Description
Barefoot Contessa’s pan-fried onion dip delivers rich, caramelized flavor that elevates classic party appetizers. Creamy, golden-brown onions blend seamlessly with tangy cream cheese and sour cream, creating an irresistible spread perfect for your next gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large yellow onions (about 3 cups sliced)
- 60 grams (2.1 ounces) unsalted butter
- 115 grams (4 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
Dairy and Creamy Components:
- 120 milliliters (4 fluid ounces) sour cream
- 120 milliliters (4 fluid ounces) good-quality mayonnaise
Seasonings and Oils:
- 60 milliliters (2 fluid ounces) vegetable oil
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Precisely dice the onions by halving them and then slicing into delicate 3-millimeter (1/8-inch) half-moon shaped ribbons.
- Warm a generous amount of butter and olive oil in a spacious skillet over moderate heat, creating a harmonious cooking foundation.
- Introduce the sliced onions to the heated pan, complementing them with a sprinkle of cayenne, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to enhance their natural flavors.
- Gently sauté the onions for approximately 10 minutes, periodically stirring to ensure even heat distribution and prevent potential burning.
- Reduce the stovetop temperature to a low-medium setting, allowing the onions to slowly transform and develop a rich, golden-brown caramelization over an additional 20-minute period.
- Remove the caramelized onions from heat and permit them to cool completely, which helps intensify their sweet, complex flavor profile.
- In a clean mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise using an electric mixer or whisk until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Fold the cooled caramelized onions into the creamy base, ensuring thorough integration of flavors and textures.
- Taste the dip and make any necessary seasoning adjustments with additional salt, pepper, or cayenne to suit your preference.
- Serve at ambient temperature alongside crisp potato chips, artisan crackers, or an assortment of fresh vegetable crudités for optimal enjoyment.
Notes
- Smooth out cream cheese completely at room temperature to prevent lumps and ensure a creamy consistency.
- Slow caramelize onions over medium-low heat until deep golden brown for maximum sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Taste and adjust seasonings carefully after mixing all ingredients for perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Refrigerate dip for minimum one hour to help ingredients marry and develop richer, more complex taste.
- Bring dip to room temperature before serving to enhance texture and release subtle flavor nuances.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg