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Published: January 7, 2018Updated: January 23, 2018All Recipes Appetizers Fall Holiday Recipes Pork Slow Cooker Spring Summer Winter

Onion Dip with Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

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You don’t need to stand at the stove caramelizing onions for over an hour to make this onion dip – instead, pull out your slow cooker and let it do all the work for you.
A bowl of onion dip on a plate with roasted red pepper crackers

Onion Dip

For a long time, I thought there were only two ways to make onion dip. Either stand at the stove for an hour or more, babysitting onions as they slowly cook down with the fear that they might dry out or, even worse, burn. Or, buy one of those French onion dip powder packets. The first is usually my preferred method, but given the time and focus commitment, I’ve made onion dip maybe two times in the last five years. Which is sad because onion dip is a classic and it tends to disappear fast when it’s offered as a snack-y treat at get-togethers. People love it.

A few years ago I used my slow cooker to caramelize onions because I wanted a way to make French onion soup on a weeknight and the slow cooker technique proved an effective way to caramelize onions without all the standing around at the stove. At the time I thought I would try the same for onion dip, but it kept getting shuffled to the back of the to-do list until a few years went by and then, just after Christmas, I finally pulled the slow cooker out to give it a go.

In all fairness, I’m not opposed to the old-fashioned way of caramelizing onions. When the right mood strikes, I enjoy babysitting onions on the stove, but when faced with preparing an appetizer for a holiday meal or snacks for a game-day get-together moods can fluctuate wildly and any romantic ideas about caramelizing onions go right out the window. That’s where the slow cooker saves the day (and mood). With a smidge of advanced planning, it’s as simple as leaving sliced onions with some butter in the slow cooker until they’ve melted down into a soft sweetness. From there it takes all of ten minutes to pull the dip together.

Some Ingredients You’ll Need

  • The best kind of onion to buy is a large white onion. Smaller yellow onions, which I use in so many recipes, don’t tend to caramelize well. You need a hefty 12 ounce one.
  • I add some garlic cloves to the slow cooker so they’d slowly cook down with the onions imparting a subtle garlic flavor to the dip.
  • The base of the dip is a simple sour cream and mayonnaise combo.
  • I like to add some chopped parsley for freshness and color.
  • I garnished my dip with some chopped crispy bacon, which is totally optional.

The best plan of action is to give the onions and garlic at least 10 hours in the slow cooker. Cooking them overnight works well so in the morning all you have to do is give them a quick chop and stir with the other ingredients. Pop the dip in the refrigerator until ready to serve, ideally at least a few hours in advance.

Onion dip garnished with bacon and parsley on a plate with crackers

More Appetizers

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Roasted Red Pepper Dip
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Onion dip

Onion Dip with Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions


  • Author: April @ Girl Gone Gourmet
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 hours
  • Total Time: 10 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 2 1/2 cups of dip
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Slow Cooker
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Description

You don’t need to stand at the stove caramelizing onions for over an hour to make this dip – instead, pull out your slow cooker and let it do all the work for you. Plan to make this dip a day in advance. I like to cook the onions on low overnight in the slow cooker and make the dip the next morning so it has time to chill before serving.


Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 (12-ounce) white onion, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices
  • 5 cloves of garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, divided
  • 1 slice cooked bacon, finely chopped for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place the butter, onions, and garlic in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours, or up to 12 hours.  Stir the onions once or twice during the cook time to ensure they cook evenly.
  2. Once the onions are caramelized, remove them from the slow cooker (along with the garlic) and chop them into small pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, salt and 1/2 tablespoon of parsley. Add the onions and garlic and stir until well combined. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours to allow the flavors to marry.
  4. Before serving, check the seasoning. If needed, add more salt to taste. Garnish the dip with the rest of the chopped parsley and chopped bacon. Serve with crackers or chips.

Notes

Nutrition estimates do not include the optional bacon garnish.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: About 1/3 cup
  • Calories: 140
  • Fat: 13.6g
  • Carbohydrates: 3.8g
  • Fiber: 0.4g
  • Protein: 1.1g

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This post was first published in 2010. The recipe, photos, and post have all been updated.
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19 Comments

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Comments

  1. Albert Bevia says

    January 8, 2018 at 9:43 am

    I will be honest, I caramelize my onions the old school way, but only because I don´t have a slow-cooker…lol…seriously this dip sounds incredible…like I want to make this right now

    Reply
    • April says

      January 8, 2018 at 9:00 pm

      The old-fashioned way is good, too! And the recipe works just the same even without the slow cooker 😉

      Reply
  2. heather @french press says

    November 4, 2014 at 10:17 pm

    a party is not a party with out the dip 🙂 gorgeous pics too

    Reply
    • April says

      November 5, 2014 at 7:05 am

      Thanks Heather!

      Reply
  3. Patti says

    November 4, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    This looks great. I need something to take to my sister-in-laws for Thanksgiving. It needs to be something that does not need to be heated so I think I’ve found it. Thanks

    Reply
    • April says

      November 5, 2014 at 7:06 am

      Hope everyone enjoys it, Patti!

      Reply
  4. Laura says

    February 18, 2010 at 2:27 pm

    I’m such a huge fan of all those ingredients, i’m certainly keeping this recipe in mind when I want to bring a dip somewhere!

    Reply
  5. Table Talk says

    February 9, 2010 at 2:34 am

    I missed this one before the big game, but I don’t think I need football on TV to try this one—sounds fantastic!

    Reply
  6. khala says

    February 7, 2010 at 12:07 pm

    i love it too !!!! with blue french cheese !

    Reply
  7. Trix says

    February 1, 2010 at 2:23 pm

    I bet this would be delish without the bacon (sorry bacon lovers!) or even with fakin’ …cuz I LOVE the garlic and onion, yum yum!!

    Reply
  8. Alison @ Hospitality Haven says

    February 1, 2010 at 2:41 am

    That looks simply amazing!!

    Reply
  9. Simply Life says

    January 31, 2010 at 10:53 pm

    I love the garlic pictures – this looks wonderful!

    Reply
  10. pegasuslegend says

    February 1, 2010 at 3:04 am

    although I am allergic to onions these pictures are gorgeous!

    Reply
  11. Claire (Culinarygoddess.com) says

    February 1, 2010 at 2:16 am

    oh GOD this looks amazing!! that picture of the garlic made my tummy growl, love love love it!

    Reply
  12. Nicole says

    February 1, 2010 at 2:03 am

    I think this looks dangerous..how did you stop yourself from eating the entire bowl??

    Reply
  13. Curious Lissa says

    February 1, 2010 at 1:57 am

    Beautiful photography. Can’t wait to try this next weekend~

    Reply
  14. Drick says

    February 1, 2010 at 1:12 am

    I know what I’m making pretty darn soon ….

    Reply
  15. Georgia says

    January 31, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    This is making my mouth water – Perfect for game day! I bet this would also be great on toasted French bread, too!

    Reply
  16. Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says

    January 31, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    Beautiful photos!

    Reply

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