Caramelized Onion Dip
This Caramelized Onion Dip is a must-try. Sweet, slow-cooked onions are combined with creamy cheeses, fresh spinach, garlic, and a touch of red pepper flakes to create a rich, flavorful dip that’s perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Caramelized Onion Spinach Dip
The addition of fresh spinach gives this dip extra flavor, color, and texture without taking away from the sweet caramelized onions. Combined with cream cheese, sour cream, and plenty of melted cheddar, every bite is rich, creamy, and perfect for scooping with your favorite chips or crackers.
Ingredients You Will Need
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 10 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 2 large bunches)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese blend, divided
How to Make Caramelized Onion Dip
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for about 1 hour until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown. If the onions start to stick, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan. Once caramelized, remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated with the spinach.
- Mix in the sour cream, followed by 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese blend. Stir until the cheese is incorporated.
- Fold the caramelized onions into the mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Smooth the top of the dip and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the surface.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (or transfer the mixture to a baking dish if your skillet isn’t oven-safe). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the dip cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Caramelized Onion Spinach Dip
- Take your time caramelizing the onions. Low and slow cooking creates the sweet, rich flavor that makes this dip so delicious. The onions should be deeply golden brown before you move on to the next step.
- Use room-temperature cream cheese. Softened cream cheese melts more easily and creates a smooth, creamy texture throughout the dip.
- Let excess moisture cook off. Fresh spinach can release a lot of liquid while cooking. Allow the moisture to evaporate before adding the cheeses to prevent a watery dip.
- Freshly shred the cheese when possible. Freshly shredded cheddar melts smoother and gives the dip a creamier consistency than pre-shredded cheese.
- Adjust the heat to your taste. Add a little extra red pepper flakes if you like a bit more kick, or reduce them for a milder appetizer.
- Prepare it ahead of time. Assemble the dip up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake until hot and bubbly.
- Serve it fresh from the oven. This Caramelized Onion Spinach Dip is best enjoyed warm when the cheese is melted and the flavors are at their peak.
- Pair it with your favorite dippers. Tortilla chips, crackers, toasted baguette slices, pita chips, and fresh vegetables all work wonderfully with this cheesy dip.
FAQs about Carmelized Onion Dip
Caramelized Onion Dip
Yield:
6-8
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
1 hour
Additional Time:
20 minutes
Total Time:
1 hour 40 minutes
This Caramelized Onion Dip is loaded with sweet caramelized onions, fresh spinach, cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, and cheddar cheese, then baked until hot, creamy, and bubbly.
Ingredients
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 10 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 2 large bunches)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese blend, divided
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for about 1 hour until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown. If the onions start to stick, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan. Once caramelized, remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated with the spinach.
- Mix in the sour cream, followed by 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese blend. Stir until the cheese is incorporated.
- Fold the caramelized onions into the mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Smooth the top of the dip and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the surface.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (or transfer the mixture to a baking dish if your skillet isn’t oven-safe). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the dip cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
Cast Iron Pan
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