Caramelized Onion Dip – All Day I Dream About Food

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This caramelized onion dip is mixed with melty cheese and baked to gooey perfection. Grab your favorite veggies and keto crackers, and dig in!

 

In case you hadn’t noticed, I have a thing for appetizers. Give me a table filled with tasty items like keto stuffed mushrooms and cucumber bites, and I am one happy woman. Bonus points if there are some keto chicken wings as well.

I also think there should be at least one warm, cheesy dip surrounded by a plate of fresh veggies for scooping it up. Like this glorious Baked Caramelized Onion Dip!

I love to serve it with keto crackers, if I have the time and energy to make them. But if not, mini peppers and celery suit me just fine. Really, it’s all about getting that melty cheese to my mouth without dripping any on my shirt!

Why this recipe is so awesome

Caramelized onion dip is often a refrigerated dip made with sour cream and mayonnaise. But it makes a wonderful hot dip as well. Baking it with some sharp cheddar or Gruyere cheese takes it to new heights!

Onions are also surprisingly high carb so you can’t go to town on them. But they are so flavorful that a single onion is sufficient in this creamy baked dip. I cut it in half and sliced it really thinly, to get good distribution throughout the recipe.

Take the time to caramelize the onions slowly over low heat, because it helps intensify the flavors. A little crisp bacon sprinkled overtop doesn’t hurt either!

I made this for a Super Bowl party a few years ago and my friends raved over it. It really is gooey, cheesy onion perfection.

Ingredients you need

• Bacon: Because everything tastes better with bacon! Cook it nice and crispy to add texture and flavor. You will also caramelize the onion in the leftover bacon grease.
• Onion: Yellow onions caramelize really nicely. Slice it very thinly!
• Brown sugar replacement: This is optional, but using a touch of Brown Swerve or another sweetener helps bring out extra sweetness in the onions. It also gives them a little more color.
• Gruyere cheese: Gruyere and caramelized onions are amazing together but you can also use sharp cheddar.
• Sour cream: This adds creaminess and a little tang to the dip.
• Mayonnaise: This will add some additional creaminess to the dip.
• Apple cider vinegar: A little acid helps balance out the sweetness of the caramelized onions.
• Fresh parsley: I like to add a little chopped parsley or chives to garnish this dip. This is optional.
• Pantry staples: Olive oil, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.

Step-by-step directions

1. Cook the bacon: n a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate with a slotted spoon, leaving the drippings in the pan.

2. Caramelize the onions: Reduce the heat to low and add the olive oil and the onions. Sprinkle with sweetener, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft and caramelized. This can take up to 20 minutes.

3. Mix the dip: In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, shredded cheese, mayonnaise, vinegar, thyme, and cayenne. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the onions from the pan into the bowl (otherwise it can be too greasy).

4. Bake the dip: Spread the dip in a small (16 ounce) baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake at 400ºF for 15 minutes. Sprinkle the top with the chopped bacon and parsley, and serve.

Expert Tips

To make this dip in advance of a party, you can prep it through Step 3. Then wrap it up tightly and refrigerate for up to two days. Let it come to room temperature before baking.

You don’t need potato or corn chips to scoop up this cheesy dip. For low carb options, serve this dip with:

Frequently Asked Questions