When my husband asks me to try to 'veganize' a recipe, it's always a challenge. Today, however, I welcomed the challenge. We love any dip, and french onion dip is something I assumed was part of my past. But, I only made a vegan french onion dip; I even shocked myself. But this vegan french onion dip is so good; he asked me to make it again next weekend.
I often make vegan snacks for the boys when they are hanging out at the pool in the summertime, or during football season while they scream at the TV. So, when the troops requested some onion dip, I gave it a shot.
However, my first challenge was caramelizing fresh onions for my dip instead of using some dried onion soup mix the way I used to make it. Then, of course, I needed a creamy base. Once I figured out those two obstacles, it all came together.
HOW TO CARAMELIZE ONIONS FOR VEGAN FRENCH ONION DIP WITHOUT USING ANY OIL OR SUGAR
Typically, caramelizing onions requires oil as well as sugar or balsamic vinegar. So instead, I chose to use some vegetable broth, liquid smoke, balsamic vinegar, and vegan Worcestershire sauce (I like Annie's).
First, I used my favorite non-stick pan and sauteed the onions on medium heat, using a little vegetable broth when they started to stick.
As the onions turn translucent in color, I add the other ingredients until they turn brown. Once the liquid dissipates and the onions stick again, I add a bit of vegetable broth until the onions are a beautiful brown.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE NEEDED TO MAKE THE BASE OF THE FRENCH ONION DIP?
Next, it is time to make the creamy base for the vegan french onion dip recipe. Recently, I fell in love with oat milk. Not only is oat milk creamy, but it also blends well with other ingredients, creating a creamy texture. But any plant milk works well with this recipe.
- Raw Cashews (substitute white beans or silken tofu for a nut-free option)
- Oat Milk (or plant milk of choice)
- Lemon Juice
- Apple Cider Vinegar
To get the perfect creamy base for the vegan french onion dip, I combined the oat milk, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and cashews and allowed it to sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then, using a high-speed blender, blend until smooth. If your blender is not efficient, soaking the cashews overnight will help soften them for a creamier texture.
OTHER INGREDIENTS
- Better Than Boullion (oil-free) Organic Vegetable Base
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Salt
- Pepper
For a nut-free option, replace the raw cashews with silken tofu or drained white beans, and reduce the plant milk by ½.
Once the base and onions caramelize, add the seasonings and stir. As a result, the vegan french onion dip turns a beautiful caramel brown and thickens in the refrigerator.
Even though I chose to make air-fried potato chips using my Sweet Potato Chips recipe, this french dip recipe tastes lovely with vegetables, crackers, and, as my husband pointed out, a great sandwich spread.
Because we are a dip family, vegan french onion dip is my new favorite dip recipe. So, if you love to dip, give this skinny dip a try!
HERE ARE SOME OTHER HEALTHY DIP RECIPES MY FAMILY LOVES!
- Mustard Dipping Sauce
- Pumpkin Crack Dip
- Beet Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Layered Greek Dip
- 7 Layer Taco Dip
- Chili Cheese Dip
- Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip Fat-Free and Fabulous
- Basil White Bean and Chickpea Dip and Sandwich Spread
- Nacho Cheese Sauce
Vegan French Onion Dip
Ingredients
Caramelized Onions
- 1 large white onion diced (about 1-½ cups)
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- [2 teaspoons vegan Worcestershire sauce ]
- [1 teaspoon liquid smoke I used hickory flavor ]
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Vegan French Onion Dip Base
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked in water overnight and drained if you do not have a high-speed blender; otherwise, soaking is not necessary (or substitute white beans or silken tofu for a nut-free option see notes below)
- ½ cup + 2 Tablespoons oat milk or plant milk of choice
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Other seasonings
- [1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon ]
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parsley for garnish optional
Nut-Free version
- Substitute 1 cup silken tofu or white beans for the cashews
- Reduce plant milk to ¼ cup plus 1 Tablespoon
Air-Fried Oil Free Potato Chips
- [Substitute regular potatoes for sweet potatoes in this recipe they can also be baked instead of air-fried ]
Instructions
- Caramelized Onions
- Using a non-stick pan, saute the diced onions on medium-low heat until translucent.
- Add a few tablespoons of vegetable broth to prevent onions from sticking.
- Add the balsamic, vegan Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke once the onions brown and the initial vegetable broth dissipates.
- Stir and once the onions begin to brown and the liquid dissipates, turn the temperature to medium.
- Add a little more vegetable broth, stirring the onions until the vegetable broth dissipates; continue until all the vegetable broth is gone.
- Remove from heat and allow the onions to cool.
Dip Base- Soak the raw cashews in water if you don't have a high-speed blender. If you have a high-speed blender, you can skip this step. Or, for a nut-free version substitute white beans or silken tofu for the nuts.
- Add the oat milk (or plant-based milk of choice), lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Blend on high until smooth.
- Pour contents into a bowl, scraping the sides of the blender.
- Add the caramelized onions and seasonings.
- Stir and cover.
- Place in the refrigerator for an hour or until cold.
- The mixture will thicken in the refrigerator.
- Serve with chips, vegetables, crackers, or use as a sandwich spread.
Nutrition
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Anonymous
Virginia McQueen
Do you think macadamia nuts could be used instead of cashews? My sister is allergic to cashews but can eat nuts.
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Virginia! Yes, I think they would work because they are creamy like cashews, but I have never tried it. Please let me know if it works, so I can provide that option. Have a great day, and I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Anonymous
Gail
What can I use in place of the better with bouillon? I’m in Australia & it’s not readily available here. This dip is exactly what my husband has been wanting so can’t wait to make it!
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Gail, you can use vegetable broth or substitute poultry seasoning. My husband loves this dip, so watch out if you want him to share with you 🙂