Tennessee Onion Dip

60 mins
Serves 8
facebook.com

Directions

  1. 1Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. 2Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. 3Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. 4Add butter and olive oil. Let butter melt gently.
  5. 5Add butter and olive oil. Let butter melt gently.
  6. 6Add butter and olive oil. Let butter melt gently.
  7. 7Add sliced onions and salt. Stir to coat evenly.
  8. 8Add sliced onions and salt. Stir to coat evenly.
  9. 9Add sliced onions and salt. Stir to coat evenly.
  10. 10Reduce heat to medium-low.
  11. 11Reduce heat to medium-low.
  12. 12Reduce heat to medium-low.
  13. 13Cook slowly for 20–25 minutes, stirring every 3–4 minutes.
  14. 14Cook slowly for 20–25 minutes, stirring every 3–4 minutes.
  15. 15Cook slowly for 20–25 minutes, stirring every 3–4 minutes.
  16. 16After 15 minutes, add black pepper and optional sugar.
  17. 17After 15 minutes, add black pepper and optional sugar.
  18. 18After 15 minutes, add black pepper and optional sugar.
  19. 19Continue cooking until onions are deeply golden, soft, and jam-like.
  20. 20Continue cooking until onions are deeply golden, soft, and jam-like.
  21. 21Continue cooking until onions are deeply golden, soft, and jam-like.
  22. 22Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  23. 23Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  24. 24Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  25. 25In a large mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese.
  26. 26In a large mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese.
  27. 27In a large mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese.
  28. 28Beat until smooth and lump-free.
  29. 29Beat until smooth and lump-free.
  30. 30Beat until smooth and lump-free.
  31. 31Add sour cream and mayonnaise. Mix until silky.
  32. 32Add sour cream and mayonnaise. Mix until silky.
  33. 33Add sour cream and mayonnaise. Mix until silky.
  34. 34Stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella.
  35. 35Stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella.
  36. 36Stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella.
  37. 37Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne.
  38. 38Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne.
  39. 39Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne.
  40. 40Fold in chopped green onions.
  41. 41Fold in chopped green onions.
  42. 42Fold in chopped green onions.
  43. 43Gently fold in the cooled caramelized onions.
  44. 44Gently fold in the cooled caramelized onions.
  45. 45Gently fold in the cooled caramelized onions.
  46. 46Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  47. 47Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  48. 48Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  49. 49Transfer mixture into an oven-safe jar, baking dish, or skillet.
  50. 50Transfer mixture into an oven-safe jar, baking dish, or skillet.
  51. 51Transfer mixture into an oven-safe jar, baking dish, or skillet.
  52. 52Smooth the top with a spatula.
  53. 53Smooth the top with a spatula.
  54. 54Smooth the top with a spatula.
  55. 55Sprinkle extra shredded cheddar over the top.
  56. 56Sprinkle extra shredded cheddar over the top.
  57. 57Sprinkle extra shredded cheddar over the top.
  58. 58Add crispy fried onions evenly on top.
  59. 59Add crispy fried onions evenly on top.
  60. 60Add crispy fried onions evenly on top.
  61. 61Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until edges are bubbling, top is golden, and cheese is fully melted.
  62. 62Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until edges are bubbling, top is golden, and cheese is fully melted.
  63. 63Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until edges are bubbling, top is golden, and cheese is fully melted.
  64. 64For an extra golden top, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end (watch carefully so it doesn’t burn).
  65. 65For an extra golden top, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end (watch carefully so it doesn’t burn).
  66. 66For an extra golden top, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end (watch carefully so it doesn’t burn).
  67. 67Let dip rest 5–7 minutes before serving.
  68. 68Let dip rest 5–7 minutes before serving.
  69. 69Let dip rest 5–7 minutes before serving.

Ingredients

  • 3 large sweet onions (Vidalia preferred), thinly sliced
  • 3 large sweet onions (Vidalia preferred), thinly sliced
  • 3 large sweet onions (Vidalia preferred), thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon sugar (optional, helps deepen sweetness)
  • 0.5 teaspoon sugar (optional, helps deepen sweetness)
  • 0.5 teaspoon sugar (optional, helps deepen sweetness)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
  • 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.25 teaspoon cayenne (optional heat)
  • 0.25 teaspoon cayenne (optional heat)
  • 0.25 teaspoon cayenne (optional heat)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
  • 0.5 cup crispy fried onions
  • 0.5 cup crispy fried onions
  • 0.5 cup crispy fried onions
  • 0.25 cup extra shredded cheddar for broiling
  • 0.25 cup extra shredded cheddar for broiling
  • 0.25 cup extra shredded cheddar for broiling
  • Extra green onions
  • Extra green onions
  • Extra green onions
  • Fresh cracked pepper
  • Fresh cracked pepper
  • Fresh cracked pepper

Equipment

large skilletlarge mixing bowloven-safe jarbaking dishskilletspatula

Tips

  • Do NOT rush with high heat when caramelizing onions.
  • If onions brown too fast, lower heat immediately.
  • Slow cooking creates sweetness naturally.
  • Use sweet onions for authentic Tennessee-style flavor.
  • Freshly shred cheese (pre-shredded doesn’t melt as smoothly).
  • Let onions fully caramelize — that’s the secret.
  • Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for deeper savory flavor.