This creamy caramelized onion dip is infused with Porter beer and is easy to make, full of savory, complex flavors, and guaranteed to be a hit at any party.
When it comes to appetizers, I’m a self-professed dip queen. I’ve got so many favorites I love, like my, hot crab dip, cheesy spinach artichoke dip, and clam dip, to name a few. This stellar Porter caramelized onion dip recipe comes from blogger, beer connoisseur, and author Jackie Dodd (of The Beeroness), and is featured in her cookbook The Craft Beer Cookbook, 100 Artisanal Recipes for Cooking With Beer. Caramelizing onions in this classic Porter brew adds a deep malted flavor to the dip, perfectly appointed for a tailgate party, an elegant holiday affair or to have on hand for the morning toasted bagel (highly recommend). After sharing this Porter Caramelized Onion Dip with some of the neighbors and getting rave reviews, it was a given that it’s going on my recipe repeat list to be made again and again.
What’s in This Caramelized Onion Dip
This dip gets its complex and layered flavors from a dark, rich Porter beer, and sweet, jammy caramelized onions. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Butter
- Oil (I use olive oil)
- Onion (sweet white onions or Vidalia onions are great for this)
- Salt and pepper
- Porter beer
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Green onions (you could also use chives)
How to Make This Caramelized Onion Dip
Other than the time it takes to caramelize the onions, this dip comes together super fast and with little effort. Jackie’s notes mention the dip’s flavors deepen after being in the refrigerator for a day or two. I gave it a try and yes, it was still totally tasty.
Sauté the onions. Heat a sauté pan over medium heat, add butter and oil, and stir until the butter has melted. Add the onions. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 5 minutes or until the onions start to soften.
Deglaze and caramelize the onions. Add the salt and porter and cook for about 25 minutes or until the onions start to caramelize.
Blend until smooth. Add the cream cheese, sour cream, caramelized onions, Porter, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to a food processor. Pulse until smooth but still with a few chunks. Add the green onions and pulse once or twice to combine.
Porter Caramelized Onion Dip
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 large sweet white onions chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup Porter beer plus 3 tablespoons, divided
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Heat a sauté pan over medium heat, add butter and oil, and stir until the butter has melted. Add the onions. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 5 minutes or until the onions start to soften.
- Add the salt and porter and cook for about 25 minutes or until the onions start to caramelize. Stir occasionally and keep watch on the heat so the onions don’t burn.
- Add the cream cheese, sour cream, caramelized onions, Porter, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to a food processor. Pulse until smooth but still with a few chunks. Add the green onions and pulse once or twice to combine.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
