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Gluten-Free French Onion Dip

Creamy and flavorful, this gluten-free french onion dip makes a delicious party appetizer with chips or vegetable crudités. You’ll want to make this homemade dip for potlucks, gatherings, and holidays such as Memorial Day and 4th of July!

A plate of potato chips and gluten-free French onion dip

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Chips and Dip for Gatherings

Practically every time we have people over for dinner (whether it’s a fancy dinner party with hours of prep or a quick and easy one where we get takeaway for convenience), chips and some sort of dip is always involved.

From sausage rotel dip, easy spinach dip, to buffalo chicken dip… whichever dip you like will go just perfect with a plate full of potato chips.

And, if you’re a big fan of onions like I am, and you thoroughly enjoy caramelized onions and French onion soup, then today’s French onion dip is for you! With the sweetness that comes from cooking onions till they’re tender and brown, and a tanginess from sour cream, this homemade onion dip is about to be your next favorite party dip.

Top down view of a bowl of gluten-free onion dip surrounded by chips.

Why This Recipe Works:

  • Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients for this gf french onion dip are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
  • Super Easy to Make: All you need to do is sauté the onions until they are tender and caramelized then mix with the rest of the ingredients and violà! You’ve got your party appetizer ready! While you could technically use instant french onion soup mix instead of cooking the onions, I’ll say that actual caramelized onions make it totally worth it (plus, it tastes and looks a whole lot more gourmet for very little extra effort!)
  • Totally Gluten-Free with Dairy-Free Option: The best part is that this homemade onion dip is 100% gluten-free with options to make it dairy-free too. This means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues!
Up close view of a bowl of gf french onion dip.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this gluten-free French onion dip recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Ingredients for gluten-free French onion dip recipe laid out on marble board.

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

  • Onions: White or yellow onions will work. I sliced the onions for this recipe, but you can also use finely diced onions if you prefer the onions to be less chunky.
  • Sour Cream: If you are dairy-free, go ahead and use dairy-free sour cream.
  • Cream Cheese: If you are dairy-free, go ahead and use dairy-free cream cheese.
  • Butter: If you are dairy-free, go ahead and use dairy-free butter.
  • Olive Oil: I recommend using extra virgin olive oil (if you prefer a milder flavor, go with smooth olive oil, if not go with the robust kind).
  • Honey: I’ve added a tablespoon of honey to add a touch of sweetness to this gluten-free onion dip, but if you prefer for it to be less sweet, you can add less honey or leave it out completely.
  • Chives: Chopped fresh chives make a delicious garnish. Alternatively, you can also use very thinly sliced spring onions (green onions).
A plate of chips and onion dip.

How to Make Gluten-Free French Onion Dip (Step by Step):

1. Caramelize Onions

Melt the butter and the olive oil in a hot skillet, then add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt.

Sautéing sliced onions in a skillet

Cook the onions over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the they are soft, and caramelized with a golden brown color (approximately 20 to 30 minutes). Towards the end of cooking, turn off the heat.

Carmelized onions in skillet

2. Add Honey

Add the honey to the skillet, stirring well to incorporate it evenly into the caramelized onions.

(TIP: Adjust the amount of honey according to your desired sweetness. Less honey if you prefer it less sweet, or you can leave it out directly too).

Pouring honey into a skillet of caramelized onions

3. Prepare the Dip

In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, cream cheese, caramelized onions (including any juices left in the skillet), and a tablespoon of chopped chives.

Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste, and mix well to combine all the ingredients. Taste and adjust the flavors as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or honey to your liking.

Caramelized onions, chopped chives, sour cream, and cheese cheese in glass bowl.

4. Garnish and Serve

Garnish this creamy dip with additional chopped chives just before serving. Serve the caramelized onion dip with your favorite potato chips, tortilla chips, crackers, buffalo wings, or vegetable crudités. Yuuummmm.

Top down view of a big plate of chips and caramelized onion dip.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

  • Storing: Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator (best to finish this onion dip within 3-4 days for optimal freshness and flavor). Before serving leftover dip, give it a quick stir to redistribute any separated ingredients and ensure an even flavor.
  • For a More Intense Flavor: If you have time, let the dip rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. During this resting period, the flavors will mingle and intensify, creating a more complex and satisfying flavor profile.
  • No Time to Caramelize Onions? I’ll say that actual caramelized onions make it totally worth it (plus, it tastes and looks a whole lot more gourmet for very little extra effort), but if you don’t have the time and still want to make an onion dip, you can swap out the caramelized onions with dehydrated onions, onion powder or gluten-free onion soup mix.
Dipping a chip into a bowl of caramelized onion dip.

Other Gluten-Free Dips You’ll Want to Make:

Gluten-Free Appetizers Your Guests Will Love:

Print
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Gluten-Free French Onion Dip


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Felicia Lim
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Creamy and flavorful, this gluten-free french onion dip makes a delicious appetizer with chips or vegetable crudités. You’ll want to make this homemade dip for potlucks, gathering, and holidays such as Memorial Day and 4th of July!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives, plus more for garnish

Instructions

  1. Caramelize Onions: In a hot skillet, melt the butter with olive oil. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, golden brown, and caramelized, about 20 to 30 minutes. Towards the end of cooking, turn off the heat.
  2. Add Honey: Add the honey, stirring well to incorporate it evenly into the caramelized onions. (Adjust the amount of honey according to your desired sweetness.)
  3. Prepare the Dip: In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, cream cheese, caramelized onions (including any juices left in the skillet), and a tablespoon of chopped chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix well to combine all the ingredients. Taste and adjust the flavors as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or honey to your liking.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dip with additional chopped chives just before serving. Serve the dip with your favorite chips, crackers, or vegetables.

Notes

Onions: White or yellow onions will work. I sliced the onions for this recipe, but you can also use finely diced onions if you prefer the onions to be less chunky.

Sour Cream: If you are dairy-free, go ahead and use dairy-free sour cream.

Cream Cheese: If you are dairy-free, go ahead and use dairy-free cream cheese.

Butter: If you are dairy-free, go ahead and use dairy-free butter.

Olive Oil: I recommend using extra virgin olive oil (if you prefer a milder flavor, go with smooth olive oil, if not go with the robust kind).

Honey: I’ve added a tablespoon of honey to add a touch of sweetness to this gluten-free onion dip, but if you prefer for it to be less sweet, you can add less honey or leave it out completely.

Chives: Chopped fresh chives make a delicious garnish. Alternatively, you can also use very thinly sliced spring onions (green onions).

Storing: Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator (best to finish this onion dip within 3-4 days for optimal freshness and flavor). Before serving leftover dip, give it a quick stir to redistribute any separated ingredients and ensure an even flavor.

For a More Intense Flavor: If you have time, let the dip rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. During this resting period, the flavors will mingle and intensify, creating a more complex and satisfying flavor profile.

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Category: Dips
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

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2 Comments

  1. I like my dip to be less chunky so I chopped up my onions.
    It tastes just as great with my chips – yum yum!