Name: French Onion Dip Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Butter or cooking oil; 1 piece Onion (50g Caramelized onion); 1 teaspoon Salt; 1 piece Garlic (diced); ⅞ cup Sour cream or Crème fraîche; Optional; 1 tablespoon Chives or scallion; 1 tablespoon Parsley

Short on dip or just looking for a flavorful ride? Let’s make this tasty French onion dip that won’t leave a face without a smile!

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French onion dip has almost as much to do with French cuisine as French fries, not much.

Why French?

Most likely French fires are called French in the US because of the language used by the serving host of American soldiers stationing in Belgium during WWI. Although they were actually based in Belgium, the proximity of France and the French language, that is used in the country as well as the official language of their army at that time, didn’t help much to distinguish between their cuisine and the French.

So, it seems that calling fries Belgian would be much more historically accurate, although it’s doubtful how the French would like it, since they also call ownership over the invention of frying potatoes in hot fat or oil.

Why French onion dip?

Like Limey stuck to British sailors then the general population, French fries followed potatoes fried in oil back to the US.

The name French was slapped to the dip only because French onion soup was used to flavor the sour cream the French onion dip is based on. It isn’t as creative a name as thousand island nor as fancy as one of the five mother sauces, but we mostly use it for dipping chips or other snacks into it and not striving to reach culinary heights, anyway.

What’s in the dip?

Making French onion dip or California dip as also sometimes known, due to some Lipton commercial campaign at home, is an easy endeavor. Depending on our skill and mood level, we have various options.

If time is short or not in the mood of drive out the whole family from the house with the smell of caramelized onion making then we can simply use dried ingredients like dried onion, garlic or just one of those revolting French onion seasonings sachets with unpronounceable ingredients.

Although the original French onion dip supposedly used sour cream and instant French onion soup seasoning, we don’t have to sink that low, especially when we can aim much higher.

How to prepare to dip?

French onion soup’s main ingredient is the caramelized onion that we can make easily at home. If we are clever enough and/or have a big enough fridge then we may already have a jar of such onion prepared ready to be used with any recipes that comes into our way.

Since caramelized onion is a pain to make, it’s worth to make it in big batches then keep it in the fridge under the sealing blessing of some cooking oil. If we care enough to store it properly then it lasts much longer outside the fridge as long as it’s unopened too, but -depending on the size of the batch- they don’t have time to go rancid with poor canning practices in the fridge either.

How to make French onion dip?

If we have the bad luck or unpreparedness of not having caramelized onion ready to go then we can always make as much as we need in about 20 – 25 minutes.

Once we have the onion cooled off, there is nothing can stop us mixing it into the sour cream, salt, maybe some chives and serve it immediately, although some people like to keep it in the fridge for a day before that.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons / 30g Butter or cooking oil
1 piece / 110g Onion (50g Caramelized onion)
1 teaspoon / 3g Salt
1 piece / 3g Garlic (diced)
⅞ cup / 200g Sour cream or Crème fraîche
Optional
- 1 tablespoon / 1g Chives or scallion
- 1 tablespoon / 1g Parsley

How to make French onion dip

Heat butter or cooking oil then saute onion and salt on high heat until a glassy / translucent look, about 3 – 5 minutes. Onion can be diced up now or later. We can make big batches of caramelized onion, keep it in the fridge and use it as needed. For more detailed instructions check out how to make caramelized onion.
Reduce heat to low and slowly let the onions caramelize, about 15 – 25 minutes. Stir every now and again. 5 minutes before the end, mix in garlic.
Let the caramelized onion cool down. Chop it up finely if sliced. Do the same with any optional ingredients like chives, scallion or parsley.
Mix onion and optional ingredients with sour cream.

Enjoy!

F.A.Q.

What is French onion dip made of?

French onion dip is typically made with ingredients such as caramelized onions, sour cream, and various seasonings.

How is French onion dip prepared?

French onion dip can be prepared by mixing caramelized onions with sour cream, adding salt and optional ingredients like chives, and serving it immediately or refrigerating it for a day before serving.

Can French onion dip be made from scratch?

Yes, French onion dip can be made from scratch by caramelizing onions and combining them with sour cream and other ingredients. This allows for more control over the flavors and ingredients used.

Are there alternative ways to make French onion dip?

Yes, there are alternative ways to make French onion dip. Some options include using dried onion or garlic, or using pre-made French onion seasoning sachets. However, making it from scratch using fresh ingredients typically results in a more flavorful dip.

How long does French onion dip last?

When stored properly in the refrigerator, French onion dip can typically last for about 3-4 days. It’s important to ensure it is covered tightly to prevent any contamination.

Can French onion dip be made ahead of time?

Yes, French onion dip can be made ahead of time. In fact, some people prefer to refrigerate it for a day before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. However, it can also be served immediately after preparation.

What are some serving suggestions for French onion dip?

French onion dip is commonly served as a dip for chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables. It can also be used as a spread for sandwiches or as a topping for baked potatoes. The possibilities are endless!

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