Description
Creamy caramelized onion dip brings sweet and savory comfort to party spreads, elevating classic appetizer offerings. Silky smooth textures and rich flavor profiles invite guests to indulge in this irresistible crowd-pleasing recipe you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 large onions, thinly sliced
Fats and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
Seasonings and Enhancers:
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 gram) black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) brown sugar
Instructions
- In a spacious skillet, gently melt butter and olive oil over medium-low heat, creating a smooth cooking base.
- Introduce sliced onions to the skillet, seasoning with salt and black pepper, and allow them to slowly transform through gentle stirring.
- Patiently cook onions for 25-30 minutes, continuously monitoring and stirring, until they develop a rich, deep golden-brown color and intense caramelized flavor.
- Enhance the caramelization process by drizzling balsamic vinegar and sprinkling brown sugar, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to intensify the sweetness.
- Remove onion mixture from heat and allow it to cool slightly, concentrating its complex flavors.
- In a generous mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, shredded cheeses, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Fold the cooled caramelized onions into the creamy mixture, strategically reserving a small portion for garnishing.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing for the final transformative stage.
- Transfer the dip mixture into a suitable baking dish, creating an even layer for consistent heating.
- Artfully scatter remaining shredded cheese and reserved caramelized onions across the surface.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden and the edges become delightfully bubbly.
- Serve immediately while warm, accompanied by an array of crisp crackers, chips, or fresh vegetable crudités for dipping.
Notes
- Slow-cook onions on low heat to develop deep, rich caramel flavor without burning, ensuring sweet and complex taste.
- Use a mix of butter and olive oil for better caramelization and richer depth of flavor in the onions.
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar at the end of caramelizing to enhance the onions’ natural sweetness and provide a tangy complexity.
- For a lighter version, substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt and use low-fat sour cream to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 75 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg