Caramelized Onion Dip

Homemade caramelized onion dip is an appetizer that's guaranteed to be a hit at the party! The caramelized onions are an impressively easy party trick on their own: All you need is a bit of patience as they cook away on the stove. Cream cheese makes this party dip luxuriously rich and thick (bring on the sturdy potato chips) and is the perfect counter to the sweet onions. You can also spread it on crackers or sliced bread for an out-of-this-world Thanksgiving leftover sandwich. Make this dip for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve, then on into next year as a Super Bowl snack. No one will complain. It's a year-round crowd-pleaser!

What's the difference between caramelized onion dip and French onion dip?

While they're both cold dips with great onion flavor, French onion dip is traditionally made with a packet of dried onion soup mix and sour cream. Consider this onion dip a more sophisticated version! Rather than soup mix, it's filled with silky, deeply golden caramelized onions, and in addition to sour cream, it has cream cheese and mayonnaise for ultimate richness.

Is it better to caramelize onions in butter or oil?

Butter is the way to go. It provides the richest flavor to caramelized onions! 

Can you speed up caramelized onions?

There's no real shortcut for caramelizing onions: A low, slow cook is what they need to get deeply soft and golden. Turn on an episode of your favorite show and be nearby to give them an occasional stir. 

How do you keep caramelized onions from sticking to the pan?

Stirring is key (set a timer to go off every few minutes so you don't forget). If the pan seems dry or the onions are browning too quickly, add a tablespoon of water and lower the heat a little. Remember to leave the lid off so steam can escape and the onions can get gorgeously golden. 

How do you cut onions without crying? 

If you want to cut onions without crying, try placing halved onions in the freezer for a few minutes before slicing. It won't get rid of the tears, but it will help.