Throughout my childhood, there were two essential items on the snack table at every family gathering: a basket of potato chips (ideally Ruffles) and a bowl of onion dip.

But we didn’t bother slicing the onions, caramelizing them and whisking them. crème fraîche Ours onion sauce It consisted of a cup of sour cream and a packet of Lipton onion soup mix.

Why Homemade Onion Dip Is the Best Party Idea?

My sisters and I used to get pretty competitive over who made the “best” onion dip (the right sour cream-to-soup mix ratio is key), but regardless, this creamy and slightly salty dip with enough allium flavor and umami was an unquestionable crowd pleaser .

Onion soup sauce has a long history in the United States, and home cooks and professional chefs alike still confirm that it’s an easy and utterly delicious treat for game day parties, cookouts, and casual gatherings of all kinds. We chatted with a group of professional chefs from around the country to find out what makes onion soup sauce special, why it’s so long-lasting, and what quick and simple steps you can take to enhance this sauce’s flavor even more.

What Exactly Is Onion Soup Sauce?

“Old-school Lipton Onion Dip has been a classic for over 70 years. It has stood the test of time for generations and has become irresistible,” says executive chef Dale Ford. Devils Backbone Brewing Company In Roseland, Va.

What You Need

The appeal of onion soup sauce lies largely in its simplicity. To do this you really only need sour cream And dried onion soup dip mix (Usually Lipton is preferred, but exchange with other brands is also possible).

How To

1. Pour sour cream into a bowl.
2. Pour in the soup mixture, stir well, and you’ve got yourself a delicious and not-so-easy party treat. Feel free to play with plug-ins and mixes from there.

“This classic two-ingredient recipe is consistent and has a balance between sour, salt, umami, and finally mouthfeel. When you start with the consistent great foundation of a two-ingredient recipe, it allows one to create and expand. I love using it, eating it, and serving it.” Ford assures.

Why Has This Bottom Remained Popular For So Long?

The long-running popularity of Lipton’s onion dip has a lot to do with pure nostalgia.

“Many people are reminded of their parents and even grandparents making this at home. It’s also a staple at most backyard barbecues and sporting events. The fact that it’s so easy to make yet so delicious is what always makes it a crowd favorite,” explains executive chef. Mark Alba Hartley Cuisine and Cocktails in Atlanta.

According to Chef Travis Milton Walnut In Bristol, Virginia, onion soup sauce provided an early introduction to the concept of savory “umami.”

“I honestly think Lipton Onion Dip might have been my first experience with umami (without realizing it at the time). The flavor, ease, accessibility, and malleability of the blend combined with it have truly made it stand the test of time. When it comes to having fun Being able to whip out a quick palate-pleasing dip from a packet is pretty special, or in my case, dipping Triscuits in while you watch. Ted Lasso on the couch.”

5 Easy Ways to Liven Up This Classic

My family has never needed to “upgrade” the onion soup sauce; As Lauren McDuffie, author of Smoke, Roots, Mountain, Harvest, says: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. You really can’t beat a two-minute, two-ingredient recipe. “You get a lot of flavor with minimal effort and without having to spend a lot of money, so it makes sense that this thing will stand the test of time.”

But if you’re determined to put your own stamp on an iconic party dip, our chefs have some super-easy, no-bake suggestions that will allow your onion soup sauce to add some flavor while maintaining its integrity:

Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt

If you want a tangier base for your onion dip, consider swapping the classic sour cream for plain Greek yogurt. “A high-quality Greek yogurt instead of sour cream will add a more unique flavor profile and give you some additional options when choosing organic and probiotic choices,” says chef/owner Josh Champion. Take It Personal Chef Service in Florida.

Add fresh herbs

The combination of sour cream and onion soup mix provides plenty of flavor-related intrigue, but a touch of freshness can do a lot to liven up the sauce. That’s why Kyle Jones, head chef Craft Wood Fired Foodshe likes to “add fresh herbs like chives and parsley to add freshness and brightness.”

Stir in a few drops of Worcestershire sauce

Onion soup mix delivers a satisfying dose of umami on its own, but if you want to boost that flavor characteristic, Mark Alba tells us, “a few drops of onion soup.” Worcestershire sauce For a subtle, smoky element (may be added).

Add cream cheese to sour cream

To add more richness to the dipping sauce, Dale Ford calls it “a some cream cheese and I add it to the classic recipe. This slight adjustment enhances (increases) the rich, indulgent consistency. If you don’t have time to whip it yourself, you can even buy whipped cream at the grocery store.”

Use the sauce as a dressing

While these chefs (and this writer) all think onion soup sauce is already perfect as a dip for stir-fries or sliced ​​veggies, Lauren McDuffie told us, “One of my favorite ‘secret’ recipes is my ‘French Onion.'” Potato Salad using mainly Lipton onion dressing as a dressing for a large batch of crispy roasted potatoes. When you add some shaved celery and green onions to the mix, it becomes an incredibly delicious yet different version of a simple potato salad. “So by changing the way you use it, by using (onion soup dressing) as a dressing for roasted potatoes, you can completely transform both onion dip and a simple potato salad, all while making things easy and affordable.”