Chip dip recipes are a staple for parties and game day. This old time favorite French Onion Dip is made from scratch (no packet of dried onions here!) but it tastes just like the original. Dip in!
I’m not a huge fan of potato chips. I can take them or leave them. Unless, there’s a bowl of French onion dip with them. In that case, I’ll dip chip after chip in that creamy, flavorful dip.
Why is French Onion Dip so irresistible? It’s partly because it was always available at parties when I was a kid. And there’s the creamy sour cream and the sweet onion flavor. Mixed with the salty chips, it’s a perfect combination.
Scroll down to read more about how it all comes together or click here to jump straight down to the recipe.
Classic Lipton French Onion Dip
Last week I was craving that amazingly addictive dip but I didn’t have the requisite packet of French Onion Soup powdered mix that is usually used to make it (here’s the classic recipe in case you do have a packet and are ready to go).
So I found myself wondering if I could get the same flavors from scratch, without the packet of onion soup mix. The ingredients for the mix include dehydrated onions and onion powder, soy sauce, salt, and sugar. Plus some color and preservatives, but those aren’t necessary here.
I wanted some sweet, caramelized onion flavor, and also a bit of harsher, hot onion flavor. And salt, of course.
I tried a couple of different things but here’s what tasted most like the original.
How To Make Homemade French Onion Dip
I started by caramelizing two large onions by sautéing them slowly over low heat for a long time, about 20 minutes. You want them really soft, squishy, and a deep golden brown.
Note that sometimes people add sugar at the beginning of caramelizing onions to speed up the process, or they use sweet Vidalia onions, to make the result sweeter. I advise against both here. You want a tiny bit of sweetness from caramelizing the onions but you don’t want it too sweet. I use regular cooking onions and don’t add sugar.
From here, it’s as easy as can be. You mix together 1 and ½ cups of sour cream with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. It’s the garlic and onion powders that give the hotter/stronger onion flavor to the dip so don’t skip them. Then add in your cooked onions. Taste to see if you want more salt. Then start drenching those chips!
Optional Ingredients
With the extra complexity of flavor from starting with fresh onions and cooking them versus the dried onion in the packet, I didn’t find it necessary to add any soy sauce. If you want to try it though, just add a couple little drops to start or it’ll overwhelm the taste.
Some fresh herbs can also be a nice addition, like parsley or thyme. Or sprinkle on some fresh chives on top. Yum!
Serving French Onion Dip
Of course, the default companion for this dip is potato chips. The creamy texture of the dip, the flavor of onions, and the crunch of chips just can’t be beat.
But that’s not all it’s good on! It works with pretzels or other chips as well. You can totally dip in veggies like carrots or cucumber too if you’re looking for a slightly healthier snack time.
More Delicious Dip Recipes
If you love this homemade dip, try some of these other recipes too.
Podcast Episode: Making French Onion Dip
Listen to me explain briefly about how to make this recipe, with some great tips along the way, by clicking the play button below:
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
PrintHomemade French Onion Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
Chip dip recipes are a staple for parties and game day. This old time favorite French Onion Dip is made from scratch (no packet of dried onions here!) but it tastes just like the original. Dip in!
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 medium-large regular cooking onions, chopped (approximately 2 cups once chopped)
- 1 and 1/2 cups sour cream (light and fat free sour cream work here if that’s what you prefer)
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium skillet over medium heat warm the olive oil. Add the chopped onions. Cook and stir until softened but not darkening, about 3-4 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and cover. Stir occasionally while letting them cook until soft and brown and squishy, about 20-25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Once cooked, add onions to sour cream mixture. Stir to combine. Taste. Add more salt if desired.
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This post originally appeared in January 2018 and was revised and republished in January 2024.
Renee says
French onion dip is my fav and I don’t know why I never thought to try to make it without the packet! It obviously took a bit of time to cook the onions down, but OH MY GOODNESS it’s delicious. Thank you!
Christine Pittman says
You’re welcome, Renee. Glad you loved it!
Angelica says
This is a HUGE step up from the french onion dip of my childhood. IMO and the packet mix, so gross looking back! Would love to be able to replicate a better version of it, I haven’t had it in years because I realized my childhood version was just a food like substance. ?
Christine Pittman says
I grew up with the packet version too, but I think you’ll like this update. Enjoy, Angelica!
Kat James says
I will NEVER go back to making French onion dip with the dried soup mix. This dip is amazing!!!!!!!! Thanks for the recipe!!! Your page is now bookmarked lol Happy New Years!!!!
Christine Pittman says
Kat, Thank you so much. I’m delighted that you liked it!
Punam Paul says
Yummy dip easy to prepare immeately for fries.
Christine Pittman says
So happy you liked it!