Description

This rich and flavorful Caramelized Onion Dip is a perfect party appetizer featuring slowly caramelized sweet onions blended with cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Enhanced by subtle notes of garlic, white wine, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce, this creamy dip offers a luscious balance of sweet and savory tastes. Ideal for serving with chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables, it’s a crowd-pleaser that can be made ahead and chilled to develop even deeper flavors.

Ingredients

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Caramelized Onions

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 pounds sweet onions, halved and sliced
1/4 teaspoon brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Dip Base

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Garnish

2 tablespoons caramelized onions (reserved)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

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Instructions

Caramelize the Onions: Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over low to medium-low heat. Add the halved and sliced sweet onions along with the brown sugar. Cook the onions slowly, stirring often, until they turn a deep golden brown which should take about 45 to 55 minutes. This slow cooking process brings out the natural sweetness and rich flavor of the onions.
Add Garlic: Stir the minced garlic into the caramelized onions and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine while scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet to incorporate all the flavor. Once mixed, remove the skillet from heat to prevent further cooking.
Add Vinegar and Worcestershire Sauce: Stir in the balsamic vinegar and Worcestershire sauce to the onion mixture, blending all the flavors together perfectly.
Cool and Reserve Onions: Let the onion mixture cool completely. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the caramelized onions to use later as a garnish for the finished dip if desired.
Prepare the Dip Base: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
Combine Onions with Dip Base: Stir the cooled caramelized onion mixture into the creamy base. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, mixing thoroughly to integrate all ingredients evenly.
Serve or Chill: Serve the dip immediately, garnished with the reserved caramelized onions and chopped fresh chives. Alternatively, cover the dip and chill it for up to 3 days to allow the flavors to meld beautifully before serving.

Notes

For best results, use sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla to ensure a naturally sweet caramelization.
Caramelizing onions is a slow process; patience is key for maximum flavor development.
If you prefer a thicker dip, adjust by adding more cream cheese or less sour cream and mayonnaise.
This dip can be made a day ahead and refrigerated to deepen the flavor.
Serve with potato chips, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks for a delicious appetizer or party snack.
If white wine is not available, you can substitute with dry sherry or omit it altogether.
Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature to ensure smooth mixing without lumps.