Caramelized Onion Dip

By Becky Hardin

Updated Sep 11, 2026

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This Caramelized Onion dip is the ultimate easy appetizer for game day. For this from-scratch dip, I use real cooked bacon and freshly caramelized onions, unlike the shortcut versions that use bacon bits and onion soup mix. Though it takes a little more time to prepare, the taste is absolutely superior. I like to serve it with veggies, chips, or crackers for game day get-togethers or parties. It takes about 30 or so minutes to prepare, but thankfully it’s ideal to make ahead, so I’m never stuck at the last minute without a dip.

Creamy Caramelized Onion Dip

Caramelized Onion Dip is one of the best cold dip recipes ever and perfect for game day parties. For the ultimate flavor, I cook freshly chopped bacon until crispy and browned, and then I caramelize the onions in the bacon fat. Once the bacon and onions are cooked, it takes just a matter of minutes to combine them with the sour cream, chives, and cheddar cheese. Though I usually can never resist tasting, I know the dip will multiply in flavor if I let it sit for a few hours, or at least one hour. Perfect as a make-ahead appetizer, this one disappears as soon as I lay it out on the table. Fresh from the fridge, this cool, smooth, and refreshing dip gets scooped up right away.

Tips for Beginners

• Instead of chives. If you don’t have fresh chives on hand, use 2 teaspoons of dried chives, the green tops of green onions, or finely minced shallots. If using shallots, use about 1½ tablespoons, as they are stronger than chives. Or, you can omit the chives completely, if you like.
• Caramelized onions. I chose to quickly brown the onions so they turned out soft, golden, and somewhat sweet in the 20-minute cook time. This will vary depending on how hot your pan is and how thick you cut the onions.
• Let the dip sit. I find the flavors develop and intensify as they sit, so don’t start dipping until you’ve given it at least 1 hour in the fridge.
• Use full-fat sour cream. Low-fat sour cream will work, but you won’t get the same rich taste.

Recipe Card

Caramelized Onion Dip

Difficulty: Easy

4.50 from 83 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Chill time: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Author: Becky Hardin

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This smooth and cool Caramelized Onion Dip is the ultimate appetizer for game day.

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 6 slices bacon uncooked and chopped
• ▢ 1 large onion finely chopped
• ▢ 16 oz. sour cream I love Oberweis Cultured Sour Cream
• ▢ 2 tbsp minced chives
• ▢ ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded
• ▢ salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ chips or sliced veggies for serving

Video

Instructions 

• Heat a medium skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil and chopped bacon into the skillet and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon from the skillet and place on a paper towel to drain.
  1 tbsp olive oil, 6 slices bacon
• Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon grease and caramelize for about 20 minutes, or until fully browned and translucent. Remove the onion from the skillet and allow it to drain/cool.
  1 large onion
• In a medium bowl, stir together the sour cream, bacon, onion, chives, shredded cheese, and salt and pepper.
  16 oz. sour cream, 2 tbsp minced chives, ½ cup cheddar cheese, salt and pepper
• Allow to sit in the fridge in an airtight container for at least an hour to fully chill and for flavors to all blend together.
• Serve with chips or chopped veggies. Enjoy!
  chips or sliced veggies

Becky’s Tips

• Use 2 teaspoons of dried chives, the green tops of green onions, or finely minced shallots instead of chives.  
• Caramelization of the onions will vary depending on how hot your pan is and how thick you cut the onions.
• Let the dip sit for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
• Use full-fat sour cream for the best rich taste. 
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week. 

Serving: 1cupCalories: 455kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 10gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 398mgPotassium: 279mgSugar: 4gVitamin A: 850IUVitamin C: 3.1mgCalcium: 233mgIron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Store

Store leftover dip in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Give it a good stir before serving the leftovers to re-blend the ingredients.

Make Ahead

If you want to get a head start on this dip, making it a day or two before you want to serve would work well. I find the flavors develop as it sits.

The Perfect Accompaniment To Caramelized Onion Dip

I love serving this creamy dip with loads of cut-up veggies like carrots, cucumber, and peppers. It also tastes great with store-bought potato chips, homemade sweet potato chips, or these crunchy homemade tortilla chips. I’ll even prepare these Mexican spice cheese crackers for even more dipping flavor. The perfect make-ahead dip, this one comes together in about 30 or so minutes with at least an hour of chill time.

More Cold Dips To Try

• Smoky Blue Cheese Dip Recipe is a smoky, cheesy dip perfect for parties, get-togethers, or game day.
• This Caesar Salad Cream Cheese Chicken Dip is loaded with crisp lettuce, cream cheese, Caesar dressing, chicken, parmesan, croutons, and lots more.
• For this 7 Layer Greek Dip, I layer hummus, Greek yogurt, feta, and loads of Mediterranean-inspired ingredients for 7 layers of deliciousness.

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