Vegan French Onion Dip

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Cashews ~ Raw cashews have a mild flavor and blend up smooth and creamy. The perfect base for this vegan caramelized onion dip.

Soak them in hot water to soften them up to ensure they blend up super smooth.

For a nut-free option, try using sunflower seeds instead. Or if you’re in a hurry and don’t mind processed ingredients, you can use a store-bought vegan sour cream in place of the cashews and leave out the lemon and vinegar.

Lemon and vinegar ~ Typical French onion dip is made with sour cream. To recreate that tangy flavor, fresh lemon juice and vinegar do the trick.

I use apple cider vinegar, but you can also use white vinegar.

Worcestershire sauce ~ Worcestershire sauce also bring a tanginess, but in a more savory way. It has a distinct flavor that’s hard to recreate with other ingredients and I just love it. The Wizard’s make a vegan worcestershire sauce, which is also gluten-free.

Spices ~ Onion powder, garlic powder, and salt help boost the savory flavor of the onion dip.

I also add dried dill because I love the taste and dill dip used to be another favorite of mine. You can leave out the dill if you prefer. It’s not a traditional ingredient in French onion dip.

Onions ~ You can’t have homemade French onion dip without the onions! I use two whole onions in this recipe. They get sliced thin and then caramelized until tender and sweet.

You can dice the onions instead of slicing if you prefer.

I have used yellow onions, white onions, and sweet onions before and they all work. My preference is for yellow onions. While I love sweet onions, like Vidalia onions, they do result in an even sweeter dip. You can also use two different onions if that’s what you have.

Extras ~ While this dip is savory, it has an underlying sweetness from the onions and cashews. To amp up the savoriness, feel free to add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast to the cashew base. Note that you may need extra water when blending.

You can also add a teaspoon or two of tamari, soy sauce, or liquid aminos to the onions while caramelize to boost the savory, umami taste.

I also like to finish with chopped fresh dill. Chopped chives, sliced green onions, or chopped fresh parsley would also be a tasty garnish.

Slice the onions thinly (1).

Add them to a hot skillet with a drizzle of oil (or vegetable broth or water for an oil-free option) and a pinch of salt (2).

Cook the onions low and slow, stirring occasionally, until translucent, golden, and caramelized (3). This is a great article explaining how to caramelize onions perfectly.

Note: Some recipes for caramelized onions will suggest you sprinkle the onions with sugar to enhance the sweetness and speed up the caramelization. Don’t do this! The cashews and onions already bring plenty of sweetness on their own.

While the onions are caramelizing, add the remaining ingredients to a high-speed blender (4).

Blend until smooth and creamy (5).

Add the caramelized onions to the creamy cashew base (6).

Stir well to combine and distribute the onions evenly (7).

Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.

For best results, transfer the dip to an airtight container and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.

Serving suggestions

As a dip: Of course, this creamy onion dip is the perfect pairing for potato chips, pretzels, crackers, pita bread or pita chips, or crudités, like cucumbers, carrots, radishes, bell peppers, or broccoli and cauliflower.

As a condiment: Use it to add mega flavor to burgers, like this Autumn Burger, tacos, like these Crispy Cauliflower Tacos, or potatoes, like these Veggie Potato Fritters.

As a sandwich spread: Take these veggie tortilla rollups in a different direction by using this vegan french onion dip in place of the veggie cream cheese spread. Mix it into this Vegan Chickpea Salad instead of mayo. Or add it in addition to, or instead of, the hummus on these Hummus Sandwiches.

As a sauce: Try mixing it with pasta or rice for a super creamy, luscious meal.

Storage

Make ahead: This dip is best after being chilled, so feel free to make it in advance.

Fridge: Store this Vegan French Onion Dip in an air-tight container in the fridge for 5 to 6 days.

Freezer: I do not recommend freezing this dip.

Pro tips and tricks

~ Soak the cashews in hot water for at least 30 to 45 minutes. You can do this while the onions are caramelizing. If you don’t have a high-speed blender, soak for 2 to 3 hours or do a quick soak by boiling the cashew in water for 15 to 20 minutes.

~ Cook the onions low and slow for the best caramelization. The whole process should take at least 30 to 40 minutes. If they get dry during the cooking process, add a splash of water. We want caramelized, not burnt.

~ To increase the savory flavor of the dip, feel free to add 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast to the creamy cashew base or a teaspoon or two of tamari to the onions while they’re caramelizing.

~ This dip tastes best after being chilled as the flavors will be richer and more pronounced. If you are serving this for a party or gathering, I suggest allowing time for it to chill for at least 2 hours or more…or overnight. However, I can attest that it still tastes great immediately after making, so when the munchies strike, go ahead an dig in right away.

~ For an oil-free option, use vegetable broth or water to caramelize the onions.

~ For a nut-free option, use sunflower seeds instead of cashews.