Jammy Hot Caramelized Onion Dip

There’s something about the sweet, melty goodness of caramelized onions that always feels like a little celebration on its own. Now, when you stir those jammy, golden-brown onions into a creamy dip and serve it hot, the whole experience becomes downright irresistible. This Jammy Hot Caramelized Onion Dip is one of my favorite crowd-pleasers, especially when I want to impress friends without slaving away all day in the kitchen. The secret lies in letting those onions cook low and slow, turning naturally sweet and buttery, while the gooey dip base wraps around them like a warm hug. You’ll want to grab your favorite crunchy chips or rustic bread, because trust me—once you taste this dip, it’s going to be hard to stop reaching in for just one more bite.

Jammy Hot Caramelized Onion Dip: Why It Works & Ingredients

• 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar (helps caramelization)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)

Why this combination? Starting with yellow onions is key—they have the perfect balance of sweetness and pungency that turns irresistibly jammy when cooked slowly. Butter and olive oil together create a rich, silky base, helping the onions caramelize evenly without burning. The sugar isn’t just for sweetness; it kickstarts the caramelization process, giving those onions that deep brown color and layered flavor.

The base of sour cream, cream cheese, and mayonnaise creates a luscious, creamy texture that’s tangy and smooth at the same time. Sour cream brings a fresh tang that cuts through the richness, mayonnaise adds a mild and mellow consistency, and cream cheese ties it all together with heft and velvety mouthfeel. Garlic and smoked paprika bring subtle layers of warmth without overpowering the natural sweetness of the onions. Chives on top not only add a pop of color but a fresh oniony brightness that perks up each bite.

Jammy Hot Caramelized Onion Dip

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Try our Jammy Hot Caramelized Onion Dip for a rich savory treat that turns any snack into an irresistible delight you wont forget

• Author: molly
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings
• Category: Appetizer
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons sugar

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 cloves garlic, minced

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

Peel and thinly slice the onions evenly to ensure uniform cooking. Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-low heat.

Add the butter and olive oil to the skillet. Once the butter is melted and foaming, toss in the onions along with the salt and sugar. Stir to coat everything well.

Cook the onions slowly, stirring every 5-7 minutes without rushing. After about 30-40 minutes, the onions will turn a deep amber color and smell caramelized. If sticking occurs, add a teaspoon of water to loosen the fond.

Transfer the caramelized onions to a bowl and let cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix until smooth and creamy.

Fold the caramelized onions gently into the cream mixture, keeping some texture intact.

Transfer the dip to an oven-safe dish. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the dip for 20 minutes until warmed through and bubbling at edges.

Sprinkle fresh chives on top immediately after baking. Serve hot with chips, crackers, or rustic bread.

Notes

This Jammy Hot Caramelized Onion Dip combines sweet, caramelized yellow onions with a creamy base of sour cream, cream cheese, and mayonnaise. Served hot and perfect for chips or rustic bread, it delivers irresistible warmth and rich flavor with subtle garlic and smoked paprika notes.

Jammy Hot Caramelized Onion Dip: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start by prepping your onions: peel and thinly slice them evenly to ensure uniform cooking. Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-low heat.
2. Add the butter and olive oil to the skillet. Once the butter is melted and foaming, toss in the onions along with the salt and sugar. Stir to coat everything well.
3. Cook the onions slowly, stirring every 5-7 minutes. The key here is patience—don’t rush to crank the heat up or stir too often. After about 30-40 minutes, the onions will begin to turn that gorgeous deep amber color and smell like pure caramel heaven. If the onions start to stick, add a teaspoon of water to help loosen the fond and prevent burning.
4. Once caramelized, transfer the onions to a bowl and let them cool slightly. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
5. Fold the caramelized onions gently into the cream mixture, trying to keep some of the onion’s texture intact. It will look a bit thick, which is perfect for making the dip nice and luscious.
6. Transfer the dip to an oven-safe dish and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the dip for 20 minutes until warmed through and bubbling at the edges.
7. Once out of the oven, sprinkle fresh chives on top immediately for a fresh hit of color and flavor. Serve hot with your favorite chips, crackers, or crusty bread slices.

Jammy Hot Caramelized Onion Dip: Tips for Success

• Patience is everything: Don’t rush caramelizing the onions. Low and slow heat allows onions to develop their natural sugars and complex flavor. High heat will burn them and make the dip bitter.
• Use a heavy-bottomed pan: This evenly distributes heat and prevents hot spots, helping onions cook slowly without burning.
• Stir sparingly: Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking but avoid constant stirring, which interrupts caramelization.
• Temperature balance is key: When baking the dip, don’t go too high or too long. 350°F for 20 minutes warms it through perfectly without drying it out.
• Let it rest after baking: Give the dip a few minutes to chill slightly so the flavors settle and it’s easier to scoop without spilling.

Jammy Hot Caramelized Onion Dip: Storage & Reheating

If you happen to have leftovers (I won’t judge if you don’t), store the dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld more overnight, so it can taste even better the next day. When you’re ready to eat, gently reheat in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 10-15 minutes until the dip is warm again. Avoid microwaving if you can—heat can separate the creamy base and make it watery. If using a microwave, do short bursts and stir in between to maintain the dip’s smooth texture.

Jammy Hot Caramelized Onion Dip: FAQ

Can I use red onions instead of yellow onions?

Red onions can work, but they’re less sweet and tend to have a sharper, more pungent flavor. Yellow onions provide the perfect natural sweetness and caramelize more evenly, which is what makes the dip taste so jammy and rich.

Is it okay to skip the butter and just use olive oil?

You can, but butter adds a wonderful richness and helps with browning due to its milk solids. Olive oil alone tends to result in a slightly lighter taste. For the fullest flavor and best texture, I recommend using both.

Can I make this dip vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Try swapping the butter for a plant-based margarine, and use vegan cream cheese, vegan sour cream, and vegan mayonnaise. The texture might be a little different, but you’ll still get that sweet caramelized onion flavor shining through.

How long do the caramelized onions keep if I make them in advance?

You can caramelize the onions up to 3 days ahead and store them in the fridge. Just reheat gently before mixing into the dip base and baking. This can save you some prep time on the day you serve the dip.

Can I freeze the dip?

Freezing is tricky because the dairy base might separate upon thawing. If you want to freeze, try freezing only the caramelized onions separately and mix fresh sour cream and mayo when you’re ready to serve.

Nutritional Information

This recipe serves about 8 people. Here’s an estimate per serving:

• Calories: 180
• Fat: 16g
• Protein: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sugar: 4g

Keep in mind, these are rough estimates and can vary depending on specific ingredient brands and portion sizes. The dip leans rich and indulgent due to the butter, cream cheese, and mayo, so enjoy those creamy bites in moderation if you’re watching calories.

Jammy Hot Caramelized Onion Dip: Final Thoughts

This dip has become my go-to for game nights, casual get-togethers, or whenever I want to wow guests with minimal effort. The jammy onions pack so much flavor and warmth, and the creamy dip base just hugs every onion strand in buttery goodness. I’d love to hear how your version turns out and any personal twists you add—drop a comment or rate if you try it! It’s one treat that I guarantee will keep everyone coming back for more.