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.
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.
Ingredients
The ingredient list is short and sweet for this 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 together the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add the chives, bacon, caramelized onions, shredded cheese and Worcestershire sauce and stir until combined.
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.
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.
More Party Appetizers
Who can say no to a good app? These Appetizers recipes are near and dear to our hearts!
Recipe
Cheesy Caramelized Onion Dip
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
VIDEO
Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
Lynn says
15 cups of onions ...??is that right?? Looks delicious though but seems like a lot if onion????
Lisa says
Hi Lynn, it's 3 1/2 cups onions! Enjoy the dip!
Ruba says
If I don't eat bacon, can I sub mushrooms for that?
Lisa says
That sounds delicious! I have not tried making it with mushrooms, but the flavors should work. Just make sure you drain the extra liquid off the mushrooms after you cook them so you don't have a runny dip. Let me know how it turns out if you try it!
Rachel Pikutis says
Mushrooms absolutely work, and with the bacon too. I take frozen mushrooms (the frozen part is important), and I mince them up and throw them in with the onions in the last few minutes of caramelization. You can’t really taste them in the final product except that it adds yumminess. I also add in fresh thyme leaves at this point, and fresh thyme on top with the chives before baking.
Beth G says
Can olive oil mayo be used instead of canola?
Lisa says
Yes! I use it all of the time! Enjoy the dip, it's one of my favorites!
Stephanie Long says
Amounts for mayo and sour cream are "?" ...how many cups of each?
Lisa says
They are both 1/3 cup. The recipe has been updated, thank for catching that!
Rachel says
Any suggestions for a substitute for the mayo?
Lisa says
You could try Greek yogurt. I haven't made it that way, but it should work. Let us know how it turns out!