Can I use a different type of onion?

Yellow onions work but take longer to caramelize. Sweet onions like Vidalia are ideal.

Yes—it tastes even better after a day in the fridge as the flavors deepen.

Crispy potato chips with a creamy dip and whole potatoes on a rustic tray

Rich sour cream dip with deeply caramelized sweet onions

Caramelized Onion Dip

Name: Caramelized Onion Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2.5 cups
Ingredients: 3 large sweet onions, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp butter; 1 cup sour cream; 4 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; Salt and pepper to taste

50 minEasy

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

40 min

Total Time

50 min

Servings

2.5 cups

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

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Caramelized Onion Dip

Rich sour cream dip with deeply caramelized sweet onions

A from-scratch onion dip with deeply caramelized sweet onions folded into tangy sour cream and cream cheese. The homemade upgrade to the Lipton packet classic.

10m

Prep Time

40m

Cook Time

50m

Total Time

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Appetizer Vegetarian Gluten-Free

Sarah Chen

May 27, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

This onion dip replaces the Lipton soup packet with real caramelized onions—slow-cooked until sweet and jammy. The result is incomparably richer and more complex.

Ingredients

3 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp butter
1 cup sour cream
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt.
2
Cook onions, stirring every few minutes, for 35-40 minutes until deeply golden and sweet.
3
Let onions cool slightly, then roughly chop them.
4
Mix sour cream, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth. Fold in caramelized onions.
5
Refrigerate at least 1 hour for flavors to meld. Serve with ridged potato chips.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering
Pair with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor

Substitutions

Cream cheeseMore sour cream or Greek yogurt

Lighter but less creamy

Sweet onionsShallots for a more delicate flavor

Shallots caramelize beautifully and have a milder taste

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Worcestershire Sauce

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the Worcestershire matters

In brown gravies like this one, Worcestershire adds savory depth and slight tang that makes the sauce taste fuller with minimal extra work.

This ingredient does subtle but important flavor lifting in the gravy.

Builds deeper savory flavor in quick gravies
Useful in burgers, stews, marinades, and sauces

A good Worcestershire bottle is a practical pantry staple that shows up in many comfort-food recipes.

Shop worcestershire sauce for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Don't rush the caramelization—keep the heat medium-low and stir occasionally for the best results.
A splash of balsamic vinegar in the onions during the last 5 minutes adds a tangy depth.

Storage

Refrigerate in a sealed container up to 5 days.

Reheating

Serve cold or at room temperature. Stir before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (20mg) · 10 servings

Calories130

LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein2g

Carbohydrates10g

Fat8g

Fiber140mg

Sugar1g

Sodium4g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of onion?: Yellow onions work but take longer to caramelize. Sweet onions like Vidalia are ideal.
Can I make it ahead?: Yes—it tastes even better after a day in the fridge as the flavors deepen.

Explore More

More Appetizer Vegetarian Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes Stovetop Recipes

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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Seven layer dip in a glass dish showing colorful layers

VegetarianGluten-Free

Easy

Instructions

1
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt.
2
Cook onions, stirring every few minutes, for 35-40 minutes until deeply golden and sweet.
3
Let onions cool slightly, then roughly chop them.
4
Mix sour cream, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth. Fold in caramelized onions.
5
Refrigerate at least 1 hour for flavors to meld. Serve with ridged potato chips.

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Don't rush the caramelization—keep the heat medium-low and stir occasionally for the best results.
A splash of balsamic vinegar in the onions during the last 5 minutes adds a tangy depth.

Storage

Refrigerate in a sealed container up to 5 days.

Reheating

Serve cold or at room temperature. Stir before serving.

Caramelized Onion Dip

Caramelized Onion Dip

Caramelized Onion Dip

Ingredients

Instructions