Caramelized Onion Dip with Gruyère and Baguette Slices Recipe
This rich and savory Caramelized Onion Dip brings together sweet, deeply caramelized onions with creamy cheese and fresh herbs for a perfect appetizer or snack. Served warm with crispy baguette slices, this dip is a crowd-pleaser that marries sweet, tangy, and cheesy flavors in every bite.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Caramelized Onions
- 2 sweet white onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup beef stock
Dip Base
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup Duke’s Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 6 oz grated gruyere cheese (divided into 1 cup and remaining for topping)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped chives, plus more for garnish
For Serving
- 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2” thick pieces
- Olive oil for drizzling on baguette slices
- Caramelize the Onions: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil together over medium heat in a large stainless steel frying pan. Add the thinly sliced onions and season with kosher salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir to coat the onions in the butter and oil mixture, then let them cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until very soft and translucent, about 20 minutes.
- Deglaze and Continue Cooking: Add the balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and 3 tablespoons of beef stock to the pan. Stir to combine, then cook undisturbed until the liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Repeat this addition and evaporation of beef stock four more times (total 5 additions) until the entire cup of stock is used and the onions are sticky and deep brown, for a total of about 25 minutes of simmering. Remove pan from heat.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375º Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the dip and baguette slices.
- Prepare the Dip Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, Duke’s Mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, fresh thyme leaves, 1 cup of grated gruyere cheese, finely chopped chives, and the caramelized onions. Season with freshly ground black pepper and mix thoroughly until smooth and homogenous.
- Assemble for Baking: Transfer the dip mixture into an 8-inch skillet or oven-safe baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining grated gruyere cheese evenly over the top.
- Prepare the Baguette: Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil on both cut sides of each slice to ensure crispiness when baked.
- Bake the Dip and Bread: Place the skillet with the dip on the top rack of the oven and the baking sheet with baguette slices on the bottom rack. Bake for 15 minutes, flipping the baguette slices halfway through for even toasting.
- Broil the Cheese: Remove the bread from the oven, then turn the broiler to high. Place the skillet with the dip under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and browned to your liking. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dip rest for 10 minutes to set. Sprinkle with additional freshly ground black pepper and chopped chives for garnish. Serve the dip warm directly from the skillet alongside the toasted baguette slices. Enjoy this decadent appetizer with friends and family!
Notes
- You can substitute beef stock with vegetable stock for a lighter flavor or to make the recipe slightly less rich.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable stock and omit Worcestershire sauce or substitute it with a vegetarian-friendly alternative.
- Adjust seasoning and sweetness of the caramelized onions to taste as onions caramelize differently depending on their size and type.
- The dip can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving to save time.
- Store leftover dip covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently before serving.
- Serving with fresh, crusty baguette enhances texture contrast with the creamy dip.
Keywords: caramelized onion dip, cheesy onion dip, baked dip appetizer, warm dip recipe, gruyere cheese dip, easy party appetizer