The Ultimate Sour Cream and Onion Dip Recipe (Easy & Creamy)

Name: The Ultimate Sour Cream and Onion Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 1 cup sour cream; 1 cup cottage cheese; 1 medium onion; 1 shallot; 1 bunch of green onions; 2 cloves minced Garlic; 1/4 cup water; 3 tbsp avocado oil; 1 tbsp white sugar; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; Garnish: fresh chives; Serve with potato chips and/or vegetable sticks (carrots and celery)

This is my ultimate Sour Cream and Onion Dip recipe. Make this for any get-togethers or parties, and your friends and family will love you for life! This sour cream chip dip only takes 30 minutes to make. Let's go!

sour cream and onion dip with chips carrots cucumber pretzels

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I'm a fan of the classic sour cream and onion combo, but I like to bring it up a notch with this dip. This homemade sour cream chip dip is creamy, tangy, and flavorful–perfect for plain potato chips, veggie sticks, crackers, and fish fingers.

Why you'll love this Sour Cream and Onion Dip

Most recipes add cream cheese for that tangy, slightly sweet flavor, but my secret ingredient is cottage cheese. It's less rich than cream cheese but is way creamier, milkier, and savory. It is also super high in protein. Who doesn't want that?
High in protein. Cottage cheese has significantly lower fat than cream cheese, so my sour cream and onion dip version is lighter and healthier.
Skip the store-bought onion dip mix, onion powder, and garlic powder! This sour cream chip dip has different layers of onion flavors from the white onion, shallot, and green onion, giving this creamy dip an incredible depth of flavor that onion powder and onion dip mix can't provide.
Extra light with the same creaminess! I only use a sour cream base–no mayo, cream cheese, or heavy cream here.

Sour Cream and Onion Dip Ingredients and Substitutions

Sour cream: Use full-fat sour cream for the most decadent flavor. You can also use light or non-fat, although the consistency may differ slightly. Some even use Greek yogurt, but I prefer sour cream because it has the perfect creaminess and tanginess for a classic onion dip.

Cottage cheese: It's an excellent addition to this sour cream onion dip because it adds a lot of creaminess, flavor, and body. Cottage cheese is also high in protein.

Garlic: Fresh garlic is best for a pungent, slightly spicy flavor. You can also use garlic powder if you're in a pinch.

White Onion: You can use white, red, or yellow onion, but always use fresh onions! I usually use white onions because of their more robust flavor and intense heat. I don't recommend using onion powder.

Shallot: For a delicate and sweet onion flavor that balances out the onion mixture.

Green onions: Fresh green onions add a subtle bite and earthy flavor that ties everything together.

Water: Some water to help dissolve the sugar and cook the onions.

Sugar: A bit of sugar adds a hint of sweetness to the sour cream dip. This is optional, but I highly recommend it.

Salt and black pepper: Season to taste.

Neutral Oil: For sautéeing. I used avocado oil but use whatever you have on hand.

Fresh chives: For garnishing

Optional: Fresh herbs like parsley and dill, onion flakes, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard for an extra kick.

Potato chips: nothing pairs with this recipe quite like potato chips! You could also serve it with fresh veggies like carrots and celery.

Equipment

Cutting board
Knife
Small skillet with lid
Spatula
Medium bowl
Blender

How to make Sour Cream and Onion Dip

Slice the onion and shallot lengthwise. Mince your green onion and garlic.
In a skillet, medium-high heat, heat avocado oil in the pan. Add the onion and shallot. Add water and sugar.
Mix well using a spatula. Cover the onions with a lid and let the steam cook down the onions. It should take 5-8 minutes to cook down the onions thoroughly.
Once the onion has cooked down, add the garlic and green onions and season with salt and pepper.
Let the onions caramelize. This should take about 10 minutes.
Add the cottage cheese, sour cream, and a pinch of salt in a blender. Blend for 40 seconds until smooth.
Place your cottage cheese and sour cream mixture in a bowl.
Once the onion mix is to your liking, spread it evenly onto the cream bowl. Mix your cream and caramelized onions well.
Serve and enjoy!

TIPS for making the best Onion Dip

Steam the onions with some water to speed up the caramelization process. Put a lid on. Caramelized onions should cook down in about 5 minutes. Skip the onion powder.
For a flavor boost, stir in fresh chives or herbs such as dill, parsley, or thyme.
The flavor of this onion dip gets better when you let it sit in the fridge for an hour or two before serving.

How to store your Onion Dip

STORE – store the dip in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.

REHEAT – let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to get the original flavor and texture.

What to serve with your Sour Cream Onion Dip

Fresh-cut vegetables like carrots, celery, cucumber, and bell peppers
Steamed vegetables like green beans, cauliflower, and broccoli
Snacks like potato chips, pita chips, crackers, and pretzels
Fried snacks like french fries, sweet potato fries, and fish fingers
Crusty bread like baguette
As a spread for sandwiches and burgers

More PARTY recipe ideas

Chicken Lumpia
Chicken Inasal Air Fryer - Roasted Chicken recipe in the air fryer
Chili Garlic Noodles - ready in 15 minutes
Asian Cabbage Rolls - no wrapper dumplings
Sticky Asian Style Wings
Spanish Garlic Prawns

Sour Cream and Onion Dip - FAQS

What's the difference between French onion dip and sour cream and onion dip?

A homemade French onion dip recipe is typically made with sour cream, onion soup mix, mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, and herbs. These ingredients make it creamy, but also quite heavy. My homemade sour cream and onion dip recipe uses sour cream, fresh onions, and cottage cheese, making it lighter, healthier, and, honestly, more flavorful! I recommend this sour cream and onion dip over French onion dip!

Can I use French onion soup mix in this recipe?

While this recipe does not use French onion soup mix, it focuses on fresh ingredients for depth of flavor. The combination of white onion, shallot, and green onion offers a more complex taste. However, you can experiment by adding it if you prefer its specific flavor profile.

Can Greek yogurt be substituted for sour cream in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream if desired. Although the recipe recommends sour cream for optimal creaminess and tanginess, plain Greek yogurt is a suitable alternative, offering a similar texture with a slightly different flavor and potentially healthier nutritional profile.

What types of fresh veggies can be served with this onion dip?

This sour cream and onion dip pairs wonderfully with various fresh veggies. Some excellent choices include carrots, celery, cucumber, and bell peppers. These fresh veggies add a crunchy texture and complement the dip's creamy and savory flavors.

How can the caramelized onion dip be stored, and how long does it last?

The caramelized onion dip should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it can last up to 3 days. For the best flavor, let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving to bring back its original texture and taste.

How can I enhance the garlic flavor in this dip?

To increase the garlic flavor in the dip, you can add garlic powder for an extra punch. Start by incorporating ½ teaspoon of garlic powder when you blend the cottage cheese and sour cream. This should boost the garlic taste without overpowering the other flavors. If you find you desire an even more pronounced garlic presence, you can gradually add more, about ¼ teaspoon at a time, tasting as you go to reach your preferred level of garlic intensity. It's best to add in small increments to avoid overwhelming the dip with too much garlic flavor.

Conclusion

In wrapping up, this Ultimate Sour Cream and Onion Dip recipe is IT. Perfect for parties, get togethers, and pretty much any occasion. So grab your potato chips and get cooking. Remember to use whole ingredients, not garlic powder, onion powder, etc. Happy cooking!