Caramelized Onion Dip combines sweet, slow-cooked onions with fresh spinach, cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, and melted cheddar cheese. It’s baked until hot and bubbly for a rich, creamy appetizer that’s perfect for chips, crackers, or toasted bread.
Caramelized onions take a little patience, but the flavor they add to this dip is worth the extra time. Pairing them with spinach and plenty of cheese turns them into a warm, creamy dip that’s great for parties, holidays, or game day.
Why I Love this Dip
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Onions: Yellow onions become sweet and flavorful as they caramelize.
- Butter: Used to caramelize the onions and cook the spinach.
- Spinach: Fresh spinach adds color and texture.
- Garlic: Adds savory flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Add a little heat.
- Cream Cheese: Creates the creamy base.
- Sour Cream: Adds creaminess and a slight tang.
- Cheddar Cheese: Makes the dip cheesy and gooey.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Caramelized Onion Dip
Caramelize the Onions: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in an oven-safe skillet. Cook the onions for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat and cook for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden. Remove and set aside.
Cook the Spinach: Melt the remaining butter in the skillet. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute.
Make it Creamy: Reduce the heat and stir in the cream cheese until melted. Add the sour cream and 1½ cups of cheddar cheese.
Add the Onions: Fold the caramelized onions into the dip. Smooth the top and sprinkle with the remaining cheddar.
Bake: Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Take your time with the onions: Low and slow gives them the best caramelized flavor.
- Stir occasionally: This keeps the onions from sticking or burning.
- Soften the cream cheese: It will melt into the dip more smoothly.
- Let it rest: Give the dip about 5 minutes to cool and thicken before digging in.
Questions Readers Ask Most
More Appetizer Recipes
Caramelized Onion Dip
Caramelized Onion Dip combines sweet caramelized onions, fresh spinach, cream cheese, sour cream, and melted cheddar cheese for a rich and creamy baked dip.
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!
Notes
Cook the onions low and slow until they are deeply golden and caramelized for the best flavor. Let any excess liquid from the spinach cook off before mixing the dip. Softened cream cheese is easier to combine, and freshly shredded cheese will give you the smoothest melt. Bake just until the dip is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted.
Cast Iron Pan
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 464Total Fat: 40gSaturated Fat: 23gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 116mgSodium: 578mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 18g
I can’t wait to try this Caramelized Onion Dip! The combination of sweet onions and melted cheddar sounds so delicious for a party appetizer. Hop Earth car not spawning