but you can substitute with beef broth or omit for vegetarian preferences.
- Crinkle-cut potato chips hold up better for dipping than regular chips.
- This dip improves in flavor if made ahead and refrigerated overnight.
- Store in fridge up to two weeks in an airtight container.
