Homemade Sour Cream and Onion Dip

from 51 votes

Swap the store-bought spice packets in place of this fast and oh-so-fresh recipe for Homemade Sour Cream and Onion Dip made with just six ingredients. Elevate your snack game with real caramelized onions for an irresistible dip that’s a crowd-pleaser every time!

Sour cream and onion dip topped with fresh chives and black pepper in a small bowl on a plate with classic potato chips.

Few things are more satisfying to me in the kitchen than recreating a store-bought classic from scratch. While some things are inevitably just better when bought versus made, sour cream and onion dip (a.k.a. French onion dip or caramelized onion dip) belongs on the other side of the spectrum. Homemade is absolutely, undeniably, totally worth the (minimal) effort.

I’ve recreated the classic soup mix-turned-dip with just six simple ingredients, and it all begins with slowly caramelized onions that make up the majority of the fresh flavor of this recipe.

Best of all, this homemade sour cream and onion dip can be whipped up a day in advance and stashed in the fridge to give the flavors even more time to mingle before you commence your dipping and dunking with chips (homemade barbecue potato chips are an insane indulgence), crudité or perhaps just a spoon!

Ingredients

An ingredient in the list below might surprise you…

Clear glass bowls containing the ingredients for French onion dip, including two yellow onions, vegetable oil, garlic powder, soy sauce, sour cream and sugar.
  • Caramelized onions: Onions are the star of the show, bringing a sweet and savory depth to the dip through caramelization. Use white or yellow onions. Time-saving tip: Make them in advance! Caramelized onions can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
  • Sour cream: This provides the creamy base of our dip. 
  • Soy sauce: My secret ingredient! It adds the perfect amount of salty, rich flavor to balance out the sweetness of the onions. Opt for low-sodium soy sauce so it isn’t too salty.
  • Garlic powder: Adds a subtle but essential hint of savory garlic flavor that enhances the overall taste.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Sour Cream and Onion Dip (French Onion Dip)

There are just two steps to making this homemade French onion dip: caramelizing the onions and mixing together the sour cream base. It’s that easy! But, to achieve sweet, caramelized onion perfection, you’ll need a little bit of time and patience. You want the onions to reach a deep golden brown color, a process that takes at least 30 minutes to achieve.

Caramelized onions in a skillet.

All that’s left to do is add the cooled caramelized onions to a bowl with the sour cream, soy sauce, garlic powder and a dash of pepper. Mix it all together and serve immediately or stash it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors of this dip only get better the longer it has a chance to chill out in the fridge! 

Kelly’s Note: You risk the sour cream curdling if you don’t allow the onions to cool. So don’t skip this step!

A glass bowl containing sour cream, soy sauce, caramelized onions, garlic powder and black pepper.

Kelly’s Recipe Tips

  • Caramelization is Key: Take your time caramelizing the onions; this is the foundation of a rich, flavorful dip. 
  • Chill for Intensified Flavors: If time allows, I highly recommend letting the dip chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to intensify the flavors.
  • Taste and Adjust: Taste along the way and adjust the soy sauce, garlic powder or any other seasonings to match your taste buds. It’s your dip, so make it just how you like it!
  • Make Extra Caramelized Onions: Whenever I make this recipe, I double the amount of onions I’m caramelizing. Then, I stash the extras in the freezer. They’ll last for several months and can be used in a variety of dishes, from French onion mac and cheese to pizza and even this cheesy tomato tart.
  • Storage Tip: Keep any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and flavorful for up to a 3 days, but with its irresistible taste, chances are it won’t last that long!

How to Caramelize Onions Like a Pro

Before you dive into making this French onion dip, let me share a few pro tips for caramelizing onions:

  • Stir Occasionally: Stir the onions occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even browning. 
  • Deglaze the Pan if Necessary: If the pan becomes too dry or if the onions start to stick, you can deglaze the pan by adding a tablespoon of water, broth or wine. Scrape up those flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan for extra deliciousness.
  • Watch for Color Change: As the onions continue to cook, you’ll notice them gradually turning golden brown. This is a sign that the natural sugars are caramelizing. 
  • Go for Deep Golden Brown: Patience is key! Keep cooking until the onions reach a deep golden brown color. The longer you cook, the sweeter and richer the caramelized flavor will be.

FAQs

What chips go well with French onion dip?

The classic pairing is crinkle-cut potato chips (my personal fave!) but any classic potato chip, tortilla chip or even pita chip works, too.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

Sure! Greek yogurt can be used as a healthier alternative to sour cream, but keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different.

What can I serve with sour cream and onion dip besides chips?

Try fresh veggies, pita bread, pretzel bites, or even as a spread on sandwiches and burgers.

A hand holding a potato chip dips it into a bowl containing sour cream and onion dip that's on a plate surrounded by potato chips.

More Dips and Party Appetizers You’ll Love

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Appetizer

Homemade Sour Cream and Onion Dip

All you need is six simple ingredients for the best Homemade Sour Cream and Onion Dip.
Author: Kelly Senyei
4.91 from 51 votes
Sour cream and onion dip topped with fresh chives and black pepper in a small bowl on a plate with classic potato chips.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients 

  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cups minced onions (white or yellow)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups sour cream
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions 

  • Add the oil to a large nonstick sauté pan set over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onions, sugar, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until the onions are caramelized, about 30 minutes.
  • Set the caramelized onions aside to cool.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the sour cream, soy sauce, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon pepper and the cooled caramelized onions. 
  • Cover the dip with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until ready to serve.

Kelly’s Notes

  • Take your time caramelizing the onions; this is the foundation of a rich, flavorful dip.
  • For the best flavor, prepare the dip one day in advance and keep it refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap. 
  • Storage: Keep any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and flavorful for up to a 3 days, but with its irresistible taste, chances are it won’t last that long!
  • Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 117mg, Potassium: 158mg, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 360IU, Vitamin C: 4.5mg, Calcium: 76mg, Iron: 0.3mg

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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.


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4.91 from 51 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Rhonda says:

    5 stars
    This was spectacular!!!! Love the addition of the soy sauce and love that I know all of the ingredients I’m enjoying. No more of that packaged, store-bought stuff. This is so yummy!

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Rhonda!

  2. Richard R Coker says:

    2 stars
    Dean’s or Purity French Onion dip from Kroger or Walmart is so much better than this recipe. (Easier as well) Threw out the stuff from the recipe. No one would eat it.

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it, Richard.

  3. Connie says:

    Hello,
    I just wanted you to know that when you go to print the recipe, you can’t print it in different sizes. Hopefully, you can get this fixed.
    Thank you!

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      Hi Connie! What size were you looking for?

  4. James says:

    4 stars
    I found the onions too sweet. If you prefer sweet over savory, add less sugar or none. It Will be Great!

  5. Stacy Keskinarkaus says:

    5 stars
    I have made this twice. It is great! The second time I made it with light sour cream, which I di not recommend. Any way, I served it over a salad on waffles along with roe and smoked salmon. Delicious!

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipe, Stacy!

  6. NVinNV says:

    5 stars
    Thanks for the recipe, Kelly! An elevated version of a favorite: onion dip and potato chips. Growing up my Mom would let us have whatever we wanted for Christmas breakfast, it was onion dip from Lipton Onion Soup Mix and Ruffles for me. This recipe gets to that flavor in an authentic way which was probably what Lipton was/is trying to achieve. This recipe is super easy, just give those onions time, and tastes fantastic! Wouldnโ€™t change a thing about recipe(note, I use LF sour cream) and will never use the mix again.

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

  7. Isaac says:

    Hi Kel,
    I’m about to make your recipe and I noticed that the instructions are to add 1/2t of pepper, but I don’t see pepper on the ingredients list.

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      Hi Isaac! We don’t include salt and pepper in the ingredient list.

  8. Michelle says:

    5 stars
    This was the best homemade recipe ever!!!

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Michelle!

  9. Ronald E says:

    I used to use onion soup mix and sour cream. This will be so much better. My favorite is onions and minced or chopped clams. Can’t wait to add clams to this recipe.

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      Let me know how you like the recipe when you try it, Ronald!

  10. Ashley says:

    5 stars
    Iโ€™ve made this on several occasions now and really enjoy the flavours and texture. I agree that properly caramelized onions will take much longer than 10 mins. I cook mine in med-low for 30-45 mins but your updated timing now shows 130 mins. Iโ€™m not sure youโ€™ll have much left if you let it go that long!

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      Thanks so much for catching this, Ashley! Updating the recipe now :) It should be “about 30 minutes.”

  11. Morgan says:

    5 stars
    Very happy with this recipe; however, it take 30 minutes to an hour to caramelize onions, not 10 minutes.

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      Thanks for your note, Morgan! Thrilled you enjoyed the recipe!

  12. Scott R says:

    5 stars
    This is very good! And even better the next day like you said.

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Scott!

  13. Scott says:

    5 stars
    Easy Peasy! I am a low-effort cook. We’ve got some elderly vegetables around the house, so I decided easiest way to get rid of them was cruditรฉ with a dip. Normally (in line with my low effort cook status), I mix a pint of sour cream with a package of instant french onions soup mix for the fastest french onion dip in the west – however I am all out of soup mix! Whipped this up, and it is pretty darn good – however I have grown accustomed to the turbo high sodium soup mix, so I threw a bit more soy sauce in to taste – which is still probably healthier than what I’d been making before. I may also add some onion powder for some added stank once it’s had a sit for a while, depending on how the flavour is post-rest.

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the ease of this recipe, Scott!

  14. Debbie Gallagher says:

    5 stars
    I halved the recipe. (Only because I would eat it all and can’t have that!) I will remember the next time that “medium” heat differs on stovetops and will cook on a bit lower of a flame but I will definitely make it again for guests. It’s so much better than the package mix and the pre-made. Thank you!

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      You are so welcome, Debbie! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe!

  15. Swoo says:

    5 stars
    Simple to make but tasty with wow! everytime…thanks for making all easy receipy!

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      You are so welcome! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe!

  16. Ash says:

    5 stars
    Very impressed. I didnโ€™t have any onion dip and was craving it, so I decided to look up a recipe and stumbled upon this one. So glad I did! This is so much better than store bought and everyone Iโ€™ve shared it with has agreed. Thank you for sharing!

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      You are so welcome, Ash! I’m thrilled you’ve been enjoying (and sharing!) the recipe. :)

  17. Lynn says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! I love making cleaner versions of old favorites. The flavors are spot on.

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      Woohoo! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Lynn!

  18. Gary says:

    Hi, Can you use olive oil in place of vegetable oil?

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      Absolutely, Gary!

    2. Becky says:

      4 stars
      Great recipe. My store was out of the onion dip mix I normally buy so decided to Google a recipe. I used Kite Hill dairy free sour cream and added about 1 tbspn onion powder. I should have used the full amount of diced onion, but only used a half of one. Came out great!

      1. Kelly Senyei says:

        I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Becky!

  19. Sandy says:

    5 stars
    Best sour cream onion dip I have ever had.

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      Thanks so much, Sandy!

  20. Toni Ottinger says:

    Canโ€™t wait to try this recipe!!
    It sounds delish!!

    1. Kelly Senyei says:

      I hope you enjoy it, Toni!

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