Caramelized Onion Spinach Dip

Name: Caramelized Onion Spinach Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp olive oil; salt, to taste; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 10 oz fresh spinach; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup sour cream; 2 cups shredded cheese blend (e.g. mozzarella and cheddar), divided; 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

This caramelized onion spinach dip combines slow-cooked sweet onions with a creamy base of spinach, cream cheese, and sour cream, then baked until golden. The contrast of deep caramelized onion flavor elevates this classic dip beyond standard recipes.

🌍American 🏷️Spinach dip 🏷️Caramelized onion 🏷️Appetizer 🏷️Dip Cheesy

🏷️

🏷️Creamy

-0:00

thegoldenbalanceonTikTok

Total

1h 25m

Servings

6

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$22–$36

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by thegoldenbalance

-0:00

thegoldenbalanceonTikTok

Ingredients

2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
salt, to taste
2 tbsp unsalted butter
10 oz fresh spinach
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheese blend (e.g. mozzarella and cheddar), divided
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnishoptional

11 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Thinly slice the onions.
2
In a large pan, heat olive oil over low heat. Add the sliced onions and a hefty pinch of salt.
3
Cook the onions low and slow, stirring occasionally, for about 1 hour until they are deeply caramelized and sweet.
4
While the onions cook, melt butter in a separate pan over medium heat.
5
Add the fresh spinach to the melted butter and cook, stirring, until it has wilted down completely.
6
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
7
Turn off the heat and add the softened cream cheese to the spinach mixture. Stir until well combined.
8
Stir in the sour cream and 1 cup of the shredded cheese blend.
9
Once the onions are caramelized, add them to the spinach and cheese mixture.
10
Gently fold everything together until fully incorporated.
11
Transfer the dip to an oven-safe skillet or baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
12
Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
13
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.
14
For a golden-brown top, switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
15
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot with chips or crackers.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Caramelize onions low and slow—medium heat for 30–40 minutes, stirring every 5–10 minutes. Rushing creates brown onions, not caramelized ones.
Squeeze excess moisture from cooked spinach before folding into the cream cheese mixture to prevent a watery, separated dip.
Soften cream cheese to room temperature before mixing so it blends smoothly without lumps.
Reserve some cheese blend for topping before baking; it guarantees a golden, bubbly surface.

Substitutions

Sour cream → Greek yogurt (same amount, slightly tangier)
Cream cheese → neufchâtel or mascarpone (softer texture, use same weight)
Shredded cheese blend → gruyere or fontina (deeper, nuttier flavor)
Fresh spinach → frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry (same nutritional value, easier prep)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes or in a slow cooker on low, stirring occasionally.