• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Garnish with Lemon logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Food
  • Drinks
  • How To's
  • FAQs
  • Our Story
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • Story Archives
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Appetizers

    Updated: Feb 4, 2025 · Published: Jan 26, 2017 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Cheesy Caramelized Onion Dip

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Warm cheesy onions dip in a pan with a spoon.
    Warm Cheesy onion dip in pan with spoon for serving.

    This Cheesy Caramelized Onion Dip is always one of the first foods gone at a party. It's salty, sweet and full of savory goodness in every bite. Go ahead and make a double batch and watch it disappear.

    Warm cheesy onions dip in a pan with a spoon.

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox.

    You know those recipes that are your go-to's for a casual gathering? You think about not making it, but it is just too good to replace? This Cheesy Caramelized Onion Dip is exactly that. The jammy onions, salty bacon and Gruyere cheese are a match made in heaven. Grab some crackers and you're ready to go.

    The secret to this recipe is the caramelized onions. The umami flavor that they add to the dip take the flavors to another level. Caramelizing onions is easy to do, it just takes a little bit of time. Read our tips below for how to make the best caramelized onions.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert Tips for the Best Onion Dip
    • More Party Appetizers
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    The ingredient list is short and sweet for this cheesy onion dip.

    Ingredients need to make cheesy onion dip.

    Ingredient Notes:

    Caramelized Onions: Yellow, Vidalia or Walla Walla onions are the best choice for this dip.

    Cheese: Gruyere is a smooth melting type of Swiss cheese that's made from whole cow's milk. It's often described as both sweet and slightly salty. It's a perfect cheese for warm dips because it melts so smoothly.

    Cream Cheese: Full fat or reduced fat cream cheese will both work in this recipe.

    Sour cream: Full fat sour cream will give you the best flavor but light will work in a pinch.

    Worcestershire Sauce: There isn't a lot but it helps balance the flavors of the dip.

    Chives: Fresh chopped chives add a pop of color and a hint of garlicky flavor.

    Bacon: Use your favorite bacon, just cook and crumble ahead of time.

    Instructions

    This easy dip comes together really quickly, especially if you caramelize the onions ahead of time. 

    Cream cheese, sour cream in bowl with bacon, onions, cheese.

    Cream together the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add the chives, bacon, caramelized onions, shredded cheese and Worcestershire sauce and stir until combined.

    Onion dip ready to be baked in cast iron.

    Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the dip in a cast iron pan and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of shredded Gruyere cheese. Bake until bubbly and serve immediately with crackers or bread.

    Onion dip with a spoon ready to eat in cast iron pan.

    Expert Tips for the Best Onion Dip

    ✘ Make the caramelized onions ahead of time. The hardest thing about caramelizing onions in the time it takes. The onions will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks so its easy to plan ahead and have them on hand.

    ✘ Shred the cheese at home. Freshly shredded cheese melts better because it doesn't contain the anti caking coating that bagged cheese has.

    ✘ Use room temperature cream cheese and sour cream. Room temp ingredients are easier to mix together.

    Cheesy caramelized onion dip with a spoon and fresh chives.

    More Party Appetizers

    Who can say no to a good app? These Appetizers recipes are near and dear to our hearts!

    • layered dip on platter.
      Layered Greek Dip
    • bacon wrapped bites on a plate with toothpick.
      Easy Bacon Bites
    • Pieces of goat cheese pizza on black cutting board.
      Goat Cheese Pizza with Caramelized Onions, Fig Jam & Basil
    • A plate of bacon wrapped shrimp with barbecue sauce.
      Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

    Recipe

    cheesy onion dip in cast iron pan.

    Cheesy Caramelized Onion Dip

    Garnish With Lemon
    This Cheesy Caramelized Onion Dip with bacon will be the star of your next party!
    4.54 from 63 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Appetizers
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 442 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
    • 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
    • dash of Worcestershire Sauce
    • 1 cup caramelized onions
    • 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese, divided
    • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, divided
    • 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox.

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 425°F.
    • In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
      8 ounces cream cheese,, 1 cup sour cream,
    • Add Worcestershire sauce, caramelized onions, 1 ¾ cups shredded cheese, 2 tablespoons chives and bacon and stir to combine.
      1 cup caramelized onions, 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese,, 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives,, 5 slices bacon,, dash of Worcestershire Sauce
    • Place mixture in a cast iron pan and sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese. Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly. You can broil for the last few minutes if desired.
    • Remove from oven, garnish with chives and serve with crackers.

    Notes

    ✘ Make the caramelized onions ahead of time. The hardest thing about caramelizing onions in the time it takes. The onions will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks so its easy to plan ahead and have them on hand.
    ✘ Shred the cheese at home. Freshly shredded cheese melts better because it doesn't contain the anti caking coating that bagged cheese has.
    ✘ Use room temperature cream cheese and sour cream. Room temp ingredients are easier to mix together.
    ✘  If you are using frozen caramelized onions, simply thaw and add to the rest of the ingredients before baking.
    This recipe was updated in 2024 to make a larger quantity. The original recipe used 2 ounces of Gruyère cheese and ⅓ cup of sour cream and ⅓ cup of mayo in place of the cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese quantities in this recipe. The other ingredients remained the same.

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4ouncesCalories: 442kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 16gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 320mgPotassium: 222mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1118IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 407mgIron: 0.3mg

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!

    « How to Build a Better Meat and Cheese Tray
    Easy Slow Cooker Meatball Subs »

    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kimberly says

      May 26, 2025 at 5:53 am

      3 stars
      This recipe has changed and the flavor profile is totally different. The previous recipe was delicious and 5 stars. This one was is ok but not great. Go back to the previous recipe.

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    4.54 from 63 votes (60 ratings without comment)

    Rate the Recipe, Leave a Comment or Share a Tip! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    MEET LISA AND ANNA

    We're the creative juices behind Garnish with Lemon. In the past 10 years, millions of people have sipped & snacked on our recipes. Need easy, delicious party food and drinks for your next shindig? You’ve come to the right place.

    OUR STORY

    Popular Posts

    • Coconut lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar on dark sheet pan.
      Coconut Lemon Bars
    • bacon wrapped bites on a plate with toothpick.
      Easy Bacon Bites
    • green olive dip in bowl.
      Green Olive Dip
    • layered dip on platter.
      Layered Greek Dip
    • Molten chocolate lava cake with oozing center on dark plate.
      Easy Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes
    • drink in glass
      Greyhound Cocktail

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Bacon wrapped smokies with toothpicks on a cream plate.
      Bacon Wrapped Smokies
    • lasagna in white baking dish.
      No Boil Lasagna
    • Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
    • Broccoli Cheddar Soup in instant pot.
      Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    • mixed green salad in bowl.
      Apple, Blue Cheese and Candied Walnut Salad
    • Salty Dog in low ball glass.
      Sparkling Salty Dog

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy/Disclosure Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Garnish with Lemon Copyright © 2025

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.