French Onion Dip

Prep 5 minutes
Servings 6 servings (1 cup total)

Ditch the soup mix packet and make this from-scratch French onion dip recipe instead. Itโ€™s creamy, savory, and made with simple pantry ingredients with all the classic onion flavor youโ€™d expect, but without anything artificial or being overly salty. This homemade French onion dip comes together in just a few minutes and is perfect for parties, game day snacks, or anytime you need an easy appetizer for chips and veggies.

French onion dip in a white bowl with chives, served with crinkle-cut potato chips and fresh vegetable sticks

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5 STAR REVIEW

You know that classic French onion dip that combines the packet of soup mix with sour cream? This recipe is that, but made completely from scratch and better! Itโ€™s always a favorite and one of the first snacks to go at our game-day get-togethers. Itโ€™s creamy, savory, rich, and so easy to whip up that I usually make it without even measuring. Since beef is the base flavor in classic French onion soup, I think itโ€™s a necessary ingredient in this dip too, and beef bouillon paste gives the best depth without watering it down. I always have Better Than Bouillon beef paste in my fridge because I use it in my Slow Cooker Pot Roast.

This homemade dip only takes minutes and tastes even better the longer it sits, making it perfect for last-minute entertaining or make-ahead prep. I usually serve it with classic potato chips, but itโ€™s just as good with crunchy veggies or pretzels.

Helpful Tips & Variations

  • Let it chill. Refrigerate the dip for at least 1 hour so the dried onion has time to fully rehydrate and the flavors can meld together. The dip will thicken slightly and taste noticeably better after resting.
  • Donโ€™t panic if it looks watery. A little liquid separation is normal with sour creamโ€“based dips. Just give it a good stir, and it will come right back together.
  • Too strong on onion flavor? Stir in a small spoonful of sour cream to mellow things out and add extra creaminess without changing the texture.
5 from 34

French Onion Dip

Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings (1 cup total)
French Onion Dip made from scratch in less than 5 minutes. Without the added preservatives from store-bought onion soup packets, but still with that rich flavor and creamy texture we all love!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Ingredientsย 

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp dried onion flakes
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • โ…› tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
  • 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon beef paste, not a cube*
  • wavy potato chips, for serving
  • carrot and celery sticks, for serving

Instructionsย 

  • Place sour cream in a small bowl. Add dried onion flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, chives, and beef bouillon paste. Mix together very well until completely blended. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.
  • It can be enjoyed right away, but ideally refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the dried onion to soften a bit.
  • Serve with potato chips and/or veggie sticks.

Video

Notes

*A beef bouillon cube can be used in place of the paste, but it has a stronger, saltier flavor, so itโ€™s not my preferred option. One crushed cube equals about 1ยผ teaspoons, but I recommend starting with ยพ teaspoon, tasting, and adding more only if needed. Be sure to mix it very well so the dip stays smooth and not grainy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 261IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

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How to Make French Onion Dip Step by Step

French onion dip ingredients

Gather all the ingredients together.

French onion dip ingredients in a glass bowl, including sour cream, dried onion flakes, chives, seasonings, and beef bouillon paste

Combine the ingredients: Add 1 cup sour cream to a small bowl, then stir in 1 tbsp dried onion flakes, 1 tsp onion powder, โ…› tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives, and 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon beef paste (not a cube.) Mix very well until the dip is completely smooth and evenly blended, then taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Creamy French onion dip fully mixed in a glass bowl, showing smooth texture with flecks of onion and chives

Chill the dip: The dip can be enjoyed right away, but for the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour so the dried onion softens and the flavors have time to meld.

French onion dip served on a snack tray with crinkle-cut potato chips, carrot sticks, and celery

Serve and enjoy: Serve with chips or vegetables. Enjoy!

Overhead view of French onion dip garnished with chives, surrounded by crinkle-cut potato chips

Serving Suggestions

I almost always serve this French onion dip with classic crinkle-cut potato chips, but itโ€™s just as good with veggie sticks like carrots, celery, and bell peppers when I want something crunchy and fresh. For game days, I love putting it out alongside mini chili cheese dogs or pairing it with dill pickle cheddar chips for a fun, salty twist. It also works surprisingly well as a spread for sandwiches or burgers.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover French onion dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a good stir before serving, as a little separation is normal. This dip is best enjoyed chilled and is not freezer-friendly, since freezing can change the texture. For make-ahead prep, you can mix it a few hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to serve. The flavor actually gets better as it sits.

More Savory Creamy Dips

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe โ€“ be sure to give it a review below! Also donโ€™t forget to follow Belly Full onย TikTok,ย Facebook,ย Instagram,ย Pinterest, andย YouTube!

My French Onion Dip recipe was originally published 1/8/21. It was retested and republished to be better than ever 1/24/26.

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About Amy Flanigan

Well, hey there! Amy here, founder and COO at BellyFull. If youโ€™re looking for tried and true, fuss-free, budget-friendly, delicious, every day recipes, youโ€™ve come to the right place.

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37 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
shelly
January 30, 2026 6:33 pm

This is a great recipe! Love it!

Mary Beth Ehlers
January 30, 2026 6:28 pm

Brilliant!! Perfect for two people and SOOOOO tasty!! Hubby threw it together in seconds and an hour later it was being scarfed down! I think Iโ€™ll up the beef bouillon paste a bit to add more salt but geez, this one is going to be on repeat!!

One Happy Mama
January 28, 2026 3:30 pm

I NEVER rate recipes BUT this one?! Ma’am! You knocked it out of the park! I followed the instructions as presented and the end result was an OUTstanding onion dip minus all the sodium and preservatives and other “science experiments” that come from “a packet” ;) If you like that onion dip packet – you will love this recipe! Easy, quick, cheap, and again – no mysterious ingredients!

shelly
January 26, 2026 7:17 pm

Wonderful! Tastes great! Thank you.

Corey Marsha
January 25, 2026 4:49 pm

I’m a kidney dialysis patient and can’t have high potassium, sodium or phosphorus food products. This is a recipe I’m going to adjust to have with my veggie sticks. I’m going to swap out the boullion and add sauted onions and see how it tastes.

Brooke
May 24, 2025 6:03 am

I used Violife sour cream (dairy free) and this recipe was so delicious. The only difference that I noticed using the sour cream substitute was that it was thicker which was a bonus!

Angie Lee
April 18, 2025 2:59 pm

This recipe is THE BEST! I make this dip every week. My family loves it! Itโ€™s so simple , tastes better than store bought or the soup mix without all the garbage!

Shelley Cassidy
April 9, 2025 1:43 pm

Tastes exactly like the liston version and almost as quick! Much better than using regular bullion, too. Added bonus: I don’t have to make 2 cups when I only need one.

SHELLEY J CASSIDY
December 9, 2025 7:18 pm

I’ve made this multiple times now, and we love it! Thank you for an easy, delicious recipe that is so much better than Lipton.

Kelly F.
February 16, 2025 3:15 pm

Simple. Quick. Delicious! No GMOs either.

SR
November 16, 2024 8:02 am

My family LOVES this recipe!

Erika A
September 2, 2024 10:54 am

Helluva Good Dip has met itโ€™s match! This dip is actually even better than store bought. And I literally mixed it up in less than 5 minutes!

Judith
November 10, 2024 9:18 am
Reply to  Erika A

So much better than the pre made stuff or the package soup recipe. I don’t keep fresh chives on hand so I use a teaspoon of dried chives, it works perfectly.

Andrea Tzannos
January 8, 2024 12:43 pm

I really love this recipe. So much better than the soup packet. Very easy to make. I do add about a 1/4 teaspoon extra of the better than bouillon to enhance the flavor.

Donna
December 17, 2023 4:18 pm

Here in Hawaii we can’t find the already made French onion dip. This is so much better!! And super easy, so thank you so much!!!

Roxanne
October 7, 2023 11:12 am

Easy and really good!

C. Lira
October 6, 2023 6:14 am

Great recipe! Loved it. I wont buy the packaged mix for the additives. I added a bit of fine parsley too. Delicious. Thank you.

Amy
October 5, 2023 3:44 pm

The best!

Lisa
July 30, 2023 1:37 pm

I”ve been looking for a French onion dip or the recipe to make it that would be like the dip I left behind when I left NYS years ago. This is the closest I’ve found! Hubby approves!

Heather
July 14, 2023 10:50 pm

Yes! Thank you. I hoped my pantry could make this – just didnโ€™t know how. You nailed it!

the chip master
May 18, 2023 5:39 pm

actually perfection. the beef bouillon paste adds just the right amount of umami flavor.

Loretta
June 19, 2023 10:50 am

Can u use the chicken btb I don’t eat or use the beef one but this recipe sounds so good

MissyG
March 22, 2023 12:08 am

Thank You! This gave me the main base to work off of. I’m eternally grateful – I had just finished up my powder packet mixed with sour cream dip but still had chips, so of course i needed to search for a recipe. I ended up doing 1 1/2 times the BTB beef, added just a short shake of salt, a small dash of Worcestershire sauce, plus a smidge more of onion and garlic powders, and came up with a next to perfect replica of what i had just been eating from the powdered packet stuff! It was full on glorious lol. Thank you so much. I’m a big believer in encouraging people to work from a recipe to create their own fine tuning, and your recipe allowed me to do that. Thank you! I had no idea where to start before taking in your recipe *and I bow*.