Name: Caramelized Onion Yogurt Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 lbs. large yellow onions ((about 2 onions), thinly sliced); ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, (divided use); 1 teaspoon chopped, fresh thyme; ¼ cup dry white wine ((can substitute water)); 1 ½ cups reduced fat or nonfat Greek yogurt; ½ cup sour cream; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Published: Nov 12, 2013 · Last Updated: Oct 4, 2021 by Dr. Sonali Ruder · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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My guide on how to make caramelized onions, which add rich flavor and flair to any dish!

Have you ever wondered how to make caramelized onions? Caramelized onions are a great way to add rich flavor and flair to a dish. Adding them to pretty much any dish will take it to the next level and impress your guests. They're delicious piled onto sandwiches, burgers and pizza. Or use them to top steak, chicken or pork or fish. I also love to stir them into omelettes, pasta dishes, dips, and even mashed potatoes.

Mashed Potatoes With Caramelized Onions & Goat Cheese — Photo courtesy of James Ransom at Food52

My Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese is a great recipe to try. It actually won a recipe contest on the website Food52! These mashed potatoes are creamy and ethereal with a hint of tanginess from goat cheese. Caramelized onions are folded into the potatoes and piled on top before serving, threading their sweetness throughout the dish. It’s a perfect side dish for the holidays!

The process of caramelizing onions requires a little time and attention and you can't really rush the process. As the onions cook, their natural sugars will brown and develop a rich, sweet flavor. I usually make a large batch and store them in the fridge. Then you can add them to your dishes for an instant flavor bomb!

How to Make Caramelized Onions:

Start by heating some oil in a thick-bottomed sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and stir to coat them with the oil.

After about 10 minutes, when the onions start to soften, stir in a small amount of salt (you can also add a small amount of sugar to help the caramelization process but this is optional).

Continue to cook the onions, stirring occasionally (about every 5-10 minutes), until they are golden brown and caramelized. This will take an additional 35-45 minutes depending on how brown you want them. As they cook, scrape up the fond (the brown bits) on the bottom of the pan and mix it into the onions. If the onions start to burn or catch bottom, add a small amount of wine or water to the pan. The key is to let them stick a little to the pan and brown but not long enough so that they burn.

Once the onions are done, add a small amount of wine or other liquid (like balsamic vinegar or water) and stir to release all of the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.

Caramelized Onion Yogurt Dip

Here’s an easy recipe that features caramelized onions. My Caramelized Onion Yogurt Dip is a
modern, healthy take on classic French onion dip, which uses powdered onion soup mixed with mayonnaise and sour cream. My dish blends sweet, caramelized onions with a mixture of Greek yogurt and a small amount of sour cream. Fresh thyme, white wine, garlic powder and a dash of Worcestershire sauce add flavor without additional fat. Serve the dip chilled or at room temperature with fresh vegetables or crackers.