Every holiday or special occasion I can remember, my family had a snack table we would nibble on prior to the main meal. One of my favorite snacks—potato chips and French onion dip. I recently had a hankering for this nostalgic snack. When I read the label on a ready-made tub of this dip there were ingredients I didn’t recognize. Therefore, I chose to make my own with healthy whole food ingredients. French Onion Dip with Caramelized Onions is easy to make with sauteed onions in butter, sour cream, and my secret ingredient—a clean ingredient beef bouillon. The most time consuming part is sauteing the onions for 30 to 40 minutes on medium-low heat. However, that is mostly hands off and this dip is very worth it. I recently took this to a party and it was gobbled up.
Where was French Onion Dip Invented?
According to Wikipedia, French Onion Dip was invented by an unknown cook in California in the 1950’s who mixed a popular onion soup mix with sour cream. There are many recipes online that call for mayonnaise and/or cream cheese, but I prefer a version without those. It’s just closer to what I remember from my childhood.
What to Serve with French Onion Dip?
First, and foremost a good quality potato chip, preferably not too thin, so it can hold the dip. Potato chips and French Onion Dip is the most classic combination. This dip usually sits next to a veggie tray, so carrots, celery, and cucumber coins would make for some healthier options. Cheese, crackers, and other charcuterie items are typically at the table. So, I’ve also enjoyed it with a buttery salty cracker.
Is French Onion Dip Healthy?
French Onion Dip is not usually considered a “health” food. It falls in the “snack” food category but there are ways to make it “healthier” and in the context of an otherwise healthy and nutrient-dense diet there is no food that is off limits unless you have a specific medical reason to eliminate it. So, go ahead and enjoy this nostalgic childhood food in moderation on special occasions.
This homemade French Onion Dip uses real caramelized onions. Onions are a rich source of flavonoids, especially quercetin. That means they have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. You can increase the health benefits by using a high-quality sour cream that a contains live-culture probiotics which is excellent for your gut health and your immune system. Plus, sour cream is a decent source of Vitamin A, Calcium, and Potassium.
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French Onion Dip with Carmelized Onions
Ingredients
- 1 large onion small diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound sour cream (16 ounces)
- 1 beef bouillon cube (or 1 teaspoon of beef better than bouillon)
- 1 pinch pepper (or to taste) optional
Instructions
- Small dice the onion. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in saute pan, and cook on medium-low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, or until deeply caramelized.
- Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
- You can serve the dip immediately. However, letting it rest in the refrigerator for an hour and stirring again will yield the best results.
Super good with all things munchy and crunchy.