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The number of times a bag of Ruffles and a tub of convenience store french onion dip were my college party contribution is slightly embarrassing. Well, that and the cheap beer we drank… oh the days of Keystone Light! 😜
Although I took a hard and fast break from this classic dip after those years of my life, I’ve recently reacquainted myself with it, but in homemade style – vowing to make it with real ingredients, and bold flavors.
And in fall party spirit, I’ve made Homemade Caramelized Onion Dip with easy DIY Halloween tortilla chips! Paired with a Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail perhaps?
Key Ingredients for Homemade Caramelized Onion Dip:
a. white wine: added to the caramelized onions to boost their flavor. b. balsamic vinegar: acidity! c. tamari (or soy sauce): umami, and saltiness. d. toasted California walnuts: texture and flavor! the savoriness of the walnuts helps offset the sweetness of the caramelized onions. their crunch helps offset the creaminess of the rest of the dip.
How to Make Amazing Caramelized Onion Dip
Caramelizing the onions take a bit of patience. It’ll be 45 minutes before they’re done, but 100% worth it. Deeply concentrated with sweet flavor, you’ll give them a hit of balsamic vinegar and white wine to bring out their complexity.
You can toast the walnuts at the same time the onions are doing their thing in on the stovetop. Let them cool and then coarsely chop!
Next you’ll chop the regular green onions and add to a bowl with the cream cheese, sour cream, and walnuts. When the caramelized onions are cool, they’ll get added too. Plus a few of the other special ingredients I mentioned before.
This dip is best if it has a day to sit so the flavors can mingle. Perfect for party prep and not having to do as much work the day of!
And then for the DIY Halloween tortilla chips! Cute, right?
Grab a pack of corn or flour tortillas (I used corn), and then some spooky cookie cutters. I bought this inexpensive Halloween pack from Amazon.
On a cutting board, press the cookie cutters into the tortillas so you have your shapes. Spread them on a baking sheet, without touching, and spray with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool, and dip away.
There you have it — a made from scratch, modern caramelized onion dip with flavors that will blow you away. Party goodness that will have your friends raving. It also pairs well with veggies and potato chips if you don’t have the time to make the tortilla chips.
Happy Halloween to all of you! I’m of course going as a cat. I know that’s shocking. :)
3medium sized white onions,halved and thinly sliced
1tablespoonolive oil
1/2teaspoonkosher salt
2teaspoonsbalsamic vinegar
3tablespoonsdry white wine
Cream Cheese Onion Dip
6ouncescream cheese,softened
1cupsour cream
3green onionschopped, white and green parts
1 1/2tablespoonstamarior soy sauce
1/2tablespoonbalsamic vinegar
1/2teaspoonground black pepper
1/4teaspoongarlic powder
3/4teaspoonkosher salt
1/3cuptoasted California walnuts,finely chopped
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
Add olive oil to a large skillet. Add onions, stir, and bring to medium heat. Do not stir again for 5 minutes.
Add salt, stir, and turn down heat to medium-low. Cook for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized. They should soft and sweet. Stir in balsamic vinegar and white wine. Bring heat back to medium-high to evaporate liquids. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
To make dip, add all dip ingredients to a large bowl. Then add 3/4 of the caramelized onions. Stir to fully incorporate.
To top, add remaining caramelized onions to the top. Serve with tortilla chips or potato chips.
You can NEVER EVER go wrong with caramelized onions. I never have seen such a glorious savory Halloween recipe–for the most part, they’ve all been on the sweet side! This is absolutely phenomenal. The ghosts, bats, and other shapes are so cute too. I definitely have to try these chips!
Ahhhh…this is so cute! Love the fresh take on this dip with REAL ingredients. And those tortilla chips! I have a BUCKET of cookie cutters from back in the day when I actually used to make lots of cut-out cookies and I definitely have some Halloween shapes in there. I need to dust them off and try this ASAP.
Can’t wait to try the recipe!
You can NEVER EVER go wrong with caramelized onions. I never have seen such a glorious savory Halloween recipe–for the most part, they’ve all been on the sweet side! This is absolutely phenomenal. The ghosts, bats, and other shapes are so cute too. I definitely have to try these chips!
Haha I love the batman mould so much. I must look for ones for my Halloween party xD
– Natalie
Those bat tortilla chips are SO cute and festive! I love it! :)
Ahhhh…this is so cute! Love the fresh take on this dip with REAL ingredients. And those tortilla chips! I have a BUCKET of cookie cutters from back in the day when I actually used to make lots of cut-out cookies and I definitely have some Halloween shapes in there. I need to dust them off and try this ASAP.
aw, love that! kind of a different idea for a grown up halloween party that isn’t a dessert. happy october!