Ina Garten Pan Fried Onion Dip Recipe
Indulge in the unparalleled richness of this homemade pan-fried onion dip, a true Ina Garten classic that elevates a simple appetizer into a gourmet experience. This dip features deeply caramelized onions, slow-cooked to sweet perfection, folded into a luxurious blend of softened cream cheese, tangy sour cream, and creamy mayonnaise. It's the ultimate crowd-pleaser, delivering layers of savory flavor with every scoop.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 50 minutes (includes 1-hour chilling)
Servings
8-10 servings
Keywords
Why This Recipe Delivers
- Deeply rich and complex flavor from slow-cooked caramelized onions.
- Luxuriously creamy texture that is irresistible.
- An elegant upgrade from store-bought dips, yet simple to make.
- Perfect for entertaining, always a crowd-pleaser.
- Can be prepared ahead of time, making party planning stress-free.
Ingredients
- 2 large yellow onions (approximately 500-600g), thinly sliced
- 56g (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 60ml (1/4 cup) vegetable oil
- 5g (1 teaspoon) kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 2.5g (1/2 teaspoon) freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for a subtle kick)
- 226g (8 ounces) full-fat cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 120ml (1/2 cup) full-fat sour cream
- 120ml (1/2 cup) good quality mayonnaise
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the onions. Thinly slice the two large yellow onions using a sharp knife or a mandoline for even slices. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter with the vegetable oil over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions to the pan, ensuring they are spread out as much as possible. Season with 5g (1 teaspoon) kosher salt, 2.5g (1/2 teaspoon) black pepper, and an optional pinch of cayenne pepper. This initial seasoning helps draw out moisture and begin the caramelization process.
- Sauté the onions slowly and patiently for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The key here is low and slow heat to allow the onions to soften, release their sugars, and develop a deep, golden-brown caramelization without burning. They should reduce significantly in volume and become incredibly sweet and tender. Once caramelized to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat and allow the onions to cool completely to room temperature. This step is crucial to prevent the onions from melting the cream cheese prematurely.
- While the onions are cooling, prepare the creamy base for the dip. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Using a sturdy whisk or a rubber spatula, mix these ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth and free of any lumps. Ensuring your cream cheese is at room temperature will make this process much easier and yield a silkier dip.
- Once the caramelized onions have fully cooled, gently fold them into the creamy mixture. Use a spatula to incorporate them evenly, making sure every spoonful of dip will have a delightful distribution of the sweet, savory onions. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary; you might want a little more salt or pepper depending on your preference.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dip for at least 1 hour. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the dip to firm up slightly, making it even more irresistible. A longer chill time, even overnight, can deepen the flavor further.
- Serve the chilled onion dip straight from the refrigerator with your favorite accompaniments. It pairs wonderfully with sturdy potato chips, crisp crackers, toasted baguette slices, or an assortment of fresh crudités like carrot sticks, celery, bell pepper strips, and cucumber slices. Enjoy this exquisite homemade dip!
Tools You’ll Need
- Large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven
- Sharp knife or mandoline
- Cutting board
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk or rubber spatula
- Plastic wrap
Essential Success Tips
- Do not rush the onions: Slow and steady heat is crucial for proper caramelization. High heat will burn them, leading to a bitter taste instead of sweet.
- Cool the onions completely: Adding warm onions to the cream cheese mixture will cause it to separate or become too runny. Patience here yields a superior texture.
- Soften cream cheese fully: Room temperature cream cheese blends smoothly, preventing lumps in your dip. Take it out of the fridge at least an hour before mixing.
- Taste and adjust seasoning: After combining all ingredients and chilling, give the dip a final taste. Salt and pepper can always be adjusted to achieve perfect balance.
- Chill for best flavor: While delicious immediately, an hour of chilling allows the flavors to deepen and marry, resulting in a more cohesive and flavorful dip.
Professional Cooking Secrets
- Deglaze for extra depth: After caramelizing onions, if there's any fond (browned bits) at the bottom of the pan, add a splash (30ml or 2 tablespoons) of dry white wine or vegetable broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those flavorful bits. Cook until evaporated, then add to the onions for an extra layer of umami.
- Quality ingredients matter: Since there are so few ingredients, the quality of each shines through. Opt for good quality full-fat dairy products and fresh onions for the best flavor profile.
- Layer the seasoning: Instead of just one big salt addition, season the onions as they cook and then taste and adjust the finished dip. This allows for more nuanced flavor development.
Notes
- Storage: Leftover dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Variations: For an herby twist, fold in 2 tablespoons (30ml) of finely chopped fresh chives or parsley with the cooled onions. A dash of Worcestershire sauce (5ml or 1 teaspoon) can also add an extra savory kick.
- Make ahead: This dip is ideal for making a day in advance, as the flavors only improve with time in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-sliced onions for this recipe?
While fresh slicing is always recommended for consistency and freshness, you can use good quality, thinly pre-sliced yellow onions if time is a constraint. However, be aware they might cook slightly differently.
My dip is too runny, what went wrong?
The most common reason for a runny dip is not allowing the caramelized onions to cool completely before folding them into the dairy mixture. Ensure they are fully at room temperature. Also, proper chilling time helps the dip to firm up.
What are some alternative serving suggestions?
Beyond chips and crackers, try serving this dip with toasted pita bread, pretzel crisps, or even as a spread for gourmet sandwiches. It's also delicious dolloped on baked potatoes or alongside grilled meats.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Approximate per serving (1/8 of recipe): Calories: 310-340, Total Fat: 28-32g, Saturated Fat: 15-18g, Cholesterol: 55-65mg, Sodium: 350-400mg, Total Carbohydrates: 10-12g, Dietary Fiber: 1-2g, Sugars: 6-8g, Protein: 4-5g.
Allergy Information
Contains dairy. For a dairy-free version, substitute with plant-based cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise alternatives, ensuring they are suitable for cooking and chilling.
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