Caramelized Onion Dip

If you’re looking for the ultimate warm and smoky appetizer, this Smoked Caramelized Onion Dip is a game changer.

Sweet onions are caramelized in savory bacon drippings, then mixed right in the skillet with cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, and plenty of melty cheese. Topped with crispy bacon and smoked on the pellet grill—this one’s always a hit at cookouts, tailgates, and family get-togethers.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Cooked all in one skillet for easy prep and cleanup.
• Packed with smoky, cheesy goodness and loaded with real flavor.
• Perfect for entertaining—make it ahead and smoke when ready to serve.

Ingredients for Caramelized Onion Dip

• Sweet onions
• Bacon
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Shredded gouda
• Shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
• Granulated garlic
• Dried thyme
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions for Smoked Caramelized Onion Dip

1. Cook the bacon: In a large cast iron skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside on a paper towel lined plate, reserving the drippings in the skillet.
2. Caramelize the onions: Cut onion into quarters and thinly slice. Add to the bacon drippings. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until deep golden brown.

3. Add the dip ingredients: Remove skillet from heat. Add cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, shredded gouda, shredded cheddar, granulated garlic, dried thyme, salt, and pepper directly to the skillet. Stir until everything is melted and well combined. Top with bacon.

4. Smoke the dip: Preheat pellet grill to 350°F. Place the skillet directly on the grill grates and smoke with the lid closed for 30 minutes to 45 minutes, until the dip is hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.

5. Serve hot with chips, toasted bread, or crackers.

Whether you’re hosting game day or just firing up the grill for fun, this Smoked Caramelized Onion Dip delivers serious flavor with minimal effort. It’s cheesy, smoky, and loaded with bacon—what more could you want? Toss it on the pellet grill and watch it disappear fast!

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Caramelized Onion Dip

Smoked Caramelized Onion Dip is a cheesy, bacon-loaded appetizer made on the pellet grill. Easy to make and packed with bold, smoky flavor.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Course: Appetizers

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked onion dip, cheesy onion dip, pellet grill appetizers

Servings: 8

Calories: 383kcal

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon
• 2 sweet onions quartered and sliced thin
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 6 ounces gouda cheese shredded
• 4 ounces sharp white cheddar shredded
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• In a large cast iron skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside on a paper towel lined plate, reserving the drippings in the skillet.
• Add sliced onions to the bacon drippings. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until deep golden brown.
• Remove skillet from heat. Add cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, shredded gouda, shredded cheddar, granulated garlic, dried thyme, salt, and pepper directly to the skillet. Stir until everything is melted and well combined. Top with crumbled bacon.
• Preheat pellet grill to 350°F. Place the skillet directly on the grill grates and smoke with the lid closed for 30 minutes to 45 minutes, until the dip is hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
• Serve hot with chips, toasted bread, or crackers.

Notes

• Pellet suggestions: Hickory or pecan wood pellets add the best flavor.
• Make it spicy: Stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper or diced jalapeños.
• Prep ahead: Make the dip through mixing, then refrigerate and smoke when ready.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
• Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over low heat, stirring until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 630mg | Potassium: 211mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 561IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 299mg | Iron: 1mg

More Delicious Dips to Try

• Chili Queso Dip is a hearty appetizer that is packed with flavor. Easy to make and always a hit with the crowd.
• Venison Queso is the classic RoTel dip made on the grill for the ultimate party appetizer.
• Salmon Cream Cheese Dip is one of the easiest appetizers for parties, holidays and get togethers with friends. It is cool, creamy and so delicious.
• Texas Caviar is loaded with black eyed peas, black beans, onions and tomatoes for a quick appetizer that everyone always loves.

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