I am thrilled to share this brand-new recipe for Dairy-Free Creamy Onion Dip with you all. This recipe is one that’s incredibly nostalgic for me. I grew up eating this classic dip at practically every gathering – Thanksgiving, Super Bowl, you name it. The usual ingredients for the Onion Dip I grew up on called for sour cream and a packet of seasoning, so when I first eliminated dairy, I thought I’d never be able to have something like this again. The seasoning packet we used also had a few forms of corn, wheat, and soy in it, so I haven’t enjoyed this favorite in over a decade.
“As a few of the ladies finished their remaining prep in the kitchen and set out some appetizers, the rest of the crew headed to the backyard for the annual game of touch football. As I sat watching the game, one of my friends set a basket of potato chips, a giant bowl of creamy onion dip, and a tray of cut vegetables surrounding a vat of ranch dressing on the bar next to me. Potatoes are on my list of carbohydrates to cut out, I reminded myself, so none for me. The starches fed the bad bacteria in my gut, which I was trying to eliminate and replace with good, healthy bacteria that fight inflammation. What is in that onion dip that I love so much? I thought as I eyed the carrots that I knew I could eat. I dreamt about smothering them in the creamy dip or drenching them in the ranch. They probably have milk or sour cream in them—or both, my brain reprimanded my growling stomach. Dry carrots and celery it is. I started munching on them like a bunny, eyeing with disdain the velvety dips that sat taunting me.”
An excerpt from page xvi of my memoir Food Saved Me
This paleo-friendly version of one of my all-time favorites is made with lactose-free cream cheese and sour cream, or the 100% dairy-free alternatives of plain yogurt and Miyokos cream cheese. Mixed with caramelized onions and a variety of spices, this is one remake that you might want to make a double batch of! I serve this alongside Siete avocado oil potato chips and Simple Mills Crackers, but feel free to use your favorite chip. Plantain or taro chips would be great as well.
Prepping:
This dairy-free creamy onion dip recipe is easy to make and can be made in advance if you are going to a party or gathering. It will stay good for about 7-10 days in the refrigerator, so you can definitely make it a day or two in advance, just be sure to not sneakily eat it all before!
Other way to serve:
While I love enjoying the go-to snack of my teenage years with chips, you can also serve whatever veggies you’d like with this dip. My kids love carrots and celery, but any veggie would be good to serve it with. It’s also delicious spread on a warm grain-free pizza crust and topped with sauteed vegetables for a nightshade-free pizza night, or warmed in a grain-free tortilla like a quesadilla!
I hope you love this recipe! If you are looking for more dips and appetizer foods you can find some on my blog here.
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Dairy-Free Creamy Onion Dip
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 1/2 cups diced yellow onions
- 1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
- 1 1/2 cups lactose free sour cream (I love Green Valley Organics. Or use dairy free plain yogurt such as Culina)
- 1/4 cup paleo-friendly mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup lactose-free cream cheese (or Miyokos dairy-free cream cheese)
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
Instructions
- Heat the avocado oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions and salt. Reduce to low and caramelize the onions for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool.
- Mix the sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and white pepper in a bowl. Stir in the caramelized onions. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill for an hour before serving. The flavors get better and better each day for the first couple of days! Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
2/25/22
Looks amazing. All hail Green Valley! Bring joy to the restricted diet lives of IBDers everywhere. Keeping this on the list to make for my next Shindig.
I hope you love it!
I just made this today and it’s unbelievable! I have missed french onion style chip dip and this satisfies that craving to a T. Was so easy and quick to make, too. This will be a new staple around our home. Thank you, Danielle. You’re beyond talented.
I am so happy to hear that! 🙂
This recipe is super easy and delish! Comes together really quickly and gets better the longer it sits. Totally satisfies that creamy dip craving!
Thank you for such a kind review! So glad you enjoyed it!
So delicious! My whole family loved it. Greta with chips, pretzels and veggies!
This dip is delicious! I was so excited to see a chip dip recipe because I haven’t had it in 7 years. It was easy to make and the flavor was perfect. Even my husband who can eat dairy loved it! It does get better each day as the flavors meld together too. I highly recommend trying this recipe! I will be making it again!
Thank you for this amazing review!
Amazing!!! I literally couldn’t stop eating it! I also added it to a quiche with ham and it was delicious in it!
love hearing that!
Better than any memory I have in my past life of lays onion dip by the jar! So tasty, easy to make, hard to make last more than a day 😂
How is this dairy free? I’m confused.
Hi! In the ingredients there are dairy-free options listed for this recipe. Enjoy!
SO delicious! I took it to a neighborhood appetizer party and everyone loved it.
yay! so happy to hear that!
This dip is amazing. I have made it twice and it doesn’t last long. Company raved about it. Easy and tasty. Just a little dangerous because I want to eat it all !!
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing!
Oh my! I made a batch of this dip this weekend. Everyone raved about it. I didn’t tell them it was dairy free and healthy. No one could tell a difference and honestly was so much better than the dips you buy in the store. Thanks Danielle for a delicious recipe! This is definitely one of my favorite recipes.
yay! so glad you enjoyed it!
This dip is amazing! I’ve tried several “copy cat” recipes, but this is the only one that is even close and is actually much, much better.
Thank you so much – I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!
LOVE this dip!!! Tastes just like the old Lipton onion soup recipe! It is better the 2nd day though. I love it with plantain chips or with Kettle Chips because they are certified gluten-free.
I made this today and it looks fantastic. I tasted it, because I just couldn’t help myself and it’s yummy. Putting it in the fridge now so the flavors enhance. Can’t wait to try it tomorrow!
If we already have caramelized onions in the freezer, how much do we use in this recipe? Can’t wait to make this!
Hi! I haven’t tried making this with pre-made caramelized onions – I’m not sure what the measurement would be. Let us know how much you use and how it turned out! Another reader might have the same question and they will find your feedback so helpful. Happy cooking!
Amazing!
A little harder to find dairy free alternatives in Australia (not completely unable to find) but once I did, the recipe was followed and the kids wouldn’t stop eating it! Definitely a family favourite. Thanks so much for the recipe!
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you were able to find dairy-free alternatives to make it!
Is there a substitute for the pink salt? And why do you use it? Does it give a different taste? It’s difficult enough trying to keep things healthy without having to purchase unusual products that you don’t readily in the pantry.
Pink salt is just a type of salt that is less processed and more holistic than regular table salt, but they are both salt. You can directly sub table salt for the pink salt. Though pink salt has a tiny bit less sodium.
Any recommendations for paleo-friendly mayo?
Hi! This one from Primal Kitchen is great! https://shop.daniellewalker.com/products/primal-kitchen-avocado-oil-mayo-gluten-and-dairy-free-whole30-and-paleo-approved-12-oz-2-jars
Hi, can I use dairy- free sour cream like forager? Thanks!
I haven’t tested it with it, but worth a try!