Caramelized Onion Pho Dip

This is a twist on the party classic – caramelized onion dip. This onion dip recipe is a little fancier but still simple to make, requiring just a few steps beyond the packaged grocery store version. Chopped onions are slowly cooked until they are caramelized, then are stirred together with sour cream and pho inspired aromatics like cilantro and ginger.

Caramelized Onion Pho Dip

Key Ingredients in This Recipe

• Caramelized onions – While caramelizing onions takes a bit of patience. Don’t try to rush the process by turning up the heat. The goal is to draw out the sugars in the onions and caramelize them – you have to go low and slow. You end up with mellow sweet onion flavor. The onions should be deep in color (a golden brown is best) but not dark – you don’t want to burn the onions. Making them too dark and deeply caramelized risks creating a bitter flavor.
• Lime Zest – The lime zest is the grated outer skin from the citrus to add a concentrated flavor. Use a zester or microplane to remove the zest. If you don’t have a zester use a paring knife or vegetable peeler to remove the rind and finely chop it.

How to Make Caramelized Onion Pho Dip

1. Add the onions to the pan. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Add the butter and allow to melt then add the onions.
2. Caramelize the onions. Sauté until the onions are soft and tender, about 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are uniformly brown and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
3. Combine the dip ingredients. In a medium bowl stir together the caramelized onion with the sour cream, cilantro, lime zest, ginger and onion powder. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Chill the dip. Cover the dip and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors come together.
5. Serve. Serve with grilled naan bread.

Tips and Tricks for This Recipe

• This onion dip recipe is best made a bit ahead of time so the flavors have time to meld.
• While the dip is great with kettle cooked potato chips I love it with grilled naan bread.

Other Recipes to Try

If you enjoy this recipe, I recommend checking out some of these:

• Thai Fried Red Snapper
• Spicy Feta Dip
• Crab Dip in a Bread Bowl

Caramelized Onion Pho Dip

Print Pin

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Serves 8

US Customary – Metric

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1¼ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Kosher salt, as needed
• Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
• Grilled naan, for serving

Instructions:

• Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Add the butter and allow to melt then add the onions.
• Sauté until the onions are soft and tender, about 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are uniformly brown and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
• In a medium bowl stir together the caramelized onion with the sour cream, cilantro, lime zest, ginger and onion powder. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cover the dip and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors come together.
• Serve with grilled naan bread.

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